August.


CONFLICTING JURISDICTION.

Much to the surprise of the admiral, he found himself treated with the
most punctilious courtesy by Ovando, who even proceeded to the harbour,
with a numerous suite, to receive him in state upon his arrival. However,
differences soon arose as to the conflicting jurisdictions of the viceroy
and the governor; especially with regard to the case of Porras, whom
Ovando, in opposition to the admiral's wish, insisted upon releasing from
custody. Moreover he even announced his intention of instituting a general
enquiry as to the events which had taken place in Jamaica, in order to
decide whether Porras and his associates had been justified in their
rebellion. Columbus disputed the right of Ovando to take upon himself the
office of judge in such a matter; and remarked that his own authority as
viceroy must have sunk very low indeed, if it did not empower him to
punish his officers for mutinying against himself. This dispute was
unfortunate as regards the private interests of the admiral, for the
revenues arising from his property in the island had been collected under
the authority of the governor, who, upon the occurrence of this quarrel,
was easily able to raise difficulties in the way of his obtaining a fair
account of the proceeds. But he was all the more anxious to return to
Spain; and, within a month from his arrival at St. Domingo, he started
homeward in the caravel which had brought him from Jamaica.


FALLING FORTUNES.

But even in this last voyage he was forced to "make head against a sea of