After the usual Spanish course of _juntas_ and much arguing, it was resolved that the land which Las Casas sought for should be granted to him, although at each step his proposition was opposed by the Bishop of Burgos. Immediately before the departure of Charles from Coruña in May 1520, in order to be crowned Emperor of Germany, the king signed the necessary deed of grant to Las Casas. The land which he thus acquired extended from the province of _Paria_ in the east to that of _Santa Martha_ in the west, and was to go through the continent to the Pacific. Las Casas embarked at _San Lucar_ on the 11th of November 1520, taking with him some humble labourers. After a favourable voyage, he arrived at _Porto Rico_, where he was destined to meet with some startling news that had considerable influence on the fate of the expedition which he had undertaken. It has been already stated how two Dominican missionaries met their martyrdom at _Cumaná_; but their fate did not at all deter their brethren from following in their footsteps. Accordingly, in the year 1518, several Franciscans and Dominicans founded two monasteries on the Pearl Coast, where they were joined by other monks, and where they lived in peaceful intercourse with the Indians. There was thus a fair prospect of some settlements in the New World existing without forced labour or other cruelty towards the natives. But this was not to be. In the neighbouring island of _Cubagua_ there was a certain Ojeda, who occupied himself with pearl-fishing, and who paid a visit to the mainland with the object of picking up some slaves. Coming to the settlement of _Maricapána_, he proceeded to buy some maize from one of the tribes, and he, naturally enough, requested the service of fifty men to assist in carrying it to his vessel. Once on the shore, the misguided men were attacked by the Spaniards and a number of them carried on board ship. It is some satisfaction to know that when Ojeda next landed he was watched for and slain. The natural result of the above transactions was that, a few days afterwards, the Dominican monastery was attacked and its inmates put to death. The Franciscan monastery at _Chiribichi_ was likewise attacked. In all eighty Spaniards were killed, and the island of _Cubagua_ was evacuated. These events had taken place at the close of the year 1519, and the “Audience” at _San Domingo_ prepared an expedition to punish and enslave the Indians of the Pearl Coast, which expedition, under Ocampo, met Las Casas at _Porto Rico_. In vain he endeavoured, by showing his “powers” to the commander, to divert him from his purpose. All that Las Casas could do was to hasten to _San Domingo_, leaving his labourers at _Porto Rico_.