The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1874-11-14

[ gained y great NlctofN. III - true tnat Otner
islands, Laneeroia, Fucrtaventura. and all
the group OF the Canaries had been d'scov-
cred some time before in 1895 but these
islands are close TO the African coast, and
their discovery was accidental whereas the
discovery of Puerto Santo, though partly
accidental, was the result OF n scientifically
planned ocean voyage.
THE FIRST OCEAN COLONY.
lmmedia tely he planned a scheme Of CO.
lonizarion, and in regard Ia the spirit OF
colonizing, he as fully anticipated the great
and gallant Raleigh. as he did in the spirit
Of discovery. the enlightened and persever-
ing Columbus. He denied himself. not only
the Injuries, but many of the proper con-
venienceS OF his II tion, in order TO III out
three caravels well manned. On board these
he placed several laborers fitted for settlers,
persus Fed to go BY tempting Inducements.
and w. ,arried with them n varied stock OF
domesd animals, and all kinds Of grains
and p, IS, valuable for cultiva ton The two
brave officers, Zarco and Texeiza. each had
command Of a vessel, and the third one was
placed in charge Of Bartholomew Perestrello.
the jealous chart-msker, and father Of the
devoted 6lial Phillipa.
THE FIRST COLONIAL GOVERNOR.
lDiS itdlinn gentleman VINO nu0 won the
confidence of the Prince by his skill and
courage, was placed in command Of the ex-
petition and appointed Governor of the
island. And thus was the father.in-law of
Columbus importantly engaged in the pio-
neer work of discovery, and he was the first
colonizer and planter in newly discovered
western ocean lands. But Perestrello did
not succeed In the cultivation Of the island.
He lost at sea and by sickness on land. all
his useful productive animals, and of oil his
live stock, he preserved only a pair of
rabbits.
THE FIRST COLONY DESTROYED BY RABBITS.
This healthy pair of rodents and burrowers
hourished and Increased on Puerto Santo
with such wonderful ~fecundity, that in about
three years all the small Standardization Of
Perestrello's people was destroyed by them.
No doubt the cosmographer neglected tho
farming of his island. He found his most
congenial occupation in the tracing Of charts,
and IN writing up his journal and an account
OF his obseryations,-and when so occupied,
his people were neglected., and so, no doubt,
the rabbits got ahead of his cultivation. "a He
abandoned the Governorship and proprietor
ship of the colony, which was vested in him,
in order TO return to take part in more con-
genial work for the Primo at Sagres. There
he assisted James, Of Malorcn, the Chief of
the College and Observatory, established by
frince Henry, IN tracing out new coasts dis
covered, and the courses Of voyages already
made, and IN preparing plans for new ones
about to be undertaken by Henry's nayiqa-
tors. His soB-in-law, the Great Discoverer.
afterwards went with his wife, Phillippa, 10
reside on Puerto Santo in order 10 get a
living out OF the wild property beaueathed
by the cosmographer but COLUMBUS proved
as poor a farmer, or rancbero, as his father
In-law, and gained nothing but some increase
of knowledge and the birth OF his son.
Diego, in Puerto Santo.
When Perestrello's expedition returned
from Puerto Santo with nothing TO show for
the cost and the hopes of the venture. the
scoffers and those who esteemed the Princes
enterprises as not only madly visionary, u.
sacriligious, bad now ample occasion for
critical comment. But the intelligent per.
severance Of this matchless Hero of Portugal
was wonderful. He never relaxed for a day
during forty odd years of his life, the pursuit
OF discovery. He foresaw the navigation
around the dread southern coasts Of Africa
unto India, and the discovery Of mid-ocean
lands, as in a vision ,-therefore disappoint- d.
ments and losses were TO him stimulanis to
greater exertions, and not hindrances.
DISCOVERY OF MADEIRA.
Again he sent forth his w brave Captains,
Zarco aud Texeiza, who, sailing to the
southwark and westward Of Puerto Santo,
discovered the Island Of Madeira Whose
dense forests caused il TO receive this Portu-
guese name for wood. This lovely and fertile
island, like Puerto Santo, had no doubt a
people and a name of its ownIs; but they
have passed away, and the f~ootstep of the
civilized discoverer has obliterated every
trace of the aboriginal dweller. The first
act of the discoveries was 10 set fire to the
dense forests, which fed a conhagration, that
was not fairly extInguished till after a lapse
of seven years. And when the virgin soil
OF this fertile land was fully exposed, then
the enterprise of Henry caused the establish
ment Of a colony and plantations, which
were fully successful, and contributed largely
TO the revenues of the Prince and 10 the
Advancement Of his subsequent enterprises.
THE FIRST SUGAR CANE PLANTATION.
This colony of Madeira was the nursery
OF two notable things Of momentous conse-
quences in the history Of all subsequently,
discovered and colonized western countries.
One was the introduction into this island Of
some growing shoots Of a benehcent plant.
obtained by Prince Henry in Sicily, but
originally brought from Southeastern Asia,
and spoken of by NJ old Biblical prophet as
the "sweet cane from a far country Our
practical as we'll as enthusiastic Prince plan
ned, organized and established the first sugar
cane plantation; and such was his success
as a planter, that after about five years Of
Planting experience on Madeira his intend
ant was enabled TO return TO him $4,000 ar
robas of sugar. This was only twenty per
cent. of the annual product of the island
and was reserved as the especial revenue of
the military order of Christ of which the
Prince was Grand Master.
IA Faria y SOusa relates the story about tbs rabbits.
Is 1t is stated that Madeira when FIRST discovered