, 1842-03-05
MISCELLANEOUS
From the Family Magazine.
VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
SKETCH OF THE OLDEN TINE.
BY J. NJ. PECK.

The "Great Wafer" as the aboriginal
name Mississippi signlfied, was first discov-
cred and visited by Spaniards under Herman
do de Soto, in April, 154l-just three hun
dered years since.
The expedition of De Soto, until recently
has been but little known, and for a long Pc
riud respectable authors have doubted wheth-
er the story of such an exploration, as is now
known. The careful examination and trans
iation of Spanish and Portuguese authorities
have placed the subject beyond controversy.
As our design is to furnish some short
sketches of 4 period from one hundred and
fifty to two hundred years later, we shall
pass over the Spanish enterprise with a
very brief notice. fernando de Soto was
a follower of Pizarro, in the conquest OF
Peru. Enriched with the spoils Of the New
World, he returned to Spain. his native coun-
try, and appeared in great t te and equi-
page at the court Of Charles ". where he
received the h'gheSt honors. He became
allied bv marriIge TO L distinguished family
of the nobility. But avarIce and power are
insatible in their demand. De S TO desired
TO rival Cortez in glory, and surPass Pizarr"
in wealth. He earnestly songfr permission
from the Crown ii Spain TO c'nqler Florida.
rs North America was then called by the
Spanish adventurefs, at his " expense, and
Charles V. readily granted permission, and
made him governor of Cuba, and captain
general over all the countries he shou'd sub
jugate to the Imperial crown. AT that pert
cd Florida, or North America, was supposed
to abound with wealth surprising the riches
of Peru and Mexico.
We have not room to describe the mania
that prevailed in Spain on the fitting out OF
this expedition. Houses. vineyards and lands
were sold bv their possessors 10 furnish
means for the enterprise. Hundreds Of Span.
iards of all grades embarked in the expedition.
Among these were twelve priests, eight &C.
c!esiastics of inferior grade. and four monks,
for in all the expeditions Of French, Span
ish and Portuguese, to the New World, the
rage for conquest and wealth, and for the
conversion of the conquered natives to the
Catholic faith, equally prevailed.
De Soto was welcomed to Cuba with long
and brilliant festivals and rejoicings. Leaving
his wife to the command O. the Island, in his
absence, he embarked, in ten small ships
about one thousand soldiers besides seamen'
three hundred and fifty horses, with numbers
of cattle and swine, and other means to
stock and c~olonize the country. He landed
his troops, armament stock and provisions al
the bay of Espiritu Santo, sent back ri:
ships and commenced his march through the
Country.
They found swamps, morasses and rivers
in their route, the Indians usually hostile anc
like the present race of Seminoles,, ruinsine
to be either conquered or converted. Then
march was tedious full ofdanger and hardshIps
and what was far more Notifying, the mIne'
of gold, silver and precious stones, wer'
found. We can trace their route by thu
namesof the rivers they passed. The name
Of Ochile, Apalachee, Ataphaw, Co.'S Goo
saw Tascaluza, and Mauvila (Moo'lel ar
found in their route. The latter was a larg'
town which is supposed to have stood at To-
iuncture Of the Alabama snd Tomeecbe nv