The letter in Christopher Columbus’s
hands swept away years of rejection
and ridicule by everyone who had
doubted him. The missive, from King Ferdi-
nand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of
Castile, the sovereign rulers of Spain, was
addressed to “Don Cristóbal Colón, their
Admiral of the Ocean Sea, Viceroy and Gover-
nor of the Islands that he hath discovered in
the Indies.” Columbus—called Colón in
Spain—had spent most of the past year at sea,
looking for a westward passage from Europe
to Asia. Having sailed among islands he
named “the Indies,” he sent messages to the
Spanish sovereigns as soon as he returned,
announcing that his mission had been a suc-
cess. Without even opening the letter, Colum-
bus knew that his reports had reached his
royal patrons. It also told him that the grand
titles and rewards he had insisted upon
receiving if his voyage was successful were
now his.
When Columbus opened the letter, dated
March 30, 1493, he read that King Ferdinand
and Queen Isabella wanted to see him as
quickly as possible:
We have seen your letters and we have
taken much pleasure in learning whereof
you write, and that God gave so good a
result to your labors, and well guided you in
what you commenced, whereof He will be
well served and we also, and our realms
receiveso much advantage. Itwill please
God that, beyond that wherein you serve
Him, you should receive from us many
favors... we desire that you come here
forthwith, thereforefor our service make
the best haste you can in your coming, so
that you may be timely provided with every-
thing you need; and because as you see the
summer has begun, and you must not delay
in going back there, see if something cannot
be prepared in Seville or in other districts
for your returning to the land which you
have discovered.There had never been any doubt in Colum-
bus’s own mind that he would reach Asia by
sailing west. By presenting his proof at the
royal court at Barcelona, he would show
everyone that he was neither a dreamer nor a
lunatic.