86 CONCEPTIONS OF COLUMBUS 



correctly determining longitude without our means 

 of standard time and exact chronometers, and then 

 one marvels at the surprisingly correct results ob- 

 tained by the great discoverers; In any case, when 

 these facts are carefully studied and the difficulty is 

 envisaged of properly determining distance in an 

 east-w^est direction at that time much of the force is 

 taken out of Thacher's criticism. 



The next point of Thacher's is also of importance. 

 Columbus did not find either great cities or great 

 fleets. Thacher says" that ''he expected to see none 

 of these things" and that he was simply endeavoring 

 to mystify any pilot who should venture to find his 

 Veragua — as Ojeda and others had done with regard 

 to the Costa de Perlas. We have seen how Columbus 

 was disturbed at not finding the great cities and 

 fleets and how he partially satisfied himself on that 

 score. To prove that Columbus lied to mystify 

 others, Thacher quotes^^ the letter regarding the 

 fourth voyage : 



We found ourselves in the land of Maya . . . Let 

 them [the pilots] make known, if they themselves know 

 it, the situation of Veragua. I say that they cannot 

 give other information or account except that they went 

 to some lands where there is much gold and to insist 

 that they did this: but they are ignorant of the route by 

 which to return there and if they were to go there, they 

 would be obliged to make a new discovery of it. 



5' Thacher, op. cit.. Vol. 2, p. 621. 



^^ Ibid., Vol. 2, p. 618. Cf. Major, op. cit., p. 197 (Raccolta. Part I, 

 Vol. 2, p. 198). 



