But even the English, who seemed so successful among the Indians, were unable to keep them steadfastly loyal or to use them effectively as military allies. The Lower Creeks, in particular, proved practical opportunists, who saw advantages in expressing allegiance to any side offering them aid and favors. During the War of Jenkins’s Ear, at a crucial period in the war, several bands of Oglethorpe’s Lower Creeks made their way to Saint Augustine under a flag of truce, requesting muskets, powder, shot, and rum in return for an alliance. Montiano, however, was both suspicious and destitute. He neither trusted nor had the supplies to fulfil their requests. Sending them away empty-handed, Montiano saw the Indians as undependable allies who allegiance could be bought only on a temporary basis. Montiano’s proposal for regaining friends among the Indians was to trade with them on liberal terms. He was partially convinced, at least, that a large trading post (tienda) in Apalache would do much to foster good relations with the natives, particularly the Lower Creeks. Well-stocked with muskets, pistols, powder, balls, shot, vermilion, cloth, buttons, rum, honey, sugar, tobacco, pipes, salt, paper, and other articles the enterprise could become self-supporting by trading for Indian furs. Establishment of such a store would allow closer associations between the Spaniards and the Indians and make it easier to win them away from the Georgians and Carolinians. It would also place their relationships on a more dignified basis than that of beggar and benefactor. In the winter of 1744.. (Tepaske GSF)