Like the governor, the treasurer and accountant were provided with official residences in St. Augustine. They knew when boats were being dispatched to barter for ambergris or furs with the infieles (the Indians not yet converted). They speculated on the certificates for back wages which served as a medium of exchange after 1638. A treasury official's salary plus rations amounted to 1,150 ducats or 1,470 pesos, ten times as much as a foot soldier was paid. The governor received 2,080 ducats. The two treasury officials were also the city councilmen which allowed them to regulate prices, assign lots, and receive a rebate from tavern sales. Traveling to Mexico City for the situado was a prerogative the officials generally shared in turn. The per diem they received nearly doubled their salaries, and while they were at the viceregal capital they often made use of the King's money to buy trade goods of their own. (Bushnell MM)