TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



59 



yet there was a large town in Hispaniola of which 

 especially I took possession, situate in a remarkably 

 favourable spot, and in every way convenient for the 

 purpose of gain and commerce. 



" I have already said, I saw no cannibals nor 

 did not hear of any, except in an island called Charis,* 

 which is the second from Hispaniola, where dwell a 

 people who are considered by the neighbouring is- 

 landers as most ferocious ; and these feed upon 

 human flesh." 



During the whole time of Columbus' stay in 

 these latitudes he never gave up the idea that he was 

 in the neighbourhood of India or China. He did not 

 on his first voyage come in sight of what we now 

 know as America. 



Columbus returned to Spain on the 15th March, 

 after an absence of about seven months and a half. 

 The news of his discoveries being known he was re- 

 ceived with great favour at Court. The letter ad- 

 dressed by him to the Spanish monarchs, — from 

 which I have given short extracts — had produced the 

 greatest sensation at Court and he was addressed by 

 the title " Don Christopher Columbus, our admiral 

 of the Ocean, and Viceroy and Governor of the 

 islands newly discovered in the Indies. 9 9 



Columbus made three other voyages to the West 

 Indies, the particulars of which it is not necessary 

 to give. It was on his third voyage that he dis- 

 covered Trinidad and caught sight of the mainland 

 of America for the first time as already described. 



* Where the Charaibees, or Caribs, dwelt. 



