Discoveries and pioneers of America

Front matter

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

V

HLDSON- AND THE INDIAN CHIEFS.

Preface

The planet that heralds the sunrise, may be a volcanic waste, like the moon, or scathed with the fires of sin, like the earth ; and so the morning stars of heroism, that guided and illumined the first advances of a noon-day civilization to this Western World, were not all as cultivated and pure as those followers of the one " bright and morning Star," who colonized the shores of Plymouth and the banks of the Delaware. Whoever was illustrious, for any reason, in the early history of America, may be included in the number ; and some of the most promiment of these, particularly they who may represent different portions of North America, have been selected as subjects of the following sketches. A number of characters, deserving an equal place with some of those now chosen, were omitted for want of room.

Tlie author trusts that the bringing of them together in one volume, is a plan that offers the novel interest of a close comparison of each character with the others, and one that has been carried out with all the fidelity which an examina-

VI PREFACE.

tion of Colonial chronicles in the libraries of New- York, can ensure. Some of the sketches, such as those of Lady Arabella Johnson and Miles Standish, claim to be more complete than any existing ones — at least, of like brevity.

To reproduce the scenes and present the scenery of distant times and places, so as to make them realities to the reader, recourse has been had to several elaborate works on geograr phy, science and costume, and books of modern travel. A simple regard to truth, and not an indulgence in fancy and exaggeration for popular effect, has been the cherished rule in preparing this unpretending volume.

I. Christopher Columbus

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Genoa. — Columbus a Student. — A Sailor. — N^avigation. — A Portrait. — Columbus' Theory. — A learned Assembly. — A Traveler. — Convent. — Friars. — Cordova. — Disappointment. — A Kingly Suppliant. — Bigoted Philosophers. — La Rabida. — The Spanish Court at Grenada. — Isabella's noble Decision. — Alarm at Palos. — Voyage. — Perils. — Superstition. — Tlie first Glimpse of the New World. — Landing. — Columbus a Prince. — Search for the Grand Khan. — Shipwreck. — Nina Alone. — Arrest in the Island Chapel. — ^Arrival at Palos. — Excitement. Princely Reception. — Superiority of Genius. — Second Voyage. — "Lord of the Golden House." — Mysterious Fate of a Colony. — Cavalier "Workmen. — Seai'ch for Gold. — Columbus' Temptation. — Persecution. — A Cruise. — Three Brothers. — Captive Cacique. — Return Voyage. — Forlorn Crew. — Columbus a Friar. — Third Voyage. — The Orinoco. — Rebels of Hispaniola. — Injustice. — An Upstart's Sceptre. — Columbus in Chains. — Indignation. — Columbus' Triumph in the Alhambra. — Fourth Voyage. — Return and Disappointment. — Old Age and Death. — Character 13

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II. Americus Vespucius

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His Birth. — Florence. — The Convent. — The Plague. — Vespueius' Pursuits. — Duplicity of Bishop Fonseea. — Disputed Voyage. — Beauty of the New World. — Centaurs. — ^An Epicurean Race. — " City of Bridges." — Indians Enslaved. — Return to Cadiz. — Marriage. — Voj^age. — Eccentric Companions. — Paria. — Grotesque Customs. — Vegetable Houses and Umbrellas. — Giants. — San Domingo. — Cargo of Slaves. — Return to Spain. — Americus in Portugal. — "Land of Pearls." — Luxuriant Scenery. — Patriarchs. — Triumph of Science. — " Canope" of the South. — Tempest. — Reception at Lisbon. — Americus honored. — Commands a Fleet. — Shipwreck. — Mariners in Brazil. — ^Americus in Spain. — Ferdinand and Fonseea. — Disappointment. — Death. — Unknown Grave. — His Character. — Disputed Fame 66

III. Ferdinand De Soto

Furor of Discovery. — Youth of De Soto. — He embarks for the Indies. — Joins Pizarro. — Horsemanship. — Atahualpa. — Death. — De Soto's Reproaches. — His Wealth. — Return to Spain. — Magnificent Display. — Noble Marriage. — Governor of Florida. — Expensive Fleet. — Southern Scenery. — A Pocahontas. — Slaver}'. — Difficult Exploration. — Treachery. — Famine. — Indian Queen. — Obstinacy of De Soto. — Proud Cacique. — Battle. — Fire. — Discovery of the Mississippi. — Indian Fleet. — "Son of the Sun." — The Cacique Foes. — De Soto a Peace-maker. — A Troop of Laplanders. — Second Encampment. — Famine and Desolation. — De Soto's Disappointment. — His Death. — Midnight Burial. — Return of his Followers to Spain. — Character of De Soto lOS

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SIR WALTER RALEIGH.

PASS.

Raleigh's Character. — Youth. — Military Pursuits. — His Intellectual Industry. — Exploits in Ireland. — His Personal Attractions. — ^Anecdote of Queen Elizabeth. — Raleigh a Courtier. — Enriched. — Equips a Fleet. — Virginia, — Raleigh a Knight. — Prepares a Second Expedition. — Roanoke. — Introduction of Tobacco. — Anecdotes. — A City Founded. — Desolation of Roanoke. — First Birth and Baptism in Virginia — Reinforcement fails. — Fate of the Colony. — Raleigh a Hero. — A Rival Appears. — Rustication. — A Poet. — Restoration to Royal Favor. — Expedition to Panama. — Return to England. — Imprisonment. — Marriage. — Membership of Parliament. — Expedition to Guiana. — Search for El Dorado. — Return. — General Contempt. — Action at Cadiz. — The Rivals at Fayal. — The Rivals at Court. — Irish Estates. — The Potato. — Raleigh in "Solomon's" Court. — Arrest. — The Trial. — The Tower. — A Wife's Devotion. — Twelve Years' Imprisonment. — Guiana. — "Piratas !" — Solitary Imprisonment. — A Tyrant. — Death Warrant. — ^Execution. — Carew Raleigh 18Y

V. Henry Hudson

Navigation. — Diminutive Fleet. — Crimson Snow. — Crystal Architecture. — Flowers. — Icebergs. — An Escape. — Second Voyage. — Midnight Sun. — A Mermaid. — Nova Zembla. — Return to England. — The Half Moon. — Savages. — Grapes of EsehoL — Jersey Shore. — Dutch Craft and Costume — Indian Tradition — Manhattan. — The great River. — The Highlands and Palisades. — Captives. — Magical Mountains. — Puzzled Dutchmen. — a Drunken Chief. — A Battle. — Return to England. — Third Voyage. — Iceland. — Fantastic Fountains. — Profligates. — Japanese Icebergs. — An Ice-locked Ship. — Hudson's Straits and Bay. — A Labyrinth. — A Northern Winter. — Famine. — Mutiny. — a Judas. — ^A Noble Spirit. — Cruel Fate of Hudson. — Retribution. — Character of Hudson 206

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