Amerigo VespucciOber, Frederick A. (Frederick Albion)
History
Amerigo Vespucci
Ober, Frederick A. (Frederick Albion)
Vespucci, Amerigo, 1451-1512
Even Humboldt, however, did not secure all the evidence available, but
by the discovery of valuable documents the missing links in the chain
were supplied: by Varnhagen, Vespucci's ardent eulogist, by Harrisse,
and finally by Fiske. The last-named truthfully says: "No competent
scholar anywhere will now be found to dissent from the emphatic
statement of M. Harrisse--'After a diligent study of all the original
documents, we feel constrained to say that there is not a particle of
evidence, direct or indirect, implicating Amerigo Vespucci in an
attempt to foist his name on this continent.'" And moreover, "no shade
of doubt is left upon the integrity of Vespucci. So truth is strong,
and prevails at last."
This is the conclusion arrived at by the impartial historian, who,
without disparaging the deeds of Columbus, without detracting in any
manner from his great discoveries, has restored Amerigo Vespucci to
the niche in which he was placed by the German geographers four
hundred years ago, and from which he was torn by injudicious
iconoclasts, fearful for the fame of Spain's great Admiral.
It is enough for Columbus to have discovered America; it was far more
than Amerigo Vespucci deserved to have this discovery given his name,
by which it will be known forever; but this honor, though unmerited,
was at the same time unsought.
FOOTNOTES:
[15] For an excellent article on Saint-Die and the naming of America,
see _Harper's Magazine_, vol. lxxxiv., p. 909 (1892).
INDEX
Aborigines, described by Vespucci, 84-95;
seen in Vespucci's third voyage, 180-183.
Aguado, Juan, 151.
Amaraca, aboriginal name of province in South America, 137.
Amaraca-pan, the land of Amaraca, 137.
Amazon River discovered by Pinzon, 105.
America, may have been derived from _Amaraca_, 137;
when bestowed upon western continents, 200;
derivation of name, 238;
first applied to continents in 1507, 243, 244.
Antilla, island of, 26.
Arno, valley of the, 1.
Bahia Honda, reference to, 159.
Bastidas, Rodrigo de, reference to, 130;
expedition of, 155.
Berardi, trading-house of, 49, 76;
estate of Juan, 80.
Book, the first printed in America, 32.
Cabral, Pedro Alvarez, coasts South America, 167.
Cannibals, giants, and pearls, chap. ix.
Canopi seen by Vespucci, 189.
Canovai eulogizes Vespucci, 210, 211.
Carabi, aboriginal word, 96.
Caravans of the desert, 47.
Carib Indians described, 99.
Cathay, kingdom of, 26, 29, 36, 39, 46, 50.
Cerezo, Maria, married to Vespucci, 168, 235;
dependent upon pension, 237.
Chambalu, or Peking, 38, 46, 49, 50.
Cibao, Indian word of Haiti, 28.
Cipango, island of, 26, 28, 30, 42, 44, 50.
Coelho, Goncalo, reference to, 202.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account