"whereto I have the sacred word of the Sovereigns." Then came the
heirship. All upon Don Diego and the heirs of his body, with lavish
provision for the younger son, "having great qualities and most dear to
me," and for the brothers, but more especially the Adelantado. Followed
gifts to friends and companions, and then far-flung benefactions.

Son and son's son must give, year following year, a tenth of revenue
from the Indies to the help of needy men.

"In the city of Genoa in Italy is to be maintained a man and his wife of
the line of our family of which he is to be the root in that city, from
whence all good may derive unto her, for I was born there and came from
thence."

The taking of the Sepulchre. Into the Bank of Saint George in Genoa,
"that noble and potent city" was to be put what moneys could be saved
and collected for the purpose, "and one day God will bring the purpose
about."

His heirs must support the Crown of Spain, "seeing that these
Sovereigns, next to God, are responsible for my achieving the property,
though true it is that I came into this country to invite them to the
enterprise, and that a long while passed before they allowed me to
execute it, but this should not surprise us as it was an undertaking of
which all the world was ignorant and no one had any faith in it." And if
schism arose in Christendom, his heirs must to their uttermost support
His Holiness the Pope, and give all and die, if need be, defending
the Church of God. And, where it was possible and not contrary to the
service and the claims of the Sovereigns of Spain, "let them give aid
and service to that noble city of Genoa from which we all spring."

Such and such moneys, accruing, were to be applied to making fit
marriages for the daughters of the line.

And let Don Diego his son build in the island of Hispaniola a church
and call it Santa Maria de la Concepcion, a church and a hospital and
a chapel where masses might be said for the good of the soul of
Christopherus Columbus. "Doubtless God will be pleased to give us
revenue enough for this and all purposes." And let them maintain in the
island of Hispaniola four good teachers of theology to convert to the
One Faith the inhabitants of the Indies, "to which end no expense should
be thought too considerable."

Many other things he provided for. He cared for that Dona Beatrix who
had given him Fernando. Where he had met kindness, there he gave as best
he might. Among other