O'Gorman Columbian manuscript facts for kids
The O'Gorman Columbian manuscript is a super important historical paper. It was written and signed by the famous explorer Christopher Columbus. He signed it in the city of Cadiz, Spain, on February 20, 1493. This special document is named after the Mexican historian Edmundo O'Gorman, who discovered it.
The Story Behind This Document
According to Edmundo O'Gorman, Christopher Columbus wrote and signed this manuscript. He did this while sailing back to Spain. This was right after his very first trip to the Americas.
The document was signed in Cadiz on February 20, 1493. It has Columbus's special signature: Xro. FERENS. This signature is interesting because the letters are arranged in a unique way over four lines. People have discussed this signature a lot!
In 1978, experts confirmed that the document was real. This manuscript talks about the new lands Columbus had just found. Back then, these lands were often called the East Indies.
What Does the Document Say?
In this important paper, Columbus shares his ideas. He explains how ships and trade should work between La Isla Española (which is now Santo Domingo and Haiti) and the other islands Spain had discovered.
The manuscript also includes rules for finding gold. It explains how the gold should be shared. The gold was to be divided among the Crown (meaning the King and Queen of Spain), the colonists (people who settled there), and the admiral (which was Columbus himself).
This document is very valuable. It is rare and holds great historical importance. It is one of the first records of European civilization meeting the lands of the New World.
