Part 19 (2/2)
COLUMBUS AT SALAMANCA.
Columbus appeared in a most unfavorable light before a select a.s.sembly--an obscure navigator, a member of no learned inst.i.tution, dest.i.tute of all the trappings and circ.u.mstances which sometimes give oracular authority to dullness, and depending on the mere force of natural genius.
Some of the junta entertained the popular notion that he was an adventurer, or at best a visionary; and others had that morbid impatience which any innovation upon established doctrine is apt to produce in systematic minds. What a striking spectacle must the hall of the old convent have presented at this memorable conference! A simple mariner standing forth in the midst of an imposing array of professors, friars, and dignitaries of the Church, maintaining his theory with natural eloquence, and, as it were, pleading the cause of the New World.--_Ibid._
A MEMORIAL TO COLUMBUS AT OLD ISABELLA.
From the _Sacred Heart Review_ of Boston, Ma.s.s.
Early in September, 1891, the proposition of erecting a monument to Columbus on the site of his first settlement in the New World, at Old Isabella, in Santo Domingo, was first broached to the _Sacred Heart Review_ of Boston by Mr. Thomas H. c.u.mmings of that city. As the first house built by Columbus in the settlement was a church, it was suggested that such a monument would indeed fitly commemorate the starting-point and rise of Christian civilization in America. The _Review_ entered heartily into the project, and steps were at once taken to secure a suitable plot of ground for the site of the monument. Plans were also drawn of a monument whose estimated cost would be from $3,000 to $5,000.
A design which included a granite plinth and ball three feet in diameter, surmounting a pyramid of coral and limestone twenty feet high,[41] was transmitted, through the Dominican consul-general at New York to the Dominican government in Santo Domingo. Accompanying this plan was a pet.i.tion, of which the following is a copy, setting forth the purpose of the _Review_, and asking certain concessions in return:
”BOSTON, Ma.s.s., October 7, 1891.
”HON. FCO. LEONTE VAZQUES, _Dominican Consul-general_, ”_New York City_.
”SIR: The _Sacred Heart Review_ of Boston is anxious to mark the spot with a suitable monument where Christian civilization took its rise in the New World, commonly known as Ancienne Isabelle, on the Island of Santo Domingo. We therefore beg the favor of your good offices with the Dominican government for the following concessions:
”_First._ Free entrance of party and material for monument at ports of Puerto Plata or Monte Christi, and right of transportation for same to Isabella free of all coast expense and duties.
”_Second._ Grant of suitable plot, not to contain more than 100 100 square yards, the present owner, Mr. C. S. Pa.s.sailique of New York having already signified his willingness to concede same to us, so far as his rights under the Dominican government allowed him to do so.
”_Third._ The right of perpetual care of monument, with access to and permission to care for same at all times.
”_Fourth._ Would the government grant official protection to same; i. e., allow its representatives to aid and protect in every reasonable way the success of the enterprise, and when built guard same as public property, without a.s.suming any legal liability therefor?
”Finally, in case that we find a vessel sailing to one of said ports above named willing to take the monument to Isabella, would government concede this favor--allowing vessel to make coast service free of governmental duties?”
”In exchange for above concessions on the part of the Dominican government, the undersigned hereby agree to erect, at their expense, and free of all charge to said government, a granite monument, according to plan herewith inclosed; estimated cost to be from $3,000 to $5,000.
”Awaiting the favor of an early reply, and begging you to accept the a.s.surance of our highest respect and esteem, we have the honor to be,
”Very respectfully yours,
”Rev. JOHN O'BRIEN and others in behalf of the Sacred Heart Review Monument Committee.”
In reply to the above pet.i.tion was received an official doc.u.ment, in Spanish, of which the following is a literal translation:
”ULISES HEUREAUX, _Division General-in-Chief of the National Army, Pacificator of the Nation, and Const.i.tutional President of the Republic_:
”In view of the pet.i.tion presented to the government by the directors of the _Sacred Heart Review_ of Boston, United States of America, dated October 7, 1891, and considering that the object of the pet.i.tioners is to commemorate a historical fact of great importance, viz.: the establishment of the Christian religion in the New World by the erection of its first temple--an event so closely identified with Santo Domingo, and by its nature and results eminently American, indeed world-wide, in its scope--therefore the point of departure for Christian civilization in the western hemisphere, whose princ.i.p.al products were apostles like Cordoba, Las Casas, and others, defending energetically and resolutely the rights of the oppressed inhabitants of America, and themselves the real founders of modern democracy, be it
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