56 CONCEPTIONS OF COLUMBUS 



that he had reached Asia. Since then, however, 

 many scholars have adopted the view that it had 

 dawned upon Columbus, before his death, that he 

 had discovered a new world distinct from the India 

 and. Cathay which had been the original object of 

 his search. 



The present discussion upholds the earlier con- 

 clusion and examines in detail the arguments ad- 

 vanced against it by Harrisse and Thacher, taken 

 as representative of the later view. 



The Basis for a New Investigation 



Columbian scholars have devoted themselves 

 almost exclusively to a study of the documentary 

 materials on Columbus. Little attention has been 

 given to the cartographical evidence, aside from the 

 reconstructions of the so-called Toscanelli chart. 

 But in the writings of Columbus there are so many 

 references to his geographical beliefs that a study 

 based on cartography may assist in determining 

 whether Columbus did or did not believe that he had 

 reached eastern Asia while on the coast of Veragua 

 (Panama). 



Footnote 2, continued 



, Filson Young: Christopher Columbus and the New World of His 

 Discovery, 2 vols., Philadelphia, 1906; reference in Vol. 2, pp. 164 and 

 169. 



E. L. Stevenson: Marine World Chart of Nicolo de Canerio Januensis, 

 1502 (circa): A Critical Study, With Facsimile (text, 1908; facsimile in 

 portfolio, 1907), Amer. Geogr. Soc. and Hispanic Soc. of America, New 

 York; reference in text, pp. 29-30. 



