A counselor says the king ordered a pure gold statue of Columbus

… He also had a skirmish staged with the people of the ships under arms, telling the cacique not to be afraid of the Caribs even if they came. All this the Admiral did, so he says, so that he would hold as friends the Christians he was leaving, and to put fear in him so that he would fear them. The Admiral took him to eat with him at the house where he was lodged, and the others who went with him. The Admiral strongly commended to him Diego de Arana, and Pedro Gutiérrez, and Rodrigo Escovedo, whom he was leaving jointly as his lieutenants over the people he was leaving there, so that all might be well ruled and governed in the service of God and of Their Highnesses. The cacique showed much love for the Admiral and great sorrow at his departure, above all when he saw him go to embark. A confidant of that king told the Admiral that he had ordered a statue of pure gold made as large as the Admiral himself, and that within ten days they were to bring it. The Admiral embarked meaning to depart at once, but the wind did not allow him.