Bisbee daily review., 1912-07-30
COLUMBUS ACCOUNTS
ARE FOUND IN SPAIN
LedgerS Discovered at Palos
Show That His Voyage TO
America Cost $1,000

LONDON, July 29.-The Madrid
CORRESPONDENT of the Pail Mall Ga
zette saws that some ledgers recently
discovered at Palos, Spain, contain
interesting information concerning
the outlay made by Columbus on ms
great expedition TO the New World
The armament of the little fleet
cost 1900 pesetas. Columbus and
his officers spent about 2,O0O .pesetas
on their personal expenses, and, in
GLIDING the expenses of the crew, e.
05O pesetas was spent for the eight
months during which the voyage last
ed
The sum total for which America
was discovered amounted 10 some &c.,
600 pesetas, or about $1,000.
II has been agreed by some his
torians that about $4,000, represent
ing the greater part Of the outlay on
the expedition Of Columbus, was con
tributed by Ferdinand and Isabelle,
while one-eighth of the cost was furn-
ished by Columbus himself. II has
been difficult TO tell just where Co
lumbus, in his impoverished circum-
stances. obtained this sum, unless IT
was from the Ponzons. or more prob
ably some noble courtier. who was
seeking the favor of his sOvereigns
by showing willingness TO support the
scheme. however hazardous il looked.
The fact seems to have been that
two OF the vessels OF Columbus were
assigned TO his service with their
crews by a ROYAL order, dated April
80, 1892. after having been taken from
the town Of PalOs in consequence OF
some offense TO the royal dignity. The
royal command also provided that Co
lumbus might add a third vessel,
which he did, it is supposed, with the
aid OF the Pinzons. II was also direct
ed that the seamen OF the little fleet
should receive the usual wages OF
those serving in armed vessels, and
should have pay for four months IN
advance All maritime towns were
enjoined to furnish supplies at a Tea-
sonable price.
The following entry found in the
account books OF Garcia Martinez and
. Pedro de Montmayer is quoted by
Navarette as showing the amount sub
scribed by their Catholic Maiesties
toward the Equipment OF the expedi-
ton:
The said Alfonso de Las Cabezas
gave and paid by another warrant Of
the said Archbishop OF Granada. made
on the 9Th Of May in the year 1882.
10 Luis de SantangeI. secretary of the
allowances Of the King cur Lord. and
through him 70 Alfonso de Angulo, by
virtue Of an order which he exhibited
from the said Secretary Of ALLOWANCE
Is, 10 which was inserted the said
warrant. 200, 600 marayedies on &C
count o. 400 900 paid 10 Vasco de Qui-
roga. which the said Archbishop paid
By the said warrant OF 2.640, 900 mar.
zvedles. which he vas to receive in
this menneT; 100000 marayedies
70 pay TO U'isag' Abraham for a like
sum WHICH be loaned to their High.
nesses - carry on the war, and the
10000 msrayedies remaining 10
pay the said secretary OF Allowances
On account 81 q Ike SUM witch he
loaned 70 pay for the csrayels which
their EIlghBesses commanded TO 20 as
. aeef 70 the ladies. 20 pay % Chris
topher COigm5Bs, who went ia said
fleet
This Shows that Ferdinand and Is
sbeila were compelled 70 borrow the
smsn sum amounting 10 about 81
soc ia our money that vas required
~ equip the enterprise. IL must BE-
borne IL mine, however. that money
bad iB 1912 a. least Ten times the
bpyfag power fhsi Il has nov. and
pFOeab4y god deal more