With the Admiral of the Ocean Sea

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. No large portion of the reading public has either the time or the inclination to delve into the many tomes which, chiefly by the liberality of the Spanish Government and the devoted labors of Munoz, Navarrete, and their successors, have been made available for the students of Columbus's life and works and yet, if we are not wholly in error, it is only from these original sources that any lifelike conception of the great discoverer's character can be formed. It is to this larger world of readers, who would gladly read the story of the renowned event of 1492 in the words of the chief actors, that our narrative is addressed. The Appendix contains a few notes upon the main points in dispute concerning Columbus and his career. Without wishing to enter into matters of controversy, it has seemed best to offer this small contribution toward the solution of the questions at issue.