New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-04
VAS COLUMBUS 4 FRENCHM1N!

In connection with the preparation in various lores
countries for the proper celebration OF the four uhdie'h
anniversary Of the discovery Of America an at'enp' ~
been made to prove that Christopher Coinhipus was
Frcnchman Among the latest advocates OF TINS .neoiS
Is NJ Brouwers, member OF the Columbus Cohmco Va
the Netherlands. by profession NJ BrouwerS Is .h'"
Ole clergyman and has taken part IN numerous HUT
national congresses.
The real year Of the birth Of Cr TOPPER ColunDus'
writes the clergyman in recent issue OF the "Tyd OF
Amsterdam. cannot be determined. one 'hlhs' "o"-
ever IS certain and that that the boy Christopher was
a subject Of France he made his hrst seaVoS"ec III
l45o with his brother BaIthelemy, under the cohahu
OF his uncle who in the service OF the frehch p
OF Anjou 1t is equally certain that Genoa and Its terri
tory belonged to Fnnce in i459. In the AMMAN uei'
Eccelsa ct Ilustrssima RepubNca de Genoa which ap
poured in 537 is to be found the following passage
In the month of February 145s, the Doge ana e st''e
OF Genoa considered the question Of cednS the "ehoH
territory Charles VII, King Of France On May IL
OF the same year the oath Of allegiance was taken 10
this King and the Duke Of Anou took possession Vi 'c
city and Its territory In his name
The boy who TO discover the New World Iater
was therefore subject of the King OF France when lie
entered the naval service. Another HISTORICAL mhhu
script still extant declares also that Calv the city OF
Coumbuss BIRTH nchnow lodged the King OF France rs
Its lord and master and paid him allegiance. the snip
in which the young Columbus first went into battle was
lumbus undertook his great journey the King OF France
was still sovereign of Genoa and Cavl. Even III the
year in which Genoa revolted against France ChrIs'o
pher Columbus and his remained true to the French
King Lebntz cites letter OF the French King. Louis
XI in which he speaks OF Columbus ms sub dtum nos
trum. Again In the same place Prol ad Codiic JuI1s
Gentum) Ferdinand the Catholic speaks Of Columbus to
Louis NJ December o. l474 'Malestatis vesrae Sub
dtus.
although Genoa retained its autonomy continues
NJ BrouwerS IL nevertheless recognized the sovereign
ty OF Charles Mi of France even Mt the time ofhs nc
treat from Italy in In addition to all this VIC have
the cspondence between Columbus and the French
King in which the discovercr Acknowledges His Majesty
as his master And now when the fourth centennial
festival IS TO be celebrated Corsica and Calv again be-
long TO France. Tie latter county, thereor.' mas
certain right TO name this hero among It's sons
This question: writes another Dntch paper, was
brought UP by the French Columbus Committee which,
on account Of the relations between France ana Genoa
at that time, called Columbus eniant de Eorse
The principal thing 1t cannot be proved that Genoa
and Calv belonged TO France at the time OF GO.
mbnss birth In l49S Wien there was I no "IS
Eut even If IL be acknow lodged that Cavl was part
OF France the time Of Columbus BIRTH that woua
not make him a Frenchman, any more lhan ue ia't
that the Netherlands belonged to France between 90
and 1913 made Frcuchmen OF thos" men born IN those
DAYS I'm thc Netherlands Columbus may have been
:ubiect Of France but hi, second faherland GER
tainy not France but SPAIN for which. also lie discOv-
erol America. 1t is also matter OF history tnat ne
offered his services 70 King Ferdinand after leaving
Portugal. Not until 14ol: after he had mel ereat
difficulties at the court Of spain, did he decide 10
appeal to the King of France. But he never eye Eye
cncd that plan the messengers OF queen lSahclla
summoninr him 10 the Spanish capital, overlook MN
before he had seen the French King. II the french
wish to claim Christopher Columbus as son OF fra.rc
somc thing in another country whore the question
may be judged impartally, are not niellglblc''