An
extract from: CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND THE NEW WORLD OF HIS DISCOVERY A NARRATIVE
BY FILSON YOUNG WITH A NOTE ON THE NAVIGATION OF COLUMBUS'S FIRST VOYAGE BY THE
EARL OF DUNRAVEN, K.P. THIRD EDITION NEW YORK HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 1912
We
may now read the account of the New World as Columbus sent it home to the King
and Queen of Spain in the end of January 1494, and as they read it some weeks
later. Their comments, written in the margin of the original, are printed in
italics at the end of each paragraph. It was drawn up in the form of a
memorandum, and entrusted to Antonio de Torres, who was commanding the return
expedition.
"What
you, Antonio de Torres, captain of the ship Marigalante and Alcalde of the City
of Isabella, are to say and supplicate on my part to the King and Queen, our
Lords, is as follows:—
"First.
Having delivered the letters of credence which you carry from me for their
Highnesses, you will kiss for me their Royal feet and hands and will recommend
me to their Highnesses, as to a King and Queen, my natural Lords, in whose
service I desire to end my days: as you will be able to say this more fully to
their Highnesses, according to what you have seen and known of me.
["Their Highnesses
hold him in their favour.']
"Item.
Although by the letters I write to their Highnesses, and also the father Friar
Buil and the Treasurer, they will be able to understand all that has been done
here since our arrival, and this very minutely and extensively: nevertheless,
you will say to their Highnesses on my part, that it has pleased God to give me
such favour in their service, that up to the present time I do not find less,
nor has less been found in anything than what I wrote and said and affirmed to
their Highnesses in the past: but rather, by the Grace of God, I hope that it
will appear by works much more clearly and very soon, because such signs and
indications of spices have been found on the shores of the sea alone, without
having gone inland, that there is reason that very much better results may be
hoped for: and this also may be hoped for in the mines of gold, because by two
persons only who went to investigate, each one on his own part, without
remaining there because there was not many people, so many rivers have been
discovered so filled with gold, that all who saw it and gathered specimens of
it with the hands alone, came away so pleased and say such things in regard to
its abundance, that I am timid about telling it and writing it to their
Highnesses: but because Gorbalan, who was one of the discoverers, is going
yonder, he will tell what he saw, although another named Hojeda remains here, a
servant of the Duke of Medinaceli, a very discreet youth and very prudent, who
without doubt and without comparison even, discovered much more according to
the memorandum which he brought of the rivers, saying that there is an
incredible quantity in each one of them: for this their Highnesses may give
thanks to God, since He has been so favourable to them in all their affairs.
["Their Highnesses
give many thanks to God jar this, and consider as a very signal service all
that the Admiral has done in this matter and is doing: because they know that
after God they are indebted to him for all they have had, and will have in this
affair: and as they are writing him more fully about this, they refer him to
their letter.]
"Item.
You will say to their Highnesses, although I already have written it to them,
that I desired greatly to be able to send them a larger quantity of gold in
this fleet, from that which it is hoped may be gathered here, but the greater
part of our people who are here, have fallen suddenly ill: besides, this fleet
cannot remain here longer, both on account of the great expense it occasions
and because this time is suitable for those persons who are to bring the things
which are greatly needed here, to go and be able to return: as, if they delay
going away from here, those who are to return will not be able to do so by May:
and besides this, if I wished to undertake to go to the mines or rivers now,
with the well people who are here, both on the sea and in the settlement on
land, I would have many difficulties and even dangers, because in order to go
twenty-three or twenty-four leagues from here where there are harbours and
rivers to cross, and in order to cover such a long route and reach there at the
time which would be necessary to gather the gold, a large quantity of
provisions would have to be carried, which cannot be carried on the shoulders,
nor are there beasts of burden here which could be used for this purpose: nor
are the roads and passes sufficiently prepared, although I have commenced to
get them in readiness so as to be passable: and also it was very inconvenient to
leave the sick here in an open place, in huts, with the provisions and supplies
which are on land: for although these Indians may have shown themselves to the
discoverers, and show themselves every day, to be very simple and not malicious:
nevertheless, as they come here among us each day, it did not appear that it
would be a good idea to risk losing these people and the supplies. This loss an
Indian with a piece of burning wood would be able to cause by setting fire to
the huts, because they are always going and coming by night and by day: on
their account, we have guards in the camp, while the settlement is open and
defenceless.
