This same impression is given by Las Casas, the historian, who was then at San Domingo.

He says that Escobar was chosen simply because of his enmity to Columbus, and that he was ordered not to land, nor to hold conversation with any of the crew, nor to receive letters from any except the Admiral.
After Escobar's departure, Columbus sent an embassy on shore to communicate with the rebel party, who were living on the island.

He offered to them free pardon, kind treatment, and a passage with him in the ships which he expected from Ovando, and, as a token of good will, he sent them a part of the bacon which Escobar had brought them.
Francesco de Porras met these ambassadors, and replied that they had no wish to return to the ships, but preferred living at large.

They offered to engage that they would be peaceable, if the Admiral would promise them solemnly, that, in case two vessels arrived, they should have one to depart in; that if only one vessel arrived they should have half of it, and that the Admiral would now share with them the stores and articles of traffic, which he had left in the ship.

But these demands Columbus refused to accept.
Porras had spoken for the rebels, but they were not so well satisfied with the answer.