Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1859-04-30
Che polnnesian.
From the Hesperisn.]
The Discovery of the Pacific Ocean.
BY CAxFON.

such ideas of sublimitv, as the discovery of that
vast ocean, upon whose eastern shore we are now
engaged in building up immense empire.
Every event connected with it is interesting to
all mankind, but particularly to the citizens of
California. 1t will require, therefore, no apology
for presenting some details respecting the event
itself, well the personal character and history
| OF the great Adelantado, VAsCO NUNEz DE BALBOA,
who so fortunate as to be the first European
upon whose sight flashed its calm blue waves.
The notions Of the wisest men in Europe, during
the early part of the sixteenth century, on the sub
ject of geography, were exceedingly crude and lin
| tied indeed, they were both narrow and absurd.
! The voyages of Columbus were projected for the
purpose OF discovering some nearer way to the In
dies, whose silks, and spices. and pearls and pre-
| clous stones, were the envy and desire of all
| Europe.
| Columbus himself believed until his death, that
America was but a short distance from China, and
the East and all his later voyages were devoted to
| the discovery of a passage into the Indian seas.
| He had read and studied the travels of Marco
| Polo, Venetian, who, about the middle of the
thirteenth century, started forth upon course of
| travel, full account of which he subsequently
| published, and which gave such glowing descrip-
tions of the several countries he visited including
Tartary, China, and the East Indies that his fame
and exploits familiar to all Europe for more
/ than two centuries after his death. Columbus
| took the chart made by him, on his first voyage,
and 1t was the prime object of the Spanish navi-
gator, in prosecuting his discoveries, to fall into
the track of the adventurous Venetian. Indeed,
Cathay and Cpanio, the chief countries visited by
Marco Polo, were at that time universally believed
| to be within few days sail of the west end of
| Cuba.
| Vasco Nunez participated in the general Opin-
ion until after he made the great discovery which
has rendered his name illustriOus.
| Balboa Castilian by birth, and one
l taE 81. a IL
| and most magnanimous of the adyenturers who
| sought the shores of the new world. The first
distinction to which he attained, was that of Gov
ernor Of the little colony of Daren-the very first,
it should not be forgotten, planted on the Amerl-
can continent.
| At this era, he is described by his companions,
to have been about thirty five years of age, TALL
we-formed and vigorous, with reddish hair, and
an open, prepOssessing countenance." He is also
| represented - to have been great favOrite with
the people, from his frank and fearless character,
and his winning afabity and his superior tai
euts soon gave him complete ascendency over all
| his official colleagues
| The first rumor of Great Sea beyond the noun
| tains reached Balboa In one OF his expeditions
| against the Indians.
| By his humane and generous nature, he had won
over to his interests the oldest of Cacique,
named Comagre. This young savage observed with
disdain the fondness of the Spanards for gold,
and with the design to ingratiate himself IN their
| esteem as well to show his contempt for rich
es he ordered 1000 ounces in gold to be presented
| to Vasco Nu ez and his companions. Whilst en-
gagged in dividing the spoil by weighing 1t out, the
| Spaniards got into disgracefu brawl, which filled
| the mind Of the Indian with disgust. Marching
| up to the scales he struck them blow with his
fist, and scattered the gttering ore far and wide
| 90 If gold be 50 precious in your eyes," exclaimed
| he, behold those lovely mountains Beyond
l;aoo irbt NVhip he dISppFupd
| from their submits. All the streams which flow
down the southern side of those mountains into
that sea, abound with gold, and the Kings who
reign upon its borders eat and drink out OF golden
vessels'' Such was the first intimation," says
an American writer, 60 received by Vasco Nunez,
of the Pacific Ocean and its golden realms. Hence
forth the discovery of the beyond the noun
talns was the great object of his thoughts and his
whole spirit seemed reused and ennObled at the
idea"
Balboa had been elected to the Office of Govern
or of the Colony Of Darien by the free sufrages
of the colonists themselves, but had not yet re-
eeived the royal sanction from 81 ain. lawsuit
had consequently arisen between himself and GER
tain bachelor of law, named Encisc0, concerning
the ofioe, which was claimed by the latter as the
next in authority to the former Governor, who had
been deposed The lawsuit decided at first in
favor of Vasco Nunez, but Encisco appealed to
King Ferdinand and left the colony to prosecute
his appeal in person.
Intelligence was received at this juncture, at
Dorien that the suit had terminated In favor OF
Enciseo. and that Ferdinand had ordered a judg
ment to be entered condemning Vasco Nunez IN
costs and damages. 1t was also rumored that ne
would be summoned to Spain, to answer IN person
to certain criminal charges which had been pre-
farred against him for the part he took IN the de-
position and banshment of his predecessor.
As vet known, no official intelligence OF these
Facts had been received at the colony. Balboa de-
termined therefore, at once, to attempt some bold
and dazzling exploit which, at the same time that
ir would rebound to his own honor, would serve to
ipgratiate him with the King.
lie was not long in determining what that ex-
nloit should be. He resolved Immediately to set
ont across the mountains and search for that great
sea, so many rumors of which had been borne to
his ears.
The force at his disposal was exceedingly small,
and the region he had to traverse was hlled with
the most formidable foes Not only were there
tbonsands of savages obstructng his path at every
turn. but many deep and rapid torrents had TO be
crossed lofty mountains scaled, dense forests pen
etrated and many leagues of tropical thickes ira
varsed inhabited bv ferocious wild beasts and 1T
erally swarming with poisonous reptiles.
Bnt Balboa's was not a nature to shrink from
an enterprise which promised such glowing re-
wards because danger and difficulty lay IN the path
Indeed these impediments but klndled the lottier
impulse of his soul, and whetted him on to the
accomplishment of his purpose. Besides, there
vas n6 alternative left him. Before him lay the
road to glory and immortal fame; behind him were
chains and imprisonment, perhaps an ign"mlnlous
death. Nor was there any time to be lost IN ex-
tensve and effective preparations The snip bring
inc the official news of his disgrace, might at any i
moment enter the harbor and thus iOrestall forev-