["That he did well]
"Moreover,
as we have seen among those who went by land to make discoveries that the
greater part fell sick after returning, and some of them even were obliged to
turn back on the road, it was also reasonable to fear that the same thing would
happen to those who are well, who would now go, and as a consequence they would
run the risk of two dangers: the one, that of falling sick yonder, in the same
work, where there is no house nor any defence against that cacique who is
called Caonabo, who is a very bad man according to all accounts, and much more
audacious and who, seeing us there, sick and in such disorder, would be able to
undertake what he would not dare if we were well: and with this difficulty
there is another — that of bringing here what gold we might obtain, because we
must either bring a small quantity and go and come each day and undergo the
risk of sickness, or it must be sent with some part of the people, incurring
the same danger of losing it.
["He did well]
"So
that, you will say to their Highnesses, that these are the causes why the fleet
has not been at present detained, and why more gold than the specimens has not
been sent them: but confiding in the mercy of God, who in everything and for
everything has guided us as far as here, these people will quickly become
convalescent, as they are already doing, because only certain places in the country
suit them and they then recover; and it is certain that if they had some fresh
meat in order to convalesce, all with the aid of God would very quickly be on
foot, and even the greater part would already be convalescent at this time: nevertheless
they will be re-established. With the few healthy ones who remain here, each
day work is done toward enclosing the settlement and placing it in a state of
some defence and the supplies in safety, which will be accomplished in a short
time, because it is to be only a small dry wall. For the Indians are not a
people to undertake anything unless they should find us sleeping, even though
they might have thought of it in the manner in which they served the others who
remained here. Only on account of their (the Spaniards') lack of caution — they
being so few — and the great opportunities they gave the Indians to have and do
what they did, they would never have dared to undertake to injure them if they
had seen that they were cautious. And this work being finished, I will then
undertake to go to the said rivers, either starting upon the road from here and
seeking the best possible expedients, or going around the island by sea as far
as that place from which it is said it cannot be more than six or seven leagues
to the said rivers. In such a manner that the gold can be gathered and placed
in security in some fortress or tower which can then be constructed there, in
order to keep it securely until the time when the two caravels return here, and
in order that then, with the first suitable weather for sailing this course, it
may be sent to a place of safety.
["That this is well
and must he done in this manner.]
"Item.
You will say to their Highnesses, as has been said, that the cause of the
general sicknesses common to all is the change of water and air, because we see
that it extends to all conditions and few are in danger: consequently, for the
preservation of health, after God, it is necessary that these people be
provided with the provisions to which they are accustomed in Spain, because
neither they, nor others who may come anew, will be able to serve their
Highnesses if they are not well: and this provision must continue until a
supply is accumulated here from what shall be sowed and planted here. I say
wheat and barley, and vines, of which little has been done this year: because a
site for the town could not be selected before, and then when it was selected
the few labourers who were here became sick, and they, even though they had
been well, had so few and such lean and meagre beasts of burden, that they were
able to do but little: nevertheless, they have sown something, more in order to
try the soil which appears very wonderful, so that from it some relief may be
hoped in our necessities. We are very sure, as the result makes it apparent to
us, that in this country wheat as well as the vine will grow very well: but the
fruit must be waited for, which, if it corresponds to the quickness with which
the wheat grows and of some few vine-shoots which were planted, certainly will
not cause regret here for the productions of Andalusia or Sicily: neither is it
different with the sugar-canes according to the manner in which some few that were
planted have grown. For it is certain that the sight of the land of these
islands, as well of the mountains and sierras and waters as of the plains where
there are rich rivers, is so beautiful, that no other land on which the sun
shines can appear better or as beautiful.
