Then there is a sort of passport or commendatory letter intended for
presentation to the Grand Khan, Prester John, or any other oriental
potentate at whose territories Columbus might arrive:--

FERDINAND AND ISABELLA TO KING--
The sovereigns have heard that he and his subjects entertain great
love for them and for Spain. They are moreover informed that he and
his subjects very much[10] wish to hear news from Spain; and send,
therefore, their admiral, Ch. Columbus, who will tell them that they
are in good health and perfect prosperity.

Granada, April 30, 1492.


[Footnote 10: This crediting the unknown ruler with an anxiety for the
welfare of the Spanish sovereigns is really a delicious piece of
diplomatic affectation.]


COLUMBUS GOES TO PALOS.

Armed with these royal commissions, Columbus left the court for Palos; and
we may be sure that the knot of friends at the monastery were sufficiently
demonstrative in their delight at the scheme on which they had pinned
their faith being fairly launched. There was no delay in furnishing the
funds for the expedition. From an entry in an account-book belonging to
the Bishopric of Palencia, it appears that one million one hundred and
forty thousand maravedis were advanced by Santangel in May, 1492, "being
the sum he lent for paying the caravels which their highnesses ordered to
go as the armada to the Indies, and for paying Christopher Columbus, who