Authentic Letters of Columbus. • 141 



the sworn statement, which 1 send to yon, and also to Doctor Angulo, 

 and Licenciate Zapata. I commend myself to the mercy of them all, 

 and give them notice that in a short time I shall leave for there. 



I would be happy to see a letter of Their Highnesses and know 

 through it what they command me to do. You must try, if you' have 

 an opportunity, to get such a letter for me. Present my compliments 

 to the Bishop, and also to Juan Lopez, and remind them of my ill- 

 ness and of the reward due for my services. 



You must read the other letters that go with the present, so as 

 to be able to act in conformity with what they say. 



Tell Diego Mendez that I am obliged to him for his letter. I do 

 not write to him, because he will know through you all that has 

 passed, and because my illness precludes me from doing it. At this 

 time it would be well for Carbajal and Jeronimo to be in the Court, 

 and speak of our business with those Lords and with the Secretary. 

 Dated at Seville, on the 21st of November. 



Your father who loves you more than himself. 



S. 

 S. A. S. 

 X. M. Y. 

 Xpo Ferens. 



I wrote to Their Highnesses requesting them to cause the people 

 who went with me to be paid. They are poor and have been for 

 three years away from their homes. The information that has 

 reached them is more than extraordinary. They have run a great 

 many dangers and experienced a great many difficulties. I did not 

 want to plunder the country in order not to give scandal. Reason 

 advises that an efifort be made to bring population to the country, and 

 then all the gold desired will be got without scandal. Speak of this 

 to the Secretary and to the Bishop, and to Juan Lopez, and to whom- 

 ever you may think to be advisable. 