["Since the land is
such, it must be managed that the greatest possible quantity of all things
shall be sown, and Don Juan de
Fonseca is to be written
to send continually all that is necessary for this purpose.']
"Item.
You will say that, inasmuch as much of the wine which the fleet brought was
wasted on this journey, and this, according to what the greater number say, was
because of the bad workmanship which the coopers did in Seville, the greatest
necessity we feel here at the present time is for wines, and it is what we
desire most to have: and although we may have biscuit as well as wheat
sufficient for a longer time, nevertheless it is necessary that a reasonable
quantity should also be sent, because the journey is long and provision cannot
be made each day; and in the same manner some salted meat, I say bacon, and
other salt meat better than that we brought on this journey. It is necessary
that each time a caravel comes here, fresh meat shall be sent, and even more
than that, lambs and little ewe Iambs, more females than males, and some little
yearling calves, male and female, and some he-asses and she-asses and some
mares for labour and breeding, as there are none of these animals here of any
value or which can be made use of by man. And because I apprehend that their
Highnesses may not be in Seville, and that the officials or ministers will not
provide these things without their express order, and as it is necessary they
should come at the first opportunity, and as in consultation and reply the time
for the departure of the vessels — which must be here during all of May — will
be past: you will say to their Highnesses that I charged and commanded you to
pledge the gold you are carrying yonder and place it in possession of some
merchant in Seville, who will furnish therefor the necessary maravedis to load
two caravels with wine and wheat and the other things of which you are taking a
memorandum; which merchant will carry or send the said gold to their Highnesses
that they may see it and receive it, and cause what shall have been expended
for fitting out and loading of the said two caravels to be paid: and in order
to comfort and strengthen these people remaining here, the utmost efforts must
be made for the return of these caravels for all the month of May, that the
people before commencing the summer may see and have some refreshment from
these things, especially the invalids: the things of which we are already in
great need here are such as raisins, sugar, almonds, honey and rice, which
should have been sent in large quantities and very little was sent, and that
which came is already used and consumed, and even the greater part of the
medicines which were brought from there, on account of the multitude of sick
people. You are carrying memoranda signed by my hand, as has been said, of
things for the people in good health as well as for the sick. You will provide
these things fully if the money is sufficient, or at least the things which it
is most necessary to send at once, in order that the said two vessels can bring
them, and you can arrange with their Highnesses to have the remaining things
sent by other vessels as quickly as possible.
["Their Highnesses
sent an order to Don Juan de Fonseca to obtain at once information about the
persons who committed the fraud of the casks, and to cause all the damage to
the wine to be recovered from them, with the costs: and he must see that the
canes which are sent are of good quality, and that the other things mentioned
here are provided at once.]
"Item.
You will say to their Highnesses that as there is no language here by means of
which these people can be made to understand our Holy Faith, as their
Highnesses and also we who are here desire, although we will do all we can
towards it — I am sending some of the cannibals in the vessels, men and women
and male and female children, whom their Highnesses can order placed with
persons from whom they can better learn the language, making use of them in
service, and ordering that little by little more pains be taken with them than
with other slaves, that they may learn one from the other: if they do not see
or speak with each other until some time has passed, they will learn more
quickly there than here, and will be better interpreters — although we will not
cease to do as much as possible here. It is true that as there is little
intercourse between these people from one island to another, there is some
difference in their language, according to how far distant they are from each
other. And as, of the other islands, those of the cannibals are very large and
very well populated, it would appear best to take some of their men and women
and send them yonder to Castile, because by taking them away, it may cause them
to abandon at once that inhuman custom which they have of eating men; and by
learning the language there in Castile, they will receive baptism much more
quickly, and provide for the safety of their souls. Even among the peoples who
are not cannibals we shall gain great credit, by their seeing that we can seize
and take captive those from whom they are accustomed to receive injuries, and
of whom they are in such terror that they are frightened by one man alone. You
will certify to their Highnesses that the arrival here and sight of such a fine
fleet all together has inspired very great authority here and assured very
great security for future things: because all the people on this great island
and in the other islands, seeing the good treatment which those who well behave
receive, and the bad treatment given to those who behave ill, will very quickly
render obedience, so that they can be considered as vassals of their
Highnesses. And as now they not only do willingly whatever is required of them
by our people, but further, they voluntarily undertake everything which they
understand may please us, their Highnesses may also be certain that in many
respects, as much for the present as for the future, the coming of this fleet
has given them a great reputation, and not less yonder among the Christian princes;
which their Highnesses will be better able to consider and understand than I
can tell them.
