Menéndez de Avilés and the foundation of San Agustín de la Florida General History of United States 03/10/20170 It is 1559, when France and Spain signed the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis becomed allies. The danger of France colonizing territories in the New World had passed. But in reality, French pirates and privateers continued to harass the maritime routes of Spanish ships and to look for points where they could