Once he began new negotiations with King John, and from him he received a letter inviting him to return to Portugal.

He received a similar letter from King Henry VII of England inviting him to his court.

Nothing was determined on in Spain.

To this day, the people of that country are thought to have a habit of postponement to tomorrow of that which perplexes them.

In 1489, according to Ortiz de Zuniga, Columbus fought in battle in the king's army.
When, however, in the winter of 1490, it was announced that the army was to take the field again, never to leave its camp till Grenada had fallen, Columbus felt that he must make one last endeavor.