["That he is to he
told what has befallen the cannibals who came here. That it is very well and
must be done in this manner, but that he must try as much as possible to bring
them to our Holy Catholic faith and do the same with the inhabitants of the
island where he is.]
"Item.
You will say to their Highnesses that the safety of the souls of the said
cannibals, and further of those here, has inspired the thought that the more
there are taken yonder, the better it will be, and their Highnesses can be
served by it in this manner: having seen how necessary the flocks and beasts of
burden are here, for the sustenance of the people who must be here, and even of
all these islands, their Highnesses can give licence and permission to a
sufficient number of caravels to come here each year, and bring the said flocks
and other supplies and things to settle the country and make use of the land: and
this at reasonable prices at the expense of those who bring them: and these
things can be paid for in slaves from among these cannibals, a very proud and
comely people, well proportioned and of good intelligence, who having been
freed from that inhumanity, we believe will be better than any other slaves.
They will be freed from this cruelty as soon as they are outside their country,
and many of them can be taken with the row-boats which it is known how to build
here: it being understood, however, that a trustworthy person shall be placed
on each one of the caravels coming here, who shall forbid the said caravels to
stop at any other place or island than this place, where the loading and
unloading of all the merchandise must be done. And further, their Highnesses
will be able to establish their rights over these slaves which are taken from
here yonder to Spain. And you will bring or send a reply to this, in order that
the necessary preparations may be made here with more confidence if it appears
well to their Highnesses.
["This project must
be held in abeyance for the present until another method is suggested from there,
and the Admiral may write what he thinks in regard to it.]
"Item.
Also you will say to their Highnesses that it is more profitable and costs less
to hire the vessels as the merchants hire them from Flanders, by tons, rather
than in any other manner: therefore I charged you to hire the two caravels
which you are to send here, in this manner: and all the others which their
Highnesses send here can be hired thus, if they consider it for their service: but
I do not intend to say this of those vessels which are to come here with their
licence, for the slave trade.
["Their Highnesses
order Don Juan de Fonseca to hire the caravels in this manner if it can be
done.]
"Item.
You will say to their Highnesses, that to avoid any further cost, I bought
these caravels of which you are taking a memorandum in order to retain them
here with these two ships: that is to say the Gallega and that other, the
Capitana, of which I likewise purchased the three-eighths from the master of
it, for the price given in the said memorandum which you are taking, signed by
my hand. These ships not only will give authority and great security to the
people who are obliged to remain inland and make arrangements with the Indians
to gather the gold, but they will also be of service in any other dangerous
matter which may arise with a strange people; besides the caravels are
necessary for the discovery of the mainland and the other islands which lie
between here and there; and you will entreat their Highnesses to order the
maravedis which these ships cost, paid at the times which they have been
promised, because without doubt they will soon receive what they cost,
according to what I believe and hope in the mercy of God.
["The Admiral has
done well, and to tell him that the sum has been paid here to the one who sold
the ship, and Don Juan de
Fonseca has been ordered
to pay for the two caravels which the Admiral bought.]
"Item.
You will say to their Highnesses, and will supplicate on my part as humbly as
possible, that it may please them to reflect on what they will learn most fully
from the letters and other writings in regard to the peace and tranquility and
concord of those who are here: and that for the service of their Highnesses
such persons may be selected as shall not be suspected, and who will give more
attention to the matters for which they are sent than to their own interests: and
since you saw and knew everything in regard to this matter, you will speak and
will tell their Highnesses the truth about all the things as you understood
them, and you will endeavour that the provision which their Highnesses make in
regard to it shall come with the first ships if possible, in order that there
may be no scandals here in a matter of so much importance in the service of
their Highnesses.
