Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-02
DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.
The Account Given by Columbus Four
Hundred Years Ago.
From the Pittsburg chronicle.l

| The Account Given by Columbus -Four
Hundred Years Ago.
| From the Pittsburg Chronicle.l
While the subject of the proper cele-
bration of the four hundredth anniversary
of the discovery of America is under dis
cussion, the discoveries own story is
doubly interesting.
While Christopher Columbus was re-
turning to Europe he wrote letter to
Luis de SAINT Angel, Chancellor of the
Exchequer of Aragon, giving short ac-
count of his voyage-such a resume, for
instance, as an interviewer in modern
times might get from a returning Cap
tain.
The letter tells but little of Columbus
trials; or the hardship, Encouragement
and mutiny which he conquered. 1t
speaks rather in glowing terms Of the
wonderful land of promise revealed by him
to all the world of its timid, trustful ma
tives, of its fruits, flowers, trees and metals.
1t is the jubilant outburst of a hopeful
heart overlooking with success. And
throughout the entire letter runs a calm
tone of thankfulness to the Creator, of
submission to the writer's earthly sover-
eigus.
The distinguished letter writer tells
show in thirty-three days time reached
TIM Indies with the fleet which the most
illustrious King and Queen, our sover-
eigns, gave to me, where | found very
many islands thickly peopled, of all which
l took possession without resistance for
their highnesses by proclamation made and
with the royal standard unfurled. To
the first island that | found | gave the
name San Salvador, in remembrance of
his High Majesty, who hath marvelously
brought all these things to pass. The In
dians called it Guanaham. To the second
| gave the name of Santa Maria de Con-
cepcion, the third | called Fernandina,
the fourth Isabella, the fifth Juana, and
so to each one | gave new name. When
/ reached Juana | followed the coast to
the westward, and found it so large that |
thought il must be the mainland-the
province of Cathay. and as | found neither
towns nor villages on the seacoast but
only a few hamlets, with the inhabitants
of which 1 could not hold conversation,
because they all Immediately fed"
Another island he named Espanola, and
here he found "many spices and extensive
mines of gold and other metals" The in
habitants of this happy isle were shy at
first, but "when they are treasured and
have thrown off this fear they are guile
less, and so liberal of all that they have
that no one would believe it who had not
seen it. They never refuse anything that
they possess when it is asked of them; on
the contrary, they offer it themselves, and
they exhibit so much loving kindness that
they would give even their hearts, and
whether it be something Of value or of
little worth that is offered to them they
are satisfied. l forbade that worthless
things, such as pieces of broken porringers
and broken glass and ends of straps,
should be given to them, although when
they succeeded in obtaining them they
thought they possessed the finest jewel in
he world. 1t was ascertained that
sailor received for leather strap, piece
of gold weighing two castellanos and half,
and others received for other objects of far
less value much more"
"The natives" said Columbus, chad
never seen men with clothes on, nor vessels
like ours. On reaching the Indies / took
by force in the first island that | discov-
cred some of the natives, that they might
learn our language and give me some in
formation in regard to what existed in
these parts, and it so happened that they
soon understood us and we them, either by
words or signs, and they have been very
serviceable to us. They are still with me,
and from repeated conversations that l
have had with them find that they still
believe that l am from heaven. And they
were the first to say this wherever | went,
and the others ran from house to house
and to the neighboring villages crying
with loud voice, Come, come and see
the people from heaven p"
He saw no savages, but heard there were
some cat an island which lies second in
ones way in coming to the Indies" This
island Dominica I" is inhabited by a race
which is regarded throughout these islands
as extremely ferocious and eaters of hu-
man flesh. These possess many canoes, in
which they visit all the Indian islands,
and rob and plumber whatever they can"
FINALLY" says the great navigator, "and
speaking only of what has taken place in
this voyage, which has been so hasty, their
highnesses lnay see that shall give them
all the gold they require if they will give
me but very little assistance; spices, also,
and cotton, as much as their highnesses
shall command to be shipped and mastic,
hitherto found only in Greece, in the
Island of Chios, and which the Signoria of
Genoa sells at its ewn price, as much as
their highnesses shall command to be
shipped; lign aloes, as much as their high
nesses shall command to be shipped slaves,
as many of these idolators as their high
nesses shall command to be shipped. l
think, also, that found rhubarb and Gin
namon, and shall find a thousand other
valuable things by means of the men l
have left behind me, for | tarried at no
point so long as the wind allowed me to
proceed, except in the town of Navidad,
where took the necessary precautions for
the security and safety of the men | left
there. Much more would have done if
my vessels had been in as good condition
as by right they should have been. This
is much, and praised be the Eternal God,
our Lord, who gives to all those who walk
in His way victory over all things which
seem impossible, of which this is signally
one for although others may have spoken
or written concerning these countries it
was all conjecture, as no one could say that
he had seen them-it amounted only to
this, that those who heard listened the
more, and regarded the matter rather as a
fable than anything else"
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