Columbus Day October 12 (2)

In Portugal, where he had married Philippa Moniz or Muniz, who is said to have been a daughter of Bartholome Perestrello, the first governor of Porto Santo, in the Madeiras, and a prominent figure in the history of Portuguese expansion, Columbus secured the ear of the King, who showed much interest in his plan. The would be discoverer, however , demanded so large a share of the prospective benefits that the King, who would have had to stand all the financial risk and the burden of popular disappointment in case of failure, was unable to make terms with him. As no compromise could be arranged, the King was persuaded by his courtiers to test the plan of Columbus by sending a vessel to see if the Atlantic offered any insuperable difficulty to the proposed voyage. An adventurer from Madeira, Fernam Dominguez do Areo, had petitioned the King for a grant of the lordship over an island in the west which persistent rumor declared could be seen from the Azores at certain seasons. Dominguez do Arco was therefore sent off to search for his island, and when he returned unsuccessful, with terrifying tales of the dangers of the great ocean, the King was convinced that the scheme of Columbus was chimerical. Columbus felt that an attempt had been made to cheat him of his great idea, and so he hastily went to Spain, in the winter of 1484-85, leaving his wife and young children behind.
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During the next five years columbus was in constant attendance about the Spanish Court, practicing his profession of cartographer and seeking to gain the royal interest in his plans. During 1486 and 1487 he succeeded so far as to have two important councils held, at Salamanca and at Granada, at which his propositions were discussed by the principal ecclesiastical and political dignitaries. The consensus of opinion was strongly against him, and Columbus, thoroughly discouraged, reopened negotiations with Portugal, which he revisited in 1488, being present at the return of Dias from the Cape of Good Hope. It is supposed that his wife had died before this time, for his son Ferdinand, by Beatriz Henriquez, was born at Cordova in August, just before his visit to Portugal.
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Realizing the hopelessness of securing assistance in Portugal, Columbus induced his brother Bartholomew to go to England to lay his plans before King Henry VII, while he himself determined to try his fortune in France. The famous story is well authenticated which tells how he started off afoot with his little son Diego and stopped at the convent of La Rabida to ask for food. The prior, Juan Perez de Marchena, entered into conversation with the stranger, grew interested in him, called in a neighbor who was learned in maritime affairs, and eventually became convinced that Spain ought to benefit by the idea with which Columbus had become possessed. A messenger was sent off to the Court, Queen Isabella's interest was aroused. As soon as the royal support was granted, preparatiions for the voyage were hurried forward. The Pinzon brothers, merchant sailors of Palos, furnished the money for the share in the expense which Columbus had undertaken to provide, and the royal contribution of Queen Isabella was advanced by the Treasurer, Santangel, from his private resources.

On August 3, 1492, everything was ready and Columbus, on the carack Santa Maria, accompanied by the caravels Nina and Pinta, sailed from Palos. A short stop was made at the Canaries and then a course was steered due westward. On October 8th, on the advice of Pinzon, who was captain of the Pinta, the course was changed to the southwest, and on the 12th Columbus set foot in the New World.

Source of Transcribed Information: From my collection of books: The New International Encyclopedia, Dodd, Mead and Company 1905
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To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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