The Columbus Puzzle

Re “Columbus as Con Artist in ‘Voyage,’ ” July 4: Louis Coin’s new theory on Columbus’ route to the New World leaves me puzzled. My history book tells me that the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494 by Spain and Portugal--two years after Columbus’ voyage. In it, the two powers decided on a line of division running pole to pole; new discoveries to the west would go to Spain and those to the east to Portugal.

Was there a previous treaty? Or is Coin basing his theory on a false premise?

JEAN AURAND

Mission Hills

Editor’s note: Fernando of Aragon and Isabella of Spain agreed to the Treaty of Alcacovas in 1479, reserving to Portugal the west coast of Africa, Madeira, the Azores and the Cape Verde Islands, while the Canary Islands fell to Spain. Columbus was instructed not to intrude on areas reserved for Portugal. The Spanish believed that the western Atlantic was open to anyone.