The southern press., 1851-10-28

INTERESTING DiscovERY.-It will be seen by
the following intelligence communicated from
Rome, of the 25th August last, by Correspond
ent of a New York paper, that our minister at
that court, Major Cass, has been instrumental in
the discovery and restoration Of a long lost and
invaluable relic-an original portrait of the inn
mortal discoverer of America, Columbus. The
authenticity of the painting is proved by unde-
niable vouchers on the spot, and Mai Cass will
undoubtedly forward this nesiimAb bic work of
art to the United States at an early day. Ii
should have permanent place among the ma
tonls arphiyes IL the Capitol at Washington. 80.
Mr. Cass, the. United States minister, while
travelling not long since In the Abruzzi noun
tains, was attacked with fever at little hamlet,
near which stands convent of the Passionists:
He was received into this convent, and remained
there for some time. The monks showed him
their collection OF manuscripts and paintings,
among which was the picture in question Ii
was purchased by Mr.. Cass, and arrived here a
few days ago. | have just returned fr m in.
specting II, and certainly the historical interest
attached TO it, rendprs Il one Of the most intes,
sting o jects | have ever seen. TO all Ameri.
can it is priceess--of inestimabls value The
painting is large size-about four feet by
three--iud represents scene at the port of
Palos, in Spain. At the very edge of the wates
is erected temporary canopy, composed of
sails, supported by oar blades, under which a
priest is standing te!ore pris disu, with lighted
candles before him, celebrating mass. Con-
spicuous in the foreground, richly apparaIled,
with a rapier by his side, and plumed hat in his
hand, Fppears Columbus, kneeling upon one
knee while to the right, kneeling upon b. tn
knees, in attitude of profound devotion, are to
be seen three or four officers of interior degree,
together with OTTER mariners. Sea tered i'm the
back ground are several Indians, natives of the
newly di,cov,red islands, one of whom is hold
ing large hound, while others are bonnd with
manaclcs. In the othng, riding at her anchor,
with flag Of Spain flying from her mast head,
appears a ship, the sight of which would throw
a Baltimore clipper into fits. The lofty, cas-
tellated, and elaborately carved stern, and still
more lofty and e,horately carved Lamp suspend,
ed above 1t, gives Us m idea of naval archtec-
ture in the fifteenth century. Her decks are
crowded vita sailars, and helts are passing be-
tween the ship and shore,
'1he following Is the history cf this inter,
esting picture, which transcrii ed almost ltro-,
Tim from the old manuscript attached to the
frame. II was painted by order of the Convent
L. Prabds, at Palos, in l493, Immediately after
the event 1t commentaries. In 1879, several Of
the monks belonging to this convent, together
WV" i'"N' W 'nS P'OPeiig III possessen were
tram fered to Nterbo, in The Fapa States
From NIteibo, The new convent removed in
1862 TO the vicinity Of Aquba, in the Abruzi
mountains, where it was subs, quen,lYrncrRod
in that OF tie PIssionists, previously exciting on
the same spot.
The authorities of Rome, ara told, hays
offered Mr.. Cass a large sum frr the pain liz d.
WHICH he has refused. As their proceedings
rather summary in the matter OF the fine arts,
by virtue of prohibtory law which prohibits
the expectation of originals, was glad to learn
that tins picture would be sent out of Rome in
few hours. There is only one place fit for il
it should hang in the Capitol"