68

TRANSPORTATION OF THE

tribute of gratitude and respect to the remains ofone who had done so much for the glory of thenation.

The persons empowered to act for the duke ofVeraguas, the venerable dean and chapter of thecathedral, and all the other persons and authoritiesto whom Don Gabriel de Aristizabal made similarcommunications, manifested the same eagerness toassist in the performance of this solemn andaffecting rite.

The worthy commander, Aristizabal, havingtaken all these preparatory steps with great formand punctilio, so as that the ceremony should beperformed in a public and striking manner, suitableto the fame of Columbus , the whole was carriedinto effect with becoming pomp and solemnity.

On the 20th of December, 179-5, the most dis-tinguished persons of the place, the dignitariesof the church, and civil and military officers,assembled in the metropolitan cathedral. Inthe presence of this august assemblage a smallvault was opened above the chancel, in the prin-cipal wall on the right side of the high altar:within were found the fragments of a leaden coffin,