CHAPTER III.

PAVILIONS OF FRANCE AND SPAIN.

The Sword of Lafayette — A Reproduction of the Room in the Palace at Versailles in which Franklin was
Received— A Large Number of Contributions from the Duke of Veragua — Letters Patent to
Columbus from Isabella — Commission from the King and Queen — Many Interesting State
Papers.

HE pavilion of France, at the north end of Jackson Park, is
one of the most interesting of the many foreign buildings in
the group. It is not so stately nor so pretentious as some of
its neighbors, but it is never passed by by sightseers. All
around it are floral beauties placed there in May by one of
the young republic's most eminent florists — M . Jules Lemoine.
Upon the opening of the French pavilion, Camille Kranz, the
Commissioner-General of France, Consul Edmund Bruweart,
Morris Monthiers, the Assistant Commissioner-General, and
August Masur, attache, received the guests in the room
which is used as the museum for souvenirs of the American
War of Inaependence now owned in France. The room itself is one of the attrac-
tions of the French pavilion. It is an exact reproduction of the famous salon in
the palace of Versailles where Louis XVI. received Ben Franklin, the special
ambassador from the American colonies, and with him signed the treaty which
secured for the United States the active aid and cooperation of France. Director-
General Davis, President Higinbotham, the various chiefs of departments, nearly
all of the foreign commissioners, the World's Fair Directors and National Commis-
sioners who had remained in the city, members of the Commercial club, and many
society people of Chicago were included in the guests present. Chief among the
treasures in the room is the sword presented by the Colonial Congress to Lafayette
in 1778. It has a hilt of solid gold, beautifully engraved, and a scabbard of the
same with medallions, each one representing some scene of the Revolutionary War
in which Lafayette had been engaged. The Damascene blade, which was in the
sword at the time it was given Lafayette, was ruined by rust while the sword was
buried during the reign of terror in 1793, and the blade which took its place is made
from steel taken from the old Bastile, inlaid with gold, a present from the City of
Paris to Lafayette in recognition of his services during that time. Another sword,
equally handsome, a present from the City of New York to Lafayette on the occa-
sion of his visit to the United States in 1824, occupies a place beside the other.

524

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

Two crystal urns, the first cut glass made in the United States; a large vase, pre-
sented to Lafayette by the midshipmen of the Kearsarge; two rings, each of which
contains locks of hair from the heads of Gen. Washington and Martha Washing-
ton; two pistols left to Lafayette by Washington in his will, epaulets worn by
Lafayette during the war, and the decoration of the order of Cincinnatus given
Lafayette by Washington, are among the other interesting objects in the center
case. There are books, original autograph letters from Washington, Jefferson,
Madison, John Adams and John Quincy Adams, and many other articles of price-
less value.

The Spanish Building which is modeled after the Casa Lonja of Valencia,
shows only parts of
the original building,
the column hall and
the tower having
been reduced in pro-
portion to three-
fourths of the origin-
al, which was erected
before the date of the
discovery of America.
The structure has a
frontage of 84 feet 6
inches. There are
three floors, two of
which are occupied
by the Royal Com-
mission. The space
is distributed in three
naves longitudinally
and five, naves trans-
versely, correspond-
ing to eight pillars in
the center, with
quarters and halves in the lateral walls and corners, forming in all fifteen vaults.
The ornaments represent the church, magistracy, military, and the arts; also the
agricultural, commercial and industrial pursuits of the kingdom. The material is
wood and staff.

The Spanish building was formally opened by Eulalia in June. The Duke
of Veragua contributed the following, most of which may be seen in the Spanish
Building:

i. The commission of Columbus. The original commission given to Col-
umbus by Ferdinand and Isabella upon his departure for the first voyage, dated
Granada, April 30, 1492, appointing him Grand Admiral of. the ocean seas, Vice-
King and Governor-General of all the lands that he should discover.

FRENCH BUILDING.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

525

2. Royal letters patent from the sovereigns of Spain granting licenses to
the persons accompanying Columbus on his first voyage. Dated Grenada, April
30, 1492.

3. Royal letters patent from the sovereign of Spain commanding the inhab-
kants of Palos to furnish Christopher Columbus with two caravels for his first voyage.
Dated Granada, April 30, 1492.

