This was enough to convince Philip V of the innocence of the Spaniards. Determined to stifle anti-peninsular attitudes in Florida, he declared the 19 friars “indispensable” for the instruction and conversion of the Indians. Statements concerning their misconduct—whether justified or not—insulted both the Franciscan commissary and his enlistment officer, who were responsible for sending the 19 to Florida in the first place. The king also admonished Creole Franciscans to welcome all Spanish friars with affection and to attend to their needs. [Note 100: Cedula al padre provincial del orden de San Agustin de la Florida, Sevilla, 5/14/1732] Benavides received royal orders to prevent any further recurrence of this “natural antipathy” between Spaniard and Creole and to see to it that all regular clergymen received instruction in the Indian languages in order to increase their effectiveness once they took their place among the natives. [Note 101: Cedula Sevilla 5/14/1732] In 1732 the monarch also took steps to send nine additional Spanish friars to Florida. (Tepaske GSF)