The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-23

saIy to accomplish it. l cannot abate in the
smallest degree, the nature or the amount oil
these conditions l.
Although the manner in which these words
were uttered lent them weight, the preate fan
cied that the mind of the navigator had got TO
be unsettled by his long contemplation of sim
gle subject. The only things that left any
doubt concerning the accuracy of this opinion,
were the method and science with which he had
often maintained, even in his own presence.
the reasonableness of his geographical suPPosi-
tons; arguments which, though they had failed
to convince one bent on believing the proJec-
tor visionary, had nevertheless greatly puZ-
zled the listener Still, the demands he had
just read, seemed SO extraEagant, that for sim |
gle instant sentiment of pity repressed the
burst of Indignation to which he felt disposed
to give vent.
'How like ye, noble lords he cried, sarcas-
tically, turning 10 two OF three of his fellow |
commissioners who had eagerly seized the pa |
per and were endeavoring to read it, all at the |
same moment, sthe moderate and modest de-
mands of the Senior Christoval Colon, the cele- |
brated navigator who COMPOUNDED the Council
of Salamanca! Are they not such az becometh
\ their Highnesses to accept on Bonded knees,
I and with many thanks!' gu
'Read them, Lord Archbishop exclaimed
several in breath; let US FIRST know their ma
! ture.'
There are many minor conditions that might
/ be granted as unworthy of discussion, RESUMED
| the preate, taking the paper; but here are tive
| that must give the soVereigns infinite satlsiac-
! ton. The Senior Colon actually satisfeth him
| self with the rank Of Admiral and Viceroy over
| all the countries he may discover, and as for
gains one-tenth-the church's share, my rev.
erend brethren-yed, even one-tenth, one hum
| BILE tenth of the proceeds and customs will con-
tent him.
The general murTnur that passed among the
| commissioners, denoted common dissatisfac-
| ton, and at that instant Columbus had not a
| true supporter in the room.
| Nor is this all, Illustrious mobiles, and holy
| priests continued the archbishop, following
up his advantage as soon as he believed his an
U ditors ready to hear him-tnor is this all; lest
4 these high dignities should weary their High
nesses' shoulders, and those of their royal pro-
geny, the liberal Genoese actually consentsth
4 TO transmit them to his own posterity, in all
| time to come: converting the kingdom of Ca
/ thay into realm for the uses of the house of
Colon, to maintain the dignity of which, the
| tenth of ell the benefits are to be consigned to
| its espesial care! asa
There would have been an open laugh at this
/ sally, had not the noble bearing of Columbus
! checked its indulgence; and even Ferdinand of
1 Talavera, under the stern rebuk4 of an eye and
mien that carried with them grave authority,
\ began to think he had gone too far.
your pardon, Senior, Colon he Immediately
and more courteously.added, 'but your conditions
/ sounded 50 lofty that they have quite taken me
| by surprise. Y GU cannst ely mean to main
! tain them -A--zss4a 7..s
sNot one jot will abate, Lord Priest; that
! much will be my due, and he that consenteth
to less than he deserveth, becometh an instrtI-
4 nent to his own humiliation. shall give to
l the sovereigns and empire that will far exceed
| in value all their other possessions and claim
my reward. tell you, moreover, reverend pre-
| late, that there is much in reserve, and that
these conditions will be needed to falfl the fu-
ture.' t'--t
eThese are truly modest proposals for name
less Genoeseo exclaimed one of the eourtiers,
who'had been gradually swelling with disgust
and contempt sThe Senior Colon will be GER
tain of commanding in the service of their
Highnesses, and if notTingis dsne be will have
that high honor without cost; whereas, should
this NEST improbable scheme lead to any benefits,
he will become vice-king, humblv contentinr
himself with the church's revenue!
This remark appeared to determine the wav
cring, and the commissioners rose, in a body, as
| if tho matter were thought to be unworthy of
| further discussion. With the view to preserve
at least the appearance of impartiaiity and dis
crehon, however, the archbishop turned once
more toward Columbus, and now, certain Of
obtaining his ends, he spoke to him in milder
| tones. .r.rfa
eFor the last time, Senor, he said. q ask if
you still insist ON these unheard of termsn
con them and on no other' said Columbus
| hrply. 4 know The magnitude of the services
shall perform, and will not degrade them, viii
| in no manner lessen their dignity. by accepting
| aught else. But, Lord Archbishop, an you
too, nebe Senior, that treat my claims SO lightly,
l am ready t. add to the risk ofperson, life and
name, that ct gold. 1 will furnish one-eighth of
the needful sums, II We win increasemy Benefits
| in that preportion-9 -
'Enough-enough,' returned the prelate, pre-
pairing to quit the room; we will make our re-
port to'the sovereigns, this instant, and thou
shalt speedily know their pleasure
Thus terminated the conference. The cour-
ties lett the room, conversing earnestly among
themselves, like men who did not care to repress
their indignation; while Columbus, filed with
the noble character OF his own designs, 6isap-
pearcd IN another direction, with the bearing of
one whose self-respect was not to be lessened by
Glamour, and appreciated ignorance and Narrow
ness OF views toojustly to suffer them to change
his own high purposes. -
Ferdinand Of Talevera was as good as his
word. He was the queens sonfessor, and in vir-
tue of that hsy Office had at all times access to
her presence. Full of the subject of the late in
| terview, he took his way directly to the private
| apartments OF the queen, and, matter of
course he was at once admitted. Isabella heard
his representations with modification and regret,
for she had begun to set her heart on the sailing
| OF the extraordinary expedition. But the infu-
ence OF the archbishop was very great, for his
royal penitent knew the sincerity and devoted
ness Of his heart. .t -, s,-.r.9
This carries presumption to irIsolence, Seno-
ra,' continued the irritated churchman: shave we
not here mendicant adventurer demanding hon.
ors and authority that belong only to God and
his Amounted, the princes of the earth? Whe is
this Colons-a nameless Genoese, without rank,
| service, or modesty, yet doth he carry his pre-
| tensions to height that might even cause a
Guzman to hesitate' Z SD 9h~ ozEa
SHs is good Christian, holy prelate,' Isabel
| la meekly answered, sand seemeth to delight in
the service and glory of God, and to wish to fa-
vor the extension of his visible and Catholic
| church, 4tr -. Il s6s bss1s51sac. "a .-r (
TRUE, Sonora, and yet there may be deceit
- 81