Let us now relate the events provoked by the arrival of the envoys.  Before Quevedo and Colmenares arrived, the news had already been spread of the dramatic end of the first leaders, Hojeda, Nicuesa, and Juan de la Cosa, that illustrious navigator who had received a royal commission as pilot.  It was known that the few surviving colonists at Darien were in a state of complete anarchy, taking no heed to convert the simple tribes of that region to our religion and giving no attention to acquiring information regarding those countries.  It was therefore decided to send out a representative who would deprive the usurpers of the power they had seized without the King’s license, and correct the first disorders.  This mission was entrusted to Pedro Arias d’Avila, a citizen of Segovia, who was called in Spain by the nickname of El Galan, because of his prowess in the jousts.  No sooner was this news published at the Court than the envoys from Darien attempted to deprive Pedro Arias of the command.  There were numerous and pressing petitions to the King to accomplish this; but the first Almoner, the Bishop of Burgos whose business it is to stop such intrigues, promptly spoke to the King when informed of this one, in the following terms: 

“Pedro Arias, O Most Catholic King, is a brave man, who has often risked his life for Your Majesty, and who we know by long experience is well adapted to command troops.  He signally distinguished himself in the wars against the Moors, where he comported himself as became a valiant soldier and a prudent officer.  In my opinion, it would be ungracious to withdraw his appointment in response to the representations of envious persons.  Let this good man, therefore, depart under fortunate auspices; let this devoted pupil of Your Majesty, who has lived from infancy in the palace, depart.”

The King, acting on the advice of the Bishop of Burgos, confirmed the appointment of Pedro Arias, and even increased the powers conferred upon him.  Twelve hundred soldiers were raised by the Bishop of Burgos, at the royal expense, to form the troop of Pedro Arias who, with the majority of them, left the Court at Valladolid about the calends of October, in the year 1513, for Seville, a town celebrated for its numerous population and its wool.  It was at Seville that the royal agents were to equip the remainder of his soldiers and deliver to him the provisions and everything necessary for such a great enterprise.  For it is there that the King has established his office charged exclusively with colonial affairs.  All the merchants, coming and going, appear there to render account of the cargoes they have brought from the new countries, and of the gold they export.  This office is called India House.[1]

[Note 1:  Domum Indicae Contractationis vocant.  Casa de Contractacion, or Casa de Indias.]