The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-22

eAP@n ho@ss, Of the army, has presented to US a
OF ms remarkable man, for which we tender him
our Acknowledgements. II remained in the family OF one
the felsuveso OF dc Sos. named Espnosa that removed
ABOUT he Tune OF the cesson OF the Fordas 10 the United
States 10 the province Of Tamaulpas then one OF the
VICE royalties OF Spain. II purchased at Victoria by
hehfy D. Robb esq late OF England. from whose hands
passed into those OF Don Felix Ynojoz OF Matsmoras
from whom II was procured by Captain Thomas The
painting on wood, executed by han nd and ex
hlbs Its subject in the of the chvalrous age to
which II belonged The coloring not at all faded, and
the likeness might be taken Tor OF our gaan, officers
Of about thirty years Of age, just returned from the Mex
lean war, who had thrown over his shoulders red ,oga
leaving disclosed the braided breast of his field uniform
surmounted with collar OF elegant fringe work, instead
OF the stock worn in modern times
fernando de Soto undertook the conquest of Florida
in 1882 having arrived the 25th Of May Of that year
In the bay OF Esprltu Santo, with three hundred caya
ers, which he debarked four days afterwards and took
possession OF the country IN the OF the Emperor
Charies the Filth His march from that point to the
mississippi river classically described by Theodore
Irving. who gathered his materials from the most au.
enc sources in the archives Of Spain The incidents
IN that campaign throw air OF romance over the early
history OF this country which is unsurpassed by any.
thing that occurred in the chyalrc crasades for the
recovery of the holy sepulchre Indeed the spirit OF
wild adventure occasoned by the discoveries of Colum.
bus may be said TO have transferred to the New World
the knight erantry and chvalry Of the Old which was
as useessy employed in the search after some Ell Dorado
that possessed countless Of god as it had been
in the vain attempt TO spread the true doctrines of Christi
anity by steelcad cavaliers dispensing the nde hosts
around Jerusalem.
fernando de Soto died on the banks OF the Mississippi
His body placed in the trunk of oak tree an aper-
ae made large enough receive it, was nailed up and
sunk in the deep water Of the father of rivers amidst the
tears Of his faithful followers Mr. Irving who relates
most feengy this sad spectacle winds up the description
with the following remarks upon his character:
"Thus died fernando de Soto, of the bodes the
bavest of the many brave leaders who figured
discoveries, and dsngu ed themselves the wild war.
fare OF the world How proud and promising had
been the commencement OF his career how humble and
hapess its close cut OIL in the vigor and manhood
OF his days. or he but forty years old when he
pred,) pershing in strange and savage land amid the
din and tumut Of camp, and with merely few rough
soldiers attend hmfor nearly all engaged the
preparations making for their escape in this perlous
afion EaiN#
"Hemando de Soto well calculated to command
the independent and chivalc spirits of which hi. army
composed for while his ideas Of military discipline
very strict and he punished every breach of military
duty, all other offences he easily pardoned No was
prompt notice and reward all sodierike merit,
He said have been and engaging his
Aers, patient and persevering under difficulties
aging his followers by his quiet endurance of suffering
In his own person he valiant in the extreme, and of
such vgor OF that wherever he passed in bae he is
said have hewn himself lane through the hickest of
the enemy Some Of his biographe have accused him
OF cruelty towards the poor Indians but according
Incas account, we find him In general humane and mer
me ssaQes and only resorng violent where tho
safety OF himself and followers at stake striking
contrast his humanity in this will be presented
In the conduct of his successor, Luis do Moscoso."