Chapter II: Attempts to Secure Assistance. 1484-1492 34-73

Necessity of Assistance, 34.--Improbability that he applied to Genoa
and Venice, 35.--Applications to Portugal, England, and France,
36.--Attitude of Portugal, 37.--Departure of Columbus for Spain,
41.--Course after reaching Spain, 43.--Condition of Spain, 44.
--Inquisition, 44.--Plague, 45.--Debasement of the Coin, 45.
--War against the Moors, 46.--Support of Columbus, 47.--First
Encouragement, 48.--Audience at Salamanca, 49.--Nature of the
Discussion, 52.--Friendliness of Deza, 53.--Result, 53.--Delays,
53.--Occupations of the Court, 54.--Thought of going elsewhere,
55.--Summons to a New Conference, 56.--Stipends of Money, 57.--
Visit to Portugal, 57.--Visit to Medina Celi, 58.--Opinions of
Scientific Men, 60.--Disgust of Columbus, 61.--Visit to La Rabida,
62.--Service of Perez, 63.--Favourable Inclination of the Court,
64.--Inadmissible Terms demanded, 65.--Story of the Jewels, 67.--
Successful Representations, 67.--Columbus secures his Commission, 68.
--Misfortune of these Extraordinary Powers, 70.--Survey of Sources of
Assistance, 72.