General excitement at the news that a way to the Indies had been found 445 This voyage was an event without any parallel in history 446 CHAPTER VI. THE FINDING OF STRANGE COASTS. The Discovery of America was a gradual process 447, 448 The letters of Columbus to Santangel and to Sanchez 449 Versification of the story by Giuliano Dati 450 Earliest references to the discovery 451 The earliest reference in English 452 The Portuguese claim to the Indies 453 Bulls of Pope Alexander VI. 454-458 The treaty of Tordesillas 459 Juan Rodriguez Fonseca, and his relations with Columbus 460-462 Friar Boyle 462 Notable persons who embarked on the second voyage 463 Departure from Cadiz 464 Cruise among the Cannibal (Caribbee) islands 465 Fate of the colony at La Navidad 466 Building the town of Isabella 467 Exploration of Cibao 467, 468 Westward cruise; Cape Alpha and Omega 468-470 Discovery of Jamaica 471 Coasting the south side of Cuba 472 The "people of Mangon" 473 Speculations concerning the Golden Chersonese 474-476 A solemn expression of opinion 477 Vicissitudes of theory 477, 478 Arrival of Bartholomew Columbus in Hispaniola 478, 479 Mutiny in Hispaniola; desertion of Boyle and Margarite 479, 480 The government of Columbus was not tyrannical 481 Troubles with the Indians 481, 482 Mission of Juan Aguado 482 Discovery of gold mines, and speculations about Ophir 483 Founding of San Domingo, 1496 484 The return voyage to Spain 485 Edicts of 1495 and 1497 486, 487 Vexatious conduct of Fonseca; Columbus loses his temper 487 Departure from San Lucar on the third voyage 488 The belt of calms 489-491 Trinidad and the Orinoco 491, 492