at their own
risk and expense, voyages of discovery or traffic to the newly found
coasts. As the crown was to take a pretty heavy tariff out of the
profits of these expeditions, while all losses were to be borne by the
adventurers, a fairly certain source of revenue, be it great or small,
seemed likely to be opened.[588] Columbus protested against this edict,
inasmuch as he deemed himself entitled to a patent or monopoly in the
work of conducting expeditions to Cathay. The sovereigns evaded the
difficulty by an edict of June 2, 1497, declaring that it was never
their intention "in any way to affect the rights of the said Don
Christopher Columbus." This declaration was, doubtless, intended simply
to pacify the Admiral. It did not prevent the authorization of voyages
conducted by other persons a couple of years later; and, as I shall show
in the next chapter, there are strong reasons for believing that on May
10, 1497, three weeks before this edict, an expedition sailed from Cadiz
under the especial auspices of King Ferdinand, with Vicente Yanez Pinzon
for its chief commander and Americus Vespucius for one of its pilots.

[Footnote 587: The curate thus heard the story of the second
voyage from Columbus himself while it was fresh in his mind.
Columbus also left with him written memoranda, so that for the
events of this expedition the _Historia de los Reyes Catolicos_
is of the highest authority.]

[Footnote 588: "All vessels were to sail exclusively from the
port of Cadiz, and under the inspection of officers appointed
by the crown. Those who embarked for Hispaniola without pay,
and at their own expense, were to have lands assigned to them,
and to be provisioned for one year, with a right to retain such
lands and all houses they might erect upon them. Of all gold
which they might collect, they were to retain one third for
themselves, and pay two thirds to the crown. Of all other
articles of merchandise, the produce of the island, they were
to pay merely one tenth to the crown. Their purchases were to
be made in the presence of officers appointed by the
sovereigns, and the royal duties paid into the hands of the
king's receiver. Each ship sailing on private enterprise was to
take one or two persons named by the royal officers at Cadiz.
One tenth