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Montiano proposed free trade with the English
Source: The Governorship of Spanish Florida #122
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Two years after making his debasement proposal, Montiano raised the royal eyebrows with another plan. This time the governor argued that the economic condition of those serving under him could be alleviated only by free trade with the English colonies in America. Certain obvious advantages would result. First, goods brought into Saint Augustine on English shops removed all risks and costs now burdening the Spaniards. Moldy bread, wormy flour, rancid meat, rusty arms, and wet gunpowder would no longer be a problem, since the governor and his agents could examine all supplies before making a purchase. In addition, English traders sold goods cheaper than their Spanish counterparts. Twenty-five pounds of English flour cost 11 reales; the same amount cost 16 reales in New Spain. In order to prevent the spread of heretical Protestant ideas that might result from contact with English merchants, the governor suggested that all exchanges be made on Santa Anastasia Island across the river from Saint Augustine. In this way he could protect the residents against contamination by heretical English sailors. Montiano also indicated that quick discharge of English cargoes would eliminate the possibility of any social intercourse between the Floridians and the Carolinians. [Note: gov to king 4/15/1746] The practical arguments put forth by Montiano were difficult to refuse, but principle, law, and tradition were too deeply rooted among his superiors. Neither Ferdinand VI nor his councilors were prepared to take such a bold step; they were content to allow the colony to pursue its previous policies, trading occasionally with the English to obtain needed supplies but doing so without royal sanctions. The policy proposed by Montiano was far too radical, too great a change from the established system. It was up to Charles III to make these radical innovations. (Tepaske GSF)
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