Litchfield enquirer., 1829-08-13
CHARACTER OF COLUMBUS.
From Irving's Abridgmcnt.l

tive genius. The operations Of his mind
were energetic, but irregular, bursting forth,
at times, with that irresistible force which
characterizes intellects of such an order.
His ambition was lofty and noble, inspiring
him with high thoughts, and an anxiety to
distinguish himself by great achievements.
He aimed at dignity and wealth in tho same
elevated spirit with which he sought re-
nown; they we're to rise from the terrific
rieS he should discover, and be commensu-
rate in importance. The vast gains no
anticipated from his discoveries, he intend
ed to appropriate to princely purposes; to
institutions for the relief of the poor. Of his
native city, to the foundation Of churches,
and, above all, to crusade for the dscove-
ry of tho holy sepulchre. ..
He was tenacious of his rank and priv
ileges, not for mere vulgar love Of titles,
but because he priced them as testimonials
and trophies of his illustrious deeds. Ev-
cry question Of compromise concerning
them, he repulsed with disdain, "These
things" said he, nobly, "concern my hon
Or" In this testament, he enjoined his
son Diego, and whoever after him should
inherit his estates, whatever other title
might be granted by the king, always to
sign himself, simply 1.-THE Admiral" by
way ofperpetuating in the family the source
Of its real greatness. .... '.....
His conduct was characterized by the
grandeur of his views, and the magnan-
nifty Of his spirit. Instead Of ravaging
the newly found countries like many Of his
contemporary discoveries, who were intent
only on immediate gain, he regarded them
with the eyes Of legislator; he sought to
colonize and cultivate them, to civilize the
natives, to build cities, introduce the USE
ful arts, subject every thing to tho control
Of law, order and religion, and thus to
found regular and prosperous empircs.---
That he failed in this, was the fault Of the
dissolute rabble which it was his misfor-
tune to command, with whom all law was
tyranny, and all order oppression.
He was naturally irritable and impetu-
Gus and keenly sensible to injury and injus-
tice; yet the quickness Of his temper was
counteracted by the benevolence and gen.
crosby Of his heart. The magnanimity of
hisnature shone forth through all the troub-
les ofhis stormy career. Though contin.
ually outraged in his dignity, braved in his
authority, foiled in his plans, and endan-
gered in his person, by the solutions Of
turbulent andHworthlcss men, and that too,
at times when suffering under anguish Of
body and anxiety ofmind, enough 60 OK.
asperato the most patient, yet he restrain.
cd his valiant and indignant spirit, and
brought himselfto forbear, and reason, and
even supplicate. Nor should we fail to
notice how free he was from all feeling of
revenge, how ready to forgive and forget
on the least sign Of repentance and atone.
ment. He has been extolled for his skill
in controlling others, but far greater praise
is due to him for the frmness he displayed
in governing himself.
His piety was genuine and fervent; re-
ligion mingled with the whole course of
his thoughts and actions, and shone forth
in his most private and unstudied wri-
tings. Whenever he had made any great
discovery, he devoutly returned thanks to
God. The voice Of prayer and the melo-
dy Of praise, rose from his ships on dis
covering the new world, and his first ac-
ton on landing was to PROSTATE himself on
the earth, and offer up thanksgivings. Ev-
cry evening the Salve Regina, and other
vesper hymns, were chanted by his crew,
and masses were performed in the beauti-
tifnl groves that bordered the wild shores
Of this heather land. All his great enter
prizes we're undertaken in the name Of the
Holy Trinity, and he partook Of the holy
sacrament previous to his embarkation.
He observed the festivals Of the church in
the widest situations. The Sabbath was to
him day Of sacred rest, on which he
would never sail from a port, unless in
case Of extreme necessity. The religion
thus deeply seated in his soul, diffused a
sober dignity, and benign composure, O.
yer his whole department his very Ian
guage was pure, and guarded, and free
from all gross or irreverent expressions.
1t cannot be denied, however, that his
piesy was mingled with superstition, and
darkened by the bigotry Of the age. He
evidently concurred in the opinion, that
all the nations who did not acknowledge
the Christian faith, were destitute of natu-
raj rights and that the sternest measures
might be used for their conversion, land the
severest punishments inflicted upon them,
ifobstinate in unbelief. 10 this spirit of big
otry he considered himself justified in ma
king captives ofthe Indians, and transport
ing them to Spain, TO have them taught
the doctrines Of Christianity, and in selling
slaves, ifthey pretended to resist his inva-
sions. In doing the latter, he sinned A.
gainst the natural goodness Of his heart,