Two years passed before Saturiwa faced the French again. Disputes between different Timucua polities had worsened. Hoping that he could use the French to his advantage, Saturiwa encouraged the French to reaffirm their alliance with him at Ribault’s column, the site of their previous visit. Enticing the French leader with symbols of his prosperous networks, a gift of silver and deerskin, Saturiwa invited the French to settle on his land, provided they assist him in raiding his enemies: the Timucuas led by Outina. Agreeing to Saturiwa’s terms, French Huguenot René de Laudonnière began building La Caroline colony, a project Saturiwa kept a close eye on. However, the French had diplomatic intentions of their own. Namely, to secure peace with Outina in hopes of acquiring his riches. In response, Saturiwa decided to make the French adhere to their alliance or let them survive on their own.
DIPLOMACY AND DISTRUST
For fifteen months, the French tried to open relations with both Saturiwa and Outina, while committing allegiance to neither. Fed up with this tactic, Saturiwa ended his dealings with the French and left them to struggle for survival. September 1565 brought Spanish arrival and French removal from Florida. For the Mocamas, a new set of relationships were about to unfold.
