By Spanish mercantilist rules nothing could be brought into a Spanish port except in a licensed ship with prior registration. At times the presidio was so short on military and naval supplies that the governor and officials waived the regulations and purchased artillery and ammunition, cables and canvas off a ship hailed on the open seas; or a foreign merchantman entered the harbor flying a signal of distress, news bearing, or prisoner exchange, and sold goods either openly or under cover. [Note 45: Juan Menendez Marquez, Juan Lopez de Aviles, and Bartolome de Arguelles 9/13/1600.] (Bushnell KC)