The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-05
He far overstep

dilla to Investigate. He far overstep-
ped his authority.
On the 23d Of August. 1900, Bahia
diiia landed ut the port OF San Do
min6o. Columbus was then at Fort
Conception. and his brother, Diego,
Was left In charge. Bobadila at once
took measures to superscdo Columbus
in the government of the island and
stated to the people that his authority
WAS supreme
All the disaffectcd hilarlously rail-
lied around him. lie was backed by
the armed force no had brought with
hun. Columbus was deposed cast into
prison and In every way humilia ted
When he asked tho reason for IL he
Was informed by Robadilla that his
sovcreigns had heard that he had op-
pressed labor: that he had cxactcd UNI
necessary tasks: had distributed short
rations and had wagcd unnecessary
war against natives. lie was also
charged with having secreted pearls
and other precious articles which he
had collected I'm his voyages along the
coast, and that he had Kept his sover-
elEns in ignorance of many of his dis
coveries.
To these charges Columbus made dig
niiied denial but Bobadilla took cspe-
cial pains TO degrade the admiral
wherever he could. He took up his
residence at the house of Columbus and
letters and manuscripts. both public
and private.
While Columbus was in this state
OF great perplexity and distress, tho
following laconic and somewhat OBJ
scure letter from the sovereiEns was
presented to him: Don Christopher
Columbus, our Admiral of the Ocean;
We command Commentator Francis dc
Bobadilia, the bearer of this. that he
speak to you on our part, something
which he will tell you. we pray YOU
give him faith and credcncc and act
accordingly.
j the King, 1 the Queen"
Ihis note had its effect and the ad-
nliral decided 1T once to yield promptly
TO the requirements OF Bobadilla until
ne could accurately ascertain the de-
claions of the sovereigns. Bobadilla Mt
once seized Diego Columbus and con-
hned him in chains on board one of
the cara walls. He then sent officers to
seize Columbus. to place him in irons
and 10 imprison him In one of the cells
oil the fortress Of San Domingo
The dignity with which Columbus
conducted himself in this emergency
has won the admiration even of his
enemies. Then followed n perfect ju-
biiec of triumphant villainy and das-
tardly malice. Every base spirit which
had been awed Into ohscquiousncss by
Columbus and his brothers when In
power, now started up 10 revenge it
self upon them when in chains
A vast amount of testimony against
Columbus was gathered from the
rebels to be forwarded to the Spanish
court Early in October Columbus,
manacled like the vileat culprit, was
led through the streets Of San Do
mingo 10 the ship amid the jeers of
the rabblc.
When Columbus reached Spain he
was cast into prison, but for very
short time. While on tho road he had
written long letter to his sovereirns
proclaiming his innocence and ac-
quaint'ng them with his treatment
When they received this they were
highly Indignant. and they sent orders
mat he and his brother should imme-
diately he set at liberty and treated
with distinction.
The King and Queen paid not the
slightest attention to the accusations
which Bobadlla had sent home against
him and as soon possible Don
Nicholas dc Orando was sent out to
succeed him. From their statement,
Bobadilla was merely ordered Ito as
certain what persons have raised
themselves against justice In the Is
land OF Iiispanola and to proceed
against them according to the law"
The King and Queen OF Spain did
everything TO overcome the evil they
had done. but the heart of the great
discoverer was crushed and he was Of
very little use thereafter