In October, 1513, Velásquez received letters from the king that expanded his powers in Cuba. Velásquez was authorized to assign Indians to encomiendas and establish additional towns as warranted by his discoveries. In particular he was encouraged to create settlements on the southern coast that would support trade with the growing Spanish presence in Panama. By 1514, the island was largely pacified and significant gold deposits were discovered at several sites on the island, setting off a brief gold rush that lasted until about 1520. At its peak, officials complained that the search for Cuban gold was depleting manpower in Hispaniola.