Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1868-12-10
THREE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.


the great Pacific Railway across our con-
tincu., which is to be completed next
July, aud by which passengers can ride
in the cars more than three thousand
miles, from New York to the beautiful
State Of California, which his some Of the
graniest mountains, and the most won
derful cascades, and the most enormous
trees. and the richest mines OF gold aud
silver, and the largest fields of wheat. aud
the fucst grapes and hss and oranges and
neaches aud pears in the whole world -
Rnt a little more than three hundred and
hftv wears ago, neither California nor the
Great ocean was known TO civilized men
and this is the story OF their diScoYe-
When Columbus sailed first from
Spain, OH his voyage across the unknown
Atlantic, he thought he was going straight
to the East Indies. He expected to land
in the domains of the Khan Of Tartary,
or in the realms Of the wonderful Prester
John. whose lands abounded Ia gold and
silver. and III ''emcralds. emethysts, ber-
yls, chrysol.tes, sapphlrcs, and all the
other precious ston.s.' He conlecture1
that ia should fnd land in his course,
bu, he did not expect to find i large con-
,;rea:-ouIy scattered islands, OF posi-
! gli he mjgGt not have bocn slrpr aaI Al I.
BODY Of land as large as Australia Gu.
!; vi.s continent, stretching uortL auI
south. cast ana west, over an area q :" u
SAND, II lallcS, WAS altJ5etueF yoaj ~
wiIuc>, inaglungs. 81 tha: the s'za Of
his continent was great stumtnag-
blosk t. mariners for 4 huudgcJ years c7
more ai.er Columbus Was dead anu OIrI-
- II. he great *'ssus and i~th-r of
them all died without at all realizing; {;
tho yastuess Of his discovery. ana IN A.s
verv last voyage, sailed al around the
GuIf Of Mexico, which he called a sea,
e, and down the coast OF Guatcmala aud
tie Isthnus, trying to find a STRAIT
through the land. that he might sail on
to tbs Indies. But, of course, be was uu-
successful Sc, leaving little colony, he
returned TO Spain 10 die
=, This colony was soon abandoned, ana
10 1910 another attempt was made to IN
habit this part Of the continent by party
II .e.,.c1s under OJidu, opanisLgcap'
t.lln.
In 1913. s small Fl et near the coast .:
Panama were attacked by terrible storm
One OF tue ships Was coalplcteiy wrecked
but cue small vessel, commanded oy va
Ic, Nunez de Balboa, got safe TO slOre,
very near where tho colony OF OJtd nal
b.eu establl>Aed Ga searching for H.
however, tne new c9mers found notlln2
uut the deaf ashes OF the settlement.
Bu!boa commenced to make \ town
ana builling some hnts and putting VI
r the cross, which the Spanlards always er
e.t,d, to show inst they fried the Curia
tam religion every wher., he cIl!cd th'
,lacc Santa Maria la Ansigua.
Bab5a was very good to he natives
The poor creatures had not been usci t.
see Il Spauiard 50 just OF 50 disposed !
keen peace with them. aad they met al:
offers OF friendships ia the same spirit
When taey found his great desire Vs.
for gold. one OF the chiefs sent ham 1 ait
\ laTre box Of lha; prccjous metal. Iul:
was not tue best III n fuE tite p2ace OF TIA
colony, for all the SPAN rIs HeTe nsa1 at
ter gold, and qGa-rcl-l oyer II when tue.
cot any, Ike 50 many Il rec dogs, Thl
f,me, wueu Balboa bad got out tue scale
aud was weighing II as evenly as ne could
the rest we're snarllng and growing aroun'
him about their shares.
i The sou of the chief, tall, athletic
Indian. who had brought them the gold
stood looking on during the dIv>ion:-
As the quarrel grew hotta: alG Iat,e.
be scorulutly overturned with his Toe; IA
balance la which thsy were weighing tn
treasure, and said vehcm2ntly
is it possible You should value )
much a thing that 50 ilttIe deserves ,ou
este,m-that you should leave the rtpo,
Of vour hou>es, and pass 50 many seas
exposcd to such dangers, to trouble thos
who live quiet in thelr own land Hav
some shame, Christians, and do net Dc
. sire these things but II you are rcs9ly :,
10 seek gold, | viii show you count.
where you can satisfy yourselves
; Of course these words excited ,Le err.
osi,y Of Balboa, ana lie gave the youhi
: ehisf 10 rest till he should sh9w him hi
: great gold country
Accordingly. they started enc mora
J ing IL September, tor tLe lnoantaln-Tiag
5 which lay not far west OF the colony
. Balhoa With : party Of his meu, ana tn
!, Chief, zish band Of natives Ghe Span
iards wore armor Of sl!:tcrlns p.a.1S {
> .,esl. Y.th swords ~ their sides. ard -
olamsy muskets which they c-rElei !
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