Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-03-07
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Letters from EIaIy.
GENOA, Jan. "a, 1872.

GENOA, Jan. "a, 1872.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, (C0ntinued.)
One morning in the year 1880, a man
and boy poorly dressed, dusty and ia
tigued, knocked at the door of the Con-
{ vent Franciscan La Babida, in Andalu-
sia, Spain, and in the name of God asked
for some bread and water. These were
Christopher Columbus and his son Diego
The Superior of the Convent, Perez
Marchena, man of learning and great
penetration, was struck with the noble
bearing of the traveller and by his ready
and wise conversation. He saw that
within those poor clothes might be a
genius not comprehended, and as the
conversation continued was astOnished
at the grandeur of his ideas and the eX-
tent of his knowledge. Being convinced
of the truth OF his theory he proposed
to Columbus to leave his son at the Con-
vent and to go to Madrid with letter
of introduction, which he would give
him to Fernando Talavera, confessOr of
Queen Isabella Columbus gladly ac-
copied the offer, and full of hope, de
parted.
When he presented himself at the
Spanish court, the meanness of his dress
and his poor appearance were so much
at variance with the splendor of the
courtiers, that the Queen gave him little
attention and he was sent away in dis
appointment. He was not discouraged,
however, but with the assistance of the
Cardinal of Mandosa obtained an audi
ence with King Ferdinand who, after
hearing the exposition of his project, re-
ferred the matter to the wise men of
Salamanca for their careful examination
These wise % men rallied at Columbus
and combatcd his theory, first with the
Bible and then with other arguments
but he VIGOROUSLY rcbuttcd all their OBJ
jections. However, they concluded by
discarding him and his ideas as visionary
and he was again doomed to disappont-
ment. And had it not been for the as
slstanCe and counsel of IA certain woman.
Beatrice Enriquez, he would have prob
ably left Spain. He partly decided to
turn to France, but the friar, Perez
Marchena, dissuadcd him. and referred
him to an old seaman and expert nayi.
gator, Alonzo Pinzon, who offered his
services and fortune for the undertaking
OF an exploring expedition. This prof
fer OF assistance induced Columbus tc
again apply to Queen Isabella. and :
letter from Marchena effected his pur
pose.
The court was then at the siege ot
Granata. Columbus was able to appea,
before this august lady dressed like =
gentleman, thanks to the generosity OF
the Queen. With that franknesSof pur
pose and eloquence OF speech which he
only can command who is convinced o4
the truth OF what he utters. he lmfoldeC
his plans. Isabella was convinced ot
o their truth and was ready to assist him
but the confesSor Talvera, probably
jealous of the Influence that Colunbr,
might obtain, remarked that the pr,.
fences Of this man were too great had
he really discovered lands, and that
should the expedition fail Spain would
be covered with ridicne The comics
sor influenced the King to oppose the
good intentions of the Queen, and the
fond hopes Of the great geographer once
more faded away
In the possessions Of two noble fami-
lies of Spain Medina Lidonia ana Ne.
dina Ceoli, was included long line OF
sea coast, He applied to Ccoli for per
mission TO allow him TO prepare his little
fleet on the shore OF his estate. He at
hrst consented, and then for fear that
the expedition might fail retracted his