In that expedition I saw many things worthy of notice, which I do
not here insert, but which will be found in my book describing my four
voyages. The situation of this fort and harbour is in latitude 18 deg. S. and
35 deg. W. longitude from Lisbon. Leaving this place we steered our course
N.N.E. for Lisbon, at which place we arrived in seventy-seven days after
many toils and dangers, on the 28th June 1504. We were there received very
honourably, even beyond our expectations, the whole city believing we had
perished on the ocean, as indeed all the rest of our companions did,
through the presumptuous folly of our commander. I now remain in Lisbon,
unknowing what may be the intentions of his majesty respecting me, though
I am now desirous of resting myself after my great labours.
[1] Such is the expression in the original, the eastern horizon being so
named apparently by way of eminence. - E.
[2] As written by an Italian, Melcha has the sound of Melka, and the place
here indicated is obviously the city of Malacca in the Malayan
peninsula, long a famous emporium for the trade of eastern India and
China. - E.
[3] The Bay of Bengal and sea of China. - E.
[4] In the original these positions are thus unaccountably misrepresented,
as literally translated: "Melcha is more to the west, and Calicut
more to the south; being situated 33 deg. from the Antarctic pole." - E.
It would appear from some circumstances in the sequel, that this fleet
was directed to visit Brazil on its way to India; and that the
ultimate object of the voyage was frustrated through its early
misfortunes. - E.
[5] Per suduestium, qui ventus est inter meridiem et lebeccium: Between
the S. and S.W. or S.S.W. - E.
[6] Perhaps the island of St Matthew, which is nearly in the latitude
indicated in the text, and about the distance mentioned from Sierra
Leone; yet it is difficult to conceive how they could get there with a
storm at S.S.W. as the course is S.S.E. from Sierra Leone. - E.
[7] Such is the literal meaning of the original, yet I suspect Americus
here means his largest boat. - E.
[8] In the original, Omnium Sanctorum Abbatium, but which must assuredly
be Bahia dos todos los Santos, in lat 13 deg. S. on the coast of
Brazil. - E.
[9] The distance between the island of St Matthew, and the Bay of All
Saints, is not less than 600 leagues, or thirty degrees; yet that
distance might certainly be run in seventeen days with a fair wind. - E.
[10] The number of leagues mentioned in the text would lead us to the Bay
of Santos on the coast of Brazil, in latitude twenty-four degrees S.
but in the text this first attempt to colonize Brazil is said to have
been in latitude eighteen degrees S. near which the harbour now named
Abrolhos is situated. - E.
* * * * *
CHAPTER IV.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCOVERIES AND SETTLEMENTS OF THE SPANIARDS IN THE WEST
INDIES, FROM THE DEATH OF COLUMBUS, TO THE EXPEDITION OF HERNANDO CORTES
AGAINST MEXICO[1].
INTRODUCTION[2].
The surprizing success of the Spaniards, in reducing so many fine islands,
and such extensive, rich, and fruitful countries under their dominion in
so short a time, has occasioned many authors to conceive that they must
have conducted their affairs with extraordinary prudence, and with that
steadiness of character for which their nation has always been remarkable.
But only a little reflection on the history of these events, will shew
that they acted with less judgment and good conduct than could have been
expected from a nation so renowned for wisdom. In truth, the whole of
these vast acquisitions were derived from the valour and exertions of
individuals; for few nations can boast of abler politicians or braver and
more expert captains, than the three great men to whom Spain is indebted
for its mighty empire in America. The first or these was the admiral
Columbus, who discovered the islands, and paved the way by his discoveries
for those who found out and subdued the two great continental empires of
America. The next was Cortes, and the third Pizarro, both men of
incredible valour and ability, and worthy therefore of immortal fame. Let
us compare the expedition of Nearchus with that of Columbus; and consider
with how great a fleet and what a number of men and able commanders, the
Grecian admiral accomplished so small a discovery, sailing always in sight
of land, and only from the mouth of the Indus to the head of the Persian
Gulf: Yet how great a figure does his expedition make in the works of the
greatest authors of antiquity, and what mighty rewards were bestowed upon
him for his services. Columbus, with only three vessels, smaller than any
of those of Nearchus, and with scarcely any encouragement or assistance
from those who accompanied him, made the surprising voyage from Spain to
the West Indies, a region before utterly unknown, and paved the way for
wider and more useful conquests than accrued to Alexander by his Indian
expedition. Let us compare the force with which Alexander attacked the
Indians, yet failed to subdue them, with the handfuls of men commanded by
Cortes and Pizarro; and we shall find the latter much greater conquerors
beyond all question, as will be more clearly seen in the accounts of their
respective expeditions. These are only adduced for the present, as proofs
that it was not to the wisdom of the Spanish government, but to the
personal abilities of those individuals who were accidentally employed in
its service, that these events were owing.
