invited over virtuous clergymen, to correct the Spaniards' morals, and an upright judge, for the administration of justice. Finally, he hoped the contributions would revive again; and that the Supreme Being would aid an undertaking begun in his holy name.

The malcontents complained that the admiral and his brother were unjust men, cruel enemies, and shedders of Spanish blood; declaring upon every light occasion, they would rack them, hang them, head them; and that they took pleasure therein; and that they departed from them, as from cruel tyrants and wild beasts rejoicing in blood, and as the King's enemies: affirming, likewise, that they perceived their intent to be no other than to usurp the empire of the islands, which they suspected by a thousand conjectures, especially because they would not permit any but their own friends to have access to the gold mines.

After the ships were gone, the admiral wrote to Roldan, that, out of affection for him, he had delayed the sailing of the fleet as long as possible, lest their Majesties should be informed of his guilty conduct before they heard of his return to duty: he reminded him of his duty to his sovereign, and exhorted him to come to reasonable terms. Roldan, in answer, expressed his willingness to comply with his desire, and requested another safe-conduct. He obtained it, and came to San Domingo: here he again proposed high terms, and agreed to none—it was supposed he only came for the purpose of bribery. After his return to Bonao, he wrote a letter dated Tuesday, November the 6th, saying, he could not prevail on his men to consent to any more; that, for want of food, he should march to Concepcion, where he would wait till the Monday following for the admiral's answer. The admiral, to avoid a civil war, and partly from want of adherents, previous to the day named, sent Carvajal, accompanied by Diego de Salamanca, his steward, to Concepcion, with full power to conclude a treaty. At the same time, he transmitted a general pardon to all who had taken up arms against his authority, who should, in a month's time, submit to the legal government; and offered them permission to return to Castile, and assignments for the payment of their salaries: declaring, in the event of non-compliance, he would proceed against them with the utmost rigour of the law.

The deputies found Roldan blockading the fortress; under the pretext of getting a criminal out, to put him to death. Carvajal appeased him; and, after a short negociation, concluded an agree

ment.

The proclamation, with a general pardon, was affixed to the gates of the fortress, the rebels only ridiculed it. However, they at last resolved that Roldan, and his partizans, should within fifty days embark in the harbour of Jaragua for Spain, in two ships, properly victualled; and that they should be furnished with certificates of their good services, and assignments for the payment of

their wages. It was also stipulated, that they should be at liberty to take a number of slaves with them, or an equal number of Indian women, either pregnant, or lately delivered of children: also, that satisfaction should be given for their sequestered goods, especially to Roldan, for 350 swine.

After the admiral had signed and sent back the treaty to the Vega, he published a declaration, stating, that any of Roldan's party that chose might remain on the island, either in the pay of the King, or as proprietors of land, and have slaves sufficient for cultivation. They all, however, seemed ready to leave the island, and went to Jaragua. To facilitate their departure, the expedition for the further discovery of Paria and the pearl trade was suspended: there were only three ships fit for the voyage, and scarcely sufficient provisions.

1499.

The admiral now, for the purpose of arranging the affairs of the colony, went with his eldest brother into the interior, and committed the care of San Domingo to his brother Don Diego: he went first to Isabella, then to Vega, and through the other provinces. In the month of May, when he expected the ships would sail, he addressed an ample detail of the state of the island to the King and Queen, in which he advised them to punish Roldan and his adherents, especially those under sentence of transportation; who, instead of serving out their time, had joined the rebels, and committed every act of atrocity and depredation. He also advised their Majesties to seize the stores and Indian concubines, some of whom were daughters of caziques.

But he was now suddenly apprized that Roldan's adherents had altered their minds, and determined to remain on the island. As a justification of their breach of the treaty, they pleaded the long delay of the caravels, which did not arrive at Jaragua till three months after the contract. For this they blamed the admiral; though the ships had put to sea two months before, and been driven back, disabled, by a gale of wind. Carvajal, who commanded the expedition, explained this to Roldan: but in vain. The admiral wrote again to the principal mutineers; but they treated his letter with scorn and derision. Carvajal, however, by his cogent remonstrances, worked on the mind of Roldan; and when he took his leave, Roldan offered to accompany him half-way. When they were alone, Roldan testified his wish to put an end to the contest, and said if the admiral would consent to another safe-conduct, he would be glad to visit him, and make an agreement that should be satisfactory to both; but it would be necessary to keep the terms secret, till they were ratified.

