THE FOUR VOYAGES OF THE STATUE OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

The Empress of France, Eugenia de Montijo, decided to send a gift to the Isthmian people, through her friend the former President of Colombia, General Cipriano Mosquera, of a full-sized statue of Admiral Christopher Columbus, discoverer of America.

To the effect, a beautiful monument was cast in bronze, depicting the Great Admiral, his extended right hand pointing toward the ocean; his other hand surrounding the waist of a young and beautiful Indian woman, who symbolized America.

The statue was shipped from Europe in early April 1870, (first voyage), accompanied by the special envoy of the Empress, Navy Captain E. Ferres, to make formal presentation of the gift. He arrived on the 29th of that month on the vessel, L'Emperatrice Eugenie.

On June 7, 1870, the Congress of Colombia issued a decree establishing the site for the monument, which would be the yard of the Panama Railroad. An elaborate ceremony was held on May 1, 1870, to which invitations were issued to the consular corps and distinguished personalities on the Isthmus to attend the inauguration of the monument.

Before a large audience in the yard of the Panama Railroad, the special envoy of the Empress read a speech. He stated: "allow me sir, before closing, to convey my satisfaction in having been charged with a mission that is as pleasant as it is honorable, inasmuch as it allows me to get to know this city, which though young is already renown, as are its inhabitants and worthy leading officials."

General Buenaventura Correoso spoke then, as follows: "It is not surprising that the Empress of France has seen fit to present Colombia with the worthiest monument of which the New World can boast. Because of her noble sentiments and inspired by the purest feelings, she has wanted to bring to these shores the recognition and gratitude that her countless acts of benevolence have engendered throughout that old and civilized world."

He ended his eloquent discourse by stating, "Finally, Sir, convey to your virtuous Sovereign that I express gratitude on behalf of my government. This monument dedicated to the memory of Columbus will be a shrine at which we shall all plead for her happiness and the good name of France."

For the next ten years, the discoverer of the new continent and the aborigine were left quietly observing the goings and comings of trains and passengers marking important events in the political and trade history of the Panamanian isthmus.

The Compagnie Universel du Canal Interoceanique had arrived on the Isthmus to take charge of the building of the Canal. In a visit to Colon in December 1879, Count de Lesseps found that the statue was in a deplorable condition and requested permission to take it to the entrance of a new townsite, which would later be called Cristobal. There, it was placed in front of the residence of Count de Lesseps during his very short stay in that city. (Second voyage).

In June 1904 an agreement was reached to set boundaries between the Canal Zone and the Republic of Panama, within the framework of the Hay-Buneau Varilla treaty. The Columbus statue, now located in the area of Cristobal was now under U. S. jurisdiction.

Because of this purely geographical accident, as of that moment, Panamanian officials began a protracted process of diplomatic negotiations to bring the statue onto Panamanian territory. But the Panama Canal Commission, backed by the Department of State in Washington, argued that included within those boundaries were all assets found there (for example, the statue), while Panama held a completely opposite view to that position.

Inasmuch as the diplomatic conflict was at an impasse and time was going by, the U. S. government suggested to place it on the dividing boundary line, in an effort to reach an amicable solution. Panama, however, did not accept this proposal.

The statue remained in the townsite of Cristobal until 1916 when the Government of Panama agreed to place it provisionally in the courtyard of the Washington Hotel, (third voyage). For many years it graced the architectural beauty of the famous hotel.

The arrival in Panama of Roy Tasco Davis as Minister of the United States to our country marked an important event in this struggle. The distinguished diplomat took special interest in ending the controversy. After various arrangements in Washington, he forwarded a note on May 31, 1930, to the Foreign Relations Secretary of Panama, Dr. Juan Demóstenes Arosemena. This note stated, "as it certainly seems that this statue is the property of Panama, the Government of the United States agrees to the immediate removal from its present site and relocation to any place that is satisfactory to the Government of His Excellency."

Once this situation was satisfactorily ended, it was decided to move the statue (fourth voyage) to a section of the Paseo Centenario between 2nd and 3rd streets in the city of Colon. It was placed on a beautiful base designed by Engineer Genaro Ruggieri, well known in Panama for having built many important works (the National Theater, the Government Palace, the Municipal Palace, etc.)

It was officially inaugurated on December 21, 1930, with the attendance of a distinguished audience that accompanied the President of the Republic, Engineer Florencio Harmodio Arosemena; Mr. Carlos M. Guevara, President of the National Assembly; and Dr. Manuel Herrera G., President of the Supreme Court of Justice to unveil the beautiful work of art, by pulling simultaneously on three cords.

Columbus, head lifted, pointing to the sea, overcame all obstacles and as a result of his goodwill his first voyage was rewarded with success, which he claimed for Castilla and León.

Nothing was more fitting than this beautiful statue of the Discoverer, a recognition from Empress Eugenie.

Equally fitting was the decision of the Government of Colombia at that time to give the name of this Genovese to the city that would be the custodian of such an important gift.

Curiously, Admiral Columbus made four voyages to the New World, and his statue was moved an equal number of times.

It seemed that finally, the Juan Demóstenes Arosemena Boulevard (formerly Paseo Centenario) would be the end of such a long pilgrimage, inasmuch as the statue has not been moved from there for over 62 years now.