No reference was made to the complaints of the adventurers who had returned.

However the sovereigns may have been impressed by these, they were still confident in Columbus and in his merits, and do not seem to have wished to receive the partial accounts of his accusers.

On his part, he pressed the importance of a new expedition, in order that they might annex to their dominions the eastern part of Asia.

He wanted for this purpose eight ships.

He was willing to leave two in the island of Hispaniola, and he hoped that he might have six for a voyage of discovery.