Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-05-14
RELICS OF COLUMBUS.
PRICELESS PAPERS uNPAckeo
AT LA RAelpA.


Chicago. May BIN the little chapel
Of La Rnhda William l.. Curtis aud
his assistants unlocked a number OF
strong chests containing the most yalua-
Bile relies " Columbus In existence. These
are original papers relating TO the first
voyage Of Columbus and TO many i'm.
pcrtant incidents IN his later career, Tue
most valuable papers In the collection
are owned by the duke of Neragua, who
loaned them to the exposition. The nn.
Quesa de Berwick Alba also lends a
nuniber Of priceless manuscripts John
BOYD TEACHER OF Albany. \. ", makes
contributions TO the display.
The most valuable manuscripts IN the
little chapel are the original commission
given TO Columbus In 1902 by Ferdinand
and Isabella appointing him grand adj,
iniral OF the ocUQn scas, vice king aud
governor general Of all the lands that be
shunld discover. This document h dated
Granada, April 30, 1ia2, and signed II,
the King and ~, the Quecu' pr0l-
ably the next most valuable document
~ The collection Is the viii OF Columbus,
m which he made lavish beuuests OF
estltes and revenues that never fell To
his heirs, This entire collection embraces
moro than hundred manuscripts. They
were brought 10 the United States on a
man-Ot war, sent across the Atlantic es-
neclnlly 60 Transport them.
While these relies are In La Rahidn
they will be guarded by company OF
grim regulars from the United States
who came IN from Fort Sheridan under
Lieutenant Bush and pitched their tents
ON the lake shore, just outside the little
monastery. All day the regulars paced
up and down the corridors, watching sns-
piciously visitors who fingered long In
thc chapel where the relics were being
arranged. From now until the dOcu-
ments are taken from the cases and put
back In chests for rcshipment % Spain
they viii not be out of sight OF the In
iantymcn, Day aud night the scntincls
viii he on guard, Their camp Is Just
outside the door, and the entire dctach-
mont will be IN easy call should an at
tempt be made TO make away with any
of the relics.
TRANSLATION or THE PRICE.
LESS DOCUMENTS.
The Columbus papers taken from the
Ghosts are shown In somhcr cases IN the
chapel TRANSACTIONS Of the more inn
purtant documents are furnished IN a
catalogue Of the monastery. The cplloc-
lion loaned by the duke OF Veragua en-.
braces lifty-seypn papers, There are let
tiers FROM the king OF Portugal TO Colum.
bus In which the nayigator's scheme Of
lass, four years before Ferdinand aud
Isabella issued u commission TO Column
bus authorizing him 20 depart on lha
voyage. Tile original letters patent from
the sovereigns needed for the fleet on the
first voyage, and letters patent from the
sovereigns ordering the inhabitants Of
Palos 10 equip the carnvels for the west
ward journey are also included in the
collection. These papers bear date April
30, 1892, The letters ordering the poo
pie Of Falos 10 furnish two caraycls aud
those granting license to persons accom-
phnying the admiral are likewise sent
with the dukes collection Many other
papers issued preparatory to the first
voyage are In this section Numerous
lbtiers written by Columbus 20 his son
Diego and TO Rev. Father Don Gaapar
dc las Cuevas were also brought over In
the mnti,0f-war and are now IN the black
showcases In the chapel Of La liabida.
The collection loaned by the DuWien
lie Berwick OF Alba includes the original
COMPUTATION" of Columbus with the
Spanish s0vcrcigns. The nutogrnphic
statement by Columbus Of gold brought
from the new world and sold by hiiu In
CASTLE is also shown.
THE VATICAN EXHIBIT OF REL
ICS.
The vatican exhibit Of relies. loaned by
Pope Leo In compliance with q resolution
Of congress, was also gut IN position, \
letter from Pope Nicholas V Is one Of
the most important documents 10 This
collection. IL Is dated at Rome, ScDloln'
Der 90 l44S. and Is addressed 10 The
Irish bishops Of Skahlolt and llolnr con-
corning the church Ia Greenland The
bull OF Alexander V to the Soyerelgns
Ferdinand and Isabella, dated May -,
i403, is IN this collection, This rolatcs
to the riyalries between Spain and Portu-
gal IN regard TO their Voyages Of dlacoy'
cry. Several buRs Of Pope Alexander
vi. one commenting the discoveries Of
Columbus and tho other confirming
Father Boyl. the first missionary priest
10 America, We're taken from the strong
chests and carefully TRANSFERRED TO the
show cases. The papal bull relating TO
Father Boyl. who ACCOMPANIED cpluni-
bus on his second voyage, v one OF the
treasured relies Of the vatican. Numer-
Gus crude maps Of America and u NUM-
her Of pictures from The vatican were yei
10 be arranged when the regulars ordered
visitors oft for the night.
John BOYD Thnchers collection IN