Now began the test of Don Cristobal Colon, _not_ as an intrepid
mariner, but as a business man cooperating with other business men in
the colonizing, Christianizing, and commercializing of the new
territories. In this matter he was to be associated with the powerful
Juan de Fonseca. This Bishop Fonseca was very keen and efficient, but
worldly, and vindictive toward those who opposed him in any way. To keep
his good will needed much tact. He was not long in deciding that the
great navigator had neither tact nor business ability; so he snubbed him
accordingly, and made his path a hard one.

Knowing, as we do, that to-day Spain possesses not an inch of territory
in the New World she discovered and opened up, that other nations have
reaped where she sowed, we are prone to conclude that it was all bad
management on her part. But this is not entirely true. So far as
colonizing could be managed from the home country, Spain faced her new
responsibility with great energy. Immediately a sort of board of trade,
or bureau of discovery, was organized, with the capable Bishop Fonseca
at its head. This was called the Casa de Contratacion and its
headquarters were at Sevilla; for Sevilla, though fifty miles up the
Guadalquivir River, is practically a seaport. Cadiz was appointed the
official harbor for vessels plying between Spain and the Indies. This
meant the decline of proud Barcelona, but naturally a port nearer the
Atlantic had to be chosen. Customhouses were established in Cadiz, and
special licenses were issued to intending traders. Botanists were called
upon to decide which Spanish fruits and vegetables might best be
transplanted to the new islands; arrangements were made for shipping
horses (which were lacking there), also sheep and cows.

Plans were soon drawn up for towns and cities--not mere log-cabin