CHAP.
XI.]
CHRISTOPHER
383
COLUMBUS.
been irritated, it is said, by the rigid impartiality of Columbus, who, in enforcing his salutary measures, made no distinction of rank or persons, and put the friar and his household on a short allowance as well as the rest of the community. In the midst of this general discontent, the bread began to grow scarce.
The stock of flour was exhausted, and there was
no mode of grinding corn but by the tedious and toilsome process of the hand-mill.
It became necessary, therefore, to erect a mill
immediately, and other works were required equally important to the welfare of the settlement.
Many of the workmen, how
ever, were ill, some feigning greater sickness than they really suffered; for there was a general disinclination to all kind of la bor which was not to produce immediate wealth.
In this emer
gency, Columbus put every healthy person in requisition; and as the cavaliers and gentlemen of rank required food as well as the lower orders, they were called upon to take their share in the common labor.
This was considered a cruel degradation by
many youthful hidalgos of high blood and haughty spirit, and they refused to obey the summons.
Columbus, however, was a
strict disciplinarian, and felt the importance of making his authority respected.
He resorted, therefore, to strong and com
pulsory measures, and enforced their obedience.
This was an
other cause of the deep and lasting hostilities that sprang up against him. It aroused the immediate indignation of every person of birth and rank in the colony, and drew upon him the resent ment of several of the proud families of Spain.
He was inveighed
against as an arrogant and upstart foreigner, who, inflated with a sudden acquisition of power, and consulting only his own wealth and aggrandizement, was trampling upon the rights and