Page:The life of Christopher Columbus.djvu/98

74 was not difficult for Columbus, when the moment became favorable, to obtain a lengthy audience for the exposition of his plan. His alliance with two governors of Porto Santo, and his antecedent relations with the King's father, obtained for him a kind reception. At the first audience, and from the beginning, John, surprised at the novelty of a plan that upset all the received ideas in cosmography, showed himself but little disposed to enter into his views. But later, during other conversations, the King, weighing the arguments of Columbus, comprehended that there was at the bottom of his proposition something immense and superior. From his elevation of thought, his knowledge of men, and his relish for the natural sciences, the monarch felt disposed in his favor, and determined to bear the expenses of an expedition. Nevertheless, before making an engagement, he wished to know positively what remuneration Columbus would demand in case of success.

Portugal encouraged discoveries by great liberalities. Ordinarily, the government of the island, or of the region discovered, was conferred on him who had taken possession of it in the name of the Crown. Sometimes this dignity was increased by some title of honor. But it was not with the like compensation that this man, who was drawing charts and copying manuscripts for the support of his family, would be satisfied. In his eyes this recompense appeared only shabbiness; it seemed to him it would depreciate the grandeur of his discovery. He laid his conditions, then, before him. They were so royal that the monarch became a little offended; and before subscribing to them, he determined to submit to a discussion the probabilities of success.

He charged with this examination a commission composed of three members: Diego Ortiz de Cazadilla, Bishop of Ceuta; Roderigo, his own physician; and a Jew named Joseph, also a physician, and a master in cosmography. If Columbus required great honors, he required no less great riches, for he had a great thought to satisfy, and this satis-