He probably surmised as much, but officially he never accepted his error. There is a legitimate reason for this. His contract with Ferdinand and Isabella stipulated that he find the Indies (meaning Asia). Failure to do so negated all the privileges and rights conceded by the monarchs. Since 1492 he held the title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea, numerous tax benefits, and authority to appoint officials in the Americas. His claims were officially contested once it became clear to everyone he had not found Asia and he had been a horrible governor on Hispaniola. The legal wrangling over the titles he claimed and the privileges he retained would last decades and would be settled by his children and grandchildren​. These suits are called the "pleitos colombinos".