["Their Highnesses
are well informed in regard to this matter, and suitable provision will he made
for everything.']
"Item.
You will tell their Highnesses of the situation of this city, and the beauty of
the surrounding province as you saw and understood it, and how I made you its
Alcalde, by the powers which I have for same from their Highnesses: whom I
humbly entreat to hold the said provision in part satisfaction of your
services, as I hope from their Highnesses.
["It
pleases their Highnesses that you shall be Alcalde.'']
"Item.
Because Mosen Pedro Margarite, servant of their Highnesses, has done good
service, and I hope he will do the same henceforward in matters which are
intrusted to him, I have been pleased to have him remain here, and also Caspar
and Beltran, because they are recognised servants of their Highnesses, in order
to intrust them with matters of confidence. You will specially entreat their
Highnesses in regard to the said Mosen Pedro, who is married and has children,
to provide him with some charge in the order of Santiago, whose habit he wears,
that his wife and children may have the wherewith to live. In the same manner
you will relate how well and diligently Juan Aguado, servant of their
Highnesses, has rendered service in everything which he has been ordered to do,
and that I supplicate their Highnesses to have him and the aforesaid persons in
their charge and to reward them.
["Their
Highnesses order 30,000 maravedis to he assigned to Mosen Pedro each year, and
to Gaspar and Beltran, to each one,
15,000
maravedis each year, from the present, August 15, 1494 henceforward: and thus
the Admiral shall cause to be paid to them whatever must he paid yonder in the
Indies, and Don Juan de Fonseca whatever must he paid here: and in regard to
Juan
Aguado,
their Highnesses will hold him in remembrance.]
"Item.
You will tell their Highnesses of the labour performed by Dr Chanca, confronted
with so many invalids, and still more because of the lack of provisions: and
nevertheless, he acts with great diligence and charity in everything pertaining
to his office. And as their Highnesses referred to me the salary which he was
to receive here, because, being here, it is certain that he cannot take or
receive anything from anyone, nor earn money by his office as he earned it in
Castile, or would be able to earn it being at his ease and living in a
different manner from the way he lives here; therefore, notwithstanding he
swears that he earned more there, besides the salary which their Highnesses
gave him, I did not wish to allow more than 50,000 maravedis each year for the
work he performs here while he remains here. This I entreat their Highnesses to
order allowed to him with the salary from here, and that, because he says and
affirms that all the physicians of their Highnesses who are employed in Royal
a:Kairs or things similar to this, are accustomed to have by right one day's
wages in all the year from all the people. Nevertheless, I have been informed,
and they tell me, that however this may be, the custom is to give them a
certain sum, fixed according to the will and command of their Highnesses in
compensation for that day's wages. You will entreat their Highnesses to order
provision made as well in the matter of the salary as of this custom, in such
manner that the said Dr Chanca may have reason to be satisfied.
["Their Highnesses
are pleased in regard to this matter of Dr Chanca, and that he shall he paid
what the Admiral has assigned to him, together with his salary.
"In regard to the
day's wages of the physicians, they are not accustomed to receive it, save
where the King, our Lord, may he in person.']
"Item.
You will say to their Highnesses that Coronel is a man for the service of their
Highnesses in many things, and how much service he has rendered up to the
present in all the most necessary matters, and the need we feel of him now that
he is sick; and that rendering service in such a manner, it is reasonable that
he should receive the fruit of his service, not only in future favours, but in
his present salary, so that he and those who are here may feel that their
service profits them; because, so great is the labour which must be performed
here in gathering the gold that the persons who are so diligent are not to be
held in small consideration; and as, for his skill, he was provided here by me
with the office of Alguacil Mayor of these Indies; and since in the provision
the salary is left blank, you will say that I supplicate their Highnesses to
order it filled in with as large an amount as they may think right, considering
his services, confirming to him the provision I have given him here, and
assuring it to him annually.
