which the Admiral asked for was made necessary by a law which had been passed forbidding the use of mules for this purpose throughout Spain.  There had been a scarcity of horses for mounting the royal cavalry, and it was thought that the breeding of horses had been neglected on account of the greater cheapness and utility of mules.  It was to encourage the use and breeding of horses that an interdict was laid on the use of mules, and only the very highest persons in the land were allowed to employ them.

Letter written by CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS to his Son, DON DIEGO, December 29, 1504.

“Very dear son,—­I wrote you at length and sent it by Don Ferdinand, who left to go yonder twenty-three days ago to-day, with the Lord Adelantado and Carbajal, from whom I have since heard nothing.  Sixteen days ago to-day I wrote you and sent it by Zamora, the courier, and I sent you a letter of credit for these merchants endorsed by Francisco de Ribarol, telling them to give you the money you might ask for.  And then, about eight days ago, I sent you by another courier a letter endorsed by Francisco Soria, and these letters are directed to Pantaleon and Agostin Italian, that they may give it to you.  And with these letters goes a copy of a letter which I wrote to the Holy Father in regard to the affairs of the Indies, that he might not complain of me any more.  I sent this copy for his Highness to see, or the Lord Bishop of Palencia, so as to avoid false representations.  The payment of the people who went with me has been delayed.  I have provided for them here what I have been able.  They are poor and obliged to go in order to earn a living.  They decided to go yonder.  They have been told here that they will be dealt with as favourably as possible, and this is right, although among them there are some who merit punishment more than favours.  This is said of the rebels.  I gave these people a letter for the Lord Bishop of Palencia.  Read it, and if it is necessary for them to go and petition his Highness, urge your uncle and brother and Carbajal to read it also, so that you can all help them as much as possible.  It is right and a work of mercy, for no one ever earned money with so many dangers and hardships and no one has ever rendered such great service as these people.  It is said that Camacho and Master Bernal wish to go there—­two creatures for whom God works few miracles:  but if they go, it will be to do harm rather than good.  They can do little because the truth always prevails, as it did in Espanola, from which wicked people by means of falsehoods have prevented any profit being received up to the present time.  It is said that this Master Bernal was the beginning of the treason.  He was taken and accused of many misdemeanours, for each one of which he deserved to be quartered.  At the request of your uncle and of others he was pardoned, on