Isabella, to have ready to send to Spain in case of
any urgent necessity, and for want of tackle and other
necessary equipments it still lay upon the bench unlaunched.
Roldan insinuated that the delay in launching this
vessel was occasioned by other reasons, and that it
was necessary for the common benefit that it should
be fitted out, that some persons might be sent into
Spain to represent their sufferings and to implore
relief. Thus under pretence of the public good,
Roldan pressed that the caravel might be launched,
and as Don James Columbus refused his consent on account
of the want of tackle, Roldan began more boldly to
treat with some of the malcontents about launching
the caravel in spite of his refusal; telling those
whom he thought would fall into his measures, that
the reason why the lieutenant and his brother were
averse to this measure was, that they were desirous
to secure the dominion of the island to themselves
and to keep them in subjection, and that there might
not be any vessel to carry news of their revolt to
their Catholic majesties. And since they were
sensible of the cruelty and ill nature of the lieutenant,
and the restless and laborious life he led them, in
continually building towns and forts without necessity,
and as there were now no hopes of the admiral returning
with supplies, it was fit they should seize upon that
caravel to procure their own liberty and relief, and
not suffer themselves, under pretence of pay which
they never received, to be kept under the authority
of a foreigner, when it was in their power to live
in ease and plenty. That by assuming the authority
into their own hands, they would have it in their
power to divide the island equally amongst them, and
would be served by the Indians to their own content;
whereas the lieutenant now hold them under such rigorous
authority that they could not take to wife any Indian
woman they pleased, and were forced to keep the three
vows of monachism, chastity, poverty, and abstinence,
and were not wanting in fasts and penances, imprisonments,
and other punishments, which were liberally bestowed
for the smallest offences. Wherefore, since he
Roldan held the rod of justice and royal authority,
and could screen them against evil consequences on
this account, he advised them to act as he directed,
in doing which they could not be found guilty.
With such pretences and arguments, proceeding from
the hatred he bore to the lieutenant, he drew over
so many to his party, that one day, after the return
of the lieutenant from Xaragua to Isabella, some of
the conspirators resolved to stab him, and considered
this as so easy a matter that they had provided a
halter to hang him up with after his death. The
circumstance which more immediately incensed them at
this particular period, was the imprisonment of one
Barahoria, a friend to the conspirators; and if God
had not put it into the heart of the lieutenant not
to proceed to the execution of justice at this time
against that person, the conspirators had then certainly
murdered him.