Authentic Letters of Columbus. 135 



VIII. 



Letter from Columbus to Father D. Gaspar. Dated Jamaica, 

 July 7TH, 1503. Original in the collection of the Duke of 

 Veragua, Madrid. 



t 



Reverend and Most Pious Father: 



If my voyage would prove as conducive to my personal health 

 and to the welfare of my house as it promises of aggrandizement for 

 the Royal Crown of the King and Queen, my masters, I might hope 

 to live more than one hundred years. I have no time to write now 

 more at length. I expect that the bearer of the present letter will be 

 some one of my house who will give you verbally more information 

 than can be given in a thousand letters. Don Diego will also supply 

 it. I ask as a favor of the Father Superior and of all the members of 

 your religious house to remember me in their prayers. Dated at the 

 island of Jamayca (Janahica) on the 7th of July, 1503. 



All that your Reverence may command will be done. 



S. 

 S. A. S. 

 X. M. Y. 

 Xpo Ferens. 