["Their Highnesses
order that 15,000 maravedis more than his salary shall he assigned him each
year, and that it shall he paid to him with his salary."
"In
the same manner you will tell their Highnesses how the lawyer Gil Garcia came
here for Alcalde Mayor and no salary has been named or assigned to him; and he
is a capable person, well educated and diligent, and is very necessary here; that
I entreat their Highnesses to order his salary named and assigned, so that he
can sustain himself, and that it may be paid from the money allowed for
salaries here.
["Their Highnesses
order 20,000 maravedis besides his salary assigned to him each year, as long as
he remains yonder, and that it shall he paid him when his salary is paid.]
"Item.
You will say to their Highnesses, although it is already written in the
letters, that I do not think it will be possible to go to make discoveries this
year, until these rivers in which gold is found are placed in the most suitable
condition for the service of their Highnesses, as afterwards it can be done
much better. Because it is a thing which no one can do without my presence,
according to my will or for the service of their Highnesses, however well it
may be done, as it is doubtful what will be satisfactory to a man unless he is
present.
["Let him endeavour
that the amount of this gold may be known as precisely as possible.]
"Item.
You will say to their Highnesses that the Squires who came from Granada showed
good horses in the review which took place at Seville, and afterward at the
embarkation I did not see them because I was slightly unwell, and they replaced
them with such horses that the best of them do not appear to be worth 2000
maravedis, as they sold the others and bought these; and this was done in the
same way to many people as I very well saw yonder, in the reviews at Seville.
It appears that Juan de Soria, after he had been given the money for the wages,
for some interest of his own substituted others in place of those I expected to
find here, and I found people whom I had never seen. In this matter he was
guilty of great wickedness, so that I do not know if I should complain of him
alone. On this account, having seen that the expenses of these Squires have
been defrayed until now, besides their wages and also wages for their horses,
and it is now being done: and they are persons who, when they are sick or when
they do not desire to do so, will not allow any use to be made of their horses
save by themselves; and their Highnesses do not desire that these horses should
be purchased of them, but that they should be used in the service of their
Highnesses: and it does not appear to them that they should do anything or
render any service except on horseback, which at the present time is not much
to the purpose: on this account, it seems that it would be better to buy the
horses from them, since they are of so little value, and not have these
disagreements with them every day. Therefore their Highnesses may determine
this as will best serve them.
["Their Highnesses
order Don Juan de Fonseca to inform himself in regard to this matter of the
horses, and if it shall he found true that this fraud was committed, those
persons shall he sent to their Highnesses to be punished: and also he is to
inform himself in regard to what is said of the other people, and send the
result of the examination to their Highnesses; and in regard to these Squires,
their Highnesses command that they remain there and render service, since they belong
to the guards and servants of their Highnesses: and their Highnesses order the
Squires to give up the horses each time it is necessary and the Admiral orders
it, and if the horses receive any injury through others using them, their
Highnesses order that the damage shall be paid to them by means of the
Admiral.']
"Item.
You will say to their Highnesses that more than 200 persons have come here
without wages, and there are some of them who render good service. And as it is
ordered that the others rendering similar service should be paid: and as for
these first three years it would be of great benefit to have 1000 men here to
settle, and place this island and the rivers of gold in very great security,
and even though there were 100 horsemen nothing would be lost, but rather it
seems necessary, although their Highnesses will be able to do without these
horsemen until gold is sent: nevertheless, their Highnesses must send to say
whether wages shall be paid to these 200 persons, the same as to the others
rendering good service, because they are certainly necessary, as I have said in
the beginning of this memorandum.
[''In regard to these 200
persons, who are here said to have gone without wages, their Highnesses order
that they shall take the places of those who went for wages, who have failed or
shall fail to fulfil their engagements, if they are skilful and satisfactory to
the Admiral. And their Highnesses order the Purser {Contador) to enrol them in
place of those who fail to fulfil their engagements, as the Admiral shall
instruct him.]
