The Spanish crown no longer encouraged Indian trade in the late 16th century anyhow; it barely permitted it. St. Augustine was a coast guard station, a military base, and a mission center, not a commercial colony, and the government saw no reason to supply sailors, soldiers, and friars with trade goods. When Governor Mendez de Canzo made peace with the Guale Indians in 1600 the treasurer observed for the royal benefit that it was to be hoped the governor was acting out of a zeal for souls and His Majesty’s service and was not influenced by the good price for sassafras in Seville. [Note 32: Juan Menendez Marquez 4/13/1601. The governor’s visits and pacifications, according to the treasurer, were thinly veiled trips for amber and sassafras (idem 4/21/1603).] (Bushnell KC)