66
TRANSPORTATION OF THE
hero to the island of Cuba , which had likewise beendiscovered by him, and where he had first plantedthe standard of the cross. He expressed a desirethat this should be done officially, and with greatcare and formality, that it might not remain in thepower of any one, by carelessness or negligence, tolose a relique connected with an event which formedthe most glorious epoch of Spanish history; and thatit might be manifested to all nations that Spaniards,notwithstanding the lapse of ages, never ceased topay all honours to the memory of that “ worthyand adventurous general of the seasnor aban-doned them when the various public bodies re-presenting the Spanish dominion emigrated fromthe island. As he had not time, without greatinconvenience, to consult the sovereign on thissubject, he had recourse to the governor, as royalvice-patron of the island, hoping that his solicita-tion might be granted, and the remains of theadmiral exhumed, and conveyed to the island ofCuba , in the ship San Lorenzo.
The generous wishes of this high-mindedSpaniard met with warm concurrence on the partof the governor. He informed him, in reply,