, 1859-12-30

FROM the coast Of Florida at the swords point, or
die in the attempt He accordingly proceeded to
make his preparations, which, however, were con-
cealed with great skill and address. He raised q
considerable sum by selling his property, and by
loans obtained from bis friends and Disgusting
his real purpose, gave out that he was bound, as
before, 70 the Efsican coast. The squadron con-
sisted Of three vessels, with crews amounting to
two hundred and filty souls amply provided for
twelve months: Thus equipped he sailed on the
23d August, 1867, from Bordeaux and after
some time, began to unfold his real design, expa-
tatng in glowing language on the glory Of the at
tempt, and the righteousness Of the quarrel.
"Companions and faithful friends Of my for
tunes" said he; "you are not ignorant how
highly value brave men like yourselves Your
courage you have sufficiently proved by your
noble resolution to accompany me in all the
dangers which we shall have to encounter, as
they successfully present themselves-my re
gard for you have shown by the care have
taken for the safety Of your lives. desire not
to embark you in an enterprise which may re-
suit in dshonorable failure: it would be 10 me
far too great and blameable temerity to hazard
your safety in any design so difficult Of accom-
plishment, which, however, | do not consider this
one to be; seeing that have employed in it q
good part Of my own fortune, and that Of my
friends, in equipping these vessels and putting TO
sea, myself being the sole undertaken Of the
voyage. But all this does not give me so much
cause for regret, as have reason to rejoice see
ing you all resolved upon another enterprise,
which will rebound to your glory-namely-tO
avenge the insult suffered by our nation from the
| Spaniards, who have inflicted an incurable wound
upon France, by their infamous treatment, and
the barbarous and unheard Of cruelties they
have exercised upon our countrymen. The des-
cripton Of these wrongs has caused me to shed
tears Of pity, and inspires me now with deter
mination, that am resolved, with the assistance
Of God and your aid, to take o just revenge for
this fclOnious outrage on the part Of the Span
iards-those base and cowardly men, who un.
happily destroyed our friends by surprise, whom
with arms In their hands they dared not to have
looked in the face. The enemy ispoorly lodged,
and may be easily surprised. have on board
persons who know the country we'll and we can
reach It in safety Here, my dear companions,
here Is q subject 10 rouse our eoungel Let me
see that you have as good will to perform this
noble design as you had affection to follow my
persOul VIII you not rejoice to bear away tri-
umphant laurels, bought by the spoil and ruin Of
our enemies 7"
This enthusiastic speech produced its full Of
feet Each soldier shouted assent to the gener-
Gus proposal, and was ready to reply with Eu-
ryalus:
Like thine, this bosom CLOVIS with martial fame,
Burns with scOrn Of life, and love Of fame
And thinks, if endless glory can be sought
On such low terms, the prize Is cheaply bought !"
Having thus obtained the full cooperation Of
his gallant band, De Gourgues steered for the
coast Of Florida, and passed some time In recon-
noitering the position Of the Spaniards, and in
acquiring from the Indians full particulars Of
their strength and resources These were, in
deed, sufficiently formidable, amounting TO four
hundred fighting men, provided with every muni-
tim Of war. No way discouraged BY this suPe-
riority Of numbers and Of position, De GOurgues
made furious attack upon the two forts, on tue
day before the Sunday, called Qsidsiglodo, In
April los, intending e capture them oy ; esea-
lade The Spaniards offered very gallant resls-
lance; but the fury and mpetuosity Of the French,
stimulated BY national antipathy, by the paFtic-
ular nature Of the revenge which they contem-
plated, and fired by the valor and personal exam
pie Of their heroic chief soon surmounted all OPP
position. "Our brave Chevalier de Gourgues, !"
says Champlain, exultingly, " sword In hand, In
hamts their courage, and like lion at the head
Of his troop, mounts tho rampant, and cuts his
way through them" The iate Of the SpaniardS
was sealed-many were killed in the iorts-the
rest taken, or put to death by the Indians. De
Gourgues, thus crowned with victory, and hay-
ing fully succeeded In an enterprise which to him
seemed so truly glorious, brought all the priso-
ners to the spot where the French had been mas
sacred, and where the inscription Of Menendez
yet remained. After reproaching his fallen enc
mics with their cruelty and periidy, he caused
them to be hung IRON the same trees, affxing
this writing in the place Of the former r:-"l
hang these persons not as being Spaniards, but
as traitors, robbers and murderers."
De Gourgues, on developing his real design
and destination to Florida, which he did in the
first instance to his chosen friends, had pathet.
cally complained that ever since he had heard Of
the Spanish outrage at La Caroline, he had been
unable, however wearied with toll to obtain his
usual rest at night-that his imagination was
ever occupied by the semblance Of bis country
men hanging from the trees Of Florida-that his
ears were startled with piercing cries for ven.
geance; and that sleep, natures soft nurse, I"
would never visit him again,
No more would weigh his eye'ids down,
And steep his senses in forgetiulness-
until he had won her offices by a full and exquis-
ite revenge on the Spaniards! The accomplish
ment Of his cherished hopes must have been a
high and vivifying relief to an ardent spirit like
DE Gourgues. He now declared, with cxulting
delight, that sleep, " that balm Of hurt minds" !"
had once more deigned to visit his couch; and
that his rest was now sweet, like that Of q man
delivered from burthen Of misery too great TO
bearI
Having accomplished this remarkable expedi'
ton, aud inflicted, in spirit in accordance with
that Of the times, terrible retribution on the
Spaniards, De Gourgues ,iled from the coast Of
Florida on the I'd Of May, and arrived in France
on the 9Th Of June, where he was received by
the people with every token Of joy and apprOba::
ton. In consequence, however, Of the demand
Of Spain for redress, he was compelled to absent
himself for some time, until the anger Of the
Court permitted him to reappcar. The narra-
tive Of his expedition was long preserved in the
family Of DE GOurgues a.
Champlain, in whose Voyages this romantic
story is TO be found, seems to have been pas
siOnatc admirer Of the conduct Of De Gourgues,