The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-22
vel. l...NO. 342.

ule matter laVOTaDlY, ana THIS commission main
been commanded that we might arrange all
previous principles, and determine the rights
of the respective parties. What force in yes
sells and equipments do you demand, in order
to achieve the great objects you expect, under
the blessing of God, TO accomplish
you have well spoken, Lord Archbishop;it
will be by the blessing of God, and under his
especial care, that ali will be done for his glo-
ry and worship are involved in the success
With so good an ally on my side, little worldly
NEAR will be necessary. Two caravels of
light burthen are all | ask, with the flag of the
sOvereigns, and sufiiciency of Mariners
The commissioners turned towards each 9TH
er in surprise, and while sorae saw in the mod
crate request the enthusiastic heedlessness ola
visionary, others detected the steady reliance
of faith.
That is not asking much, truly observed
the prelate, who was among the first; 'and,
thorgh these wars have left us of CASTLE with
an exhausted treasury, we could compass that
line without the aid of a miracle. The cara
vels might be found and the mariners levied,
but there are weighty points to determine be-
fore we reach that concession. You expect,
Senior, to be entrusted with the command of
the expedition, in your own person?
without that confidence l could not be an
swerable for success. ask the full and COM
plete authority of an admiral, or a sea comman.
der, oftheir Highnesses. The force employed
will be trifiing 10 appearance, but the risk will
be great, and the power Of the two crowns must
| completely sustain that of him on whose shoul-
! ders will rest the entire weight of the respon-
i sibility'
Tins Ia but just and none will gainsay it
| But Senior, have you thought maurely on the
| advantages that are 10 accrue TO The soveTeigns
| should they sustain you in this undertaking.
| Lord Archbishop, for eighteen years hath this
subject occupied my thoughts, and employed my
! studies, both by day and by night. In the whole
of that long period have done little that hath
not had direct bearing on the success OF this
| mighty enterprise. The advantages to ali con-
| cerned, that will flow from it, have therefore,
scarce been forgotten
name them, Senor'
First, then, as is due to his all-seeing and
onnipotent protection, glory will be given to
| the Almighty, by the spreading of his church,
| and the increase of his worshippers' Fernando
| de Talavera and all the churchnlen present
| piously crossed themselves, an act in which Co
| lumbus himself joined. Their Highnes5es, as
| is meet, will reap the next advantages, in the
extension OF their empire and in the increase of
| their subjects Wealth will flow in upon Cas-
tile and Aragon, IN rapid stream, His Holi-
ness freely granting to Christian monarchs the
| thrones and territories OF all iafidel princes
whose possessions may be discovered, or people
converted to the faith, through their means
This is plausible, Senor' returned the pre-
late, Fand founded on Just principles. His Holi-
ness certainly is intrusted with that power, and
hath been known to use it, for the glory of God
| You doubtless know, Senior Colon, that Don
John of Portugal has paid great attention to these
matters already, and that he and his predecessors
have probably pushed discovery to the verge of
its future limits. His enterprise hath also OBJ
tanned from Rome certain privileges that may
Hnot be meddled with
81 am not ignorant Of the Portuguese enter
/ rian bOIx aIofa ,f 81,
| Don John hath exercised his power His YES
sells voyage along the western shore of Africa.
and IN direction altogether different from that
propose to take. My purpose is to launch forth
! at once, into the broad Atlantic, and by follow
ing the sun towards his place of evening retire
ment, reach the eastern bounds of the Indies, by
road that will lessen the journey many monthsa
Although the archbishop, and most Of his CO.
adJutors, belonged to the numerous class Of those
who regarded Columbus as a brail-heated vi.
sionary, the earnest, but lofty dignity, which
he thus simply touched upon his proiects the
manner in which he quietly smoothed aown his
white locks when he had spoken, and the enthu-
| siasm that never failed to kindle in his eve, as
he dwelt on his noble designs, produced deep
impression OH all present, and there was mo-
ment when the general feeling was to aid him to
| the extent OF the common means. II was sim
gular and peculiar proof OF the existenye of this
| transient feeling, that of the commissioners
'sDo you propose, Senior Colon, to SEEK the
court of Preston john"
"I know not, noble Senior, that such poten.
tate hath even existence" answered Column.
BUS, whose notions had got the fixed and philo-
sophical bias that is derived from science and
who entered little into the popular fallacies of
the day, though necessarily subject to much of
tho Ignorance of the age; 81 find nothing TO es-
tabli~h the truth of there being such monarch
at ALL or such territories"
This admission did not help the navigator's
cause; for to affirm that the earth wasa sphere
and that Preston John was a creature of the ina.
giration, was abandoning the marvellous to fall
back on demonstration and probabilities; course
that the human mind, in its uncultivated condi
ton is not fond of taking. q
"'Therc men who will be willing to put
faith in the truth of Presfer JOHNS power and
territories interrupted one of the commissioners
who was indebted for his present situation pure
ly to King Ferdinand's policy, "who will fatty
DENY that the earth is round since we all know
that there are kings, and territories, and Chris
tians, while we all that the earth and the
ocean plans.'
This opinion was received with an asserting
smile by most present, though Fernando de la
lavera had doubts Of its justice.
'Senor,' answered Columbus, mildly, eff all,
IN this world, was in truth what it seemeth, con-
fessions would be little needed, and penance
would be much lighter
q esteem you good Christian, Senior Colon,
observed the archbishop, sharply,
q am such as the grace of God, and weak
nature have made me. Lord Archbishop; though
| humbly trust that when shall have achieved
this great end, that may be deemed more wer-
thy Of the divine protection, as well as OF the di
vine favor
IL hath been said that thou deemest myself
especially set apart by Providence for this
work.
Il feel that within me, holy prelate, that en-
courageth such hope; but | build nought on
mysteries that exceed my comprehension
Concluded tomorrow
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. oSFoNTs-