PART II. He learns death. the natives; was wrecked on the island of Jamaica, where he was permitted to linger more than a year, through the malice of Ovando, the new governor of St. Domingo; and finally, having reëmbarked with his shattered crew in a vessel freighted at his own expense, was driven by a succession of terrible tempests across the ocean, until, on the 7th of November, 1504, he anchored in the little port of St. Lucar, twelve leagues from Seville.1 In this quiet haven, Columbus hoped to find the repose his broken constitution and wounded spirit so much needed, and to obtain a speedy restitution of his honors and emoluments from the hand of Isabella. But here he was to experience his bitterest disappointment. At the time of his arrival, the queen was on her death-bed; and in a very few days Columbus received the afflicting intelligence, that the friend, on whose steady support he had so confidently relied, was no more. It was a heavy blow to his hopes, for "he had always experienced favor and protection from her," says his son Ferdinand, "while the king had not only been indifferent, but positively unfriendly to his interests." We may readily credit, that a man of the cold and prudent 1 Martyr, De Rebus Oceanicis, dec. 3, lib. 4. Benzoni, Novi Orbis Hist., lib. 1, cap. 14.Fernando Colon, Hist. del Almirante, cap. 88-108. Herrera, Indias Occidentales, dec. 1, lib. 5, cap. 2-12; lib. 6, cap. 1-13. Navarrete, Coleccion de Viages, tom. i. pp. 282 - 325. The best authorities for the fourth voyage are the relations of Mendez and Porras, both engaged in it; and above all the admiral's own letter to the sovereigns from Jamaica. They are all collected in the first volume of Navarrete. (Ubi supra.) Whatever cloud may be thrown over the early part of Columbus's career, there is abundant light on every step of his path after the commencement of his great enterprise. 2 Hist. del Almirante, cap. 108. XVIII. character of the Spanish monarch would not be CHAPTER very likely to comprehend one so ardent and aspiring as that of Columbus, nor to make allowance for his extravagant sallies. And, if nothing has hitherto met our eye to warrant the strong language of the son, yet we have seen that the king, from the first, distrusted the admiral's projects, as having something unsound and chimerical in them. The affliction of the latter at the tidings of Isabella's death is strongly depicted in a letter written immediately after to his son Diego. "It is our chief duty," he says, “to commend to God most affectionately and devoutly the soul of our deceased lady, the queen. Her life was always Catholic and virtuous, and prompt to whatever could redound to his holy service; wherefore, we may trust, she now rests in glory, far from all concern for this rough and weary world.” 3 Columbus, at this time, was so much crippled His illness by the gout, to which he had been long subject, that he was unable to undertake a journey to Segovia, where the court was, during the winter. He lost no time, however, in laying his situation before the king through his son Diego, who was attached to the royal household. He urged his past services, the original terms of the capitulation made with him, their infringement in almost every particular, and his own necessitous condition. But Ferdinand was too busily occupied with his own concerns, at this crisis, to give much heed to those 3 Cartas de Colon, apud Navarrete, Coleccion de Viages, tom. i. p. 341. PART II. of Columbus, who repeatedly complains of the inattention shown to his application.* At length, on the approach of a milder season, the admiral, having obtained a dispensation in his favor from the ordinance prohibiting the use of mules, was able 1505. by easy journeys to reach Segovia, and present himself before the monarch.5 May. He visits the court. He was received with all the outward marks of courtesy and regard by Ferdinand, who assured him that "he fully estimated his important services, and, far from stinting his recompense to the precise terms of the capitulation, intended to confer more ample favors on him in Castile." 6 These fair words, however, were not seconded by actions. The king probably had no serious thoughts of reinstating the admiral in his government. His successor, Ovando, was high in the royal favor. His rule, however objectionable as regards the Indians, was every way acceptable to the Spanish colonists; and even his oppression of the poor natives was so far favorable to his cause, that it enabled him to pour much larger sums into the royal coffers, than had been gleaned by his more humane predecessor. 7 The events of the last voyage, moreover, had 4 See his interesting correspondence with his son Diego; now printed for the first time by Señor Navarrete from the original MSS. in the duke of Veragua's possession. Coleccion de Viages, tom.i. p. 338 et seq. 5 Herrera, Indias Occidentales, dec. 1, lib. 6, cap. 14. Fernando Colon, Hist. del Almirante, cap. For an account of this ordinance see Part II. Chapter 3, note 12, of this History. 6 Herrera, Indias Occidentales, dec. 1, lib. 6, cap. 14. 7 lbid., dec. 1, lib. 5, cap. 12. 8 Ibid., dec. 1, lib. 5, cap. 12; lib. 6, cap. 16 - 18. Garibay, Compendio, tom. ii. lib. 19, cap. 14. XVIII. probably not tended to dispel any distrust, which CHAPTER the king previously entertained of the admiral's capacity for government. His men had been in a state of perpetual insubordination; while his letter to the sovereigns, written under distressing circumstances, indeed, from Jamaica, exhibited such a deep coloring of despondency, and occasionally such wild and visionary projects, as might almost suggest the suspicion of a temporary alienation of mind. 9 unjust treat ment of him. But whatever reasons may have operated to post- Ferdinand's pone Columbus's restoration to power, it was the grossest injustice to withhold from him the revenues secured by the original contract with the crown. According to his own statement, he was so far from receiving his share of the remittances made by Ovando, that he was obliged to borrow money, and had actually incurred a heavy debt for his necessary expenses.10 The truth was, that, as the resources of the new countries began to develope themselves more abundantly, Ferdinand felt greater reluctance to comply with the letter of the original capitulation; he now considered the compensation as too vast and altogether disproportioned to the services of any subject; and at length was so un 9 This document exhibits a medley, in which sober narrative and sound reasoning are strangely blended with crazy dreams, doleful lamentation, and wild schemes for the recovery of Jerusalem, the conversion of the Grand Khan, &c. Vagaries like these, which come occasionally like clouds over his soul, to shut out the light of rea PART II. He declines in health generous as to propose, that the admiral should relinquish his claims, in consideration of other estates and dignities to be assigned him in Castile." It argued less knowledge of character than the king usually showed, that he should have thought the man, who had broken off all negotiations on the threshold of a dubious enterprise, rather than abate one tittle of his demands, would consent to such abatement, when the success of that enterprise was so gloriously established. What assistance Columbus actually received from the crown at this time, or whether he received any, does not appear. He continued to reside with the court, and accompanied it in its removal to Valladolid. He no doubt enjoyed the public consideration due to his high repute and extraordinary achievements; though by the monarch he might be regarded in the unwelcome light of a creditor, whose claims were too just to be disavowed, and too large to be satisfied. With spirits broken by this unthankful requital and spirits of his services, and with a constitution impaired by a life of unmitigated hardship, Columbus's health now rapidly sunk under the severe and reiterated attacks of his disorder. On the arrival of Philip and Joanna, he addressed a letter to them, through his brother Bartholomew, in which he lamented the infirmities which prevented him from paying his respects in person, and made a tender of his future services. The communication was graciously re 11 Fernando Colon, Hist. del Almirante, cap. 108. Herrera, Indias Occidentales, lib. 6, cap. 14. |