River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-04-20
A NOTED VISITOR.

At the Special Invitation of the Govern
ment, the Duke of Neragua. a inea
Descendant of Columbus, becomes the
Nations Guest His Arrival in New
York.
NEW YORK, April II Don Christobel
Colon de Toledo, de La Cerda. Gaute,
duke de Neragua, marquis of Jamaica.
admiral of Adelautad and mayor of
the Indies il in town. Concealed in
his name and title as given above
j. another which is of more interest
To Americans than all the rest, be-
cause this distinguished don is the
lineal descendant of Christopher Co
lumbus. and he has come all the way
from Spain to help open the Worlds
Columbian exposition next month. The
duke was a passenger on the New
York. which came into port at day
light Saturday.
The committee of citizens appointed
to receive the duke and Commander
Francis W. Dickins, L. :. ". went
down the bay in special steamers and
met the New York at quarantine, Tho
mayors committee was headed by
Gen. Horace Porter, and of the ten
members appointed only Isidor Straus,
Cornelius y. Bliss and George +. David
son We're present. Gen Porter found
the duke in the main saloon with his
suite, and after an introduction led the
way to the steamer Blackbi on which
the whole party were embarked IT was
raining hard and stiff breeze made the
sea ehoppy.
Arriving in the main cabin of the
Black bird the party arranged them
selves somewhat informally, with Gen.
Porter facing the duke and the
duchess. who was 10 the left, a
little behind her husband, Command
err Diclxins and the Spanish guests
in various parts of the circle and the
other members of the suite ON one side
Gen. Porter asked the duke if he
spoke French and receiving an affirm
atlve reply he delivered an address in
that language. lie said in part:
''Your exceleney, the Columbian celebration
committee Of the city OF New York, composed
of his honor the mayor and 100 citizens has
designated the committee which has waited
upon you, and OF which ! have the
honor 20 he president, 10 perform the
very agreeable duty of extending TO your
cxcellency most cordial welcome 10 New
York and presenting To you the freedom Of the
city. our citizens are impressed with deep
sense of the peculiar fitness ana significance of
your excellency's visit to attend the opening OF
our national Xpusi tOn--au exposition organized
especially 10 slgnalize and celebrate the crown
ing triumph OF the career OF your ilustrious
ancestor BY his !ndomitable courage, his
steadfast faith and It's ra intellectual accom-
plishmcnts he was able 10 give new world 10
civilization, TO science and commerce. I shall
a myself the honor call
hotel Immediately after your arrival and pre-
sent to you the resolutions passed by the alder
meu and commonalty of New York and APP
proved by his honor the mayor extending 10
You the freedom OF the city"
In reply the duke, also speaking
French, thanked the committee for the
honor paid him, and asked that
they convey 10 the mayor and
citizens his thanks for their at
tention. While he was proud of
his illustrious ancestor, he could not
help feeling that the general credit
was not due To him, but TO The Amer
lean people for the marvellous work
they have accomplished in developing
the new world. lie expressed the graf
itication of his family for the cordial
reception, and said he hoped To be able
at some time to reciprocate.
Before the Blackbird reached quaran-
tine Commander Dickins boarded the
New York about 6 o'clock and found
the expected guest up and ready to leave
the steamer as soon as she could reach
her dock. In the main saloon, in the
presence of several hundred cabin pas
sengers, he delivered an address of well
come on behalf of the government.
The deke responded in a compli-
mentary address, both speeches being
made IN Spanish. The duke will re-
main here for several days and then
proceed TO Washington to meet Presi-
dent Cleveland. lie will then go TO
Chicago
The duke Of Veragua and party at
tended solemn high mass at ~. Pat
ricks cathedral at 1880 a. IN. Sunday.
Solemn high mass was celebrated in
honor of the occasion. Archbishop Cor
rigan was present. Mass was cele-
brated by Henry T. Newey. The SER
mon was delivered by Rev NJ i. La
vclic. who, before entering upon his
discourse formally welcomed the duke
to America i'm the name of the Catholics
of the United States. The duke and
party spent the afternoon at the Hotel
Waldorf, and before dusk they took
drive in Central park They dined
quietly and retired early.
The visit of the duke to this country
is the result of an invitation extended
by an act of congress. The entertain
ment of the guests is in the hands
of an officer of the United
States navy detailed for the purpose
and assisted by an attache of the state
department. At the end of a brief So
journ in Washington the duke and suite
will proceed TO Chicago, and, after do
ing the fair, will return to New York.
They viii remain in this country about
two months.
The title borne by the distinguished
descendant of Columbus dates from
1893. when grcat-grandsOn was given
possession of the dignity and wealth de
MED TO Columbus and his son Diego,
the second admiral, during their
lives The first duke of Neragua was
the grandson of Isabella. third daugh-
ter of Diego Columbus. The title Vera
qua was derived from the rich gold
coast. 80 named, which Columbus dis
covered in 1902. 1t was evidently part