Columbus Christopher 1451-1506
Few men have led a life of such wild and glorious adventure as the subject of this brief memoir; and none have exceeded him in the exhibition of those manly virtues which command the admiration of the world, — energy, perseverance, patience, and the power of endurance. Of obscure parentage, without money or influential friends, he compelled wealth to be his servant, and kings to do homage to his genius. Obstacles hopelessly insurmountable to others, only stimulated his energy, and he perceived the guaranty of success when all around him saw only despair. „With an unfaltering faith and indomitable will, he fulfilled the prophecy of his soul, and wreathed his brow with laurels which will only grow fresher and greener as time advances.
Christopher Columbus was born at Genoa, as is generally conceded, about A. D. 1435-36. But little is known of his early life, save that he was remarkable for his love of such studies as peculiarly fitted him for a maritime life, and those great adventures of which Providence made him the principal agent and moving spirit.
He commenced his maritime career while yet a mere youth, his first voyage being a naval expedition fitted out at Genoa in 1459, by John of Anjou, Duke of Calabria, the object of which was to recover the kinojdom of Naples for his father, Rene, Count de Provence.
For many years after this, the traces of his career are faint, although it is evident that his life passed in a succession of naval or other maritime pursuits. His sagacious mind led him to believe that other lands lay far oflf towards the setting sun, and he resolved to convince the world that his views were correct. Poor and friendless as he was, he conceived the bold idea which led to the discovery of the Western Continent. Full of this purpose, he sought the aid of powerful courts, first applying to the throne of Portugal, and then to that of Spain. But here he was destined to encounter the fiercest opposition, and it was not until after many years of struggle and disappointment that he succeeded in securing the patronage of Ferdinand and Isabella, who fitted him out with a squadron of three small vessels, carrying in all one hundred and twenty persons, among whom were various private adventurers. With this little fleet, and full of hope and the solemn purpose he had so long and ardently cherished, he set sail from Huelva on the 3d of August, 1492.
After a long and perilous voyage, in which the terrors of the Atlantic were among the smallest difficulties he had to encounter, — his officers, crews, and passengers in almost constant fear and mutiny, — his heart was made glad, and the fears of all dissipated, by the joyous cry of „Land! ho!” on the morning of the 12th of October, 1492.
Columbus speedily landed, and took solemn possession in the name of their Catholic majesties, amidst a wondering crowd of naked savages, who received him with simple sincerity, little dreaming of the strange and sad results which were to grow out of the pageant that filled their dazzled eyes.
After refreshing and resting his worn-out band, he cruised among the islands (to which he gave the general name of West Indies) for several months, and then, on the 4th of January, set sail on his return to Spain. His return was hailed as a triumph. and he was treated with all the pomp and ceremony of a mighty conqueror.
He soon sailed, with a larger and better provisioned argosy, to the New World, bearing the titles, prerogatives, and honors of admiral, viceroy, and governor of all the countries he had discovered or might discover, and with unlimited powers to make and administer laws, form governments, erect cities, &c. He reached the place of his destination after a pleasant voyage, and immediately began to carry into execution the plans he had so long and so fondly cherished. But the star of Columbus had passed its zenith. He had talcen with him the seeds of faction, which speedily germinated and ripened into bitter fruit. Intrigues at court, and treachery in his own quarters, made his lot one of continual strife and discomfort, and he at length returned to Spain rather as a prisoner to answer for misdemeanors than as a conqueror to reap new honors.
Still again do we find him making a voyage to the New World, only to be received suspiciously and treated with contumely; and, after a futile effort to regain his wonted sway, he again sought redress at the foot of the throne. But alas I his guardian angel, the gentle Isabella, „had gone into glory,“ and Ferdinand was guilty of the meanest duplicity and most accursed ingratitude. Still professing friendship for the great man who had given him a continent, he put him off, day after day, with false promises and cruel evasions, until the old mariner, disgusted and broken-hearted, found a refuge in the grave, and carried up his cause to the court of heaven.
Christopher Columbus was born at Genoa, as is generally conceded, about A. D. 1435-36. But little is known of his early life, save that he was remarkable for his love of such studies as peculiarly fitted him for a maritime life, and those great adventures of which Providence made him the principal agent and moving spirit.
He commenced his maritime career while yet a mere youth, his first voyage being a naval expedition fitted out at Genoa in 1459, by John of Anjou, Duke of Calabria, the object of which was to recover the kinojdom of Naples for his father, Rene, Count de Provence.
For many years after this, the traces of his career are faint, although it is evident that his life passed in a succession of naval or other maritime pursuits. His sagacious mind led him to believe that other lands lay far oflf towards the setting sun, and he resolved to convince the world that his views were correct. Poor and friendless as he was, he conceived the bold idea which led to the discovery of the Western Continent. Full of this purpose, he sought the aid of powerful courts, first applying to the throne of Portugal, and then to that of Spain. But here he was destined to encounter the fiercest opposition, and it was not until after many years of struggle and disappointment that he succeeded in securing the patronage of Ferdinand and Isabella, who fitted him out with a squadron of three small vessels, carrying in all one hundred and twenty persons, among whom were various private adventurers. With this little fleet, and full of hope and the solemn purpose he had so long and ardently cherished, he set sail from Huelva on the 3d of August, 1492.
After a long and perilous voyage, in which the terrors of the Atlantic were among the smallest difficulties he had to encounter, — his officers, crews, and passengers in almost constant fear and mutiny, — his heart was made glad, and the fears of all dissipated, by the joyous cry of „Land! ho!” on the morning of the 12th of October, 1492.
Columbus speedily landed, and took solemn possession in the name of their Catholic majesties, amidst a wondering crowd of naked savages, who received him with simple sincerity, little dreaming of the strange and sad results which were to grow out of the pageant that filled their dazzled eyes.
After refreshing and resting his worn-out band, he cruised among the islands (to which he gave the general name of West Indies) for several months, and then, on the 4th of January, set sail on his return to Spain. His return was hailed as a triumph. and he was treated with all the pomp and ceremony of a mighty conqueror.
He soon sailed, with a larger and better provisioned argosy, to the New World, bearing the titles, prerogatives, and honors of admiral, viceroy, and governor of all the countries he had discovered or might discover, and with unlimited powers to make and administer laws, form governments, erect cities, &c. He reached the place of his destination after a pleasant voyage, and immediately began to carry into execution the plans he had so long and so fondly cherished. But the star of Columbus had passed its zenith. He had talcen with him the seeds of faction, which speedily germinated and ripened into bitter fruit. Intrigues at court, and treachery in his own quarters, made his lot one of continual strife and discomfort, and he at length returned to Spain rather as a prisoner to answer for misdemeanors than as a conqueror to reap new honors.
Still again do we find him making a voyage to the New World, only to be received suspiciously and treated with contumely; and, after a futile effort to regain his wonted sway, he again sought redress at the foot of the throne. But alas I his guardian angel, the gentle Isabella, „had gone into glory,“ and Ferdinand was guilty of the meanest duplicity and most accursed ingratitude. Still professing friendship for the great man who had given him a continent, he put him off, day after day, with false promises and cruel evasions, until the old mariner, disgusted and broken-hearted, found a refuge in the grave, and carried up his cause to the court of heaven.
Dieses Kapitel ist Teil des Buches THE AMERICAN PORTRAIT GALLERY - FROM CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME.