DISCOVERY



Genoese,



who were so little accustomed tqdistantvoya



ages, that they could form no just idea of the principles
on which he founded his hopes of success. The pera
sons according to whose decision his scheme was to be
adopted or rejected in Portugal, had been the chief di-
rectors of the Portuguese navigations, and contended
with great confidence that India could be arrived at by
pursuing a course directly opposite to that which Co-
lumbus recommended. Under these circumstances they



could not approve of his proposals,
to the double mortification of con,
theory, and of acknowledging his
After Columbus had given such a



tion of his sy:4
of its nature,
favour. 4 On
mine him by
secretly, in o
exactly thie
out. John, I
becoming a
counsel. Bt
plan, had ne
thor. Contr
land appeared
Lisbon exec,
and dangero-



without submitting
demning their own
superior sagacity.
particular explana-



stem, as might lead them into a knowledge
they declined passing any judgment in its
the contrary they endeavoured to under-
p advising the king to despatch a vessel,
rder to attempt the discovery, by following
course which Columbus seemed to point
foraetting on this occasion the sentiments
monarch, meanly adopted this perfidious
it the pilot chosen to execute Columbus's
ither the genius nor the fortitude of its au-
ary winds arooie, no sio'ht of approaching
d, ins courage failed, and he returned to
rating the project as equally extravaagant
us.



  On learning this dishonourable transaction, Colum-
bus immediately quitted Portugal and landed in Spain
in order to cqgirt the protection of Ferdinand and Isa-
bellh, who at that time governed the united kingdoms
of Castile and Arragon. Spain was now engaged in a
dangerous war with Granada, the last of the Moorish
kingdoms in that country: and as Columbus had al-
ready experienced the uncertain issue of applications to
kinas and ministers, he took the precaution, at that
critical juncture, of sending into England his brother
Bartholomew, to whom he had fully communicated his



5-4



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