Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-11-23
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Savannah Georgian.
Ell DORADO.
AN IN1kREsTNG SKETCH.

'Ehis is Spanish phrase that, being free
~ translated into our language. means
the golden or gilded.' 1t is often used
by writer's, when describing regions sup
posed to Yield an abundance OF tie pre-
cious metals, and is sometimes applied
to countries or districts said to be rich
in soil. salubrions in climate, and aboun-
ding in commercial or agricultural ad-
vantases.
! During the war between the Crusaders
and the Saracens, sangulnary conflict,
remarkable for the proWess displayed by
tie cor1batants. in which Richard CRur
de Lion and MeIek Abdhel were the
commanders, terminated in favor of tie
English hero, who captured an immense
caravan of nearly 5000 camels and
vast drove ST mules. laden with coin, in
gots of gold aud silver. superb armour,
purple dye, (such as was used by the
Tvrians. rich robes, embossed cushions
and spices. This vast booty, deemed
sufficient to purchase a kingdom, was on
its way from Babylon to the camp of Sa-
lindln. Richard distributed part of it "a
mong his followers, and despatched the
remainder, in charge of confidential es-
cort, for England, but it was thought
that much of it never reached its destlna-
ton. On the cessation of hostllities, and
previous to the Crusaders departure
from the Holy Land, the splendid en-
campment of the Saracenic chieftaln was
frequently visited by the Crusadlng ar
my, who were entertained with all the gor-
eeous pageantry and sumptuous hospital
ity of the Oriental Monarch, who ex-
changed tokens Of esteem and amlty with
the chvalric Richard. Among the Eu-
ropean host there were many adventu-
rers, who joined the army more to I'M
prove their fortunes, by developing the
commercial resources Of Palestine, than
for the purpose of wrestling Jerusalem
from the Saracen; and these having seen
the rich spois taken by Richard and 9TH
er leaders. on their return TO England,
France, Spain, Germany and Rome,
gave such enthusiastic accounts OF the pro-
ducts and treasure Of the Eastern En-
pre, that spirit Of enterprise was arous-
ed, and an association formed of the OPP
lent merchants of London, Hamburg.
Lubec, Bruges, Antwerp. and other cit
! les, fer the extension Of their mercantile
relations.
This grand copartnership, while it
formed bond of friendship, and was a
source of great wealth, contributed to
the acquisition and diffusion of scientific
knowledge, and the expansion of Europe
an com merce with the nations of Asia
and Africa. It was called the Hanseat-
ic League. The confederates were en-
dowed with unusual privileges by several
princes, to whom they loaned funds,
shipping and. munitions Of war. Their
possessions and influence ATTAINED by
wisdom and enterprise, at first ELECTED
admiration, but ultimately their vast
power alarmed the ruling Potentates,
and as the confederation prudently de-
clined supporting some insoivent princi-
paities, despotic mandates were issued,
threatening the leaguers with severe
penalties, including the forfeiture of their
municipal charters, if the league contin-
ued after certain date-and thus was
this noble association dissolved, after
Furnishing nearly three centuries. But
though the Hanse Towns preferred allie
glance to revolution, their enterprlslng
spirit still pervaded the public mind, and
new impulse was g lven to commerce
by the noble Florentne merchant, Cos
mo De Medicis, who was gratefully call
ed the Father of his country because
he expended the vast wealth acquired by
trade, in patronising industry, fostering
the arts, founding literary institutions,
preserving the peace, and promoting the
prosperity Of Florence. He died in
1864, and was ably succeeded by his
grandson, Sorenzo de Medicis, who
bartered the fine linens, velvets, and
wo0llens of Florentine manufacture, for
the rare and valuable commodities Of E.
gypt, Persia and other countries; he was
a merchant prince in 1890. About this
this time, Christopher Colon or Colum-
bus, a Genoese navigator, determined to
seek a aew route to India, by sailing in
westerly direction, and having unsuc-
cessfuIly applied to several kings and
princes, who haughtly derided him as
an infatuated visionary, he was consoled
and patronized by the erudite and gen.
erous Isabella, consort of Ferdinand :,
who although engaged in the expulsion
of the Nloors from Spain, enabled him to
sail from Palos, in1492. AS the FORUM
es and fate of Columbus are interviewer
with the history of America, we will not
pause to sketch them here; suffice it,
therefore, that to the comprehensive
views ond munificent patronage of no.
Bile minded woman, is justly to be as
cribed the discovery Of the new CONT
nent that is now the asylum of the OPP
pressed of all nations, from the despo-
J tis,n of the old world, and although the