Letter from the Admiral Christopher Columbus to his Son, referring to Amerigo Vespucci.[ 133]
My Dear Son,—Diego Mendez left here on Monday, the 3rd of this month. After his departure, I spoke with Amerigo Vespucci, the bearer of this letter, who is going to the Court on matters relating to navigation. He always showed a desire to please me, and is a very respectable man. Fortune has been adverse to him, as to many others. His labours have not been so profitable to him as he might have expected. He leaves me with the desire to do me service, if it should be in his power. I am unable here to point out in what way he could be useful to me, because I do not know what may be required at Court; but he goes with the determination of doing all he can for me. You will see in what way he can be employed. Think the matter over, as he will do everything, and speak, and put things in train; but let all be done secretly, so as not to arouse suspicion of him. I have told him all I can about my affairs, and of the payments that have been made to me and are due. This letter is also for the Adelantado, for he can see in what way use can be made of it, and will apprise you of it, etc., etc.
Dated in Seville, the 5th of February (1505).
S.
S. A. S.
X. M. Y.
XPO FERENS.
Letter from Hieronimo Vianelo to the Seigneury of Venice.[ 134]
Burgos, December 23rd, 1506.