Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-10-29
from the New World. One had died at

from the New World. One had died at
sea and three were left Ill at Palos.
1t is singular coincidence, which ap-
pears to be well authenticated, that on
the very evening of the arrival Of Co
lunbus at Palos, and while the peals of
triumph were still ringing from its
towers, the Pinta, commanded by Mar
tin Alonzo Pinzon, likewise entered the
river. After her separation from the
admiral in the storm, she had been
driven before the gale into the Bay of
Biscay, and had made the port of Bay
onne. Doubling whether Columbus had
survived the tempest, Pinzon had i'm
mediately written to the sovereigns, Civ
ing information of the discovery he had
made, and requested permission to come
TO court and communicate the particu-
lars in person. AS soon as the weat Their
permitted he had again set sail, antici-
pating triumphant reception in his ma
tive port of Palos.
When, on entering the harbor, he be-
held the vessel Of the admiral riding at
anchor, and learned the enthusiasm with
which he had been received, the heart Of
Pinzon died within him. 1t is said that
he feared to meet Columbus in this hour
of his triumph, lest he should put him
under arrest for his desertion on the
coast Of Cuba, but he was a man Of too
much resolution to indulge in such a
fear. It is more probable that con-
seriousness of his misconduct made him
IN 70 hnf tln i
the midst Of their enthusiasm for Colurn.
bus, and perhaps he sickened at the hon.
ors heaped upon man whose superiority
he had been so unwilling y acknowl
edge. Getting into his boat, therefore
he landed privately and kept out Of sight
until he heard of the admiral's depart
ure. He then returned to his home,
broken in health and deeply detected
considering all the honors and eulogi
ums heaped upon Columbus as so many
reproaches on himself The reply of the
sovereigns to his letter at length ar
rived. IL was of a reproachful tenor
and forbade his appearance at court
This letter completed his humiliation
the anguish Of his feelings gave viru
lence to his bodily malady and in few
days he died, a victim to deep chagrin.
Let no one, however, indulge in harsh
censures over the grave of Pinzon, Hi.
merits and services are entitled to thu
| highest praise; his errors should be re-
garded with indulgence. He was one
of the foremost in Spain to appreciate
the project Of Columbus, animating hin
by his concurrence and aiding him will
his purse when poor and unknown a
Palos. He afterward enabled him t.
procure and fit out ships, when even til,
mandates Of the sovereigns were inef
fectual, and finally embarked in the ex
petition with his brothers and hi
friends, stalking life, property, every
thing upon the event. He thus entitle,
himself to participate largely in tn
glory of this immortal enterprise; bu
unfortunately forgetting for momen
the grandeur of the cause and the i'm
plicit obedience due to his commander
he yielded to the indictments Of self in
terest and committed that act of in
subordination which has cast a shad
upon his name.
In extenuation of his fault, however
may be alleged his habits of command
which rendered him impatient of con
troll; his consciousness Of having rer
dered great service to the expedition an
of possessing property in the ships. Tha
he was a man of great professional meri
is admitted by all his contemporaries
that he naturally possessed generou
sentiments and an honorable ambition
is evident from the poignancy with whicl
he felt the disgrace drawn on him by hi
misconduct. A mean man would no
have fallen a victim to self upbraidinl
for having been convicted of a meal
action. His story shows how one laps
from duty may counterbalance the merit
of thousand services; how one momen
of weakness may mar the beauty of I
whole life of virtue, and how importan
it is for man, under all circumstances
to be true, not merely to others, but t,
himself.