congratulations on the discovery of what they called a new world.

The immediate consequence was a second voyage, in which Columbus took
charge of a squadron of seventeen ships of considerable burden. Volunteers
of all ranks solicited to be employed in this expedition. He carried over
fifteen hundred persons, with the necessaries for establishing a colony
and extending his discoveries. In this voyage he explored most of the West
India islands; but on his arrival at Hispaniola he found that the garrison
he had left there had been all destroyed by the natives, and the fort
demolished. He proceeded however in the planting of his colony; and by his
prudent and humane conduct towards the natives he effectually established
the Spanish authority in that island. But while he was thus laying the
foundation of European dominion in America, some discontented persons,
who had returned to Spain, uniting with his former opponents and powerful
enemies at court, conspired to accomplish his ruin.

They represented his conduct in such a light as to create uneasiness in
the jealous mind of Ferdinand, and make it necessary for Columbus again to
return to Spain, to counteract their machinations and obtain such farther
supplies as were necessary to his great political and beneficent purposes.
On his arriving at court, and stating with his usual dignity and confidence
the whole history of his transactions abroad, every thing wore a favorable
appearance. He was received with the same honors as before, and solicited
to take charge of another squadron, to carry out farther supplies, to
pursue his discoveries, and in every respect to use his discretion in
extending the Spanish empire in the new world.

In this third voyage he discovered the continent of America at the mouth
of the river Orinoco. He rectified many disorders in his government of
Hispaniola, which had happened in his absence; and every thing was going on