Wherever he went, he carried about with him, as a memorial of their ingratitude, those fetters with which he had been loaded. They were constantly hung up in his chamber, and he gave orders that when he died they should be buried in his grave.

But even this ungenerous return did not discourage him from pursuing the great object which first excited him to attempt discovery. To open a new passage to the East-Indies was his original and favourite scheme; but interesting as the object of this voyage was to the nation, he could only procure four small barks, the largest of which did not exceed seventy tons in burden. From the dangers of the ocean, the disaffections of the Spaniards in America, and the machinations of his enemies at home, misfortunes were accumulating on him during all the time he was employed in this expedition. Impatient to leave America, where Orando, who was appointed governor in his stead, treated him on every occasion with inhumanity and injustice, he set sail for Spain with two ships.Disasters similar to those which had accompanied him through his life, continued to pursue him to the end of his career. One of his vessels being disabled, was soon forced back to St. Domingo; the other, shattered by violent storms, sailed seven hundred leagues with jurymasts, and reached with difficulty the port of St. Lucar.

There he received the account of the death of his patroness Isabella, which completed his misfortunes. None now remained to redress his wrongs, or to reward him for his services and sufferings, but Ferdinand, who had so long opposed, and so often injured him. To solicit a prince thus prejudiced against him, was an occupation no less irksome than hopeless. In this, however, was Columbus doomed to end his days. As soon as his health was in some degree re-established, he

repaired to court, and though he was received with civility barely decent, he plied Ferdinand with petition after petition, demanding the punishment of his oppressors, and the restitution of all the priviliges bestowed upon him by the capitulation of one thousand four hundred and ninety-two. Ferdinand amused him with fair unmeaning promises. Instead of granting him his claims, he proposed expedients in order to elude them, and spun out the affair with such apparent art, as plainly discovered his intention that it should never be terminated.The declining health of Columbus flattered Ferdinand with the hopes he would soon be delivered from an importunate suitor; and encouraged him to persevere in his illiberal plan. Nor was he deceived in his expectations. Disgusted with the ingratitude of a monarch whom he had served with such fidelity and success, exhausted with the fatigues and hardships which he had endured, and broken with the infirmities which these brought upon him, Columbus ended his life at Valladolid, on the twentieth of May, one thousand five hundred and six, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. He died with 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.

FERNANDO CORTES.

THIS man was born at Medellin, a small town in Estramadura, in the year 1485, and descended from a family of noble blood, but of very moderate fortune. Being originally destined by his parents to the study of the law, as the most likely method of bettering his condition, he was sent early to the

university of Salamanca, where he imbibed some tincture of learning. But he was soon disgusted with an academic life, which did not suit his ardent and restless genius, and retired to Medellin, where he gave himself up entirely to active sports and martial exercises. At this period of life, he was so impetuous, so overbearing, and so dissipated, that his father was glad to comply with his inclination, and send him abroad as an adventurer in arms. There were in that age two conspicuous theatres, on which such of the Spanish youths as courted military glory might display their valour; one in Italy, under the command of the Great Captain, the other in the New World. Cortes preferred the former, but was prevented by indisposition from embarking with a reinforcement of troops sent to Naples. Upon this disappointment he turned his views towards America, whither he was allured by the prospect of the advantages which he might derive from the patronage of Orando, the governor of Hispaniola, who was his kinsman.When he landed at St. Domingo, in 1504, his reception was such as equalled his most sanguine hopes, and he was employed by the governor in several honourable and lucrative stations. These however, did not satisfy his ambition; and in the year 1511, he obtained permission to accompany Diego Velasquez in his expedition to Cuba. In this service he distinguished himself so much, that, notwithstanding some violent contests with Velasquez, occasioned by trivial events, unworthy of remembrance, he was at length taken into favour, and received an ample concession of lands and of Indians, the recompense usually bestowed upon adventurers in the New World.

Though Cortes had not hitherto acted in high command, he had displayed such qualities in several scenes of difficulty and danger, as raised

universal expectation, and turned the eyes of his countrymen towards him, as one capable of performing great things. The turbulence of youth, as soon as he found objects and occupations suited to the ardour of his mind, gradually subsided, and settled into a habit of regular and indefatigable activity. The impetuosity of his temper, when he came to act with his equals, insensibly abated, by being kept under restraint, and mellowed into a cordial soldierly frankness. These qualities were accompanied with calm prudence in concerting his schemes, with persevering vigour in executing them, and with what is peculiar to superior genius, the art of gaining the confidence, and governing the minds of men. To all which were added, the inferior accomplishments that strike the vulgar and command their respect, a graceful person, a winning aspect, extraordinary address in martial exercises, and a constitution of such vigour, as to be capable of enduring any fatigue.

Velasquez, intending to invade the Mexican empire, and anxious to find a person who would be obsequious to his will, yet qualified for the arduous undertaking, upon Cortes being mentioned, he flattered himself, that he had at length found what he had hitherto sought in vain, a man with talents for command, but not an object of jealousy. Neither the rank nor the fortune of Cortes, as he imagined, were such, that he could aspire at independence. He had reason to believe, that by his own readiness to bury ancient animosities in oblivion, as well as his liberality in conferring several recent favours, he had already gained the good will of Cortes, and hoped by this new and unexpected mark of his confidence, that he might attach him for ever to his interest.

Cortes, receiving his commission with the warmest expressions of respect and gratitude to the go

vernor, immediately erected his standard before his own house, appeared in a military dress, and assumed all the ensigns of his new dignity. His utmost influence and activity were exerted in persuading many of his friends to engage in the service, and in urging forward the preparations for the voyage. All his own funds, together with what money he could raise, by mortgaging his lands and Indians, were expended in purchasing military stores and provisions, or in supplying the wants of such of his officers as were unable to equip themselves in a manner suitable to their rank.

Cortes proceeded to Trinidad, a small settlement on the same side of the island, where he was joined by several adventurers, and received a supply of provisions and military stores, of which his stock was very incomplete. From Trinidad, Cortes sailed for Havannah, in order to raise more soldiers, and to complete the victualling of his fleet. There several persons of distinction entered into the service, and engaged to supply what provisions were still wanting.

Though this expedition was the united effort of the Spanish power in Cuba; though every settlement had contributed its quota of men and provisions; though the governor had lent out considerable sums, and each adventurer had exhausted his stock, or strained his credit, the poverty of the preparations was such as must astonish the present age, and bore indeed no resemblance to an armament destined for the conquest of a great empire. The fleet consisted of eleven vessels, the largest of a hundred tons, which was dignified with the name of Admiral, three of seventy or eighty tons, and the rest small open barks. On board of these were six hundred and seventeen men, of which five hundred and eight belonged to the land service, and a hundred were seamen or artificers. The soldiers were