Third Voyage: 1498-1500 Summary and Analysis

The five documents describing Columbus's third voyage include three further excerpts of his son's biography; the narrative Columbus dispatched to the Spanish sovereigns; and a letter from Columbus to the Governess of Don Juan of Castile.

The first excerpt from Hernando Colon's biography describes Columbus's return to Spain, where he received many presents and gave his accounts to the sovereigns. He wished to return, but could not until nearly a year later, when men went without him as Columbus waited for a larger fleet (which he finally received the following year).

Columbus's own chronicle details his voyage to what he was still convinced was Asia. His men were still upset that they had not become rich as they sailed around Cape Verde, which was extremely hot. As they sailed west, they discovered Trinidad, which had lighter-skinned natives...