REMAINS OF COLUMBUS.

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that the duke of Veraguas, lineal successor ofColumbus , had manifested the same solicitude,and had sent directions that the necessary mea-sures should be taken at his expense; and had, atthe same time, expressed a wish that the bones ofthe adelantado, Don Bartholomew Columbus,should likewise be exhumed—transmitting in-scriptions to be put upon the sepulchres of both.He added, that although the king had given noorders on the subject, yet the proposition being soaccordant with the grateful feelings of the Spanish nation, and meeting with the concurrence of allthe authorities of the island, he was ready, on hispart, to carry it into execution.

The commandant-general, Aristizabal, thenmade a similar communication to the archbishopof Cuba , Don Fernando Portillo y Torres, whosemetropolis was then the city of St. Domingo,hoping to receive his countenance and aid in thispious undertaking.

The reply of the archbishop was couched interms of high courtesy towards the gallant com-mander, and deep reverence for the memory ofColumbus , and expressed a zeal in rendering this