CHAPTER II. TRAVELS AND DISCOVERIES OF FERDINAND DE SOTO.1 It seems strange, that the disasters consequent upon the several expeditions to Florida, did not deter from further enterprises in that region. But the magnificent results of the conquest of Mexico by Cortez, In sketching the character and travels of De Soto, I have been guided, 1st, by the Portuguese relation in Hakluyt, entitled, “Virginia richly valued by the description of the main-land of Florida, her next neighbour; out of the four years' continual travel and discovery, for above one thousand miles east and west, of Don Ferdinand de Soto and six hundred able men in his company. Wherein are truly observed the riches and fertility of those parts, abounding with things necessary, useful, and profitable for the life of man, with the nature and dispositions of the inhabitants. Written by a Portuguese gentleman of Elvas, employed in all the action, and translated out of the Portuguese, by Richard Hakluyt." Lond. 1609. 2d. La Florida del Inca. Historia del Adelantado, Hernando de Soto, Governador, y Capitan General del Reino de la Florida, y de otros Heroicos Caballeros Españoles, e Indios; escrita por el Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, etc. Madrid, fol. 1723. 3d. Herrera's General History of the vast Islands and Continents of America. Vols. v. and vi. of the English translation, by Captain John Stevens. Lond. 6 vols. 8vo. 1740. The These are the three original authorities from which all succeeding writers have drawn their statements. account in "Universal History," (Modern, vol. 36,) is condensed from the relation of Garcilaso de la Vega. McCulloch, in his "Researches Philosophical and Antiquarian, concerning the Aboriginal History of America," Baltimore, 1829, endeavours to trace out the route of De Soto.-Appendix iii. pp. 523, 531. Theodore Irving, in his Conquest of Florida," 2 vols., attempts the same thing. 16 FERDINAND DE SOTO. and of Peru by Pizarro, gave rise to the hope, that in the wilds of Florida there might be found cities and mines, as rich and productive as those wrested from the Aztec Kings, and the Peruvian Incas. The restlessness of human ambition, spurred on by the splendid victories already gained, sought new fields of triumph, where valour might find reward in wealth or power, equal to any yet obtained. In the desire for renown, many bartered well-earned laurels for shadowy titles, and spent ample fortunes in fitting out the splendid equipments of their ruin. Peculiarly was this illustrated in the character of Ferdinand de Soto. Springing from an humble origin, with "nothing but his sword and target," he entered into the wars then raging in the West Indies; and, passing through the several lower grades of service with renown, rose to a most distinguished rank as an able and high-minded general under Pizarro, in his conquest of Peru. Here he surpassed most of his fellows in deeds of daring and stout-hearted valour; but, foreseeing the difficulties arising between the Pizarros, Alvarado, and Almagro, he wisely left the country; and carrying with him the wealth he had acquired from the spoils of Atahualpa and the pillage of Cuzco, returned, in 1535, to Spain. He left his native land more than twenty years before, a poor adventurer; he returned with riches and fame; set up the establishment of a nobleman ; became the associate of the proud and the titled; married the daughter of Arrias, the Governor of Nicaiagua; and, presenting himself at court, begged of the king the conquest of Florida. His desire was granted, and he was made Governor of Cuba, and Adelantado of Florida, with the title of DE SOTO'S EXPEDITION-ITS GRANDEUR. 17 Marques of certain portions of the land he should conquer. The fitting out of the expedition was magnificent beyond anything which had yet sailed for America. The reports of Cabeza de Vaca, and the military prowess of De Soto, drew together a great multitude, of noble birth and fortunes, to serve in the undertaking. They gathered from Badajoz, and Salamanca, and Valencia, and Elvas, in such numbers, that many men of good account, who had sold estates, in order to equip themselves for the voyage, were obliged to remain behind for want of shipping. Such was the zeal to engage in this enterprise, that fortunes were given for offices under De Soto. The brother of the Marques of Astorga dispossessed himself of 60,000 reals of rent; his kinsman Osorio exchanged a town of vassals; and Baltazar de Gallegos sold houses and vineyards, and ninety ranks of olive trees in the Xarafe of Seville, to fit themselves out for the conquest of Florida. From the thousands who pressed forward to unite their fortunes with De Soto, he selected six hundred, mustered them into service, and distributed them among the vessels prepared for the voyage. On Sunday morning, the 6th of April, 1538, the ships of De Soto, together with the fleet for New Spain, set sail from St. Luca, at the mouth of the Guadalquiver. They departed amidst the sounding of trumpets, the roar of cannon, and the shouts of the populace. Joy shone in every eye, and hope swelled every heart: little did they imagine that all this pomp and gaiety was only like hanging garlands of roses round the necks of victims destined for sacrifice. After touching 18 SAILS FROM CUBA AND REACHES FLORIDA. at the Canaries, the fleet reached Cuba in May, where De Soto was received with honours and rejoicings. From Havana, he sent Juan Dannusco, with three vessels and fifty men, to discover a haven in Florida. He brought back with him two Indians, who said, by signs, that there was much gold in Florida, which infused new life into the bosoms of the adventurers. After a year's delay in Cuba in arranging its government, and rebuilding Havana, the fleet, consisting of five great ships, two caravals, and two brigantines, aboard of which were two hundred and thirteen horses, and nine hundred men, beside the sailors, embarked for Florida. They set sail on Sunday, the 18th of May, 1539; and on Friday, the 30th of May, landed in Florida, two leagues from the town of an Indian chief, called Ucita. The point of debarkation was on the western coast of Florida, in what is now called Tampa Bay; but which, because they first saw it on Whitsunday, they named the Bay of Espiritu Santo. Here he landed his horses and his men, and pitched his camp on the sea-side. It was a proud moment for De Soto, when he stood upon the soil of his Marquisate, and unfurled over his tent the standard of the Adelantado of Florida. He had reached the land of his hopes; and in the haughty daring of a conqueror, as if victory was already within his grasp, he soon ordered his ships back to Havana, that there might be no retreat but in death. The day after their landing, there was a grand review of the army. The troops, horse and foot, were drawn up in battle array, and dressed out in their gay and glittering armour. With their prancing steeds, floating pennons, gleaming lances, bright arquebuses, and slung cross-bows, they looked formidable and imposing. DE SOTO'S AMBITION. HE MARCHES INLAND. 19 De Soto surveyed with a complacent eye, the gallant band who hailed him as their leader; and his heart burned for conquests that should rival the glory of Cortez and the riches of Pizarro. Why should he not? They each began their triumphs with a less numerous army,2 and with far less experience of Indian warfare; and what had been done by the few, could certainly be excelled by the many. Hitherto all had been gaiety and pleasure; the daring adventurers, caressed by the court, flattered by the nobles, admired by the populace, rejoiced in the morning splendour of their fame; little imagining how soon their sun of glory was to set amidst the perils of that very land in which they sought renown. They hoped to find in Florida palaces and cities-but, alas! they only found their graves. Splendid was the martial array, as, under the banners of their several leaders, they began their march on the first day of summer. It was the most imposing expedition which had yet reached these shores, and the Indians having never before seen a horse, believed that the horse and his rider formed one animal, and hung back in terror from the path of such supernatural and steel-clad men. Terror lent wings to the report of their arrival, and the dismal news rang through the southern forests, that the warriors of fire had invaded their land. Here they were so fortunate as to recover 2 Comparative view of the several forces of De Soto, Cortez and Pizarro, when they severally began the conquest of Florida, Mexico and Peru: |