The king referred the matter to a Committee of Council for Geographical Affairs, before whom Columbus laid his plans; but it is possible that even in the fifteenth century Boards had come to regard projectors as their natural enemies, and the report of the Committee was entirely adverse to the scheme for Atlantic discovery.

But it seems that the king, was not satisfied yet, whereupon the Bishop of Ceuta (who had headed the opposition to Columbus in the Council) suggested that a caravel should be secretly equipped and sent out, with instructions founded on the plan laid before the committee.

And this piece of episcopal bad faith was actually perpetrated.

The caravel, however, returned without having accomplished anything, the sailors not having had heart to adventure far enough westward.

It was not an enterprise to be carried out successfully by men who had only stolen the idea of it..