New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-06-02
THE HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY
AND
COLONIZATION OF AMERICA,
AND OF
EMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES.
AN ADDRESS BEFORE THE NEw-yORK HIS
ToRICAL SOCIETY, LAST EVENING.
BY EDWARD EVERETT.
REPORTED FOR THE n. =. TRIBUNE.

most intelligent audience filed Metropolitan Hall. last
evening to hear Hon. EDWARD EVERETT Of Massachu
sets deliver the tenth Lscture OF the New York storic
Sociey's course The Hall Is capable of accommodating
larger number of persons than any other meeting place In
the City except Castle Garden last evening the throng
was much greater than could hold and large number
had TO stand in any available nook they could ind snd
many unable obtain any psce obliged to 90 away
without hearing the lecture.
Among the distinguished gentlemen upon the PLATFORM
were Major General Scorr, ExGov FISH, Hon GEORGE
BANCROFT, CHARLES KING, l.. L. d., Rev DR.. ANDREWS
Jucge NELSON, Rev DIR. TAYLOR, DR. FRAScIs, Marshal
TA1M,DGE, Hon. J. X BRoDHEAD, and others.
The Lecturer introduced by Hon FREDERICK De.
PEYsrER Vice President Of the Society and bowling to the
immense audiences, who greeted him with APP
pause he proceeded to the delivery of bis address, fol-
lowsi
Mr. Prs,denf and Genaeuea Of ire Rhetorical Society
Although appear before you at the season at which
the various religious moral and philanthropc societies
usually hold their annual meetings, discuss the stirring
topics Of the day. need not say 70 you that tho propr
cites of this occasion require me TO abstain from such
subjects and to select theme falling to some extent at
least within the province of an Historical Society pro-
pose accordingly, this evening" to attempt sketch OF
The HIsTORY Discovery AND COLONIZATION
or AsEMcA AND or EaI0RATIos TO THE UNITED
STATES Of course offer you, within the limits Of
single address but most superficial view Of vast
subject, but have thought that even sketch would
suggest important trains Of reflection TO thoughtful
minds Words written or spoken at best but kind
of shorthand to be filed up by the reader nearer
shall be gratfed it, after honorng my hasy sketch with
your attention. you shall deem il worth filling up from
| Your own stores of knowledge and thought You will
forgive me, If in the attempt 10 give certain complete
TO the narrative, may be led 20 glance at few
facts which, however interesting may seem to you too
| familiar for repetition.
In the last quarter Of the fifteenth century an Italian
Mariner citizen Of the little Republic Of Genoa who
had hitherto gained livelihood pilot in the COM
merca service of different countries made his appear
ance successfully at various Courts in the South and
West of Europe soliciting patronage and aid for bold
and novel project in navigation The state Of the times
in degree favorable 10 the adventure The POr
tugese had for half century been pushing their discove-
Is southwark upon the coast of Africa and they had VEN
tured into the Atlantic far the Azores Several con
spring causes and especially the invention Of the art Of
printing had produced general revival Of nteigenc
STILL however the state Of things then prevailing in this
respect very different from what witness in the
middle Of the nineteenth century On the part OF the great
mass of mankind, there but little Improvement
the darkness OF the middle ages The culture
tered in the Convent the Court and the University places
essentially distrusul of bold novelties The idea OF reach
ing the EasL bya voyage around the African Continent
hadbegun TO assume consistency but the vastly sig
nfcant idea that the earth globe, and capable Of being
circumnavgated bad by no means become incorporated
into the general intelligence Of the age The Portuguese
nayigators felt themselves safe they crcpt along the
African coast venurng each voyage few leagues
| ther, doubling headland ascending some unex-
pored river holding paaver with new tribe Of
boldly TO the Westt0 embark upon unknown in
the popular geography OF the day 10 have outer shore
to pas that bourne from which traveller had ever re-
turned and from which experience had taught that any
traveller could thus to reach the East by sailing
in western directionhis q conception which no hu,
man beng IS known 10 have formed before Columbus,
and which he proposed 10 the Governments of Italy Of
Spain, OF Portugal and OF England and for long tina
without success The state Of science was not sucb "a To
enable TO discriminate between the improbable and
the absurd They looked upon Columbus as we did thirty
years ago upon Captain Symmes
But the iustrOus adyenurer persevered Sorrow and
disappointment elouded bis spirits bat did shake his
faith snbdue his will His weinstructed imagination
had taken firm hold Of the idea that the esrb is sphere
What seemed 10 the multitude OF the educated OF that
day doubtful and somewhat mystical theory-wbat ap-
peared 10 the uniformed mass mOnstrous paradox con-
adcted BY every step we take upon the broad fat earth
which we daily tread beneath our feetha great and fruit
full truth revealed itself to the intelligence OF Co
umbus as practical fact which he willing 10 stake
all be had-charActer and life. And deserves ever 10
be borne IN mind, a. the most usOus example of the
connection Of scientific theory with great practical results
that the Discovery Of America with All it's mOmenOus con-
sequences to mankind Is owing to the distinct conception
in the mind Of Columbus OF the single scientific PROPOSE
ton the teTaqueOus earth is a sphere.
After years Of uitless and heartsick solicitation after
offering IN effect to this monarch and to that monarch the
gin Of hemisphere the great Discoyerer touches upon
partial success He succeeds not in ensng the sympa-
Thy Of bis countrymen at Genoa and Venice for brave
brother sailor not In giving direction 10 the spirit
Of maritime adventure which had long prevailed IN Por.
tug not in stimulating the commercial thriA Of Henry
VII, or the pious mbton Of the Catholic King His
worthy the throne which che adorned The New World
which was just escaping the subtle kiogcra Of Ferdinand
was saved to Spain BY the womaDly compassion OF isa
bella.
II is truly melancholy however 10 contemplate tho
wTeched equipment for which the most powerful princess
in Chrstendom ready to pledge her Jewels Floating
castles will be fitted out 10 convey the miserable
tves Of Africa TO the golden shores Of Notwithstanding
gseons will be dispatched 70 bring home the guilty trea-
sures to Spanbui three small vessels Of which was
without des and neither Of them probably exceeding the
capacity Of pilot boat and hege impressed into the
public service composed the expedition fitted out under
royal patronage realize that magnificent conception in
which the creatye mind Of Columbus had planted the
germs Of a New World.
No chapter Of equals the interest Of this exps
dton The most fascinating Of the works Of fiction which
have Issued from the modern press have my taste no at
traction compared with the pages in which the first voyage
of Columbus s described by Robertson and s more by
own Irving and Prescott the last two enjoying the al
vantage over the great Scottish historian Of
lately discovered journals and letters of Columbus himself
The departure from Paos where few years before he had
begged sd and cup his way worn
child bis hal farewell to the Old World at the C2nsries
n entrance upon the trade winds which then for tho rs
time filled European sail the portentous variation OF me
needle neyer bei9gs 9bssgysdi the mes'n"1A