TREATMENT OF COLUMBUS. 479 VIII. Fortified with the most ample instructions in chapter regard to these and other details of his administra- tion, the governor embarked on board his magnifi- cent flotilla, and crossed the bar of St. Lucar, February 15th, 1502. A furious tempest dispersed the fleet, before it had been out a week, and a report reached Spain that it had entirely perished. The sovereigns, overwhelmed with sorrow at this fresh disaster, wdiich consigned so many of their best and bravest to a watery grave, shut themselves up in their palace for several days. Fortunately, the report proved ill-founded. The fleet rode out the storm in safety, one vessel only having perished, and the remainder reached in due time its place of destination.^^ The Spanish government has been roundly taxed Gromidiess with injustice and ingratitude for its delay in re- storing Columbus to the full possession of his colo- nial authority ; and that too by writers generally distinguished for candor and impartiality. No such animadversion, however, as far as I am aware, is countenanced by contemporary historians ; and it appears to be wholly undeserved. Independent of the obvious inexpediency of returning him immedi- ately to the theatre of disaffection, before the em- bers of ancient animosity had had time to cool, there were several features in his character, which make it doubtful whether he were the most compe- tent person, in any event, for an emergency de- manding at once the greatest coolness, consummate 34 Herrera, Indias Occidentales, lib. 5, cap. 1. imputations oil the gov- ernment.
