AuTHt;NTic Lktters of Columbus, 



»5i 



XVI. 



Memorandum by Christopher Columbus enclosed to his son 

 Diego in letter Dated December 3RD, 1504. Original in 

 the collection of the Duke of Veragua, Madrid. 



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Memorandum for you, my dearest son Don Diego, of what at 

 present occurs to me must be done. 



The principal thing- is to commend to God, affectionately and with 

 much devotion, the soul of the Queen, Our Lady. Her life was always 

 catholic and holy. wShe was always ready for the things of God's holy 

 service. And for this it must be believed that she is in His holy 

 .glory and beyond all desire relative to this rough and tiresome 

 world. 



Secondly, an effort should be made thoroughly and in all things 

 to serve well the King, Our Lord, and prevent him from being dis- 

 pleased. His Highness is the head of all Christendom. Remember 

 the proverb which says that when the head aches all the members 

 ache also. Therefore all good Christians must pray for the preserva- 

 tion of his health, and for his being granted a long life; and those 

 who, like ourselves, are bound to serve him more especially than 

 others, must join the said prayers and do the said service with great 

 care and diligence. 



Whereupon, I have decided to write to you this memorandum, in 

 spite of the great sufferings under which I am, in order that His 

 Highness may be pleased to act as his own interest requires, and to 

 make your efforts more efficient I have decided also to send your 

 brother, who although a child in days is not a child in understanding, 

 and also your uncle and Carbajal, so as to secure from you all to- 

 gether if my written words are not sufficient, such verbal representa- 

 tions as may be conducive to His Highness' service. 



In my opinion there is nothing more in need of attention and 

 remedy than the Indies. His Highness must have there at present 

 more than 40,000 or 50,000 dollars in gold. I foimd out when I was 

 there that the Governor had no desire to send that gold. It is believed 

 among the people that an additional sum of 150,000 dollars must also 

 be sent to His Highness, The mines continue to yield with steadi- 

 ness and abundance. Most of the people there are extremely common 

 and ignorant, who do not care much for anything. The Governor is 

 unpopular with all of them, and it is to be feared that they may some 



