Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 1).djvu/19

CHAPTER XVII.

The state of the West India Islands when discovered—Wreck of one
of the vessels of the expedition—A colony established—Columbus
sets sail for Spain, 4th January, 1493—Arrives at St. Mary's, 18th
February, and in the Tagus a few days afterwards—Re-enters, with
his ship, the harbour of Palos, 15th March—Great rejoicings—He
proceeds to Seville and Barcelona—Orders for a fresh expedition—Its
extent, and departure, 25th Sept., 1493—Reaches Dominica, 2nd Nov.,
1493, and Santa Cruz, 14th Nov.—Arrives at Hayti, 22nd Nov.—Founds
a fresh colony at Hispaniola or Hayti—Sufferings of the
colonists, and disappointment of Columbus—His sanguine expectations
for the future—Threatened mutiny among the colonists—Columbus
proceeds on further explorations—Discovery of the island
of Jamaica—Surveys Cuba, and returns to Isabella—Arrival of
Bartholomew Columbus—Intrigues at home—Commission of inquiry
despatched to Hayti—Columbus sets sail for Europe, 10th March,
1496—Arrives at Cadiz, 11th June, 1496—Re-visits the West, May
1498—Reaches Trinidad, 31st July—Discovers Tobago, Granada, and
other islands, reaching Hispaniola, 19th August—Finds everything
in disorder—Makes a tour of inspection, but is arrested, and sent a
prisoner to Spain—Arrives at Cadiz, Nov. 1500, and is restored to the
royal favour—A fleet sails for the colony with Ovando, Feb. 1502,
and two months afterwards (9th May) Columbus follows, and reaches
St. Domingo, 29th June—Discovers the island of Guanaga 30th July—Trading
canoe—Her cargo—Prosecutes his researches to the South—Reaches
Cape Honduras—Discovers and explores the Mosquito
coast—Puerto Bello—Forms a settlement on the river Belem,
6th Feb., 1503—Anchors at Jamaica, June 1503, and Dominica,
13th August of that year—Sails for Spain, 12th September, which he
reaches 7th Nov., 1504—His sufferings and death, 20th May, 1506. Pages 582-620