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-- COLUMBUS IS CALLED TO MEET THE KING AND QUEEN.
-- HIS MAGNIFICENT RECEPTION--NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE POPE AND WITH THE KING OF PORTUGAL--SECOND EXPEDITION ORDERED--FONSECA--THE PREPARATIONS AT CADIZ.
The letter which Columbus sent from Lisbon to the king and queen was everywhere published.

It excited the enthusiasm first of Spain and then of the world.

This letter found in the earlier editions is now one of the most choice curiosities of libraries.

Well it may be, for it is the first public announcement of the greatest event of modern history.
Ferdinand and Isabella directed him to wait upon them at once at court.
It happened that they were then residing at Barcelona, on the eastern coast of Spain, so that the journey required to fulfill their wishes carried him quite across the kingdom.