this enterprize, which roused all the active youth of Hispaniola to arms; but the good fortune which attended him in his subsequent adventures, interposed to save him from the disasters, to which his companions were exposed. He was taken ill at St. Domingo, before the departure of the fleet, and there detained.

The unfortunate issue of this expedition in 1511, did not deter the Spaniards, from engaging in new schemes of a similar nature. Don Diego Columbus proposed to conquer the island of Cuba, and to establish a colony there. Many persons of distinction in Hispaniola entered with alacrity into the measure.

The command of the troops sent on this expedition, was given to Diego Velasquez, one of his father's companions in his second voyage, whose ample fortune, long residence in Hispaniola, and reputation for probity and prudence, qualified him for conducting an expedition of importance. Three hundred men were deemed sufficient for the conquest of an island, seven hundred miles in length, and filled with inhabitants. But as they were of the same unwarlike people as those of Hispaniola, the undertaking was not very hazardous.

The only obstruction the Spaniards met with, was from Hatuey, a cazique who had fled from Hispaniola, and taken possession of the eastern extremity of Cuba. He stood upon the defensive when they first landed, and endeavoured to drive them back to their ships. His feeble troops, were soon broken and dispersed, and he himself made prisoner. He was soon condemned to the flames. While he was fastened to the stake, a Franciscan friar labouring to convert him, promised him the immediate joys of heaven if he would embrace the christian faith; "are there any Spaniards," said he after some pause" in that "region of bliss which you describe?" Yes, replied the monk, but only such as are worthy and good. "The best of them," replied the indignant cazique "have neither worth nor goodness: "I will not go to a place where I shall see one of that accursed “race.” With this dreadful example, the natives were so intimidated, that they submitted to their invaders, and Velasquez, without the loss of one man, annexed this large and fertile island to the Spanish monarchy.

Juan Ponce de Leon about the year 1512, discovered Florida; he attempted to land in different places, but was repulsed with such vigour by the natives, as convinced him that an encrease of force was necessary, to make a settlement with safety. But the primary object which induced him to undertake this voyage, was a tradition that prevailed among the natives of Puerto Rico, that in the island of Bimini, there was a fountain of such wonderful virtue, as to renew youth, and recall the strength and vigour of every person who bathed in it. That a tale so incredible should gain belief, among simple uninstructed Indians is not surprising; but that it should make an impression on enlightened people, appears in the present age, altogether incredible. The fact however is certain, and Robertson in his history of America, says,

the most authentic Spanish historians mention this extravagant attempt of their credulous countrymen.

Soon after the expedition to Florida a discovery of much greater consequence was made in another part of America. Balboa having been raised to the government of Santa Maria in Darien, made frequent inroads into the adjacent country. In one of these excursions, the Spaniards contended with such eagerness about the division of some gold, that they were upon the point of proceeding to violence. A young cazique, astonished at the high value they set upon a thing of which he did not discern the use, tumbled the gold out of the balance with indignation; and turning to the Spaniards, "Why do you quarrel (said he) about such a trifle? if you are so fond of gold as to abandon your own country, and to disturb the tranquillity of other nations for its sake, I will conduct you to a region where this metal is in such abundance, that the most common utensils are made of it." Transported with what they heard, Balboa and the rest enquired eagerly where this country lay, and how they might arrive at it. He informed them, that at the distance of six suns, (that is of six days' journey) they should discover another ocean, near to which this wealthy kingdom was situated; but he told them if they intended to attack that powerful state, they must have forces far superior in number to those with which they now appeared.

Balboa had now before him objects equal to his boundless am. bition, and the ardour of his genius: but previous arrangements and preparations were requisite to ensure success. It was his primary object to secure the friendship of the neighbouring ca. ziques; he sent some of his officers to Hispaniola with a large quantity of gold. By a proper distribution of this, they secured the favour of the governor, and allured volunteers into the service. A considerable reinforcement from that island joined him, and with these he attempted a discovery.

