Authentic Letters of Columbus. 153 



day do something wrong. If such a thing should happen, which God 

 forbid, the remedy for the situation would be difficult. Neither would 

 it be an easy thing to find redress for any trouble which might arise 

 out of any injustice done either here or there, owing to the great 

 fame of the gold. My opinion is that His Highness must attend to 

 this at once, and entrust this business to a person who feels inter- 

 est on the subject, and goes there with 150 or 200 persons, well 

 prepared and equipped. That person must stay there until all matters 

 are settled, and that cannot be done in less than three months. Pro- 

 vision must be made also to raise there two other forces, because, on 

 account of the few people who can protect the gold kept there, it may 

 easily disappear. There is a proverb which says that the eye of the 

 owner makes the horse fat. Here and there and everywhere I shall 

 serve with pleasure Their Highnesses as long as my soul remains 

 united to my body. 



I said before that His Highness is the head of Christendom, and 

 that it is necessary for him to provide for the preservation of these 

 lands. Some people say that he cannot, in the way that things go, 

 provide the Indies with a good government and cause the same to 

 yield the profits which reasonably must be expected. In my opinion, 

 his entrusting this matter to some one who feels an interest in pre- 

 venting ill-treatment of his subjects would prove favorable to his 

 service. 



I wrote to His Highness, as soon as I arrived here, and my letter 

 which was very long, stated fully all the evils that require prompt 

 and efficient remedy. I have received no answer, nor have I heard of 

 any provision having been made on the subject. 



Some vessels are detained at San Lucar on account of the weather. 

 I have told the gentlemen of this Board of Trade (casa de contrata- 

 cion) that they must detain them until they hear either by messenger 

 or by letter of some disposition of the matter made by the King, ()ur 

 Lord. This is a very necessary thing, and I know what I say. Orders 

 must be sent to all the ports directing the authorities to be diligent in 

 preventing people to go to the Indies without a permit. I have already 

 said that a great deal is kept there in houses badly built and straw 

 roofed, that there are many ruffians among the people ; that everybody 

 dislikes the Governor, and that no punishment has been or is inflicted 

 upon those whodo wrong or prove thereby to be benefited. If His 

 Highness decides to do something, it must be done quick, so as to 

 cause no injury to the vessels. 



I have heard that three Bishops are to be chosen to be sent to 

 Hispaniola. If it pleases His Highness to hear me, before reaching a 

 conclusion in this matter, I think that God, Our Lord, will be well 

 served, and that His Highness will receive satisfaction. 



P. vS. I hav^e explained at length what must be provided for the 

 Hispaniola. 



