Third Voyage

Columbus had many enemies at the Spanish court, and they were able to delay the voyage almost two years. In May, 1498, he set sail with eight ships, and this time took a more southerly route than previously, hoping to reach the mainland of Asia. After landing on the island of Trinidad, he made the first recorded visit to the South American continent, reaching what is now Venezuela in August, 1498.

Upon his return to the colony, which Bartholomew had moved to Santo Domingo, Columbus found general unrest among the settlers. A number returned to Spain. Many complaints about Columbus, including charges of misconduct, were brought before the king. Isabella, although disturbed by the enslavement of the Indians, had long been Columbus's champion and only reluctantly agreed with Ferdinand that Columbus should be removed as governor. In 1499 he was replaced by Francisco de Bobadilla.

The new governor was determined to end the unrest. Finding Columbus and his brothers obstructing his actions, he had them arrested. They were returned to Spain in chains for trial in October, 1500. Ferdinand and Isabella had not wished such treatment and received Columbus sympathetically. They refused, however, to restore his governorship or his share of the profits. For two years, he petitioned them to sponsor another voyage. By this time, Columbus, both infirm and aging, was obsessed with the idea that he was an agent of divine providence. Eventually he persuaded the monarchs to accede to his petition, but they forbade him to return to Hispaniola.