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the calf of one leg hung by a ligament; and one foot was sliced from the heel to the toes. Notwithstanding these desperate wounds, he so terrified the Indians who approached him, with curses and threats, that they fled in the utmost consternation; but the admiral being apprised of his situation, ordered him all the medical assistance in his power, and, to the surprise of every one, he recovered.

To prevent future animosities, and a scarcity of provisions on board, the admiral detained Porras in confinement; and appointed a proper person to command and lead about the captive malecontents, for the convenience of finding subsistence, in exchange for such commodities as they had been supplied with.

All dissensions among the Spaniards being thus composed, the Indians became sensible of the danger of giving, them offence; and assiduously supplied them with provisions. A year had now elapsed since the Spaniards were wrecked at Jamaica. The ship which Mendez had purchased, at last arrived; and Columbus, with his whole company, embarked on the 28th of June, and, after a troublesome voyage, reached St. Domingo on the 13th of August, 1504. Here the governor received him with the most fawning attentions; but as a proof that his hospitalities were only affectation, he set Porras at liberty, and even threatened to punish those who had been active in apprehending him. As soon as the admiral's ship had been refitted, and another engaged for the accommodation of his friends, he sailed for Europe on the 2d of September. But before they had been two leagues at sea, the mast of his consort came by the board, on which she was sent back to be repaired, while he proceeded on his voyage.

After being dismasted in a violent storm, and struggling with many difficulties, as well as a fit of the gout, Columbus at last arrived in the port of St. Lucar de Barrameda. He had no sooner landed than he heard, with unspeakable regret, of the death of his munificent patroness, Isabella; a blow which he never recovered. Ferdinand, indeed, treated him with courteous attention; but gave strong intimations, that the terms he had stipulated for himself were too advantageous,

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and wished to propose coming to a new agreement. however never took place; the negociations entered into were interrupted by the accession of Philip to the throne of Castile, and Columbus worn out with infirmities and chagrin, yielded up the ghost at Valladolid on the 20th of May, 1506, in the 64th year of his age. He died with a composure of mind suitable to the magnanimity which distinguished his character, and with sentiments of piety becoming that supreme respect for religion, which he manifested in every occurrence of his life. His remains were conveyed, by the king's order, to Seville, where some authors say, he was magnificently interred, in the monastry of the Carthusians; and that a monument was erected to his memory charged with this inscription,

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A GASTILIA Y A LEON

NUEVO MUNDO DEO' COLON.

Which may be thus translated,

TO CASTILE AND LEON,

A NEW WORLD WAS GIVEN BY COLUMBUS.

Others assert, that his monument only exists at Seville; for that his body was buried at St. Domingo, in the chancel of the cathedral; and an article in the public prints from Spain, on the late cession of Hispaniola to France, seems to confirm this belief. For we read, that the remains of Columbus were to be transferred, with great pomp, from St. Domingo to Cuba.

Such were the adventures and the end of Columbus: a man whom all posterity will view with admiration, and honour with applause. The ingratitude he experienced is the usual return for services too great to be repaid. The pander or minion of power may receive an adequate reward for his degrading servilities; but he who eclipses the splendour of an original kingdom by such an accession as a new world, may excite envy, but cannot meet with a due recompence, without being considered as a rival to his prince. Perhaps the grand source of

the misfortunes of Columbus was his indiscreet stipulation for a joint authority in his new discoveries. His good sense might have told him, that it was impossible to be a partner with a king.

We shall conclude the history of Columbus' voyages, with his character, as delineated by a Spanish writer of veracity. 'Columbus,' says he, was tall of stature, had a long visage, and a majestic aspect. His nose was aquiline, his eyes grey, and his complexion clear and ruddy. When young, his hair and beard were fair; but hardships soon turned them grey. He was a man of wit and pleasantry, eloquent in discourse, yet moderately grave in his deportment. His affability to strangers, and his judicious conversation, gained him the affection of every ingenious mind; while an air of authority and grandeur attracted respect. He was strict in his religious observances himself, and obliged those who were under his command to show at least a decent regard to this sacred institution. He had an earnest concern for the conversion of the Indians, and endeavoured as much as was in his power to allure them, by obliging the Spaniards to lead a life in some measure corresponding to the faith they professed. His courage was undaunted; he was fond of great enterprises, temperate in living, modest in dress, patient under injuries; and much more anxious to bring his enemies to a sense of their offences, than to retaliate injustice. He remained unmoved amidst the numerous dangers and adversities that attended him, ever placing a firm reliance on Divine Providence. In short, had he lived in earlier times, his conduct and his achievments would have procured him statues and temples to his honour. He would have been ranked with Hercules and Bacchus; and a constellation perhaps would have borne his name. However, he will be remembered as long as the world endures!

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to accompany Diego Velasquez in an expedition to Cuba. In this service he distinguished himself so much, that he received an ample concession of lands and of Indians, the usual recompence bestowed upon adventurers in the New World.

Cortes, naturally ardent and active, displayed other quali ties, which adapted him for difficult and hazardous enterprises. With calm prudence in concerting schemes, and persevering vigour in executing them, he combined the art of gaining the confidence and governing the minds of those with whom he was concerned. To these superior accomplishments, he added others of an inferior kind, that are suited to strike the vulgar, and command their respect; a graceful person, an engaging aspect, singular address in martial exercises, and a robust constitution capable of enduring any fatigue.

Cortes, however, at the commencement of his adventure, found, that in the suspicious and jealous temper of Velasquez, he had difficulties with which to contend, that required a very high degree of prudence and resolution, and these difficulties were enhanced in the progress of his undertaking. On the 18th of November, 1518, he set sail from St. Jago de Cuba; but he had no sooner arrived at Trinidad, a small settlement on the same side of the island, before Velasquez made an attempt to deprive him of his commission. Cortes, however, had so far engaged the esteem and confidence of his troops that, partly by soothing, and partly by intimidating Vergudo, a magistrate at Trinidad, to whom Velasquez had sent his instructions, he was allowed to depart without molestation from Trinidad. Cortes sailed for the Havannah in order to raise more soldiers, and to complete the victualling of his fleet.

During his unavoidable stay in this place, Velasquez sent orders for arresting him, and for delaying the departure of the armament. Cortes, forewarned of the danger, had time to take precautions for his own safety. He announced to his troops the hostile intentions of Velasquez, and found that both his officers and soldiers, who were intent on an expedition which flattered them with the hopes of glory and wealth, were determined to persevere; and accordingly they were unanimous in their intreaties that he would not abandon the important station to which he was so well intitled; offering, at the same time, to shed the last drop of their blood in supporting his authority. Cortes did not hesitate in complying with their wishes; swore that he would never desert them,

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