The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-16

ciscan monks. After the time If Columbus
it was considerably enlarged. but recently
the Spanish Government has had it restored
to the condition in which he found it on the
occasion Of his first visit.
It was after IN unsuccessful journey to the
Court Of Portugal and while Columbus, PEN
niless and disheartened, was making his
painful way to Cordova to seek the aid OF
Ferdinand and Isabella that he was sheltered
by the kind Franciscans. Father Perez,
Prior OF La Rabida, himself man learned
in the science of geography. became greatly
interested in Columbus and his theories, and
having been at one time confessor to Isabella,
was able to give him letters and advice which
we're, no doubt, indirectly instrumental In
his success.
The interest attaching to this facsimile of
La Rabida is many times multiplied by the
priceless collection OF relics which have been
gathered here within its walls by the indus
try OF Mr.. William Eleroy Curtis. and which
relate Immediately to Columbus and his
voyages The Vatican, the Spanish State
Department. the Duchess OF Berwick and
Alba, and the Duke OF Veragua have opened
their stores, and, In fact, the earth has been
ransacked until nearly every object of his
toric interest connected with the great mari
ner has been amasssd for the pleasure and
instruction OF those who dwell in the world
which he discovered.
or all the objects which recall the great
navigator from out the dim past, perhaps
none do it so forcibly as little crystal locket
which, it is believed. contains some OF his
very ashes. Before 1877 it was supposed
that the bones Of Columbus were inferred in
tine cathedral at Havana, having been re-
moved thither from Santo Domingo with
great pomp in 1795, when that colony was
transferred from Spain to France, but in 1877
casket was discovered in the cathedral OF
Santo. Domingo, which makes it probable
that mistake was made in 1875 and that the
real remains were not removed. 1t ls from
the latter now carefully guarded casket that
the ashes in the locket were originally taken.
One OF the most interesting relics is the
actual commission from Ferdinand and lsa-
bella, under their hands. given Columbus at
his departure upon his first voyage. 1t Is
dated at Granada, April 80, 1892 and in 1t
Columbus Is named Grand Admiral OF the
Ocean Seas, Vice. King and Goyerner-G General
OF all the lands he should discover or con-
quer, and generally given large rights,
powers and fees.
As sad commentary on this brilliant be-
ginning is the autograph letter OF Francisco
Roldan, dated 1902 which caused the arrest,
disgrace and bringing home OF Columbus in
chains, and also the very shackles which he
was compelled to wear upon the voyage.
Among the original papers, loaned Dy Cue
Duke OF Veragua, is the last will and tesla
ment Of his great ancestor. In it Columbus
leaves his properties to his brothers and his
sou, Diego, and gives long and detailed
directions as to their management. At the
time of his death Columbus had little that
could properly be the subject OF testament.
Two original drafts drawn by Columbus for
money ara in the collection, also his reqIisi-
ton Tor supplies for his second voyage.
Outside one OF the south doors OF the mon
astery leans An old anchor Of Fifteenth-Cen-
t,Iry type, which is said to have been used by
Columbus on his flagship Santa Maria when
she was wrecked on the coast of Hayti during
his first voyage, and ms de are charts no
studied and Biographies and n natural his
tory with marginal notes in his own hand-
writing. Another most interesting book is
Latin edition of the travels OF Marco Polo.
which Columbus carried with him on his
voyages, and from which he no doubt re-
ceived many of his ideas about the strange
countries of the far east, which he expected
to reach by sailing west. Among tho relics
in wood are the front door OF the house oc-
cupied By Columbus while living at Funchal
in tho Mudeira Islands, three Of the window
shutters and the inside doors OF his house at
Porto Santo.