LIFE OF COLON, BY HIS SON. 13
wonderful things are reported, as to the ingenuity of the people, the buildingsand revenues. This fpace above-mentioned is almofl the third part of the globe.This city is in the province of Mango, bordering on that of Cathay , where the Kinglor the moft part refides. From the ifland Antilla, which you call the feven cities,and whereof you have fome knowledge to the moft noble ifland of Cipango, are tenfpaces, which make two thoufand five hundred miles, or two hundred and twenty-fiveleagues, which ifland abounds in gold, pearls, and precious {tones: and you muftunderftand, they cover their temples and palaces with plates of pure gold. So thatfor want of knowing the way, all thefe things are hidden and concealed, and yet maybe gone to with fafety. Much more might be faid, but having told you what is moilmaterial, and you being wife and judicious, I am fatisfied there is nothing of it butwhat you underftand, and therefore I will not be more prolix. Thus much may ferveto fatisfy your curiofity, it being as much as the fhortnefs of time and my bufinefswould permit me to fay. So I remain moft ready to fatisfy and ferve his Highnefs tothe utmoft, in all the commands he {hall lay upon me.
“ Florence, June 25, 1474.”
After this letter, he again writ to the admiral as follows :
“ To Chriftopher Colon, Paul the phyfician withes health.
“ I received your letters with the things you fent me, which I take as a greatfavour, and commend your noble and ardent defire of failing from eaft to weft, as itis marked out in the chart I fent you, which would demonftrate itfelf better in theform of a globe. I am glad it is well underftood, and that the voyage laid down isnot only poffible, but true, certain, honourable, very advantageous, and moft gloriousamong all Chriftians. You cannot be perfect; in the knowledge of it, but by expe-rience and practice, as I have had in great meafure, and by the folid and true infor-mation of worthy and wife men, who are come from thofe parts to this court ofRome, and from merchants who have traded long in thofe parts, and are perfons ofgood reputation. So that when the faid voyage is performed, it will be to powerfulkingdoms, and to moft noble cities and provinces, rich, and abounding in all thingswe ftand in need of, particularly in all forts of fpice in great quantities, and {tore ofjewels. This will moreover be grateful to thofe Kings and Princes, who are verydefirous to converfe and trade with Chriftians of thefe our countries, whether it befor fome of them to become Chriftians, or elfe to have communication with the wifeand ingenious men of thefe parts, as well in point of religion, as in all fciences, be-caufe of the extraordinary account they have of the kingdoms and government ofthefe parts. For which reafons and many more that might be alledged, I do not atall admire, that you who have a great heart, and all the Portuguefe nation, whichhas ever had notable men in all undertakings, be eagerly bent upon performing thisvoyage.”
This letter, as was faid before, encouraged the admiral much to go upon his dis-covery, though what the doctor there writ was falfe, as believing that the firft landthey Ihould meet with, would be Cathay , and the empire of the Great Cham, with thereft he there relates; fince as experience has made appear, the diftance from our In-dies to that, is greater than from hence to our Indies.
CHAP.