Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/501

475 TREATMENT OF COLUMBUS. 475 assurances of her sympathy and sorrow for his mis- chapter . VIII. fortunes. Columbus, from the first moment of his • '- — - disgrace, had relied on the good faith and kindness of Isabella ; for, as an ancient Castilian writer re- marks, " she had ever favored him beyond the king her husband, protecting his interests, and showing him especial kindness and good-will." When he beheld the emotion of his royal mistress, and lis- tened to her consolatory language, it was too much for his loyal and generous heart ; and, throwing himself on his knees, he gave vent to his feelings, and sobbed aloud. The sovereigns endeavoured to soothe and tranquillize his mind, and, after testify- ing their deep sense of his injuries, promised him, that impartial justice should be done his enemies, and that he should be reinstated in his emoluments and honors. ^^ Much censure has attached to the Spanish gov- vindication ^ "of the sove- ernment for its share in this unfortunate transac- '^^'°"^- tion ; both in the appointment of so unsuitable an agent as Bobadilla, and the delegation of such broad and indefinite powers. With regard to the first, it is now too late, as has already been re- marked, to ascertain on what grounds such a selec- tion could have been made. There is no evidence of his being indebted for his promotion to intrigue or any undue influence. Indeed, according to the testimony of one of his contemporaries, he was 29 Garibay, Compendio, torn. ii. rante, cap. 86, 87. — Herrera, In- lib. 19, cap. 7. — Peter Martyr, De dias Occidentales, dec. 1, lib. 4, cap. Rebus Oceanicis, dec. 1, lib. 7. — 8-10. — Benzoni, NoviOrbisHist., Fernando Colon, Hist, del Almi- lib. 1, cap. 12.