King John not only invited him to
come back, but promised that no one should be allowed to bring any
lawsuit against him. This refers, perhaps, to the sums Columbus had
borrowed for trading purposes and had lost. About the same time came a
message from the English king, whom Bartholomew Columbus had visited.
Neither letter contained any definite promise of assistance; but the
mere fact that other countries were interested caused Ferdinand and
Isabella some anxiety. They must have considered how humiliating it
would be for them to turn away this opportunity that was knocking at
their door, and send it to rival kingdoms. They decided, war or no war,
to have all the learned men of Spain come together and listen to the
Italian's project. If a majority of these wise men thought the voyage
might prove profitable, then they would immediately give Columbus the
necessary ships and men. Accordingly they issued three important orders:
one, bidding Columbus to appear before a learned council in Sevilla;
another, commanding every town through which he might pass in reaching
Sevilla to give him hospitality; a third, commanding Sevilla itself to
give him lodging and to treat him as if he were a government official.
All this must have looked so promising, so much in earnest, that
Columbus willingly put off his return to Portugal.
Pages:
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58