Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-04
History of the Great Explorer and How He Found America
ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
WRITTEN FOB THE DISPATCH
BY L. H. WEEKS AND PAUL LATZKE.
Copyrighted, Authors.1
rTEN FOB THE DISPATCH

from King John Of Portugal asking him to
return to that country, and promising him
protection and assistance. His brother
bartholomew had pressed his cause with
King Henry of England, and that monarch
had invited him to come to London. From
the King of France he had received q SIM
liar invitation. He had fully made I'D his
mind to 60 to France, and leaving Seville
he journeyed back to La Rabida, whence he
had so hopefully set out six years before.
His long absencs had not dulled the
affection of his friends at Palos. Penniless
though he still was, they were depressed a.
the thought that he was about to leave
them, and their patriotism could scarce en-
dure that he should take to France what
they thought ought to be kept for the glory
and the profit OF Spain. Persuading the
navigator to rest at the convent for a few
days, Father Perez sent a letter by mes
senger to Queen Isabella, then in camp at
Santa Fe, imploring her to accede to Co
lumbus' desires. The answer came in two
weeks, summoning Father Perez to court to
present his case. Thither he went without
q days delay, and there, with the assist
ance of other good friends. he was able to
prevail with the sovereigns He sent back
this pious message to the anxious mariner
in the convent: 81 came, 1 saw, God con-
quered."
Isabella now had her mind fully made ND
to undertake the enterprise. She sent an
order tor Columbus to return to the court,
and she provided him with money for suit
able clothing and the expenses of the jour-
rey. When the arrived at Santa Fe the
siege of Granada was nearly ended. Hs was
present during the final battling, and saw
the surrender of Boabdil, the last of the
Moorish Kings, and the triumph of the cross
over the crescent banner. The magnificent
festivities that followed in celebration of
the victory did not interest him. His eye
was fixed upon the future, and he dreamed
of triumphs for Spain, for the Church and
for himself beside which this would be of
small account. His hearing was no longer
delayed. 1t was now a question of UNDER
taking the enterprise that he proposed.
That had been fully decided upon. Only the
terms upon which his services could be Sc
cured remained to be settled. But that
proved to be as difficult of arrangement as
anything that had gone before.
Columbus demanded that he should be
admiral and viceroy over all the countries
that he might discover; that he should re-
ceiye for his share of the enterprise one
tenth of all the gains either by trade or con-
quest, and that his titles and possessions
should pass to his descendants forever.
Courtiers and mobiles objected.
"Why should this obscure mariner" they
said, "be granted such tavors? He has
never done anything tor Spain and is q mere
adyenturer and does not even come of
good family. Yet he demands titles, honors
and riches such as have never been given to
the most noble and most faithful OF those
whose lives have been devoted to Spain"
That argument w1sPQwerful with the ad-
visers of the crown. ThGE -afsssd other
terms, but Columbus was firm. He would
have all that he had demanded or he
would have nothing. He refused to listen
to any other proposition, and the repre-
sentatives of Spain being quite as obstinate
as the Genoese, the negotiations were ab-
ruptly broken off, Columbus left the
audience room detected Taking leave Of
his few good friends he mounted his mule
and started again Tor La Rabida and Palos.
At that moment he saw no chance for HIM
self save in France, and toward that eoun-
try his thoughts turned.
Scarcely had he got out of sight Of the
walls of Grenada when his friends stirred
themselves once more. The royal treas
urer, Luis de Santangel, Diego de Deza,
tutor of the heir apparent; Alonzo de
Quintanilla and the Marchioness de Moya,
a favorite of Isabella, sought out the Queen
and begged her not to allow question OF
terms to stand in the way OF this great work
that would cost little and might make
Spain richer, more powerful and more hon
ored than any other nation. They argued
well and they won.
Isabella consented that Columbus should
have his way, and when Ferdinand objected
to the expense she arose from her seat and
replied with spirit:
Every well; I will assume the whole bur
den of the cost as Queen of Castillo. and IL
it is believed that further delay will jeopar-
die the undertaking L will pledge my
jewels to raise the needed funds.
To that Santangel promptly replied:
at is not necessary for Your Highness to
do that. The treasury can supply the
money that is necessary"
Quickly messenger was sent after Co
lumbus, who was overtaken few miles
from Grenada When he heard the good
news he dropped on his knees and gave
thanks to God. Then with happy heart he
returned to the Court at Grenada.
ITO be continued rert Sunday