In a place as precedent-conscious as St. Augustine, the cases defining what was to be done about leaves of absence were important. Factor Alonso de las Alas quarreled with Treasurer Juan Menendez Marquez in 1595 over whose turn it was to go for the situado. Las Alas thought he had won, but when he got back from New Spain the treasurer and the governor indicted him for bringing part of the situado in clothing instead of cash. At their recommendation the Council suspended him for four years without salary. [Note 55: Juan Lopez de Aviles 2/23/1600] After his reinstatement Las Alas requested a 2-year leave to go to Spain. The treasurer had obtained a similar leave on half-salary the year before, but the crown felt no obligation to be consistent: Las Alas had to take his leave without pay. [Note 56: Alonso de las Alas 5/24/1602; cedula to Juan Menendez Marquez 3/21/1603] (Bushnell KC)