Authentic Letters of Columbus. 103 



visit Lisbon to see his brother Bartholomew, who had just returned 

 from an expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. This passport of safe 

 conduet was necessary to protect, him from arrest, and it will be seen 

 from the answer, by the hand of the king himself, who writes with 

 very good feeling, that Columbus feared both civil and criminal 

 prosecution. This letter is as follows: 



"We, Don Juan, by the grace of God, King of Portugal and the 

 Algarbes, of the sea this side and the other of Africa, and of Guinea, 

 do hereby send you a hearty greeting: We have read your letter, 

 which made us acquainted with the good will and attachment you 

 show through the w^hole of it towards us and for our service, and we 

 are very grateful to you for your feelings. In regard to your coming 

 here, we say that owing to what you indicate, and for other reasons, 

 as well as for the desire of judging by ourselves of your industry and 

 good talent, w'e shall thereby rejoice and be much pleased. And we say 

 further that as far as we are concerned all things will be fixed in such 

 a way as to give you full satisfaction. In order to avoid trouble when 

 you reach, whether by virtue of circumstances or otherwise, any port 

 or place under our jurisdiction, we give you by these presents free ad- 

 mission to all the said ports and places, and full permission to stay or 

 leave, assuring you that you will not be molested in any w' ay, or sum- 

 moned or sued, whether civilly or criminally, for any cause whatever. 

 And by means of this our Royal letter we do command all our tribun- 

 als and authorities to do as herein directed. Whereupon we pray you 

 to come promptly and have no fear or apprehension whatever." 



The Genoa autographs are perhaps the most interesting of all the 

 relics of Columbus that remain. Before starting upon his fourth and 

 last voyage in the spring of 1502, infirm in health and with impaired 

 confidence in his sovereigns and the council of the Indies, Columbus 

 had copies of all his contracts, privileges and commissions made and 

 certified by the royal notary, and forwarded them to Nicolo de Oder- 

 igo, the Genoese Ambassador to the Spanish court, to be deposited 

 with the Bank of St. George at Genoa, which was to the commercial 

 w^orld in those days what the Bank of England is to-day, and to be 

 held in trust for the benefit of his heirs. He addressed the governors 

 of that institution the following characteristic letter: 



"Although my body is here my heart is always near you. Our 

 Lord has bestowed upon me the greatest favor that He has ever 

 granted to anyone except David. The results of my undertaking are 

 already being seen, and would shine considerably if the darkness of 

 the government did not conceal them, I shall go again to the Indies 

 in the name of the Holy Trinity, and shall soon return. But as I am 

 a mortal, I have ordered my son, Don Diego, to give you every year, 

 forever, the tenth of all the revenues obtained, in payment of t^e 

 taxes on wheat, wine and other provisions. If this tenth amounts to 

 anything, please take it. If not, take my will for my deed. I ask you 

 as a favor to attend to my said son Don Diego. Nicolo de Oderigo 



