The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-11

Later historians, IN writing of this dla-
coyery, have not only ignored any right
which Estcvan had to claim the discovery,
but have charged him with undue ambl-
ton and avarice. The fact however, re-
mains that Fray Marcos, whose guide
Estevan was, docs not allege any complaint
with reference to Estcvan's conduct He
simply claims or seems TO claim, as his
own the discovery made by his faithful
guide, who did MOI belong to him, but was,
perhaps a slave of the governor of (olD
Mexico.
In writing of Fray Marcos de Nizza's
spurious claim OF discovery. fernando
Cortez, the conqueror of Mexico, calls
the pious monk "a common impostor,"
and declares that he claims to discover
countries which he never saw. While II
may not be proper to accept this whole
sale charge, 1t is safe to say that De Niz1a
was too many days in the rear of his
faithful negro guide TO lay claim 10 the
discovery of New Mexico.
Mr.. John Fiske. in his The Discovery
of America" (Volume ID, writes Of this
part of American history with more Gu
phony than accuracy. lie makes far too
much of the lilo" or "ico" of Estevan-
lilo or Estevanicos name. Yet it would
be supplementary and improper to
Or. Fiske with hippancy In his references
to poor silly little Steve" as he nick
names him; nevertheless, II would not be
unjust to ask this delightful historian to
reread his authorities for this page of his
history, for thereby we could hope that he
would be led to do justice to the negro
who has at least some claim 10 rank as
an explorer and a discoverer. The writer
believes that the termination lilo or
'Ico" In Estevans name does not warrant
MIR Fiske In his filings at this man. ln-
deed IL seems to me that any just inter
probation Of the facts related by Mr.. Fiske
himself in his 1.-The Discovery Of Amer
lea CVol. II. pp 500-50S). would force an
unprejudiced historly~ TO conclude
that man who visited and
sent back reports of coun-
try" is more entitled TO The honor Of
the discovery Of that country than man
Ike Marcos de Nizza, who, according TO
Mr.. Fiske's own statement, from hill
only got a Plsgah's sight Of the glories"
of the country, and then returned with all
possible haste" evidently without having
set foot at this time In the Cibofa cities,
now New Mexico.
Mr.. Justin Winsor, In his magnificent
Narrative and Critical History of Amer
lea" is juster toward Estevanico. He
saws: "The negro was ordered to advance
In a northerly direction fifty or sixty
leagues. and to send back Ito Fray Mar
cos1 a. report OF what he should "discov-
err This the negro did; he sent back in
formation that he hah discovered a
country. the finest In the world" II was
cibola. one of the -sought-for Seven
Cities" Now, instead Of giving credit to
his faithful guide, the negro Esteyan,
since the latter had been killed in prose-
cutting his discoveries, the monk Marcos
AZ N,zza claimed all the honor 10 himself,
and subsequent historians, If they have
NOT sustained the monk have not placed
the honor where it belongs. When, how
ever, historians come to feel thai even a
back slave land we are not sure that e
tevan was al that time a slave) Is entitled
10 as much credit for his success as con
demnation for his shortcomings they viii
and many opportunities, IN writing Ameri-
can history, TO mention the negro with
consideration and even praise. Mr..
Winsor. however. was thor
ough historian, and gave In Estevan' 3
case facts, IL not all the facts, upon which
our conclusions may be based. In this
matter the conclusion Is not that Marcos
de N.zza, but that Stephen Dorantes, more
commonly called Estevanico, was the dis
coverer OF New Mexico.
1t is a pity tndt we nave no connected
narrative Of this important negro diseov-
erer. Stephen Dorantes. An account OF
his connection with the III fated expedition
OF Narvaez In 1928 and OF his association
with Marco de Nizza In 1888 may be found
in the various writings referring 60 this
period. But outside from these very little
IS known Of the early history Of the man.
He was born in Azama (the Olives, one
Of the principal cities of Marocco, Aflsca,
and may be supposed 70 have been about
% or 30 years old when he joined the ex-
petition Of Narvaez, which sailed from San
Lucas de Barrameda Spain, June II. 1877.
The first fleet consisted OF SOC persons. On
landing az Florida they wandered through
the country harassed by the Indians until
they had lost all but 2iO persons. and
then. about Sept o. set sail IN number
OF boats on the Gulf Of Mexico Narvaez.
as usual, proved a poor leader: misfor-
tune after misfortune befel him and his
men. Al the end Of the year only four
of the men survived. three white and vne
negro, stephen Dorantes. better known as
Estevanico.
These four men discovered and landed
uDon the coast Of Texas. They stroye to