Such was the state of affairs when Columbus arrived at the new seat of his government.  His brother had ruled with ability and vigor during his absence, had administered native affairs very successfully, but his power had been insufficient to subdue the band of Spanish miscreants who were still in open mutiny.  The admiral was filled with grief and disappointment at the turn affairs had taken.  A thoroughly loyal man himself, with no thought or desire but for the good of the colony, he was thwarted by treacherous miscreants, who cared for nothing but the accumulation of riches for themselves, and a life of indulgence and licentious ease.  After long consideration he resolved upon a policy of conciliation.  The unsettled state of affairs was bringing ruin on the island, and the restoration of peace was an absolute necessity.  The magnanimous Genoese was incapable of personal resentment.  The men themselves were, indeed, beneath his contempt; but he felt bound to treat with them, and even to make great concessions, if necessary, for the good of the public service.  The welfare of the colony was his sole object, and he did not hesitate to sacrifice every personal feeling to his sense of duty.  It is with some impatience that one finds the grand schemes of discovery and colonization interrupted by such contemptible means, and the course of the narrative checked by the necessity for recording, however briefly, the paltry dissensions of vile miscreants such as Roldan and his crew.

The mutineers were most unwilling to make any agreement.  They were leading the sort of lawless and licentious life that exactly suited them, and were disinclined to submit to any authority.  The interests of their leaders, however, were not quite the same, and the acceptance of advantageous terms would suit them.  Carbajal was employed by the admiral to conduct the negotiations, while the veteran Ballester returned to Spain in November, 1498, with the news of the rebellion, and a request from the admiral that a learned and impartial judge might be sent out to decide all disputes.

It was finally agreed that Roldan should return to his duty, still retaining the office of chief justice; that all past offences should be condoned, and that he and his followers should receive grants of land, with the services of the Indians.  The admiral consented to these terms most unwillingly, and under the conviction that this was the only way to avoid the greater evil of civil dissension.  He resolved, however, that any future outbreak must be firmly and vigorously suppressed by force.  Although Roldan had now resumed his position as a legitimate official ready to maintain order, it could hardly be expected that his fatal example would not be followed by other unprincipled men of the same stamp when the opportunity offered.