4. Royal letters patent from the sovereigns of Spain commanding the inhab-
itants of Palos to furnish Christopher Columbus everything necessary to equip the
caravels for his first voyage. Dated Granada, April 30, 1492.

5. Royal letters patent from the. sovereigns of Spain exempting from taxes
supplies needed for the fleet of Columbus on his first voyage. Dated April 30, 1492-

6. Royal letters pat-
ent from the sovereigns
of Spain ordering that
Christopher Columbus
may take without
charge anything needed
for his first voyage.
Dated May 15, 1492.

7. Royal letters pat-
ent from the sovereigns
of Spain granting
power to Christopher
Columbus to seal and
deliver stores of provis-
ions in their names.
Dated May 15, 1492.

8. Royal letters pat-
ent from the sovereigns
of Spain commanding
that Christopher Col-
umbus be allowed to pass freely through ports, cities, towns and villages. Dated
Barcelona, May 20, 1492.

9. Certificate of Roderigo Perez, notary public in the City of Isabella, Santo
Domingo, Dec. 16, 1495, concerning the contract made by the sovereigns of Spain
with Christopher Columbus in the Town of Santa Fe de las Vegas, de Granada,
April 17, 1492.

10. Royal letters patent from the sovereigns of Spain authorizing 300 persons
to be taken by Columbus on his second voyage. Dated Burgos, April 23, 1493.

11. Royal letters patent from the sovereigns of Spain commanding Columbus
to prepare a fleet for his second vovage. Dated May 23, 1493.

12. Royal letters patent from the sovereigns of Spain commanding captains
and masters of vessels to recognize Admiral Christopher Columbus as Captain-
General, and to obey him in every particular. Dated Barcelona, May 28, 1493.

SPANISH BUILDING.

526 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

13. Royal letters patent from the sovereigns of Spain authorizing Chris-
topner Columbus to appoint three persons for the offices of government in the
lands he should discover. Dated Barcelona, May 28, 1493.

14. Instructions for his second voyage given to Columbus by Ferdinand and
Isabella, May 29, 1493.

15. Original memoranda written by Christopher Columbus to the sovereigns
of Spain concerning the money required for the compensation and subsistence for
six months of the 300 people who were to accompany him on his second voyage.

16. Bull of Pope Alexander VI granting to the sovereigns of Spain all lands
.discovered by Christopher Columbus. Dated at Rome, May 4, 1493.

17. Letter from the sovereigns of Spain to Columbus assuring him of the
peaceful intentions of the King of Portugal. Dated June 12, 1493.

1 8. Letter from Queen Isabella to Columbus recommending Juan Aguado
to a good position in his fleet. Dated June 30, 1493.

19. Letter from the sovereigns of Spain to Christopher Columbus recom-
mending the appointment of Sebastian de Olano as Collector in Indies. Dated
August 4, 1493.

20. Letter from the sovereigns to Christopher Columbus urging him to
hasten his departure to the Indies, Aug 18, 1493.

21. Letter from Queen Isabella to Columbus inclosing a copy of a book he
nad left with her, asking him to send her a certain sailing chart, and urging him
not to delay his departure. Dated Sept. 5, 1493.

22. Letter from the sovereigns of Spain to Christopher Columbus asking
his opinion in regard to a certain document which had been prepared in reply to
the King of Portugal. Dated Barcelona, Sept. 5, 1493.

23. Letter from the sovereigns of Spain to Christopher Columbus concern-
ing certain expeditions of the King of Portugal and informing him that the book
which he had left with them would be forwarded to him by Don Juan de Fonseca,
June i, 1493-

24. Royal letters patent from the sovereigns of Spain directing Christopher
Columbus to return to the Indies. Dated Modina del Campo, June 22, 1493.

25. Decree of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella granting to Columbus an
annuity of 10,000 maradevis, to be paid from the tax upon the butcher shops of
Cordova during his lifetime. Dated at Valladolid, Nov. 18, 1493.

26. Books which contain certified copies of royal letters patent from the
sovereigns of Spain granting to Christopher Columbus all the rights, titles, dignities
and regalias enjoyed by the Admirals of Castile. Copies of royal letters patent in
towns established in Santo Domingo. Contracts of Columbus with the sovereigns
of Spain.

