The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, vol 2 | Page 2

Spain. II.
Illness of Columbus at Seville.--Application to the Crown for a
Restitution of his Honors.--Death of Isabella. III. Columbus arrives at
Court.--Fruitless Application to the King for Redress. IV. Death of
Columbus. V. Observations on the Character of Columbus.
Appendix
Index

The Life and Voyages of Columbus

Book XI.
Chapter I.
Administration of the Adelantado.--Expedition to the Province of
Xaragua.
[1498.]

Columbus had anticipated repose from his toils on arriving at
Hispaniola, but a new scene of trouble and anxiety opened upon him,

destined to impede the prosecution of his enterprises, and to affect all
his future fortunes. To explain this, it is necessary to relate the
occurrences of the island during his long detention in Spain.
When he sailed for Europe in March, 1496, his brother, Don
Bartholomew, who remained as Adelantado, took the earliest measures
to execute his directions with respect to the mines recently discovered
by Miguel Diaz on the south side of the island. Leaving Don Diego
Columbus in command at Isabella, he repaired with a large force to the
neighborhood of the mines, and, choosing a favorable situation in a
place most abounding in ore, built a fortress, to which he gave the
name of San Christoval. The workmen, however, finding grains of gold
among the earth and stone employed in its construction, gave it the
name of the Golden Tower. [1]
The Adelantado remained here three months, superintending the
building of the fortress, and making the necessary preparations for
working the mines and purifying the ore. The progress of the work,
however, was greatly impeded by scarcity of provisions, having
frequently to detach a part of the men about the country in quest of
supplies. The former hospitality of the island was at an end. The
Indians no longer gave their provisions freely; they had learnt from the
white men to profit by the necessities of the stranger, and to exact a
price for bread. Their scanty stores, also, were soon exhausted, for their
frugal habits, and their natural indolence and improvidence, seldom
permitted them to have more provisions on hand than was requisite for
present support. [2] The Adelantado found it difficult, therefore, to
maintain so large a force in the neighborhood, until they should have
time to cultivate the earth, and raise live-stock, or should receive
supplies from Spain. Leaving ten men to guard the fortress, with a dog
to assist them in catching utias, he marched with the rest of his men,
about four hundred in number, to Fort Conception, in the abundant
country of the Vega. He passed the whole month of June collecting the
quarterly tribute, being supplied with food by Guarionex and his
subordinate caciques. In the following month (July, 1496) the three
caravels commanded by Niño arrived from Spain, bringing a
reinforcement of men, and, what was still more needed, a supply of

provisions. The latter was quickly distributed among the hungry
colonists, but unfortunately a great part had been injured during the
voyage. This was a serious misfortune in a community where the least
scarcity produced murmur and sedition.
By these ships the Adelantado received letters from his brother,
directing him to found a town and sea-port at the mouth of the Ozema,
near to the new mines. He requested him, also, to send prisoners to
Spain such of the caciques and their subjects as had been concerned in
the death of any of the colonists; that being considered as sufficient
ground, by many of the ablest jurists and theologians of Spain, for
selling them as slaves. On the return of the caravels, the Adelantado
dispatched three hundred Indian prisoners, and three caciques. These
formed the ill-starred cargoes about which Niño had made such absurd
vaunting, as though the ships were laden with treasure; and which had
caused such mortification, disappointment, and delay to Columbus.
Having obtained by this arrival a supply of provisions, the Adelantado
returned to the fortress of San Christoval, and thence proceeded to the
Ozema, to choose a site for the proposed seaport. After a careful
examination, he chose the eastern bank of a natural haven at the mouth
of the river. It was easy of access, of sufficient depth, and good
anchorage. The river ran through a beautiful and fertile country; its
waters were pure and salubrious, and well stocked with fish; its banks
were covered with trees bearing the fine fruits of the island, so that in
sailing along, the fruits and flowers might be plucked with the hand
from the branches which overhung the stream. [3] This delightful
vicinity was the dwelling-place of the female cacique who had
conceived an affection for the young Spaniard Miguel Diaz, and had
induced him to entice his countrymen to that part of the island. The
promise she had given of