Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-04-10
lrER FROM COLUMBUS.
oufoHsD sPIsrLx FROM rnE DIs-
&GDDa OF FEE NEW coSrISExr


1op0ef C0iumDus In l503, whlle on n1s |
ri 8oyage and manifestly while in almost
|oon1ed state Of mind. "Notbing," says
t0one, "is more characteristic of Columbus
~ his earnest, artless, and Mt times almost
160horent letters" 1t is to be remembered,
3 nconnection with this letter, that Columbus,
q his third voyage was compelled, as vice
", TO take severe measures to suppress
'sbellion In the island of Hispaniola, now
5aint Domingo. The rebellion was quelled.
rhe Jealous en- emies Of Columbus, at home
md In the West Indies, Increased In num-
bors by this exercise of his power, and ever
busy In efforts to undermine his reputation, |
made such representations and false accusa-
Hons to the monarchs of Spain, that the king
mt ont Don Francisco Bobadills, a needy |
Spanish grandee, with power to investigate
the causes and Incidents Of the rebellion, and
the charges against the viceroy; also to ar
rest, imprison and confiscate the property of
persons at his discretion. Bobadilla seized
and confiscated the property of Columbus
and sent him to Spain in chains.
Columbus was fully vindicated, and Queen
isabella sent him on fourth voyage to the
West Indies but now in search of sup
posed strait westward of his former discover
les that would lead directly to the Indies,
the great object of his ambition. He discov- |
cred and explored the coasts of the Isthmus |
Of Darien. Having failed TO find the strait, |
he attempted to found settlement on the |
coast OF Veragua now Costa Rica (the Rich
COAST, where he found ample evidence OF
valuable mines of gold and silver. This was
the vast riches alluded to i'm his letter, Hav-
ing discovered the country, Columbus
imagined that he had secured its rich mines
70 his sovereigns- There he heard OF a civ
ilized people in Mexico and Peru.
The natives became hostile and Columbus
srx1 n fu lnv,xy xra lad N lqay
coast In vessels rendered totally unsea.
worthy, their timbers being honey-combed
by termites and worm-borers, the dreadful
pests of the tropical countries Departing
for Hispaniola, they encountered heavy
storms and endured untold perils and prIva-
lions. They were finally compelled to seek
shelter on the coast of the island OF Jamaica.
The ships had become mere wrecks and
could no longer be kept at sea. They We're
ready to sink Columbus ordered them to
be run aground within bow-shot of shore,
and fastened together side by side. They
Ssoon filled with water to their decks.
Thatched cabins were then erected over the
high prows and sterns for the accommoda-
tion OF the crews, and the whole were placed
In the best possible state for defense
The best helper of Columbus was Diego
Mendez, mentioned at the ueginning of his
letter. He was brave and faithful. He went
among tho natives with presents, and made
arrangements for regular supplies of food.
The next great care of Columbus was to pro-
vide means to set to Bispaniola- Nicholas
Ovando (Obando) had succeeded Bobadilla
~ governor. Columbus resolved to ask him
to send ships to take him and his companions
thither. How could this be done? Only by
messenger in an open boat across a rough
sea forty leagues. MeDdez volunteered to
undertake the task in a canoe with a Spanish
comrade and Indian oarsmen. He failed,
having been captured by hostile natives.
MendeZ alone escaped. He again under
took the perilous mission.
After he left revolt and discomfort broke
out ; and the malcontents roamed over the
island and stirred up the natives against
Columbus and the faithful friends who re-
manned with him.
Eight months elapsed after the departure
of Mendez, before Obando responded or
tidings were received OF the fate OF the faith
ful messenger sent by the admiral. One
evening, at twilight, small vessel appeared
TO the eyes of the dwellers on the wrecks,
approaching them, and filled them with joy
and hope. 1t came alongside, when barrel
Of wine and a side OF bacon, which Ovando
had sent as a present to Columbus were de-
livered TO him. Then the vessel withdrew a
space. Its commander exchanged a few
words with Columbus, at a distance, and
then this mysterious visitor suddenly de.
parted. 1t had only revealed the fact by in
ference, that Mendez had reached Hispan-
lola In safety, and had probably sailed for
Spain.
This mockery left the sufferers in despair
all but Columbus, whose faith in God buoyed
his spirits. Ovando, who feared the loss OF
the governorship of Hispaniola, should Col
umbus return, had learned that the admiral
was still alive, but in great peril and distress,
and left him to perish. But deliverance
came. The letter given below had been de
livered to the monarchs by Mendez, and the
compassionate queen had sent orders 10 His
PAMELA for ships to be dispatched to Jamaica
Tor the sufferers. Twovessels con 7eyed Col
umbus and his companions to Hispanioa
early in the summer OF 1904, whence the ad-
miral, his son and his brother sailed for
Spain In the autumn.
When, after being tossed for weeks upon
the stormy bosom of the Atlantic, all the
while tortured by the gout, Columbus ar
rived at the port of San Lucas, his brave
heart was pierced with another deep sorrow.
His "great mistress, the queen, was dead.
He went to Seville in quest of repOse and
comfort, but found them not His appeals
to the king for justice We're unheeded. He
finally retired 10 Nalladolid, where he lived
in poverty and obscurity, and in May, 1906,
ne died. Just before that event he wrote
sadly to a friend Little have protited by
twenty years OF service, with such tolls and
perils since, at present, do not own a roof
in Spain. IL desire to eat or sleep, j have
no resort but an inn +; aud for most instances
not wherewithal to pay my bills"
The Letter of Columbus.
Following is the translation of the letter
referred to, from Columbus to his sovereign:
"Sir: Diego Mendez, and the papers
sent by him will shew your Highness what
rich Mines Of Gold l have discovered in
Varagua, and how l intended to have left
my Brother at River Belin, ii the Judgment
OF Heaven, and the greatest misfortune of
tne world, had not prevented it (: however,
IT'S suihcient your Highness aud Successor
Will have the Glory and advantage of all, and
that the full discovery and Settlement is
reserved for happier Persons than the un-
fortunate Columbus
4 n1 he. sE,,1