n by which Columbus was to
receive an eighth part of the profits of the newly-found countries, and to
be their governor-general. He probably apprehended that this viceroy, when
once master of the boundless wealth which was supposed to be nearly within
his grasp, would become more powerful than his master, and might finally
throw off his allegiance altogether. But here was an opportunity, without
any flagrant breach of faith, of eluding the bargain, by refusing, on very
plausible grounds of policy, to reinstate Columbus immediately in his
viceroyalty. Isabella, who had always been his firm friend, would probably
have refused to acquiesce in, any scheme for absolutely depriving him of
his rights, but it was sufficiently obvious that just at present, while
the colonists were excited against him, it would be prudent that some one
else should take the reins of government.

COLUMBUS PLEADS HIS CAUSE BEFORE THE QUEEN.

The Queen granted Columbus a private audience. He told his story with much
simple eloquence--so pathetically, indeed, that his warmhearted mistress
is said to have been moved to tears at the recital. He described the
difficulties which he had encountered and the machinations of the
enemies who had been constantly thwarting him. He pleaded that he had been
obliged to create a line of conduct for himself, having to deal with an
entirely new combination of circumstances without any precedent to guide
him. And he implored the Queen to believe that the accusations which had,
of late, poured in against him, were prompted by the disappointed ambition
and the jealousy of his enemies, and had not any solid foundation in fact.

Isabella replied in a very sensible speech, telling him that, while she
fully appreciated his services, and knew the rancour of his enemies, she
was afraid that he had given some cause for complaint. "Common report,"
she said,[Charlevoix.] "accuses you of acting with a degree of severity
quite unsuitable for an infant colony, and likely to excite rebellion
there. But the matter as to which I find it hardest to give you my pardon,
is your conduct in reducing to slavery a number of Indians who had done
nothing to deserve such a fate. This was contrary to my express orders. As
your ill fortune willed it, just at the time when I heard of this breach
of my instructions, everybody was complaining of you, and no one spoke a
word in your favour. And I felt obliged to send to the Indies a
commissioner