need,
with very little aid which their Highnesses will give me; spices and
cotton at once, as much as their Highnesses will order to be shipped,
and as much as they shall order to be shipped of mastic,--which till now
has never been found except in Greece, in the island of Xio,[270-2] and
the Seignory sells it for what it likes; and aloe-wood as much as they
shall order to be shipped; and slaves as many as they shall order to be
shipped,--and these shall be from idolaters. And I believe that I have
discovered rhubarb and cinnamon, and I shall find that the men whom I am
leaving there will have discovered a thousand other things of value; as
I made no delay at any point, so long as the wind gave me an opportunity
of sailing, except only in the town of Navidad till I had left things
safely arranged and well established. And in truth I should have done
much more if the ships had served me as well as might reasonably have
been expected. This is enough; and [thanks to] Eternal God our Lord who
gives to all those who walk His way, victory over things which seem
impossible; and this was signally one such, for although men have talked
or written of those lands,[271-1] it was all by conjecture, without
confirmation from eyesight, amounting only to this much that the hearers
for the most part listened and judged that there was more fable in it
than anything actual, however trifling. Since thus our Redeemer has
given to our most illustrious King and Queen, and to their famous
kingdoms, this victory in so high a matter, Christendom should have
rejoicing therein and make great festivals, and give solemn thanks to
the Holy Trinity for the great exaltation they shall have by the
conversion of so many peoples to our holy faith; and next for the
temporal benefit which will bring hither refreshment and profit, not
only to Spain, but to all Christians. This briefly, in accordance with
the facts. Dated, on the caravel, off the Canary Islands,[271-2] the 15
February of the year 1493.

At your command,

THE ADMIRAL.

POSTSCRIPT WHICH CAME WITHIN THE LETTER

After having written this letter, and being in the sea of Castile, there
rose upon me so much wind, South and South-east,[272-1] that it has
caused me to lighten the vessels; however I ran hither to-day into this
port of Lisbon, which was the greatest wonder in the world; where I
decided to write to their Highnesses. I have always found the seasons
like May in all the Indies, whit