The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-30

II
In rendering our thanks short time sincs to Captain
Thomas for his valuable portrait of de Soto, we did
moi refer to another portrait which he had offered US
OF equal value, but which we had not then received
This last 10 the portrait Of lady, obtained from the same
gallery al Victoria, but not identified by any crcum
stances which enable Captain Thomas say positively
that she the wife Of that celebrated Chevale We
have hardly doubt. however that such the fact-,he
painting being made the character OF wood OF
precisely the size and evidently by the same artist
is indicated by the style of the work She is repre-.
sened in the costume Of that date and possesses the
beauty, grace, and air which ascrbed by history Ia
the wife OF de Soto. The account obtained by Mr.
Irving OF this lady is that she was the daughter OF
Pedrarias Dayiia-Count de Puno en- Rostro-the head
OF powerful family and Of great influence at the court
OF Charles at the time de Soto returned from his expe
dion with Pizano, enriched by the spoils of the New
World--amounting, il is said to one hundred and
eighty. thousand crowns Of gold Distinguished thus
by wealth, as we'll as by his achievements as q
soldier, he very naturally became favorle OF the
court; and having besides, every advantage Of person
was equally natural that he should gain the affections
OF the young lady, then the distinguished for beauty
and rank at court. Her Isabella de Bobadlla
The portrait to the description Of Just such
lady, and in all probability taken by the first artist
of the kingdom the accompaniment for that Of her
husband, with whom she had determined to come to
America 1t is said that, instead OF being restrained by
her wealth, influence, and connexions the dread oil
the dangers of voyage the ocean, she inspired
fresh enthusiasm into the spirit of her husband, and
urged him the adventure whose sad termination has
been already related. Her husband anxious 10
eclipse the fame Of Cortez, and she willing that he
own attractions should minister to his ambition
Isabella was, however, obliged to separate from hel
husband at Havana where she remained in possession
the island, whilst her husband and his army prosecuted
their wonderful march to the Mississippi TWAS thret
years before she heard the melancholy aeof her hus
band, having been racked with anxiety this long period
for his safety When the news was announced to he
il was an overwhelming blow She held her heac
up again, but died directly Of broken heart.
"Such (says Mr. Irving) the fruitoss and nasica
end of the Wanted conquest of Foridaone OF the
splendid and chvaous expeditions the world,
of the most disastrous Never had more gallant uaiI
| OF youthful cavaliers embarked crusade beyont
the never had adyenurers embarked with lighe
hearts, fearless souls more sangune expectations
Their Wanting preparations in the island Of Cuba,
their triumphant landing the shores OF Florida, partak
Of the swelling spirit Of the nation and the age is pos
sible follow them through their subsequent
blasted hope and baed without having
mratcn necessarily elected by theIr denance oil danger
their perseverng struggles against difficulties and almos
mpossbltie and their manly, unshrinking for,itude
der bardshps of every kind.
elf a, times our feelings revolt the ontrages committee
by them upon the poor Indians and by their wrongs
wards those native cheans who fought and fell SO hero
icaly in the defer their homes yet indignation
passes away and is forgotten in the melancholy fate OF thu
invaders Scarce three years had elapsed from the time
he embarkation Cuba when nearly the whole train
youthful cavaliers had passed horse and rider alike
bad pehed and their bones lay bleaching amidst the
are wilds of America ln