nd, king of Arragon, and Isabella, queen of Castile, had by
their marriage united all Spain under one dominion, excepting only the
kingdom of Granada, which was still in the possession of the Moors; but
which Ferdinand soon after took from them. The union of these two
princes had prepared the way for the greatness of Spain, which was
afterwards begun by Columbus; he was however obliged to undergo eight
years of incessant application, before Isabella's court would consent to
accept of the inestimable benefit this great man offered it. The bane of
all great objects is the want of money. The Spanish court was poor; and
the prior, Perez, and two merchants, named Pinzono, were obliged to
advance seventeen thousand ducats towards fitting out the armament.
Columbus procured a patent from the court, and at length set sail from
the port of Palos, in Andalusia, with three ships, on August 23, in the
year 1492.

6. It was not above a month after his departure from the Canary Islands,
where he had come to an anchor to get refreshment, when Columbus
discovered the first island in America; and during this short run, he
suffered more from the murmurings and discontent of the people of his
fleet, than he had done even from the refusals of the princes he had
applied to. This island, which he discovered and named St. Salvador,
lies about a thousand leagues from the Canaries. Presently after he
likewise discovered the Lucayan islands, together with those of Cuba and
Hispaniola, now called St. Domingo.

7. Ferdinand and Isabella were in the utmost surprise to see him return
at the end of nine months, with some of the American natives of
Hispaniola, several rarities from that country, and a quantity of gold,
with which he presented their majesties.

8. The king and queen made him sit down in their presence, covered like
a grandee of Spain, and created him high admiral and viceroy of the new
world. Columbus was now every where looked upon as an extraordinary
person sent from heaven. Everyone was vying who should be foremost in
assisting him in his undertakings, and embarking under his command. He
soon set sail again, with a fleet of seventeen ships. He now made the
discovery of several other new islands, particularly the Caribees and
Jamaica. Doubt had been changed into admiration on his first voyage; in
this, admiration was turned into envy.

9. He was admiral and viceroy, and to these titles might have been added
that of the benefactor