The isthmus of Darien is not above sixty miles in breadth; this neck of land strengthened by a chain of lofty mountains, stretching through its whole extent, binds together the continents of North and South America, and forms a sufficient barrier to resist the impulse of two opposite oceans. The mountains are covered with forests almost inaccessible, The low lands are 'marshy and frequently overflowed, so that the inhabitants find it necessary, in many places, to build their houses on trees, to avoid the damps from the soil, and the odious reptiles which breed in the putrid waters.

To march across this unexplored country with Indian guides, of whose fidelity they were doubtful, was the boldest enterprize undertaken by the Spaniards, since the first discovery of the New World. But the intrepidity and prudent conduct of Balboa surmounted every obstacle. With only one hundred and ninety men, and some of those fierce dogs, which were no less formidable to their naked enemies, and one thousand Indians, he set out on this expedition, in the year 1513.

No sooner did he begin to advance, than he was retarded by many obstacles, which he had reason to apprehend, from the nature of the country, and the hostility of its inhabitants. Some of the caziques fled at his approach, with all their people to the mountains. Others collected their subjects in order to oppose his progress.

When they had penetrated a considerable distance into the mountains, a powerful cazique appeared in a narrow pass, with a numerous body of troops to oppose them. The Spaniards, who had surmounted so many obstacles, despised the opposition of such feeble enemies. They attacked them with such impetuosity, that the Indians gave way at the first onset, and many of them were slain; after which the Spaniards continued their march. Though their guide had told them it was but six days' journey across the isthmus, yet they had now been twenty-five days in forcing their way through the woods. Many of them were ready to sink under the fatigue they had undergone, and all began to be impatient to reach the period of their sufferings: at length the Indians assured them that from the top of the next mountain they could discover the ocean which was the object of their wishes.

When they had, with infinite toil, ascended the greater part of that steep ascent, Balboa commanded his men to halt, and he alone advanced to the summit, that he might be the first to behold a spectacle which he had so long been in quest of. As soon as he beheld the South Sea stretching in endless prospect below him, he fell on his knees, and lifting up his eyes to Heaven, returned thanks to God, who had conducted him to a discovery so beneficial to his country, and so honourable to himself. His followers observing his transports, rushed forward and joined to his wonder, exultation and gratitude.

They descended with alacrity to the shore, and Balboa advancing up to his middle in the waves, with his buckler and sword, took possession of that Ocean, in the name of the king his master, and vowed to defend it against all his enemies.

That part of the great Pacific or Southern ocean which Balboa first discovered, still retains the name of the gulf of St. Michael, which he gave it; and is situated to the east of Panama.

From several of the petty princes, who governed in districts adjacent to that gulf, Balboa extorted provisions and gold, by force of arms. Others supplied him voluntarily. To these acceptable presents some of the caziques added some valuable pearls and he learned from them that pearl oysters abounded in the ocean he had discovered. The people on the coast of the South Sea, concurred in informing him that there was a mighty and wealthy kingdom situated eastwardly, the inhabitants of which made use of tame animals to carry their burdens. They drew upon the sand the figure of the Lamas or sheep which

the Peruvians had taught to perform such services as they described.

Balboa led his followers back by a different route. that he might acquire a better knowledge of the isthmus. This route he found no less dangerous and difficult, than that which he had already taken. But being now elated with success, they sur mounted every difficulty, and returned to Santa Maria in safety.

In this expedition none of Balboa's officers distinguished them. selves more than Francisco Pizarro in opening a communication with those countries in which he afterwards acted such an illustrious part. The first care of Balboa was to send information to Spain of the discovery he had made, and to demand a reinforcement of a thousand men to attempt the conquest of that opulent country, of which he had been informed by the Indian natives.

The first account of the discovery of the New World did not excite greater sensations of joy than that of a passage being at last discovered to the great Southern ocean, through which a passage to the East Indies, by a course to westward of the line of demarkation drawn by the Pope, seemed almost certain Fer dinand now expected to come in for a share of the vast wealth that flowed into Portugal; his eagerness to obtain it made him willing to make greater efforts than Balboa required. But his jealous disposition, and the fatal antipathy of Fonseca, now bishop of Burgos, to every man of merit, who distinguished himself in the New World, were conspicuous.

