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A History of Europe, and Her Dependencies, During the Last Four Centuries
A History of Europe and Her Dependencies During the Last Four Centuries Author:John Sedgwick Title: A History of Europe, and Her Dependencies, During the Last Four Centuries, by the Author of 'a History of France', Ed. by J. Sedgwick [really Written by the Latter]. General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1850 Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there m... more »ay be typos or missing text. Excerpt: CHAPTER VIII. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS -- REJECTION OF HIS PROJECTS -- THEIB ACCEPTANCE BY SPAIN HIS DEPARTURE -- REVOLT OF THE CREW FIRMNESS OF COLUMBUS -- ARRIVAL AT SAN SALVADOR -- HIS DISCOVERIES -- HIS RETURN TO SPAIN HIS REJECTION SECOND VOYAGE -- FRESH DISCOVERIES CAUSE OF HIS RETURN TO EUROPE -- THIRD VOYAGE -- HIS B. ETUR. V -- FOURTH VOYAGE AND DEATH AMERICUS VESPUTIUS BARBAROUS TREATMENT OF THE INDIANS -- LAS CASAS. (a. d. 1492 -- 1516.) Chbistopheb Columbus, whose name has become so famous in history, was born in Genoa, in 1447. He took part in the first maritime expeditions undertaken by the Portuguese on the coasts of Africa, and had also made frequent voyages to the Canary islands and the Azores. Having satisfied himself that the form of the earth was spherical, and that one of the two hemispheres was occupied by the old world, that is to say, by Europe, Asia, and Africa, he was convinced, by examining a map, that a new world must exist to the westward of the old. In order to prove the truth of this conviction he presented himself to the leading powers of Europe. Genoa, his native city, rejected his proposals. Henry VIII., king of England, would not listen to them; and John II., king of Portugal, to whom he then addressed himself, was not more favourably inclined. Columbus, although by no means sanguine of success, determined to appeal to Ferdinand the Catholic and Isabella of Castile, who then ruled in Spain: his me...« less