The last half century has thrown much light on the question of discovery;
and evidence is conclusive that it dates at least six hundred years
before the first European settlement at Jamestown, Va., in May, 1607. In
1001 Lief Erickson, an Icelandic captain, with a small company of daring
Norsemen, sailed from Greenland, reached Labrador, and, in the spirit of
adventure, coasted as far south as Massachusetts, where they remained
a year. Thorwald, a brother of the last named hero, made a voyage a
year later to Maine and Massachusetts, where he died. In 1005 and 1007
there came larger crews from the same region, and made more extended
explorations, but apparently with no well defined object in view. Those
Norsemen, from the extreme northwestern part of Europe, were a rough
race of dangerous pirates—bold, hardy, but ignorant navigators, known
and dreaded by the countries they visited as the terrible “sea kings” of
that age. Rovers over all seas to which they found access, they explored
unknown lands for plunder, not for settlement. Nothing valuable resulted
from their discoveries. For centuries all knowledge gained by them was
lost, and nothing was known in Europe of their voyages. The very name,
Vinland, given to the country in Iceland, was for ages lost. And the
more intelligent efforts, afterward made, were in no way suggested, so
far as we know, by even vague rumors of what these sea robbers found.
The continent discovered by accident, was, through ignorance, never
made known to the civilized world; and so, for centuries, remained the
_terra incognita_; and the real discovery of such untold value to the
race was reserved for those of more intelligence, who purposely, at
great sacrifice, and guided by scientific principles, sought the western
hemisphere, of whose existence they were confident.
Christopher Columbus, born at Genoa, Italy, in 1435, was carefully
educated, and interested in maritime matters from his youth. Mandeville,
the traveler, had proclaimed the earth a sphere, or round, and had given
his reasons. Columbus not only had faith in the astronomical discovery,
but sought to turn his knowledge to some practical account. He argued,
conclusively, that the world being round, if there were no intervening
lands to hinder sailing westward over the open seas, he would much easier
than by the known route, reach the spice lands of the East Indias. That
was the object of his search, and when, after seventy-one days sailing,
land was sighted, the anxious voyagers supposed their end was gained.
He first stepped ashore, unfurled their flag, and finding the place an
island, named it San Salvador. Three or four other islands of the group
were added to his discoveries during the voyage; but the main land was
not visited, and from a misconception as to the size of the earth,
supposing it to be only 12,000 or 14,000 miles in circumference, they
supposed the fertile, salubrious isles then discovered were near the
coast of India, and so named them the West Indias.
Columbus made a second voyage, discovered several more islands, and
established a colony at Hayti, his brother being governor. After an
absence of three years he returned to Spain, to find himself suspected,
accused, and the victim of a relentless persecution. His enemies not
only stripped him of his merited honors as a discoverer, but to further
compass his disgrace, sent him from his colony he had revisited a
prisoner in chains. Though soon released and fully vindicated, the
balance of his days were clouded. It remained for posterity to rescue
his name from oblivion. Though the less deserving Florentine, Amerigo
Vespucci, by his craft and the dullness of the times, succeeded in
attaching his name to the continent, we still heartily sing “Hail
Columbia,” in memory of the real discoverer, while many towns, counties
and cities perpetuate the honored name.
Within ten years after the death of Columbus the principal islands of the
West Indias were explored, and settlements were commenced. The excitement
becoming intense not only in Spain, but in the western states of Europe,
adventurers increased. In 1512 a Spaniard, rich and well advanced in
years, left Porto Rico, touched at San Salvador, and in due time came
in sight of an unknown land that seemed, as they entered it, a place of
beauty; he named it Florida, or land of flowers. This, too, was supposed
another island, more beautiful than any before discovered. A landing
was effected, and the country claimed for the King of Spain. The coast
was explored for many leagues, some valuable information gained, and
the adventurers sailed back to Porto Rico. Afterward Ponce, the aged
explorer, was sent to found a colony, and be its governor. In 1521 he
again landed, but his right to rule was contested by the Indians, who
were found in a state of bitter hostility. They at once made a furious
attack. Many of the Spaniards were killed, and Ponce De Leon, wounded by
an arrow, was carried back to Cuba to die.
In 1519 Fernando Cortes landed at Tabasco, and began the conquest of
Mexico. As that section of the continent is without the limits of the
United States, we avoid a detailed statement of his progress, marked by
the unexampled rapacity and cruelty of the invaders. Tens of thousands
of the unoffending—many of them unarmed—inhabitants were not slain in
battle, but massacred in their streets and homes.
The lust of gold, rather than ambition, was the ruling passion, and the
treasures of the Montezumas failed to satisfy it. Drenched in the blood
of her citizens, Mexico became a Spanish province. The Spaniards bore
the christian name, and sadly disgraced it. The appalling scenes of
treachery, cruelty and bloodshed they enacted are scarcely equaled in the
annals of savage warfare. To turn from them is a relief.
[End of Required Reading for February.]
* * * * *
If a man wish to make his way in the world, he must bestir himself and
work his brains; if he wish to rise to honor and place, he must bend his
back to the golden load. If he prefer to enjoy the delights of home, with
children and grandchildren round his knees, let him follow an honest
trade in peace.—_Schiller._