The junta decided against the proposals, and reported its decision to the King and Queen.

The monarchs, true to their somewhat hedging methods when there was anything to be gained by hedging, informed Columbus that at present they were too much occupied with the war to grant his requests; but that, when the preoccupations and expenses of the campaign were a thing of the past, they might again turn their attention to his very interesting suggestion.
It was at this point that the patience of Columbus broke down.

Too many promises had been made to him, and hope had been held out to him too often for him to believe any more in it.

Spain, he decided, was useless; he would try France; at least he would be no worse off there.

But he had first of all to settle his affairs as well as possible.