RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS

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be possible to describe the rejoicings in that little port. The entire population turned out to welcome Columbus and "to give thanks to our Lord for so great favor and victory."

"1

Reception of Columbus. Never was witnessed in Spain so splendid a procession as in April, 1493, wound its way from Seville to Barcelona. As it passed along the highways, all the people crowded up to catch a glimpse of the Discoverer, of his Indians, and of the productions of their country. When he arrived near Barcelona, he was met by many dignitaries and by them escorted to the presence of Ferdinand and Isabella. When he went to kiss their hands, they arose, as to a person of high rank, and caused him to sit beside them.

Treaty of Tordesillas. When, on returning from the voyage of discovery, Columbus was forced by a storm to seek a haven of refuge in Portugal, he was reminded by the king of that country that his discoveries might be within the limits of Portuguese authority. The danger of a conflict of interests between Spain and Portugal led the Pope, when requested, to act as umpire. A year later (1494), by the treaty of Tordesillas (tōr-da-sēl'yahss), it was agreed that a line 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands should be drawn from pole to pole. East of that line Portugal could continue her explorations and west of it Spain was free to make discoveries.

The Transfer of Civilization. — Columbus soon made ready for a second voyage, because their Majesties had decided to found a colony in the Indies, as the new lands were henceforth called. This time there was no lack of

1 Ferdinand and Isabella hastened to inform Pope Alexander VI, himself a Spaniard, of the exploit of Columbus. In making the announcement they mention the existence in the new islands of gold and spices, but at the same time they declared that in fitting out the expedition their motives were discovery and the extension of Christianity.

SECOND AND THIRD VOYAGES

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men, of money, or of ships. By September 25, 1493, there had been assembled seventeen vessels carrying colonists and soldiers to the number of 1500. The Indians, who had been converted, were returning to their homes. Besides its human cargo the fleet brought farming implements, plants, and seeds; also horses and cattle. This was the first step in the transfer of civilization to the New World. Isabella. One night in November the fleet reached the vicinity of Fort Navidad. The salute of the ships was followed by a fearful silence. Toward midnight there came from the shore Indians shouting, "Almirante! Almirante!" (Admiral! Admiral!). They told Columbus that many of the Spaniards had died and that others had gone into the country. Morning confirmed his fears. Not a Spaniard survived.

The ill-fated Navidad was abandoned and another location for a settlement was selected on the northern coast of Española (Haiti). This they appropriately named Isabella, the first city of the Indies. Leaving the town to be ruled by a commission, the Admiral undertook a more careful exploration of Cuba, which he believed to be a part of the mainland of Asia. During his absence the state of affairs in Haiti became alarming. Certain officials in the town were active in creating discontent, and a few escaped with a ship of the Admiral's brother, Bartholomew, who had come out as military governor. On their return to Spain they gave an account of the country very different from that given by Columbus.

Third Expedition. In 1496 Columbus returned to Spain. The hostility of officials prevented for two years his third voyage to the New World, but finally he brought together a small fleet, one part of which sailed directly for Haiti, while the other took a more southerly route. It was on this voyage that Columbus first sighted the

mainland of America. On July 31, 1498, he beheld Trinidad (Trinity) and on the following day was coasting along the continent of South America, which he told his sovereigns was "another world."

Discontented men roamed

The Admiral's Downfall. over the island of Haiti committing all sorts of excesses and unsettling the friendly relations that Columbus had established with the Indians. The leader of the discontented found himself supported by most of the Spanish settlers against those whom they called "upstart foreigners." The rank, the merit, and the services of the Admiral could not silence the voice of slander. This condition put a stop to further discovery.

King Ferdinand empowered Bobadilla, who was sent from Spain, to decide all matters between the Admiral and the colonists. If he found Columbus and his brother guilty, he was instructed to supersede them. It is enough to say that Bobadilla, without any trial, had them put in irons and separately confined on board a ship until it sailed for Spain. The humane officers of the returning vessel offered to remove the irons from Columbus, but he said that his treatment had been ordered by their Majesties and by them the irons should be removed.

When the discoverer's treatment became known, all Spain was indignant. Convinced of his innocence, the sovereigns ordered the prisoner set at liberty. A sum of money was sent to the Admiral together with a grateful and affectionate letter inviting him to court. No attention was paid to the charges against him, but his rights were not restored.

Fourth and Last Voyage. In May, 1502, Columbus set out on his fourth and last voyage, intending to reach India. In the matter of time this was his longest voyage. Along the Honduras coast he saw natives with a civiliza