Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-03-12
PROVIDENCE.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

! IRVING, ehtltleo the " LUe ~ CoNmous,
is about to be issued from the press. 1t will
be recollected that Mr.. Irving has been en-
ployed for the last two years at Madrid, in
writing the work. The last New-York Amer
lean, contains several extracts from the work
among which we find the following account oi
! the reception Of COLUMBUS, on his return
from his first and successful voyage, by the
| Spanish Court and the people Of Spain. I,
cannot fail to interest every class Of our read
| ers:
The letter Of Columbus to the Spanish
| monarch, announcing his discovery, had pro-
| duced the creates; sensation at court The
[ event it communicated, was considered the
! most extraordinary Of their prosperous reign;
| and following so close upon the conquest Of
Granada, was pronounced 4 signal mark OF di-
vine favour, for shat triumph was achieved in he
Cause Of the true faith. The soveregns them
selves we're for time dazzled and bewildered
by this sudden and easy acquisition Of a new
empire, OF indefinite extent, and apparently
boundlcSs wealth. and their first idea was TO
secure 1t beyond the reach of question COM
petIon. Shortly after his arrival in Seville,
Columbus received letter from them, express
sing their great delight, and requesting him to
repair Immediately TO court, to concert plans
for second and more extensive expedition
As the summer was already advancing, the
time favourable for voyage, they desired him
to make any arrangements at Seville, or else
where, that might hasten the expedition, and
to inform them bv return Of the courier, what
was Necessary 10 be done on their part. This
letter WAS addressed to him by the title of
80 \, hrs, I'M
the Ocean sea, and viceroy and governor of
the islands discovered in the Indias:" at the
same time he was promised still farther re-
wards. Columbus lost no time in complying
with the commands of the sovereI9ns lie
sent memorandum Of the ships, men and
munitions, that would be requisite; and having
| made such dispositions at Seville as circum-
stances permitted, set oui on his journey for
Barcelona, taking with him the SIX Indians,
and the various curiosltIes and productions
which he had brought from the new world.
"The fame Of his discovery had resounded
throughout the nation and as his route lay
through several Of the finest and most populous
provinces of Spain, his journey appeared like
the progress of a sovereign. Wherever he
passed, the surrounding country poured forth
its lnhab abants, who lined the road and throng-
ed the villages. In the large towns, the
with eager spectators who rent the air with
| acclamatons. His journey was continually
! mpeded by the multitude pressing to gain a
sight of him, and Of the Indians, who were
! regarded with as much admiration, as if they
! had been natives Of another planet. 1t was
| impossible to satisfy the craving curiosity
| which assaed him and his attendants, at eve
ry stage, with nnumcrable questions; popular
rumour had exaggerated the truth, and had
filed the newly found country with all kinds Of
wonders.
1t was about the middle Of April that CO.
lumbus arrived at Barcelona, where every pre-
paration had been made to give him a solemn
and magnificent reception. The beauty and
serenity of the weather, in that genial seaso
and favoured climate. contributed to give
splendour to this memorable ceremony. AS he
drew near the place, many Of the more youth
faI coarters, and hidalgos of gallant bearing,
together with a vast concourso of the popu-
lace, came forth to meet and welcome him. -
HIS entrance into this city has been compare j
10 one Of those triumphs which the RoT ans
were accustomed 10 decree to con9ue' ors. -
First were parided the Indians, paI;.ed ac.
cording TO their savage fashion, anI. decorated
with tropical feathers, and with their national
ornaments Of gold; after tho se were borne
various kinds of live pafro.s, together with
stuffed birds and animals Ct unknown species,
and rare plants suppo' ed to be Of precioua
qualities; while grea' care was taken to ma :.
conspicuous di'play Of Indian coroncts
| bracelets, and othor decorations Of gold
| which might give an idea OF tho wealth Of the
newly disco"ered regions. After these follow
ed Columbus on horseback. surrounded by a
! brlll'an' cavalcade Of Spanish chvalry. Tho
streets were almost impossible from the count
less multitude; the windows and balconies
were crowded with tho fair; tho roofs were
| covered with spectators. 1t seemed as f the
! public eyo could not be sated with gazing on
these trophies of an unknown world; or on the
remarkable man by whom it had been discov-
| cred. There was u sublimity in this event,
that mingled solemn feeling with the public
Joy. II was looked upon as vast and sigEal
dispGnsation Of providence in reward for the
2iety Of the monarchs; and the ma lesiic and
| venerable appearance Of the discoyerer, so
different from the youth and buoyancy that
are generally expected from rowing enterprise.
| seemed in harmony with the grandeur and
dignity Of his Achievement
"To receive him with suita be pomp and
| distinction. the sovereign had ordered the
| throne to he placed in public, under a rich
canopy Of brocadc Of gold, in vast and
| splendid saloon Here tho king md queen
| awaited his arrival. seated in state, with tho
prince Juan beside ;hem, and attended by the
| dgnitares Of their court, and the principal no
bility Of Castllc Valencia, Catalonia, and Ar
| rngon; all impatient TO behold the man who
had confcrred 20 incalculable a benefit upon
the nation. At length Columbus entered the
hall, surrounded by brilliant crowd Of cava-
liers, among whom. says Las Cas1s, he was
conspicuous for his stately aud commanding
person, which, with his gray hairs, Etso him
tho august appearance of a senator of Rome
A modest smile lighted Gp his features, show