About this period there arrived in the Indies from the Court of Spain a
Commissioner of Inquiry, his mission being doubtless occasioned by the
various complaints made against the admiral by Father Buil, Margarite, and
the Spaniards who had returned from Hispaniola. The name of this
commissioner was Juan Aguado, and his powers were vouched for by the
following letter from the sovereigns:--

"The King and the Queen.

"Cavaliers, Esquires and other persons, who by our command are in the
Indies: we send you thither Juan Aguado, our Gentleman of the Chamber,
who will speak to you on our part: we command that you give him faith
and credence.
"I the King: I the Queen.
"By command of the King and Queen, our Lords.
"HENAND ALVAREZ.
"Madrid, the ninth of April, one thousand
four hundred and ninety-five."


PLOTS TO UNDERMINE AND RUIN THE ADMIRAL

The royal commissioner arrived at Isabella in October, 1495, and his
proceedings in the colony, together with the fear of what he might report
on his return, quickened the admiral's desire to return to Court, that he
might fight his own battles there himself. For the tide of his fortune was
turning, and this appeared by several notable signs. Strong as was the
confidence which the Sovereigns reposed in him, the representations of
Margarite and Buil--the rough soldier and the wily Benedictine--had