The Congress of Americanistas, which meets every year, brings forward many curious studies on the history of the continent, but it can scarcely be said to have done much to advance our knowledge of the personal life of Columbus. The determination of the people of the United States to celebrate fitly the great discovery which has advanced civilization and changed the face of the world, makes it certain that a new interest has arisen in the life of the great man to whom, in the providence of God, that discovery was due. The author and publishers of this book offer it as their contribution in the great celebration, with the hope that it may be of use, especially in the direction of the studies of the young. EDWARD E. HALE. ROXBURY, MASS., June 1st, 1891. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER 1. EARLY LIFE OF COLUMBUS. His Birth and Birth-place--His Early Education--His experience at Sea-His Marriage and Residence in Lisbon-- His Plans for the Discovery of a Westward Passage to the Indies CHAPTER II. HIS PLANS FOR DISCOVERY. Columbus Leaves Lisbon, and Visits Genoa--Visits Great Spanish Dukes--For Six Years is at the Court of Ferdinand and Isabella--The Council of Salamanca--His Petition is at Last Granted--Squadron Made Ready CHAPTER III. THE GREAT VOYAGE. The Squadron Sails--Refits at Canary Islands--Hopes and Fears of the Voyage--The Doubts of the Crew-- Land Discovered CHAPTER IV. The Landing on the Twelfth of October--The Natives and their Neighbors--Search for Gold-Cuba Discovered Columbus Coasts Along its Shores CHAPTER V. Landing on Cuba--The Cigar and Tobacco--Cipango and the Great Khan--From Cuba to Hayti--Its Shores and Harbors CHAPTER VI. Discovery of Hayti or Hispaniola--The Search for Gold-- Hospitality and Intelligence of the Natives--Christmas Day--A Shipwreck--Colony to be Founded--Columbus Sails East and Meets Martin Pinzon-The Two Vessels Return to Europe--Storm--The Azores-- Portugal--Home CHAPTER VII. Columbus is Called to Meet the King and Queen--His Magnificent Reception--Negotiations with the Pope and with the King of Portugal--Second Expedition Ordered --Fonseca--The Preparations at Cadiz CHAPTER VIII. The Second Expedition Sails From Cadiz--Touches at Canary Islands--Discovery of Dominica and Guadeloupe --Skirmishes with the Caribs--Porto Rico Discovered --Hispaniola--The Fate of the Colony at La Navidad CHAPTER IX. The New Colony--Expeditions of Discovery--Guacanagari-- Search for Gold--Mutiny in the Colony--The Vessels Sent Home--Columbus Marches Inland-- Collection of Gold--Fortress of St. Thomas--A New Voyage of Discovery--Jamaica Visited--The South Shore of Cuba Explored--Return--Evangelista Discovered --Columbus Falls Sick--Return to Isabella