Authentic Letters of Colu.mfjus. 143 



XIII. 



Letter from Columbus to Diego, his son. Written from Seville, 

 N(jvemi;er 29'iH, 1504. Original in the collection of the 

 Duke of Veragua, Madrid. 



t 



My dearest son : 



I received your letter of the 15th instant. I wrote to you eight 

 days ao^o, and I sent the letter by a messenger. I enclosed in my 

 letter some others addressed to other persons, which I did not seal in 

 order that you could read them and subsequently have them sealed 

 and delivered. Although this illness of mine gives me much 

 trouble, still I am getting ready to start on my voyage there. I am 

 very anxious to have an answer from Their Highnesses, and I wish 

 you would try to get it. I wish also Their Highnesses would pro- 

 vide for the payment of those poor people who have gone through 

 such incredible ordeals and have rendered them so great services, 

 for which they must give infinite thanks to God, Our Lord, and 

 greatly rejoice. If I .... the Paralipomenon, the Book of Kings, 

 the Antiquities of Josephus, and other books will say what they know 

 about it — I expect, trusting in Our Lord, to leave here next week, 

 and for this reason it will be better for you not to write so often. I 

 have not heard from Carbajal or Jerome. If they are there give 

 them my regards. Times are such as to require both Carbajals to be 

 in the Court, imless prevented by illness. Give my regards to Diego 

 Mendez. I think that his true statements and his activity will out- 

 weigh the lies of the Porres, The bearer of this letter is Martin de 

 Gamboa, who also carries a letter to Juan Lopez and a letter of 

 credit. Read the letters to Lopez and then return it to the bearer. 

 If you write to me, send the letter to Luis de Soria, who will make 

 them reach me wherever I may be. I believe that if I go I shall be 

 carried on a stretcher, on account of my illness. May Our Lord keep 

 you in his hoi}' guard. Your uncle has been very sick, and is still 

 suffering a good deal with toothache and some trouble in the 

 jaws. 



Dated at Seville, this 29th of November. 



Your father who loves you more than himself. 



