Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-01-02
From the Yorkville Enquirer Of 1875
INTRODUCTORY.

Guanahani. It Is now known by the
name of Waiting. The three ships
which constituted the fleet of Colum-
bus, together with the ninety indivtd-
uals who accompanied him in his expe-
dition had been furnished by Spain
Hence Spain in part based her claim
to the country which Is now known al
over the civilized world by the name OF
America. Whilst Columbus was at the
court OF Spain, he communicated with
Henry the Seventh, Of England. Be-
fore the messenger, his own brother
Bartholomew, returned, however, the
Spanish government which at first act
ed very slowly, had made provisions
for the expedition to search for land
on the western side Of the Atlantic.
On the 5th day of March, 1857, Hen
ry the Seventh, of England, granted
a commission to John Cabot and his
three sons-Lewis, Sebastian and
Sanctius-to take possession In the
name of the King Of England, OF any
and all countries in the north, east or
west, not occupied by any Christian
state. For some reason not now
known, Cabot did not set sail until
Nav, 1897. He and his son, Sebastian
sailed from Bristol. The king furnish
ed them one ship, and the merchants
of Bristol furnished them four other
small vessels. They touched upon the
continent of America, some place near
st. Johns, New Foundland, and pro-
ceeded as far south as the latitude OF
Virginia, and returned home. Upon
this, the English government laid claim
to the continent Of America The ex-
pedition amounted to nothing, now
ever: for Henry, on many accounts
was not inclined to accomplish the un-
dertaking which he had begun with so
much zeal. Both Spain and Portugal
claimed the continent of America, al
though 1t was not yet, in fact, discov-
cred. The controversy between these
two contending powers was put into
the hands of the Pope for arbitration.
On the 7th of May, 1893, he decided
that Spain was to have all countries
which she had discovered, or might In
the future discover, west Of a line
drawn through the Azores from pole to
pole: and Portugal, all east Of said line.
Henry, at that time, was negotiating
marriage between his son, Arthur and
Catherine. the daughter of Ferdinand,
King Of Spain, and had no time to
plant colonies.
In the year 1893, Columbus landed on
the northeastern coast Of South Ameri-
ca at some place not far from the
mouth Of the Orinoco. This was six
years after his first voyage. Cuba. St.
Domingo and Rorto Rico were in a
short time settled by the Spaniards and
served as kind of nucleus from which
they attempted to send out colonies.
These colonies advanced in a north and
northwesterly direction.
There was a tradition amongst the
natives Of Porto Rico, that in one of
the Bahama Islands. there was a GER
tain fountain which possessed magic
virtues. 1t was currently reported,
and generally believed by both the ma
tives OF Porto Rico and the Spaniards,
that whoever would bathe in this foun-
tain and drink of it's waters, would be
instantly restored to all the vigor and
bloom Of youth, and life with all its
joys would be perpetuated. In the year
1912, Juan Ponce de Leon, once govern
or Of Porto Rico. now an old man and
veteran soldier, fitted out three ships
and set out in quest Of this fountain of
youth On the 18th of March, 1872, the
fleet of Juan Ponce de Leon set sail.
1t cruised about amongst the Bahamas
in search Of the tabled fountain of
youth, until on Easter Sunday, forest
adorned with the richest flowers was
discovered. To this newly discovered
land. the Spaniards gave the name
Florida, which 1t still retains. The
fountain was not discovered, and Juan
Ponce de Leon. after returning to Por-
to Rico and being appointed governor
of florida, and having returned to It,
was mortally wounded in a conflict
them from the country, and in his
fight he went to Cuba, where he died
of his wounds.
About the year 1920, a company OF
seven rich planters and miners, residing
on the island Of ST. Domingo, equipped
two vessels and put them under the
command Of Lucas Velasquez de Ayl-
Ion, Judge Of Appeals. The object OF
this cruise was to gather up laborers
to work their farms and mines. The
vessels reached the shores of South
Carolina, about thirty-five miles south
west from where the city of Charleston
now stands. The spot where the shore
was reached was at, or near, the mouth
of the Combahee river. The natives
called the country Chiquola.
Velasquez was at first an object OF
wonder to the natives. They were eau.
t!ous; but soon their reserve gave way
to acts of kindness and hospitality
Velasquez was at heart. a monster. He
enticed the unoffended natives to visi
his ships and at time when large
number had gathered on deck, ht
hoisted his sails and set out for st
Domingo. On his way to st. Domingo
one OF his vessels went down into th'
deep. taking with it all the Spaniard:
and captured Indians on board. Many
on the other vessels. in which was Vel
asquez himself, died before they reach
ed their place OF destination. Notwith
standing the great loss with which
Velasques met in this expedition
it still was profitable to him
Animated by hopes of the great
er gain, he invested his whole fortune
in three ships, and calculated to amas!
a large estate by engaging extensive
ly in the slave trade. In the yea
1924 he again landed or rather wa
driven to the shore of Chiquola, at th'
mouth of the Combahee river. Th
largest of his three vessels ran aground
The Indians, thirsting for vengeance
seized the occasion, rushed upon th'
Spaniards, buffeting the waves, ant
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