But in 1715 hope suddenly revived that the Spanish could regain their Indian alliances. On the evening of May 27, 1715, four Yamasee chiefs, representing 161 villages, appeared in Saint Augustine asking aid and protection of Governor Corcoles. Bitter enemies of the Spaniards during the war and perpetrators of many atrocities in Apalache, the Yamasees had recently defected from their English allies because of demands now being made upon them. ...Governor Corcoles received the Yamasees warmly. AN301 He believed that an alliance with the 161 villages would lay the way open for a revival of the Franciscan mission program and would create a formidable band of Indian allies, who could help defend Florida’s northern frontier. In effect, Corcoles hoped to use the Indians as the English had used them so effectively in Queen Anne’s War—as military allies. [Note 15: gov to king 7/5/1716] As proof of his good will, the governor gave gifts to the Indians and promised them firearms and foodstuffs from Spain and Mexico. He also sought and obtained an increase in the annual allowance set aside for the Indians in the subsidy, a rise from 2,063 pesos (1,500 ducats) to 6,000 pesos. [Note 16: gov to king 1/25/1716] (Tepaske GSF)