27. Instructions from the sovereigns of Spain to Columbus concerning his
second voyage, dated Barcelona, March 30 and September 15, 1493; Medina del
Campo, April 19, 1494; and Sergovia, Aug. 16, 1494.

28. Letter from the sovereigns of Spain to Christopher Columbus acknowl-
edging with great gratification the receipt of letters by the hands of Antonio de

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR. 527

Torres, and requesting him to send Bernal Diaz de Pisa, accountant of the expedi-
tion, to Spain. Dated Medina del Campo, April 13, 1494.

29. Letter from the sovereigns of Spain to Christopher Columbus, dated
Sergovia, August 15, 1494, asking certain information and informing him of an
agreement with the Kingdom of Portugal.

30. Decree of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella granting a coat of arms
to Columbus. Dated June, 1494.

31. Letter from the sovereigns of Spain to Christopher Columbus congratu-
lating him upon his return from his second voyage and requesting him to report to
the court at once. Dated July 12, 1496.

32. Commission as Adelantado Mayor granted to Christopher Columbus by
the sovereigns of Spain. Dated at Medina del Campo, July 22, 1497.

33. Letter from the sovereigns of Spain to Christopher Columbus about
gold, pearls and other treasure obtained in the Indies. Dated March 30, 1497.

34. Will of Christopher Columbus conferring the right of succession upon
his son, Diego. Dated Feb. 22, 1498.

35. Memorandum submitted by Christopher Columbus to the Council of
the Indies concerning his arrest and imprisonment, and declaring his innocence of
the charges made against him.

36. Letter from the sovereigns of Spain to Christopher Columbus containing
instructions concerning his fourth voyage. Dated Valencia de la Torro, March 19, 1502.

37. Letter from Christopher Columbus to his Holiness the Pope of Rome.
February, 1502.

38. Letters of Christopher Columbus to his son, Diego, dated Nov. 21, 1504;
Nov. 28, 1504; Dec., 1504; Dec. 3, 1504; Dec. 13, 1504; Dec. 21, 1504; Dec. 29, 1504;
Jan. 8, 1505; Feb. 25, 1505; Dec. 5, 1505. Memorial of Christopher Columbus to the
sovereigns of Spain in behalf of his son Diego.

39. Letters from Christopher Columbus to. the Rev. Father Don Caspar
Gorricio de las Cuevas, dated April 4, 1502; Sept. 4, 1505; July 7, 1503; Jan. 4, 1505.

40. Letter from King Ferdinand V. to Diego Columbus, dated Naples,
Nov. 26, 1506.

41. Commission as Adelantado Mayor of the Indies. Granted by the sov-
ereigns of Spain to Diego Columbus. Dated Valladolid, June 16, 1515.

42. Authenticated copy of the will of Diego Hernandes, who accompanied
Christopher Columbus on several voyages. Dated 1536. This will was important evi-
dence to sustain the claims made by the family of Columbus upon the crown of Spain.

43. Commission as Admiral of the Indies. Granted to Don Luis, the grand-
son of Christopher Columbus. Dated May 24, 1536.

44. Letter from the King of Portugal to Christopher Columbus. Dated
Avis, May 29, 1488.

45. Ordinances issued by sovereigns of Spain to Christopher Columbus and
the Court of Santo Domingo for the clearance of certain materials, 1497.

All of these documents are either written by Columbus himself or signed by
Ferdinand and Isabella.

COMMISSIONERS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

1. PROF. VCLKS I. SHOPOFF,

Bulgaria.
4. DR. FRANCISCO BUSTAMANTE,

Venezuela.
7. WM. E. ROTHERY,

Liberia.
10. T. PAREDES,

Columbia.
K. J. S. LARKE.

Canada.

2. L. WEINER,

Cape Colony.
5. E. SPENCER PRATT,

Persia.
8. COL. M. N. ARIZAGA,

Ecuador.
11. SR. D. MANCEL M. DE PERALTA,

Costa Rica.
14. ARNOLD HOLLINGER.

S'i'itzerlatid.

3. PHRA. SURITA NcvATa,

Siam,
6. GEORGE BIRKOFF.

Netherlands.
9. MILTON O. HIGGINS,

Curacao.
12. DR. EMIL HASSLER,

Paraguay

15. SIGNOR V. ZEGGIO,
Italy.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR. 529