The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-09-26

tOric scene in a painting deserves a
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 a 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
a unique literary memorial to Co
lumbuS and the headliner of them all
is the Columbus COdex which has been
characterized as a 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 vas 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 a 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 a dec
laration from the throne fixing the ex-
tent and manner of restitution. The
result was disappointing. More COM
plicatioDs Continued to pile I'D.
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 5, 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 i'm 1902, three are known to eX-
list today, including the one in the pos
session of this country. One went TO
the republic of Genoa. Today it is
highly treasured by the municipality,
being contained in bronze bust of
Columbus in the municipal palace.
The other copy was misplaced after
1910. But in 1880 it turned up in
Paris. 1t is believed to have found
it's way there when Napoleon ordered
all archives deposited in the French
capital in 1909, and documents we're
sent from all parts of Europe. Res
titution was later made, but the Codex
apparently was overlooked. 1t is in
Paris today.
The fourth copy, which is unac-
counted for. was on paper rather than
parchment. 1t went to Don Alonzo
Sanchez de Carvajal, who soon after
left for Hispaniola. The documents
disappeared and may have been de-
stroyed, for they have never yet been
brought to light.
The story Of how America came into
possession of its copy of the Codex is
romantic one. In 1918 Edward
Everett, the gifted New England or
ator, was rummaging through an old
book shop in Florence, Italy, when he