OA--VISITS GREAT SPANISH
DUKES--FOR SIX YEARS IS AT THE COURT OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA--THE
COUNCIL OF SALAMANCA--HIS PETITION IS AT LAST GRANTED--SQUADRON MADE
READY.

It has been supposed that when Columbus left Lisbon he was oppressed by
debts. At a subsequent period, when King John wanted to recall him, he
offered to protect him against any creditors. But on the other hand, it
is thought that at this time he visited Genoa, and made some provision
for the comfort of his father, who was now an old man. Christopher
Columbus, himself, according to the usual opinion regarding his birth,
was now almost fifty years old.

It is probable that at this time he urged on his countrymen, the
Genoese, the importance of his great plan; and tried to interest them
to make the great endeavor, for the purpose of reaching the Indies by a
western route. As it proved, the discovery of the route by the Cape
of Good Hope was, commercially, a great injury to Genoa and the other
maritime cities of Italy. Before this time, the eastern trade of Europe
came by the ports of the eastern Mediterranean, and the Italian cities.
Columbus's offer to Genoa was therefore one which, if her statesmen
could have foreseen the future, they would have considered eagerly.

But Genoa was greatly depressed at this period. In her wars with the
Turks she had been, on the whole, not successful. She had lost Caffa,
her station in the Crimea, and her possessions in the Archipelago were
threatened. The government did not accept Columbus's proposals, and he
was obliged to return with them to Spain. He went first to distinguished
noblemen, in the South of Spain, who were of liberal and adventurous
disposition. One was the Duke of Medina Celi, and one the Duke of Medina
Sidonia. Each of these grandees entertained him at their courts, and
heard his proposals.

The Duke of Medina Celi was so much interested in them, that at one time
he proposed to give Columbus the direction of four vessels which he
had in the harbor of Cadiz. But, of a sudden, he changed his mind. The
enterprise was so vast, he said, that it should be under the direction
of the crown. And, without losing confidence in it, he gave to Columbus
an introduction to the king and queen, in which he cordially recommended
him to their patronage.

This king and queen were King Ferdinand of Aragon, and Queen Isabella of
Castile. The marriage of these two had united Spain. Their affection for
each other made th