Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/266

240 240 RETURN OF COLUMBUS. PART II. He declines in health and spirits. generous as to propose, that the admiral should re- linquish his claims, in consideration of other estates and dignities to be assigned him in Castile. '^ It argued less knowledge of character than the king usually showed, that he should have thought the man, who had broken off all negotiations on the threshold of a dubious enterprise, rather than abate one tittle of his demands, would consent to such abatement, when the success of that enterprise was so gloriously established. What assistance Columbus actually received from the crown at this time, or whether he received any, does not appear. He continued to reside with the court, and accompanied it in its removal to Vallado- lid. He no doubt enjoyed the public consideration due to his high repute and extraordinary achieve- ments ; though by the monarch he might be regard- ed in the unwelcome light of a creditor, whose claims were too just to be disavowed, and too large to be satisfied. With spirits broken by this unthankful requital of his services, and with a constitution impaired by a life of unmitigated hardship, Columbus's health now rapidly sunk under the severe and reiterated attacks of his disorder. On the arrival of Philip and Joanna, he addressed a letter to them, through his brother Bartholomew, in which he lamented the infirmities which prevented him from paying his respects in person, and made a tender of his future services. The communication was graciously re 11 Fernando Colon, Hist, del Almirante, cap. 108. — Herrera, Indias Occidentales, lib. 6, cap. 14,