Carvajal made his report to the admiral on the 15th of May; and Columbus, anxious to restore the public tranquillity, hastened in person to the harbour of Jaragua, previously dispatching the safe-conduct. Carvajal, Coronel, Pedro de Terreros, Alonso Malaver, Diego Alvarado, and Rafael Cataneo, also signed a deed, in which they bound themselves to defend, to the utmost of their power, the person and property of Roldan and his men during the negociation, provided they did not undertake anything prejudicial to the King or governor. While Columbus was with two caravels in the harbour of Azua, Roldan came on board, and a treaty was signed, by which he was re-appointed perpetual chief justice, and a declaration issued, that all the commotions arose from calumnies and false reports; that fifteen persons of Roldan's party should go in the first ship to Spain, and the rest be allowed the right of possession in the island; that, if the governor should infringe the treaty, Roldan and his allies should compel him, by any means they thought fit, to a due observance of it.

Roldan immediately assumed the title of Chief Justice, and behaved in the most haughty manner in San Domingo; where the treaty was solemnly ratified, the 28th of September, 1499.

The admiral contrived to separate the faction, by giving them establishments in different parts of the island. The territorial divisions were at that time established, under the title of Repartimientos, the admiral considering the country as his by conquest, and that he had a right to force the Indians to serve the Spaniards, and to distribute the lands among his followers.

The

Upon the 20th of May, Alonzo de Ojeda sailed from Port St. Mary's, with a licence from the Bishop Fonseca, upon a voyage of discovery; but with orders not to touch at any port which Columbus had discovered before 1495. Juan de la Cosa went as his chief pilot, and Americus Vespucius. Upon this voyage, Ojeda named Cape de la Vela. Notwithstanding his orders, Ojeda crossed over to Española, under pretence of wanting provisions. admiral sent to forbid his taking on board either slaves or dyewood; but so little did Ojeda regard the admiral's commands, that he went to Xaragua, formed a party among the rebels, and proposed marching to seize the admiral at San Domingo: those who refused to join him, he attempted to seize in the night. The result was a battle, in which many were killed on both sides. The arrival of Roldan with fresh supplies obliged Ojeda to embark. Roldan proposed to negociate, but seized the boat and crew which Ojeda sent for him. To regain his boat, as he had but one other left in his fleet, Ojeda liberated the Spaniards whom he had seized; and continued his voyage as soon as he regained her.

Out of the dominions of Bohechio, Roldan granted settlements to his soldiers. He also allowed Hernando de Guevarra to settle there, whom the admiral had ordered to quit the island, and who

Carvajal made his report to the admiral on the 15th of May; and Columbus, anxious to restore the public tranquillity, hastened in person to the harbour of Jaragua, previously dispatching the safe-conduct. Carvajal, Coronel, Pedro de Terreros, Alonso Malaver, Diego Alvarado, and Rafael Cataneo, also signed a deed, in which they bound themselves to defend, to the utmost of their power, the person and property of Roldan and his men during the negociation, provided they did not undertake anything prejudicial to the King or governor. While Columbus was with two caravels in the harbour of Azua, Roldan came on board, and a treaty was signed, by which he was re-appointed perpetual chief justice, and a declaration issued, that all the commotions arose from calumnies and false reports; that fifteen persons of Roldan's party should go in the first ship to Spain, and the rest be allowed the right of possession in the island; that, if the governor should infringe the treaty, Roldan and his allies should compel him, by any means they thought fit, to a due observance of it.

Roldan immediately assumed the title of Chief Justice, and behaved in the most haughty manner in San Domingo; where the treaty was solemnly ratified, the 28th of September, 1499.

The admiral contrived to separate the faction, by giving them establishments in different parts of the island. The territorial divisions were at that time established, under the title of Repartimientos, the admiral considering the country as his by conquest, and that he had a right to force the Indians to serve the Spaniards, and to distribute the lands among his followers.

The

Upon the 20th of May, Alonzo de Ojeda sailed from Port St. Mary's, with a licence from the Bishop Fonseca, upon a voyage of discovery; but with orders not to touch at any port which Columbus had discovered before 1495. Juan de la Cosa went as his chief pilot, and Americus Vespucius. Upon this voyage, Ojeda named Cape de la Vela. Notwithstanding his orders, Ojeda crossed over to Española, under pretence of wanting provisions. admiral sent to forbid his taking on board either slaves or dyewood; but so little did Ojeda regard the admiral's commands, that he went to Xaragua, formed a party among the rebels, and proposed marching to seize the admiral at San Domingo: those who refused to join him, he attempted to seize in the night. The result was a battle, in which many were killed on both sides. The arrival of Roldan with fresh supplies obliged Ojeda to embark. Roldan proposed to negociate, but seized the boat and crew which Ojeda sent for him. To regain his boat, as he had but one other left in his fleet, Ojeda liberated the Spaniards whom he had seized; and continued his voyage as soon as he regained her.

Out of the dominions of Bohechio, Roldan granted settlements to his soldiers. He also allowed Hernando de Guevarra to settle there, whom the admiral had ordered to quit the island, and who