stating the evils which require a prompt and efficient remedy at once.  I have received no reply, nor have I seen any provision made in the matter.  Some vessels are detained in San Lucar by the weather.  I have told these gentlemen of the Board of Trade that they must order them held until the King, our Lord, makes provision in the matter, either by some person with other people, or by writing.  This is very necessary and I know what I say.  It is necessary that the authorities should order all the ports searched diligently, to see that no one goes yonder to the Indies without licence.  I have already said that there is a great deal of gold collected in straw houses without any means of defence, and there are many disorderly people in the country, and that the Governor is hated, and that little punishment is inflicted and has been inflicted upon those who have committed crimes and have come out with their treasonable conduct approved.

     “If his Highness decides to make some provision, it must be done at
     once, so that these vessels may not be injured.

“I have heard that three Bishops are to be elected and sent to Espanola.  If it pleases his Highness to hear me before concluding this matter, I will tell in what manner God our Lord may be well served and his Highness served and satisfied.

     “I have given lengthy consideration to the provision for Espanola:” 

Yes, the Queen is in His Holy Glory, and beyond the desires of this rough and wearisome world; but we are not; we are still in a world where fifty thousand gold pieces can be of use to us, and where a word spoken in season, even in such a season of darkness, may have its effect with the King.  A strange time to talk to the King about gold; and perhaps Diego was wiser and kinder than his father thought in not immediately taking this strange document to King Ferdinand.

Letter written by CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS to DON DIEGO, his Son, December 13, 1504

“Very dear son,—­It is now eight days since your uncle and your brother and Carbajal left here together, to kiss the royal hands of his Highness, and to give an account of the voyage, and also to aid you in the negotiation of whatever may prove to be necessary there.

“Don Ferdinand took from here 150 ducats to be expended at his discretion.  He will have to spend some of it, but he will give you what he has remaining.  He also carries a letter of credit for these merchants.  You will see that it is very necessary to be careful in dealing with them, because I had trouble there with the Governor, as every one told me that I had there 11,000 or 12,000 castellanos, and I had only 4000.  He wished to charge me with things for which I am not indebted, and I, confiding in the promise of their Highnesses, who ordered everything restored to me, decided to leave these