There are two different accounts of what the King said when this proposal was made to him.  According to some authorities, John was impressed by Columbus’s proposals, and inclined to provide him with the necessary ships, but he could not assent to all the titles and rewards which Columbus demanded as a price for his services.  Barros, the Portuguese historian, on the other hand, represents that the whole idea was too fantastic to be seriously entertained by the King for a moment, and that although he at once made up his mind to refuse the request he preferred to delegate his refusal to a commission.  Whatever may be the truth as to King John’s opinions, the commission was certainly appointed, and consisted of three persons, to wit:  Master Rodrigo, Master Joseph the Jew, and the Right Reverend Cazadilla, Bishop of Ceuta.

Before these three learned men must Columbus now appear, a little less happy in his mind, and wishing that he knew more Latin.  Master Rodrigo, Master Joseph the Jew, the Right Reverend Cazadilla:  three pairs of cold eyes turned rather haughtily on the Genoese adventurer; three brains much steeped in learning, directed in judgment on the Idea of a man with no learning at all.  The Right Reverend Cazadilla, being the King’s confessor, and a bishop into the bargain, could speak on that matter of converting the heathen; and he was of opinion that it could not be done.  Joseph the Jew, having made voyages, and worked with Behaim at the astrolabe, was surely an authority on navigation; and he was of opinion that it could not be done.  Rodrigo, being also a very learned man, had read many books which Columbus had not read; and he was of opinion that it could not be done.  Three learned opinions against one Idea; the Idea is bound to go.  They would no doubt question Columbus on the scientific aspect of the matter, and would soon discover his grievous lack of academic knowledge.  They would quote fluently passages from writers that he had not heard of; if he had not heard of them, they seemed to imply, no wonder he made such foolish proposals.  Poor Columbus stands there puzzled, dissatisfied, tongue-tied.  He cannot answer these wiseacres in their own learned lingo; what they say, or what they quote, may be true or it may not; but it has nothing to do with his Idea.  If he opens his mouth to justify himself, they refute him with arguments that he does not understand; there is a wall between them.  More than a wall; there is a world between them!  It is his ‘credo’ against their ‘ignoro’; it is, his ‘expecto’ against their ‘non video’.  Yet in his ‘credo’ there lies a power of which they do not dream; and it rings out in a trumpet note across the centuries, saluting the life force that opposes its irresistible “I will” to the feeble “Thou canst not” of the worldly-wise.  Thus, in about the year 1483, did three learned men sit in judgment upon our ignorant Christopher.  Three learned men:  Doctors Rodrigo, Joseph the Jew, and the Right Reverend Cazadilla, Bishop of Ceuta; three risen, stuffed to the eyes and ears with learning; stuffed so full indeed that eyes and ears are closed with it.  And three men, it would appear, wholly destitute of mother-wit.