ons have raised themselves against
justice in the island of Hispaniola, and to proceed against them according
to law." On the 21st of May, 1499, they conferred upon this officer the
government, and signed an order that all arms and fortresses in the Indies
should be given up to him. On the 26th of the same month, they gave him
the following remarkable letter to Columbus:-

"Don Christopher Columbus, our Admiral of the Ocean: We have commanded
the Comendador Francis de Bobadilla, the bearer of this that he speak to
you on our part some things which he will tell you: we pray you give him
faith and credence, and act accordingly.
"I the King, I the Queen,
"By their command,
"MIGUEL PEREZ DE ALMAZAN,"

HARSH TREATMENT OF COLUMBUS AND HIS BROTHERS

Bobadilla, however, was not sent from Spain until the beginning of July,
1500, and did not make his appearance in Hispaniola till the 23rd of
August of the same year. Their Highnesses, therefore, must have taken time
before carrying their resolve into execution; and what they meant by it is
dubious. Certainly, not that the matter should have been transacted in the
coarse way which Bobadilla adopted. It is a great pity, and a sad instance
of mistaken judgment, that they fixed upon him for their agent. I imagine
him to have been such a man as may often be met with, who, from his
narrowness of mind and distinctness of prejudice, is supposed to be high-
principled and direct in his dealings; and whose untried reputation has
great favour with many people: until, placed in power some day, he shows
that to rule well requires other things than one-sidedness in the ruling
person; and is fortunate if he does not acquire that part of renown which
consists in notoriety, by committing some colossal blunder, henceforth
historical from its largeness.

COLUMBUS SENT HOME BY BOBADILLA IN CHAINS.

The first thing that Bobadilla did on arriving at St. Domingo was to take
possession of the admiral's house (he being at the fort La Concepcion),
and then to summon the admiral before him, sending him the royal letter.
Neither the admiral nor his brothers attempted to make any resistance; and
Bobadilla, with a stupid brutality, which I suppose he took for vigour,
put them in chains, and sent them to Spain. There is no doubt that the
Castilian population of Hispaniola were rejoiced at Bobadilla's coming,
and that they abetted him in his violence. Accusations came thickly