Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-03-17
BOOK REVIEW.
The HISTORY OF THE PACIFIC STATES OF NORTH
AMERICA. By Hubert Rowe Bancroft, San Fran
series. Vol TX Of the works of a. H. Bancroft
san Francisco A. L. Bancroft L Co.

1Hc OADCL u putAiS0sAOh Va VIC ~AtSsS-J
of the Pacific States of North Ameriea has
been varied by the presentation of the first
volume on Mexico, Immediately after the first
volume on Central America. This is done TO
enable the author to bring the histories of
Mexico and Central America SIDE by side
down to about the year 1860. The territorial
peculiarities of the subject the continuity OF
the historical narrative, and the natural or
der Of events, al furnish sufficient excuse for
this procedure, if excuse we're needed. For
the reader, we incline TO the belief that this
parallelisn will prove more acceptable than
the original plan, as 1t win give him the
opening pages of the histories Of these con.
tiguous countries far earlier than if confined
to one section until It's history should be COM
pleted.
Mr.. Bancroft opans his History of Mex.
leo, than which the annals of no country
Of the western hemisphere is surrounded by
so much of tragic and romantic interest, With
a glance at the state of European discovery
and government in America during the FIRST
quarter of a century after the landing of Co
lumtus on San Salvador. Witt conmendsble
celebrity we are brought TO the date Q516)
when 8 hundred or more of the Darien
colonists went over to Velasqusz in
Cubs, and among whom was Beruai
Diaz del Castillo, who became one of the
chieS historians of the conquest of Mexico.
TIE account ID then given of the departure OF
L. IL, = -.
to which Velazquez added a third. upon
voyage undertaken TO engage in the slave
trade from the Guanajs islands. As to the
original purpose of this expedition there has
bsen much division of opinion. The voy-
ayers we're themselves careful TO declare sub
ssQuently that it was an expedition OF dis.
covery, but Las Casas asserts ;hat
they went out to capture Indians. Mr..
Bancroft extensively considers all the
authorities on this mooted question, and
clearly establishes that the public documents
concerning the expedition falsify the facts,
and that the real intent of the Adventures
was to take Indian slaves foE the Cuban fields
and such gold also as they might End. The
ships sailed from Habsna February 8, 1917,
and went westward. At this point it is shown
by our author that MIR. Prescott was in error
whea ne declares that Cordoba was driven
far from his course by heavy gales and that
the expedition started for one of the Bahama
islands. As those islands are east from Ha
bsna, and Cape San Antonio is on the west,
which was reached in four days, ther, as the
expedition sailed westward according TO all
the authorities, and the storm broke on them
after passing the cape, the ships were, &C.
cordiDg to Mr.. Prescott, driven by stress Of
weather out of the course in which they
sailed, and yet sailed in that direction in fair
weather. Yet Mr.. Bancroft admits Eres.
colts pages to be remarkably fair and judi
cious in the main, but holds that be was too
partial to o certain class of material, and
Of authorities. We cite this instance of
criticism to point the fact that our
California author, in taking issue with his dis
tinguished predecessors at times, invariably
cites his evidences, ard makes by citation
and comparison the testimony clear upon
which he bases his own judgment. It has
bsen charged that these books under review
give evidence of dogmatic disposition, but,
as in the case above cited, We have found nc
arbitrary unsupported statements, but in
every instance setting ont Of adeduate
proofs in the foot-notes on every disputed
| point. Mr.. Bancrof.s work, SIS it appears
to us, is compendium of authorities, quite
is enabled, by the remarkable fullness of quo.
tation and voluminOus citation, to form a de-
| liberste judgment as TO whether Mr.. Bancroft
sustains himself The expeditionists, after
four days sail, landed on an island where
were found evidences of partial civiliza.
ton, and next made point they named De
Las Mugeres, where the Indians engaged
them. Two weeks later they arrived at Cam
peche, from which they were expelled by the
threats of the natives, and after variety Of
adventures returned to Cuba. where Cordaba
died of his wounds. This brings US to the
new expedition planned by Velssquez in
1918. and commanded by Griislvs. who struck
the continent at Cozumel Island, and after
proceeding as far as Bahia de la Ascension,
and being convinced Yucatan was not an
island, returned TO Campecne and named the
PENN. ula New Spain. The expedition then
proceeded down the west coast, and thence
up to San Juan de Ulba, occasionally
holding converse with the natives,
trading for their gold, surprised at
their well-built homes, their temples, and
shocked at their human sacrifices. One of the
ships under Alvarado now returned to Cuba
with spells and the sick, while the others
continued northwestwsrd, and after some
stirring adventures returned to Cuba Nevem-
Der Ist. Mr.. Bancroft at much length ex.
tolls the character Of Grijalvs, in contrast
to that Of his crafty uncle, Velszquez the
former, modest, noble spirit, honest, chiv.
alrous, and true to his trusts; the latter sus.
picious and deceitful, easily worked upon by
designing men, and without scruples when
gold was involved or hollow glory to be won.
wo of such qualities could not long consort,
and Grijalva was dismissed By the Jealous
Governor, for whom he was too conscientious
by half Ali Cuba was now aroused by the
spirit of discovery. The Alcalde of Santiago,
Herman Cortes, backed by the influence of the
Governors Secretary, Duero, and the royal
contsdor, Lsres, was chosen for the next ex-
petition as its Csptain-General. A chapter
is devoted to the life Of this adventurous
man, and it must suffice to ssy that It ia
very pleasing example Of the authors ana.
lytical style. At times little ford, some
times perhaps too detailed, but as whole
section of the work that is especially attrac
tive, aud goes far toward Illuminating the
subsequent accounts Of Cortes remarkable
career.
The new expedition, concerning the owner.
ship Of which there has been such dis
pute, and which Bancroft establishes to have
been joint between the Governor and his
CAPTAIN. set sail-after Velszonez had heoun