48 



TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



a voyage to the north of Europe — Iceland, the 

 farthest point then known in that direction. 



Several years elapsed before he made an effort 

 to carry his design into execution. He was too poor 

 to fit out the ships necessary for so important an expe- 

 dition. His residence in Portugal placed him at hand 

 to solicit the patronage of that power, but Alfonso 

 who was then on the throne, was too much engrossed 

 in war with Spain, for the succession of the Princess 

 Juana to the throne of Castile, to engage in a peaceful 

 enterprise of an expensive nature ; neither was the 

 public mind prepared for so perilous an undertaking. 



In 1481, John II. having ascended the throne of 

 Portugal, and Columbus being aware of this mon- 

 arch 's desire to accomplish a passage by sea to India, 

 he obtained an audience with him, and proposed, in 

 case the king would furnish him with ships and men, 

 to undertake a shorter and more direct route than 

 that along the coast of Africa — w r hich although being 

 searched for had not yet been discovered. He then 

 unfolded his hypothesis with respect to the extent of 

 Asia, describing also the immense riches of the island 

 of Cipango, or Zipangu (Japan) the first land at 

 which he expected to arrive. 



The King of Portugal was discouraged from 

 acceding to Columbus' project through the advice of 

 his councillors, consequent on the cost and trouble 

 already sustained in exploring the route by the Afri- 

 can coast. It was referred to a scientific body who 

 treated the project as extravagant and visionary. 

 Still the King does not appear to have been satisfied 



