Every day that he was able to sit up he wrote long appeals for
"his rights" and his property. Not only did he present his claims for
recognition and reward, but he told how badly things had been going in
San Domingo under Ovando; how the comendador was hated by all for his
tyranny and for the favoritism he showed; and how things would soon come
to a sorry pass in the colony unless a better governor were quickly
appointed; and then, poor man, deluded with the idea that he could set
things right, he asked to be reinstated as governor! Good Christopher!
can you not realize that your work is done now, for better or worse? Can
you not let others solve the great problems across the ocean? Can you
not see that you have been greatest of them all, and that nothing more
is required of you? And as for all the dignities and titles and
properties that should be yours, according to the Granada contract, we
know you want them only to pass them on to your boy, Diego; but never
mind him; you are leaving him a name that will grow greater and greater
through the coming ages; a name that is a magnificent inheritance for
any child.
About this time the sick man received a visit which brightened him a
great deal, a visit from the man who, never intending any harm, was
destined to soon assume the greatest honor which the world could have
given Columbus--the honor of naming the newly discovered lands Columbia,
instead of America.
Pages:
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209