Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-03-25

Carolina. He arrived on the coast Of the
new world, at some place near the latitude of
Wilmington, North Carolina. France based
her clain to the territory now known as
North Carolina and South Carolina, upon the
fact that it was thus visited by Verazzano.
In 1927, Spain sent out all army under
Narvaez, to conquer the country. The con-
quest commenced in Florida. Narvaez failed.
He was succeeded by Ferdinand de Soto. In
order that he might succeed in the undertake
ing of conquerng Florida, country to which
no definite bounds were fixed at that time,
De Soto fitted out, at his own expense seven
ships and a thousand soldiers On the 10Th
of June, 1889, he entered Tampa Bay. With
four hundred foot soldiers and two hundred
cavalry, he set out to conquer the country.
His men were we'll armed, and III ample sup
ply of stores had been provided Besides this,
he drove before him three hundred swine,
with which he designed stocking the country.
Previous to this time, there were no swine on
the continent of America No sooner had
| De Soto landed, than he was attacked by
large body of the natives. No decisive
victory was gained by either side; but the
advantage was in favor Of the natives.
De Soto pushed into the country, fighting all
the time with the natives Finally, he reached
the Mississippi. Here, after wandering
about for some time, he sickened aud died,
and, on the 10th of May, 1912, was, after
having been placed in hollow log as a coffin,
sunk in the middle of this noble stream.
IL. n
part of the southwestern section of South
Carolina. 1t has been thought that he COM
menced mining for gold in South Carolina,
whilst conducting this most remarkable march.
From 1889 to 1861, nothing was done by eth
er England, France or Spain, to settle the
country. In fact, up to this period, no efforts
had been made to settle the continent as far
south as South Carolina. De Soto had run
over the country from Tampa Bay on the
western coast Of Florida, to the Wachita in
Arkansas. He crossed, in his march, the ter
ritory now occupied by South Carolina, Geor-
gia, Alabama and Mississippi; but he plant
ed no colony.
In 1862, Coligni, Admiral of France, un-
dertook to plant colony in the New World.
The object he had in view was to secure
place of refuge for the French Protestants,
who at this time were prosecuted and oppressed
in their native country. In the latter part of
1861, Colgni obtained a commission from
Charles the Ninth to establish a colony near
Florida. The work of actually planting the
colony was intrusted to man by the name of
John Ribault A considerable number of
the nobility joined the expedition, and on the
2Sth of February, 1862, Ribault and his
squadron set out for Florida. In May, the
St. Johns river was discovered, to which Ri
bault gave the name May. He continued his
course northward, and entered Port Royal
Harbor. Here he erected fort which, in
honor of Charles the Ninth, was named Fort
Charles. In July, Rbault set out to return
to France, leaving twenty-six men to retain
the country in possession until he would
return with more settlers and supplies. With
the country arolnd Port Royal the colonists
we're charmed. They had never seen any
thing like it before. The woods were full Of
wild animals, ind the waters of the bay swarm
ed with fish, The natives were kind and hos.
ptable. They manifested their interest in the
newly arrived strangers BY beginning to con-
struct an arbor from the branches of the
trees, to protect them from the heat Of the
sun. Although these colonsts came from
France, and had obtained commission from
Charles the Ninth, to plant colony in the
New World, the founding of the colony was
really private enterprise. Charles was
Catholic by profession and a monster at heart !;
and in practice, Ribault was Protestant,
and so were those connected with him. Go.
ligni, the originator of the scheme, was a
Protestant of the highest type. Charles was
Cathoic-bigoted, cruel and deceptious.
The commission granted to Coligni was only,
in reality, permission, if not something
worse, for some good men, who nevertheless
we're trouble to Charles, to leave the country.
The fate of this Huguenot colony is full Of
interest. When Ribaut arrived in France,
he found the country in state Of great con-
fusion. When he left the colony, a man by
the name of Albert was placed in command
of the twenty.six men left behind. Albert
fortified the place where the settlement was
made. This forti6cation was consumed by
fire, but the natives generously rebuilt it. Ri
bault not returning, the supplies left for the
support of the colony failed, and it would
have perished of hunger had it not been for
the Kindness of the Indians The circum-
stances of the colonists were very trying, but
greater calamity awaited them. For some
trivial crime, Captain Albert hanged Guer.
nache, the drummer. The other members of
the colony did not approve of this summary
proceeding of Captain Albert The captain
was not to be awed by their disapprobation.
Whilst the colonists were greatly exasperated
on account of the high-handed, harsh and ar
bitrary conduct of their captain, he banished
LIE Chere to lone island, nine miles distant.
This man was very popular with his compan-
ions. No provisions were made for his susie.
nance upon the island In fact, the avowed
object of Captain Albert, in banishing him to
the island, was to starve him to death. This,
his companions would not bear. They re-
belled and slew Captain Albert, and sent and
brought LIE Chere from his place of banish-
ment.
In the place of Captain Albert, Nicholas
Barre was chosen. By this time, they had
become so disheartened, since Ribaut had
not returned, that it was determined to return
to their native country. TO accomplish this
they set about to builda ship. This, circum-
stanced as they were, was no small under
taking; but in spite of all the difficulties to
be encountered, the vessel was built. We
may safely conclude that it was both small
and of rude construction. Their clothes were
taken off their backs, and from these, togeth-
er with their he'd covers, sails were made for
this first ship ever built on the continent
Full of bright hopes of reaching their native
land, they bid their Indian friends adieu
For some time the voyage promised fair to be
prosperous Winds and waves favored them