After [Moral's] departure in 1737, however, little was done to continue the [naval stores] experiment until 1744, when Montiano proposed to re-establish the industry on a grander scale. He wanted to erect a large factory to produce tar and pitch for the shipbuilders of the Havana Company. He also believed the tall pines in the mountains north of Apalache would make superb masts and spars, which could easily be floated to the coast on one of the many rivers flowing into the Gulf of Mexico near Apalache. As a by-product the Floridians could fashion ramrods for artillery for use all over the Indies. Montiano also believed that such a venture demanded the creation of a new company similar to the Havana Company. Montiano’s enthusiasm was not contagious, however, and his superiors in Spain proved unwilling to sponsor such an enterprise. When the governor left in 1749, nothing had been done to implement his plan. But this did not end the matter. In April, 1756... (Tepaske GSF)