The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-11-30
From Gieason's Pictorial. I
ELDORAD0.
NO. VI.
BY THOMAS BULFINCH.

up the Spanish settlement in Trinidad, he
took Berrio, the governor, prisoner, and
carried him with him in his voyage up
! the river. Berrio seems to have borne his
fate with good temper, and conciliated the
good will Of Raleigh. so that when the
expedition returned to the mouth of the
river, he was set at liberty, and collected
| his little colony again. Berrio probably
shared the same belief as Raleigh in the
existence of the kingdom of Eldorado,
within the limits of his province, and was
naturally desirous to avail himself of the
respite which he gained by the termina-
ton Of Raleigh's expedition: until it
should return in greater force, to pene-
trate to El4oralo and take possession for
himself and his countrymen. With these
views be sent an officer of his, Domingo
de Vera, to Spain, to levy men, sending,
according to Ralcigh's account, divers
images, as we'll of men as of beasts. birds
and fishes, cunningly wrought in gold, in
hopes to persuade the king to yield him
some further help. This agent was more
successful than Raleigh in obtaining be-
lief. He is described as a man of great
ability, and little scrupulous as to truth
Having been favorably received by the
government, he attracted notice by ap-
pearing in singular dress. which, as he
was of great stature, and rode always a
great horse, drew all eyes. and made him
generally known as the Indian Chief of
Eldorado, and the rich lands. Some
trinkets in gold he displayed, of Indian
workmanship; and some emeralds, which
he had brought from America, and prom
ised stores Of both; and by the aid of in
fuential persons, be obtained 10000 dol
lars at Madrid, and 5000 afterwards at
Seville, authority to raise any number OF
adventureres Chough Berrio had asked
only for three hundred mcn), and FIVE
good ships to carry them out. Adven-
turcrs focked to him in Toledo, La Man
cha and Estrcmadura. The expedition
was beyond example popular. Twenty
captains of infantry, who had served in
Italy and Flanders, joined it. Not only
those who had their fortunes to seek were
de!uded; men of good birth and expecta-
tons left all to engage in the conquest OF
Eldorado; and fathers Of families gave
up their employmcnts, and sold their
goods, and embarked with their wives
aud children. Solicitations and bribes
were made use of by eager volunteers.--
The whole expedition consisted of more
than 1000 persons.
They reached Trinidad after a pros
porous voyage; and took possession of the
town. The little mischief which Raleigh
had done had been easily repaired, for
indeed there was little that he could do
The place did not contain thirty families
and the strangers were to find shelter as
they could. Rations of biscuit and salt
meat, pulse or rice were served out tc
them; bat to diminish the consumption az
much as possible, detachments were sem
off in canoes to the main land, where Ber
rio had founded the town of St. Thorn as
Some fotilas effected their progress safe
ly, but one which consisted of six canoes
net with bad weather, and only three
succeeded in entering the river, afte1
throwing their cargocs overheard. The
others made the nearest shore, where
they were described by the Caribs, fierce
tribe of natives, who slew them all excep
a few women whom they carried away
and one soldier, who escaped to relat
the fate of his companions.
The city of St. Thomas contained a
. that time four hundred men, besides wo
men and children. Berrio, to prepare tn
way for the discovery ani conquest of III
dorado, sent out small parties Of the ne'
corners, under experienced persons. tha
they might be seasoned to the dilicultie
which they would have to undergo an
learn how to conduct themselves in thei
intercourse with the Indians. They wer
TO spread the news that the king had sci
, out many Spaniards, and large suppl
, of axes, caps, hawk bells, looking -glas8e
6 combs, and such other articles of trafc q
were in most request. They saw no al
.pearance of those riches which Raleig
had heard of, nor of that plenty which l
!, had found. The people with whom the
met had but scanty subsistence for then
selves, and so little Of gold or silver {
anything else to barter for the hatehe
and trinkets of the Spaniards, that the
l were glad of the chance to labor as boa
# men, or give their children in exchang
Q for them.
Berrio was not discouraged by the r
suit of these journeys. Like Raleigh
S was persuaded that the great and golde
I city stood on the banks of great lal
from which the river Carroll issued, abo
twelve leagues east of the mouth where
his town was placed. A force of 81
: men was now ordered on the discovery
The command was given to Correa, an q
ficer accustomed to Indian warfare. Ibr
J. Franciscan monks, and a lay brother
v the same order accompanied the ezped
i ton. Having reached spot where I
country was somewhat elevated, and {
u temperature cooler than in the reg'
they had passed, they hutted tbemsclV
?. on sort Of prairie, and halted there
" the hope that rest might restore the
: who began to feel the effect of an unHhol
=