474
LIFE
AND
VOYAGES
OF
[BOOK X V I I I .
tions of respect from the king, and due attention from cardinal Ximenes, archbishop of Toledo, and other principal personages ; but he had learned to appreciate and distrust the hollow civilities of a court. His claims were referred to a tribunal, called “ The council of the discharges of the conscience of the deceased queen, and of the king." This is a kind of tribunal, commonly known by the name of the Junta de Descargos, composed of persons nominated by the sovereign, to superintend the accomplishment of the last will of his predecessor, and the discharge of his debts. Two consultations were held by this body, but nothing was deter mined. The wishes of the king were too well known to be thwarted. “ It was believed,” says Las Casas, “ that if the king could have done so with a safe conscience, and without detriment to his fame, he would have respected few or none of the privi leges which he and the queen had conceded to the admiral, and which had been so justly merited.”* Columbus still flattered himself that, his claims being of such importance, and touching a question of sovereignty, the adjust ment of them might be only postponed by the king until he could consult with his daughter Juana, who had succeeded to her mother as queen of Castile, and who was daily expected from Flanders, with her husband, king Philip. He endeavored, therefore, to bear his delays with patience ; but he had no longer the physical strength and glorious anticipations which once sustained him through his long application at this court. Life itself was draw ing to a close. He was once more confined to his bed by a tormenting attack of the gout, aggravated by the sorrows and disappointments which * Las Casas, Hist. Ind., lib. ii. cap. 37.