"Item.
As the cost of these people can be in some degree lightened and the better part
of the expense could be avoided by the same means employed by other Princes in
other places: it appears that it would be well to order brought in the ships,
besides the other things which are for the common maintenance and the
medicines, shoes and the skins from which to order the shoes made, common shirts
and others, jackets, linen, sack-coats, trowsers and cloths suitable for
wearing apparel, at reasonable prices: and other things like conserves which
are not included in rations, and are for the preservation of health, which
things all the people here would willingly receive to apply on their wages: and
if these were purchased yonder in Spain by faithful Ministers who would act for
the advantage of their Highnesses, something would be saved. Therefore you will
learn the will of their Highnesses about this matter, and if it appears to them
to be of benefit to them, then it must be placed in operation.
["This arrangement is
to be in abeyance until the Admiral writes more fully, and at another time they
will send to order Don Juan de Fonseca with
Jimeno de Bribiesca to make provision for the same.]
"Item.
You will say to their Highnesses that inasmuch as yesterday in the review
people were found who were without arms, which I think happened in part by that
exchange which took place yonder in Seville, or in the harbour when those who
presented themselves armed were left, and others were taken who gave something
to those who made the exchange, it seems that it would be well to order 200
cuirasses sent, and 100 muskets and 100 crossbows, and a large quantity of
arsenal supplies, which is what we need most, and all these arms can be given
to those who are unarmed.
["Already Don Juan de
Fonseca has been written to make provision for this.]
"Item.
Inasmuch as some artisans who came here, such as masons and other workmen, are
married and have wives yonder in Spain, and would like to have what is owing
them from their wages given to their wives or to the persons to whom they will
send their requirements in order that they may buy for them the things which they
need here: I supplicate their Highnesses to order it paid to them, because it
is for their benefit to have these persons provided for here.
["Their Highnesses
have already sent orders to Don Juan de Fonseca to make provision for this
matter.]
"Item.
Because, besides the other things which are asked for there according to the
memoranda which you are carrying signed by my hand, for the maintenance of the
persons in good health as well as for the sick ones, it would be very well to
have fifty casks of molasses (miel de azucar) from the island of Madeira, as it
is the best sustenance in the world and the most healthful, and it does not
usually cost more than two ducats per cask, without the cask: and if their
Highnesses order some caravel to stop there in returning, it can be purchased
and also ten cases of sugar, which is very necessary; as this is the best
season of the year to obtain it, I say between the present time and the month
of April, and to obtain it at a reasonable price. If their Highnesses command
it, the order could be given, and it would not be known there for what place it
is wanted.
["Let Don Juan de
Fonseca make provision for this matter.]
"Item.
You will say to their Highnesses that although the rivers contain gold in the
quantity related by those who have seen it, yet it is certain that the gold is
not engendered in the rivers but rather on the land, the waters of the rivers
which flow by the mines bringing it enveloped in the sands; and as among these
rivers which have been discovered there are some very large ones, there are
others so small that they are fountains rather than rivers, which are not more
than two fingers of water in depth, and then the source from which they spring
may be found: for this reason not only labourers to gather it in the sand will
be profitable, but others to dig for it in the earth, which will be the most
particular operation and produce a great quantity. And for this, it will be
well for their Highnesses to send labourers, and from among those who work yonder
in Spain in the mines of Almaden, that the work may be done in both ways.
Although we will not await them here, as with the labourers we have here we
hope, with the aid of God, once the people are in good health, to amass a good
quantity of gold to be sent on the first caravels which return.
["This will be fully
provided for in another manner. In the meantime their Highnesses order Don Juan
de Fonseca to send the best miners he can obtain; and to write to Almaden to
have the greatest possible number taken from there and sent.]
"Item.
