The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-09-26

petition, was riding sadly away from
the capital, only to be overtaken by
messenger from Queen Isabella. who
had decided to give her aid even though
her husband would not. In the pic
ture Columbus, sitting on little white
mule, has just been given the queens
letter by the richly-dressed messenger
who has dismounted from his fine
steed and is bowling impressively as
he hands the all-important document
to the future discoverer of the New
world. 1t was the turning point in the
career of Christopher Columbus and
as such, the preservation of this his
toric scene in painting deserves
place among the other pictured great
moments in American history" which
adorn the walls of the Capitol.
In addition to these memorials to
Columbus in Washington, there is in
the Library of Congress collection
of original documents and rare books
relating to the discovery of the New
world which are of almost incalculable
value and which form the most direct
link of the United States with the
valiant sailor who made it possible
for this nation to be. They constitute
unique Literary memorial" to Co.
lumbus and the headliner of them all
is the Columbus Codex which has been
characterized as document of the
highest historical Importance and
which will be better appreciated as
time goes on"
To understand the historical impor-
lance of the Codex Is necessary to re-
view briefly certain facts about the
stormy life Of Columbus, especially
those which brought this document in
to existence.
In 1899, while he was on his third
voyage to America, his enemies at
home in Spain were doing all they
could to bring about his downfall.
They succeeded in turning King Fer
dinand. who from the first had not
been nearly as enthusiastic concern
ing the venture as was his queen. Is
abella, against Columbus. And even
the queen seemed either disinclined to
defend him, or was helpless to do so.
So Columbus, who had returned in
1893 from his first voyage as a ma
tional hero. now came home in irons
and in disgrace. But almost as soon
as he had arrived. Ferdinand and Is
abella experienced change Of heart.
Columbus was Immediately set free
and received an invitation to visit the
king and queen, which he did and was
warmly received. He told the royal
pair of his adventures abroad and re-
ceived commentator.
However, he was not so successful
in gaining restitution and property to
which he was entitled. The best he
was able to do was to secure dec
laration from the throne fixing the ex-
tent and manner of restitution. The
result was disappointing. More COM
plications continued to pile up.
Columbus expected to leave soon on
a fourth voyage. With his privileges,
rights, grants. and even his Spanish
citizenship imperiled, he took steps to
prevent. If possible, their loss. The
result was the Columbus Codex.
On January 8. 1902. he called into
consultation two alcaldes. or city
judges, and several notaries. They
drew up and had transcribed a. state
ment Of the explorers rights. Several
copies were made. these to be deposit
ed where they could be safely pre-
served. Thus Columbus hoped to pro-
tect himself against his enemies.
Thirty-fve documents were included
in this Codex. They were the discov-
erer's charter as an admiral, viceroy
and governor general. his warrant.
granted by Isabella, authorizing him
to equip ships, to share in the expense
and profits of the voyage to India, to
adjudicate and distribute lands, and
letters from various dignitaries ex-
pressing appreciation Of his services.
OF the four copies Of the Codex
made in 1902. three are known to ex-