Upon his return to Cuba late in November, 1736, Arredondo confirmed the rumors concerning Moral’s conduct in Florida. The engineer had uncovered evidence of fraud, peculation, favoritism, and flagrant disobedience of royal law on the part of the governor. Guemes was astounded at Arredondo’s findings. In a strong letter to authorities in Spain he wrote there were “such scandalous excesses in the manner of living of that governor, that they [the residents of Saint Augustine] have no decent words with which to describe them.” The imprisonment of Felipe Iturrieta was particularly distressing to Guemes, who trusted the Cuban officer implicitly as a “man of honor” and “distinguished character.” That Moral could throw this loyal subject in prison for treason was inconceivable to Guemes. [Note: gov of Cuba to king 11/27/1736. One month later Guemes’ attitude had changed completely. With Arredondo’s reports before him, he had become convinced of Moral’s guilt.] (Tepaske GSF)