Upon reaching Navidad, Columbus found the settlement destroyed and the Spanish settlers dead, victims of strong native resistance against their colonial tactics. After building more fortified settlements, including one named La Isabela, in honor of the queen, Columbus declared himself governor of Hispaniola, intending it to become a trading post for European settlers to conduct business with the rich Oriental empires he expected to find. After searching the Cuban coastline and Jamaica for gold, Columbus had decided that Hispaniola was the richest source of gold and other spoils.
In February 1494, 12 ships returned to Spain from La Isabela, commanded by Columbus?associate, Antonio de Torres. Two more of his subordinates, Alonso de Ojeda and Pedro Margarit, led a campaign of violence against the native inhabitants of Hispaniola, in revenge for the murder of their comrades at Navidad. They killed and captured many natives, taking them as slaves, seemingly with the full knowledge and approval of Columbus. Throughout the next two years, the Spaniards continued their resolute conquest and colonization of Hispaniola.
On March 10, 1496, Columbus set sail for Spain, leaving his two brothers, Bartholomew and Diego, in charge of Hispaniola. When he reached C iz, he found Spain at war with France and his benefactors even more eager to acquire gold and other riches from the New World. In command of six ships, three with explorers and three with provisions for settlement on Hispaniola, Columbus set sail for a third westward crossing on May 30, 1498. The first land sighting was at Trinidad, which Columbus named in honor of the Holy Trinity.
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