Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/264

238 238 ^ RETURN OF COLUMBUS. r II RT of Columbus, who repeatedly complains of the in- - attention shown to his application.^ At length, on the approach of a milder season, the admiral, hav- ing obtained a dispensation in his favor from the ordinance prohibiting the use of mules, was able 1505. by easy journeys to reach Segovia, and present himself before the monarch.^ He visits the JJc was rcccivcd with all the outward marks of court. courtesy and regard by Ferdinand, who assured him that " he fully estimated his important servi- ces, and, far from stinting his recompense to the precise terms of the capitulation, intended to con- fer more ample favors on him in Castile." ® These fair words, however, were not seconded by actions. The king probably had no serious thoughts of reinstating the admiral in his govern- ment. His successor, Ovando, was high in the royal favor. His rule, however objectionable as regards the Indians, was every way acceptable to the Spanish colonists ; '' and even his oppression of the poor natives was so far favorable to his cause, that it enabled him to pour much larger sums into the royal coffers, than had been gleaned by his more humane predecessor.^ The events of the last voyage, moreover, had 4 See his interesting' correspond- For an account of this ordinance cnce with his son Diego ; now see Part II. Chapter 3, note 12, of printed for the first time by Sefior this History. Navarrete from the original MSS. ^ Herrera, Indias Occidentales, in the duke of Vcragua's posses- dec. 1, lib. G, cap. 14. sion. Coleccion de viagcs, tom.i. ' Ibid., dec. 1, lib. 5, cap. 12. p. 338etscq. 8 Ibid., dec. 1, lib. 5, cap. 12; 5 Herrera, Indias Occidentales, lib. 6, cap. 16 - 18. — Gaiibay, dec. l,lib. 6, cap. 14. — Fernando Compendio, torn. ii. lib. 19, cap. Colon, Hist, del Almirante, cap. 14. 108.