[1] This apparently ambiguous expression, probably means all contraveners in the premises, or all who might in any way obstruct the full execution of the offices and their privileges here granted to Columbus and his heirs.--E. [2] This is certainly the greatest hereditary grant that ever was conceded by sovereign to subject. Had it taken effect in its clear extent, the family of Columbus must long ere now have become prodigiously too powerful and wealthy to have remained hereditary admirals, viceroys, and governors of the whole new world. They must either have become independent sovereigns, or must have sunk under the consequences of rebellion. If they still exist, they owe their existence, or their still subjected state, to the at first gross injustice of the court of Spain, and its subsequent indispensably necessary policy to preserve the prodigious acquisition acquired for them by the genius of this great man.--E. [3] The author mentions that he and his elder brother, the sons of Columbus, were present on this occasion, probably to take leave of their father. It appears afterwards that James the admirals brother, accompanied him on this second voyage.--E. [4] The phenomenon here alluded to is now well known to be electricity, proceeding from or to pointed projections and in a continued stream, resembling flame.--E. [5] These three additional islands probably were successively, Marigalante, Petite Terre, and Deseado or Desirade.--E. [6] The origin of this may have been one of the people saying he had seen a pan or vessel of a substance _like iron_, while in the progress of the story to the admiral the qualifying circumstance of resemblance was omitted.--E. [7] The meaning of this passage is quite inexplicable.--E. [8] Those here called cinnamon trees must only have had some distant resemblance to true cinnamon in flavour; probably what is now called _Canella alba_, which is only used to give a flavour to nauseous medicines.--E. [9] By the description of the route in the foregoing narrative, the distances appear to have been, from Isabella to the pass of Hidalgos 3 leagues; from Hidalgos to the pass of Cibao 11 leagues; and from this latter pass to the Castle of St Thomas 4 leagues: in all 18 leagues as in the text.--E. [10] This story, like the iron pan in Dominica formerly mentioned, seems to have gained circumstances in its passage to the author. Such collections of balls or round stones are not uncommon in mines, and are termed nests: The hay and straw seem an embellishment.--E. [11] In a former passage he was said to have waited for the convoy of provisions before going to Cibao, which must have been an oversight in the author.--E.