Notwithstanding the merit and recent services of Balboa, Fer dinand was so ungenerous as to overlook these, and appointed Pedrarias Davilla governor of Darien. He gave him the command of fifteen large vessels and twelve hundred soldiers; these were fitted out with a liberality, at the public expense, which Ferdi nand had never displayed in any former armament, destined for the New World; and such was the ardour of the Spanish gen tlemen to embark to a country where, as fame reported, they had only to cast their nets into the sea and draw out gold. Fifteen hundred of these accompanied Pedrarias; many more, had they been permitted, would have engaged in the expedition.

Pedrarias arrived at the gulf of Darien without any remarkable accident, and immediately sent some of his principal officers on shore to inform Balboa of his arrival, with the king's commission to be governor of the colony. Balboa received them with dignity. The fame of his discoveries had drawn so many adventurers from the islands, that he could muster four hundred and fifty men; with these hardy veterans, who murmured loud at the injustice of the king in superceding their governor, Balboa was able to have defeated the forces Pedrarias brought with him; but he submitted with implicit obedience to the commands of his sovereign, and received Pedrarias with all the deference due to his

character.

"The moderation of Balboa to which Pedrarias owed the peace. able possession of his government, did not screen him from the

envy his merit had excited in the breast of the new governor. Pedrarias appointed a judicial enquiry to be made into his conduct, and imposed a considerable fine upon him for certain irregularities he had committed. Balboa felt his mortification sensi bly in a place where he had held the chief command. Pedrarias could not conceal his jealousy of his superior merit, which gave rise to dissentions extremely prejudicial to the colony.

Balboa saw with concern, that the governor by his ill-judged proceedings, retarded the execution of his favourite scheme, sent strong remonstrances to Spain against the imprudent government of Pedrarias, who had alienated the friendship of the natives from the Spaniards, by countenancing his troops to plunder and oppress them at pleasure. Pedrarias on the other hand, accused him of having deceived the king by magnifying his own exploits, and the opulence and value of the country.

Ferdinand was now sensible he had acted imprudently in superseding the most active and enterprizing officer in the New World, and to make Balboa some compensation, he appointed him Adelantado or lieutenant governor of the countries upon the South Sea, with very extensive privileges and authority. At the same time, he enjoined Pedrarias to support him in all his enenterprizes, and to consult with him in any measures he himself pursued. But Ferdinand's power was not sufficient to eradicate that enmity, which l'edrarias had for Balboa.

The interposition and exhortations of the bishop of Darien, produced a short-lived reconciliation; and Pedrarias agreed to give his daughter in marriage to Balboa. The first effect of their concord was, that Balboa was permitted to make several excursions into the country. These were conducted with such prudence, as added to his reputation. Many adventurers resorted to him, and with the support of Pedrarias, he began to prepare for his expedition to the South Sea.

After surmounting many obstacles, he finished four brigantines; in these, with three hundred chosen men, (a force superior to that with which Pizarro afterwards undertook the same expedi tion) he was ready to sail towards Peru, when he received an unexpected message from Pedrarias, who began to dread the prosperity of a man, whom (notwithstanding his late reconciliation) he envied and feared, and so violently did the passions of hatred, fear, and jealousy operate upon his mind, that, in order to gratify his vengeance, he scrupled not to oppose the orders of his sovereign, and defeat an undertaking of the utmost importance to his country.

Under false, but plausible pretexts, he desired Balboa to put off his voyage for a short time, and to repair to Aela, in order that he might have an interview with him. Balboa, conscious of no crime, instantly obeyed the summons; but, no sooner had he arrived, than he was instantly arrested, by order of Pedrarias, whose impatience to satiate his revenge, did not suffer him long to languish in confinement. Judges were immediately appointed