Leon all the lands
discovered, or to be discovered, west of a line of demarcation drawn 100
leagues west of the Azores, on the same terms as those on which the
Portuguese held their colonies along the African coast. A new expedition
was got in readiness with all possible despatch, to secure and extend
the discoveries already made.

Second voyage.

After several delays the fleet weighed anchor on the 24th of September
1493 and steered westwards. It consisted of three great carracks
(galleons) and fourteen caravels (light frigates), having on board over
1500 men, besides the animals and materials necessary for colonization.
Twelve missionaries accompanied the expedition, under the orders of
Bernardo Buil or Boil, a Benedictine; Columbus had been already directed
(29th May 1493) to endeavour by all means in his power to Christianize
the inhabitants of the islands, to make them presents, and to "honour
them much", while all under him were commanded to treat them "well and
lovingly," under pain of severe punishment. On the 13th of October the
ships, which had put in at the Canaries, left Ferro; and on Sunday, the
3rd of November, after a single storm, "by the goodness of God and the
wise management of the admiral" an island was sighted to the west, which
was named Dominica. Northwards from this the isles of Marigalante and
Guadalupe were next discovered and named; while on the north-western
course to La Navidad those of Montserrat, Antigua, San Martin, Santa
Cruz and the Virgin Islands were sighted, and the island now called
Porto Rico was touched at, hurriedly explored, and named San Juan
Bautista. On the 22nd of November Columbus came in sight of Hispaniola,
and sailing westward to La Navidad, found the fort burned and the colony
dispersed. He decided on building a second fort, and coasting on 30 m.
east of Monte Cristi, he pitched on a spot where he founded the city of
Isabella.

The climate proved unhealthy; the colonists were greedy of gold,
impatient of control, proud, ignorant and mutinous; and Columbus, whose
inclination drew him westward, was doubtless glad to escape the worry
and anxiety of his post, and to avail himself of the instructions of his
sovereigns as to further discoveries. On the 2nd of February 1494 he
sent home, by Antonio de Torres, that despatch to their Catholic
highnesses by which he may be said to have founded the West Indian slave
trade. He established the mining camp of San Tomaso in th