Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/194

170 170 RETURN OF COLUMBUS. PART I. Conversion of the na- tives. the implements of their various crafts, including a great number of miners for exploring the subterra- neous treasures of the new regions, were enrolled in the expedition ; in order to defray the heavy charges of which, the government, in addition to the regular resources, had recourse to a loan, and to the sequestrated property of the exiled Jews. ^^ Amid their own temporal concerns, the Spanish sovereigns did not forget the spiritual interests of their new subjects. The Indians, who accompanied Columbus to Barcelona, had been all of them bap- tized, being offered up, in the language of a Cas- tilian writer, as the first-fruits of the gentiles. King Ferdinand, and his son, Prince John, stood as spon- sors to two of them, who were permitted to take their names. One of the Indians remained at- tached to the prince's establishment ; the residue were sent to Seville, whence, after suitable religious instruction, they were to be returned as missiona- ries for the propagation of the faith among their own countrymen. Twelve Spanish ecclesiastics were also destined to this service ; among whom was the celebrated Las Casas, so conspicuous after- wards for his benevolent exertions in behalf of the unfortunate natives. The most explicit directions were given to the admiral, to use every effort for the illumination of the poor heathen, which was set forth as the primary object of the expedition. He was particularly enjoined " to abstain from all means of annoyance, and to treat them well and '7 Navarrete, Coleccion de Via- dec. 1, lib. 2, cap. 4. — Miiiloz, ges, Col. Diplom., nos. 33, 35, 45. Hist, del Nuevo-Mundo, lib. 4, — Herrera, Indias Occidentales, sec. 21.