The journal kept by Columbus on this voyage has been lost, and no copy of it remains.
Columbus settled at Cadiz during the time in which he was engaged upon the fitting out of the expedition.

It was no light matter to superintend the appointment of the crews and passengers, every one of whom was probably interviewed by Columbus himself, and at the same time to keep level with Archdeacon Fonseca.

This official, it will be remembered, had a disagreement with Columbus as to the number of personal attendants he was to be allowed; and on the matter being referred to the King and Queen they granted Columbus the ridiculous establishment of ten footmen and twenty other servants.
Naturally Fonseca held up his hands and wondered where it would all end.
It was no easy matter, moreover, on receipt of letters from the Queen about small matters which occurred to her from time to time, to answer them fully and satisfactorily, and at the same time to make out all the lists of things that would likely be required both for provisioning the voyage and establishing a colony.

The provisions carried in those days were not very different from the provisions carried on deep-sea vessels at the present time--except that canned meat, for which, with its horrors and conveniences, the world may hold Columbus responsible, had not then been invented.

Unmilled wheat, salted flour, and hard biscuit formed the bulk of the provisions; salted pork was the staple--of the meat supply, with an alternative of salted fish; while cheese, peas, lentils and beans, oil and vinegar, were also carried, and honey and almonds and raisins for the cabin table.