You will entreat their Highnesses very humbly on my part, to consider
Villacorta as speedily recommended to them, who, as their Highnesses know, has
rendered great service in this business, and with a very good will, and as I
know him, he is a diligent person and very devoted to their service: it will be
a favour to me if he is given some confidential charge for which he is fitted,
and where he can show his desire to serve them and his diligence: and this you
will obtain in such a way that Villacorta may know by the result, that what he
has done for me when I needed him profits him in this manner.
["It will be done
thus.]
"Item.
That the said Mosen Pedro and Caspar and Beltran and others who have remained
here gave up the captainship of caravels, which have now returned, and are not
receiving wages: but because they are persons who must be employed in important
matters and of confidence, their compensation, which must be different from the
others, has not been determined. You will entreat their Highnesses on my part
to determine what is to be given them each year, or by the month, according to
their service.
"Done
in the city of Isabella, January 30, 1494.
["This has already
been replied to above, but as it is stated in the said item that they enjoy
their salary, from the present time their Highnesses order that their wages
shall be paid to all of them from the time they left their captainships."]
This
document is worth studying, written as it was in circumstances that at one
moment looked desperate and at another were all hope. Columbus was struggling
manfully with difficulties that were already beginning to be too much for him.
His guiding star of faith in some shore beyond the mist and radiance of the
West — see into what strange places and to what strange occupations it has led
him! The blue, visionary eyes, given to seeing things immediately beyond the
present horizon, must fix themselves on accounts and requisitions, on the needs
of idle, aristocratic, grumbling Spaniards; must fix themselves also on that
blank void in the bellies of his returning ships, where the gold ought to have
been. The letter has its practical side; the requisitions are made with good
sense and a grasp of the economic situation; but they have a deeper
significance than that. All this talk about little ewe lambs, wine and bacon
(better than the last lot, if it pleases your Highnesses), little yearling
calves, and fifty casks of molasses that can be bought a ducat or two cheaper
in Madeira in the months of April and May than at any other time or place, is
only half real. Columbus fills his Sovereigns' ears with this clamour so that
he shall not hear those embarrassing questions that will inevitably be asked
about the gold and the spices. He boldly begins his letter with the old story
about " indications of spices "and gold" in incredible
quantities," with a great deal of "moreover" and
"besides," and a bold, pompous, pathetic "I will undertake";
and then he gets away from that subject by wordy deviations, so that to one
reading his letter it really might seem as though the true business of the
expedition was to provide Coronel, Mosen Pedro, Caspar, Beltran, Gil Garcia,
and the rest of them with work and wages. Everything that occurs to him, great or
little, that makes it seem as though things were humming in the new settlement,
he stuffs into this document, shovelling words into the empty hulls of the
ships, and trying to fill those bottomless pits with a stream of talk. A system
of slavery is boldly and bluntly sketched; the writer, in the hurry and stress
of the moment, giving to its economic advantages rather greater prominence than
to its religious glories. The memorandum, for all its courageous attempt to be
very cool and orderly and practical, gives us, if ever a human document did, a
picture of a man struggling with an impossible situation which he will not
squarely face, like one who should try to dig up the seashore and keep his eyes
shut the while.
In
the royal comments written against the document one seems to trace the hand of
Isabella rather than of Ferdinand. Their tone is matter-of-fact, cool, and
comforting, like the coolness of a woman's hand placed on a feverish brow.
Isabella believed in him; perhaps she read between the lines of this document,
and saw, as we can see, how much anxiety and distress were written there; and
her comments are steadying and encouraging. He has done well; what he asks is
being attended to; their Highnesses are well informed in regard to this and
that matter; suitable provision will be made for everything; hut let him
endeavour that the amount of this gold may be known as precisely as possible.
There
is indeed no escaping from that. The Admiral (no one knows it better than
himself) must make good his dazzling promises, and coin every boastful word
into a golden excelente of Spain. Alas! he must no longer write about the lush
grasses, the shining rivers, the brightly coloured parrots, the gaudy flies and
insects, the little singing birds, and the nights that are like May in Cordova.
He must find out about the gold; for it has come to grim business in the
Earthly Paradise.
