thence; and the admiral went himself and founded the Fort of St. Thomas,
in the mining district of Cibao. But the Spaniards gained very little real
advantage from these gold mines, which they began to work before they had
consolidated around them the means of living; in fact, dealing with the
mines of Hispaniola as if they had been discovered in an old country,
where the means of transit and, supplies of provisions can, with
certainty, be procured.


DESIRE FOR DISCOVERY.

There was also another evil, besides that of inconsiderate mining, and,
perhaps, quite as mischievous a one, which stood in the way of the steady
improvement of these early Spanish colonies. The Catholic sovereigns had
unfortunately impressed upon Columbus their wish that he should devote
himself to further discovery, a wish but too readily adopted and furthered
by his enterprising spirit. The hankering of the Spanish monarchs for
further discovery was fostered by their jealousy of the Portuguese. The
Portuguese were making their way towards India, going eastward. They, the
Spaniards, thought they were discovering India, going westward. The more
rapidly, therefore, each nation could advance and plant its standard, the
more of much-coveted India it would hereafter be able to claim. Acting
upon such views, Columbus now proceeded onwards, bent upon further
discovery, notwithstanding that his little colonies at Isabella and St.
Thomas must have needed all his sagacity to protect them, and all his
authority to restrain them.


A COUNCIL APPOINTED.