St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09

c;scan monks. Alter the time OF Columbus
it was considerably enlarged, but recently
the Spanish Government has had it rest ored
to the condition in which he found it on the
occasion OF his first visit.
1t was after an unsuccessful Journey to he
Court OF Portugal, and while Columbus. pen
niless and dsheartened. was making his
painful way to Cor1ova 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
were. no doubt, indirectly Instrumental i'll
his success.
The interest attaching to this facsimile of
La Eabida is many times multiplied by the
priceless collection OF relics which have been
gathered here within its walls by the ipdus
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 amaSSed for the pleasure and
instruction OF those who dwell in the world
which he discovered.
OF all the objects which recall the great
navigator from out the dim past, perhaps
none do it 50 forcbiy as a 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
the cathedral at Havana. having been re-
moved thithar from Santo Domingo with
great pomp in 1895, when that colony was
transferred from Spain to France, but in 1877
a 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 is 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 ISa-
BELLA under their hands, given Columbus at
his departure upon his first voyage. 1t is
dated at Granada, April 30, 1892, and in it
Columbus is named Grand Admiral of the
Ocean Seas, Vice-King and Goverper-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
Rold8n. 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 by the
Duke of Eeragua. is the last will and tesla
nent of his great ancestor. In it Columbus
leaves his properties to his brothers and his
son, 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 a testament.
Two original drafts drawn by Columbus for
money are in the collection. also his requisi-
ton for supplies for his second voyage.
Outside one of the south doors of the mon
astery leans an old anchor Of Fifteenth Cen
fury 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 he
studied and Biographies and a natural his
tory with marginal notes in his own hand
writing. Another most interesting book is a
Latin edition of the travels of Marco Polo
which Columbus carried with him on his
voyages, and from which he no doubt re-
ceved many of his ideas about the strange
countries OF the far east, which he expected
to reach by sailing west. Among the relies
in wood are the from door OF the house o.
cupiei by Columbus while living at Fdncnal
in the Madeira Islands, three OF the window
shutters aud the inside doors Of his house at
Porto Santn-