The Washington herald., 1912-08-25

was a Franciscan, as an evidence OF his
Christian faith: but IL any OF them ever
explained the circumstances under which
he became one. IL has not come to the
present writer's knowledge. Columbus
was in a dilemma, he knew that Fonseca
had ferreted out the secret of his life.
and that as an unbaptized Galician Jew
he would have no standing now in the
eyes Of Isabella. but II afiiliated with the
Franciscans. and they actually ospoused
his cause 1t might save him from degra-
dalton. II is reported that his affiliation
at this time with the Franciscan order
actually occurred. though no written re-
, ply was sent to Columbus. Juan de
T-asierra. the Franciscan at whose hands
commanding him to respect the words of
Bobadilia. may have told him. In seek
ing this utilization. Columbus seems to
have acted desperately. without realizing
the fact that certain of these Franciscans
were the secret agents of Fonseca. who
had already made DANA ging reports as
to his methods of enslaying the natives,
and that they received his afiliation
with indifference is indicated In the
words of a member of the order. Nicho-
las Glassberger, III his report of "a GER
tain admiral, captain, and chief. who
had ill-treated the natives, taking their
goods and wives. and capturing their vir-
gin daughters, has been sent to Spain in
chains"
Historians Charge Cruelty.
From such statements as this, and re-
ports Of his cutting of the limbs OF ma
tives. and hanging Spaniards promiscu-
ously, certain historians have sought to
show that the discovere- OF America was
a hideous monster; while that such accu-
sations are more consistently attributable
| to Fonseca's agents, is readily seen when
the rigid Jewish fanaticism Of Columbus
is observed, inducing him 10 act strictly
within the Mosaic code. Thus he is ac-
\ cused by Munoz of killing Moxica with
his own hands; yet. in his letter TO Sc
nora de In Torra, the admiral says eN-
plicitly that Adrian Moxica was executed
| by the Alcalde Roldan, without his own
| order.
/ Another circumstance pointing to the
character of the accusation ic the fact
that not only Christopher. hut both OF his
brothers. Bartholomew and Diego-in the
lease OF the latter. as Irving shows with
out any reason-were arrested and put
| in irons: and. although this Is explained
! by historians in various ways, no other
explanation offered. COMFORTS with the
severity of the punishment 50 well as
| the damnabie accusation that they were
Jewish heretics.
| Heresy being the worst of all crimes.
| what else could be done to comport with
! the enormity Of their offense, except TO
| put these three Colon brothers in chains !
We have assumed that Ximeno made
| public reference. limiting at the heretical
| character of Columbus. just prior to the
| departure on his third voyage; and we
know that Ximeno was promoted to chief
paymaster for the Indies because OF his
| fidelity to duty. But the return of Co.
lumbus in chains. produced an effect quite
| unexpected to those who were prtvy to
such DEGRADATION. There were many Ma
| ramos and secret Jews in Spain who. as
| in the case of Mossen Jayne Ferrer, sus-
| pected II they did not fully believe. that
| the discoverer CT the new heavens ana
the new earth" was the veritable Mes
siah," and on learning Of the manner
| of his arrival. there arose such a cry
| Of indignation that not even Ferdinand
| dare oppose IL. The discoverer OF the
| Indies a chained prisoner and in want OF
the necessities Of life, This was too much
| for even that cruel. hardened age: the
admiral was ordered TO be released and
| a credit of 2 900 ducats placed at his dis
posal for expenses. But his right to rule
| in Hispaniols was never recognized there
after. Las Casas says that Isabella was
deeply agitated by reading the letter
which Columbus wrote while in irons to
Dona Juara de la Torres, in which va
| rious statements show his Jewish pro-
| cIivities and hint at the nature OF the
| charge.
| shows Jewish ProcIivities.
He begins: Most virtuous lady: Al
| though it is a novelty for me to complain
Of the usages of the world. II is. never.