Protected Indians, limited exports, and a shortage of trade goods were only three of the factors hampering normal economic growth in Florida. Another was the continuing silver rush to New Spain and Peru. St. Augustine was not the place of choice for a Spanish immigrant. Soldiers and even friars assigned to Florida had to be guarded in the ports en route to keep them from jumping ship. In this sense the other North Atlantic colonies were again more fortunate. There were no better places for Englishmen, Scots, and Germans to go. (Bushnell KC)