The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1852-02-06
Portsmouth, Jan. 9s, 1852.
Columbus.

There seems 10 be a remarkable degree Of
ignorance in the American public, as to the
birth place, as well as the final burial place
of Christopher Columbus. II is well known
he was born in the State Of Genoa, and has
usnall, been considered native Of the city
itself. a dispute on this point has however
long existed. All debate on the subject has
been lately put to rest. M. Isuardi, a Pied
montcse archeologist, has discovered among
the archives Of Genoa, authentic pro0f that
Ahe illustrious navigator was born at Colog-
ustto, village in the republic Of Genoa.--
II consists in q letter written by the govern
ment, dated 9Th November, 1885, 10 their
ambassador Doris, at Madrid, in which the
following passage occurs: " Christopher
Columbus, Of Colognetto, an lllustrious man,
as you ought to know, being in Spain, has
ordered BY his will, that house shall be
built at Genoa, which shall bear his name,
and has instituted fund for the preservation
Of this building, ETC., etc." A party OF
South Americans, on tour upon the conti-
nent, happening to be in Genoa when this
fact was ascertained, made pilgrimage to
the place, entered the house in which he
was born, with their heads uncovered, re-
garding the birth place Of the discoverer Of
lhe new world as one Of the most interesting
scites on their route.
The u. S. steamer Princeton, during her
short stay at Genoa, in her last trip to the
Mediterranean, took on board number Of
the citizens of the place, and made trip to
Colognetto, as the birthplace oi Columbus.
The run was made in an hour, and on near
inc the village, salute Of nine guns was
fred, which brought all the inhabitants to
the shore.
The commander, The officers and guests
landed amidst silent and excited crowd Of
thousand rustic admirers, and were met by
the sindico of the king, who, being told that
the ship in the offing had come from the
country Columbus had discovered, TO witness
his birthplace, showed the party at once,
with thousand inclinations and thanks, to
thehouse whose inscriptions declare that
within its walls the great navigator first saw
the light.
It's strong, we'll built stone mansion,
standing on the beach, inhabited by reye-
nue. officer, and devoted on the first floor TO
the s0ciable purposes Of a cafe, where the
villagers who have few soldi to spend, as
sem6le at times to talk over the glory of the
great citizen.
While the party were standing in the room
in which Columbus is said 10 have been born,
Il was proposed to erect a bust 10 him in the
church where he was baptised; and which at
that moment was ringing out merry peal in
honor oil the strange visitors. The propo-
sal was received with universal acclamations
Of Joy, and on the spot the resolution was
made to doit The sindico told the people,
who received the joyful news with shouts of
enthusiasm and gratitude. They had long
desired to see some monument erected TO
!, Columbus: but the poor fishermen, who
chiefly compose the population, had never
felt able to do il, and no foreigners and prof
iered them aid.
The party afterwards proceeded to the
town hall, where they were shown an an
cient portrait of Columbus. From thence
they went to the church niwhich he was
baptised, and examined number of other
I objects connected with the history of They're
discoverer. On leaving, the Princeton gave q
gun for every State in the Union, and the sa-
Lutte was returned from the village cannon.
Columbus died at Valladolid, in Spain, in
1905, aged 20 years. In 1913 his remains
were transported 70 O. seville, whence they
were removed m 1000 10, 70 sne City Of 81; do,
mlngo, and IN January ilto, TWO hundred and
iofty years aiIer, were taksn WIN eteat pomp
DyaSpan,sn squauIon 70 havana anu placed
IN ine wan OF tne calnealal uieie, on .ne west
ane q the great ai'er. a wnl,e marble !aplei
Pas since peen sci IN Tue walt 70 aes,enale
me spot wnicn oonlains lnese iesiJs. faI, vn ine
Moles Is meaaiioh iasness .s G,umDuS ~
Rlohle' snol Denea'n' uie 'o''o"inB insciip-
o. restos e magen del grande colonl