At the end of 1502, the Protectors of St. George replied to Columbus' letter from the previous April. The letter was sent to Spain, but it was never delivered. Why? The reason has never been clarified and, as historian Paolo Emilio Taviani pointed out, it remains a mystery. The most likely hypothesis is that the new Genoese “oratore” (ambassador) to the Spanish court, Gerolamo Di Negro - who had replaced Oderico, an old friend of Columbus - either did not receive it or considered Don Diego's succession to the privileges obtained by his father to be compromised. Given the complex relations between the Spanish court and Genoa, he may have opted for what could be considered the lesser evil: abandoning Columbus and his men to their fate.

In the absence of evidence or confirmation, whether the negligence in pursuing the letter from the Banco was the result of a choice or mere chance cannot be proven. Handwritten letter.