may be conceived from an account of the state of his colony which
Columbus sent home in January 1494. It is in the form of instructions to a
certain Antonio de Torres, the Receiver of the Colony, who was to proceed
to the court of Spain and inform the Monarchs of such things as were
written in these instructions, and doubtless to elucidate them by
discourse, as in the present day we send a despatch to be read by an
ambassador to the foreign minister of the power we are treating with.
There remains a copy, made at the time, of this document, and of the notes
in the margin containing the resolutions of the sovereigns. The original,
thus noted, was taken back to Columbus. It is a most valuable document,
very illustrative of the cautious and wise dealing of the catholic
sovereigns.

The document begins with the usual strain of complimentary address to
great personages, "Their Highnesses hold it for good service" is the
marginal remark.

The next paragraph consists of a general statement of the discoveries that
have been made. "Their Highnesses give much thanks to God, and hold as
very honoured service all that the admiral has done."

Then follow the admiral's reasons why he has not been able to send home
more gold. His people have been ill: it was necessary to keep guard, &c.
"He has done well" is in the margin.

He suggests the building of a fortress near the place where gold can be
got. Their Highnesses approve; and the note in the margin is, "This is
well, and so it must be done."

Then comes a paragraph about provisions, and a marginal order from the