Year: 1859

their leader, and participated fully with him in
the grandeur of the exploit they were selected to
perform. few friendly Indians in addition, vol
unteered to follow him, and he also took in his
escort, several well trained blood-hounds.


Such was the little army with which Vasco Nu-
nez de Balboa set out in search of the great South
Sea, and for the conquest of the powerful realms
by which he believed it to be bordered.


1t was on the lst of September, 1913, that this
adventurous discover set out on his memorable ex-
petition 1t consisted of one brigantine, and nlne
large plorques, or bupgoes, such as still used
by the natives In that section of America. He
steered to the northwest, and after few DAYS
reached the dominiOns of Comagre, the friendly
Chief who had first given him intelligence of the
existence of the great ocean beyond the mountains
Leaving with him his naval hotilla, early on the
morning of the 9th of September, after having
participated with all his soldiers in solemnizng a
grand mass, Balboa turned off to the southwark,
and boldly invaded the central regions of the con-
tinelt.


1t is unnecessary to follow him particularly
through all the details of his perlOus and fatigu-
ing march. He was compelled to fight his way,
not only against the savages, but against far
more formidable foe, in those tropical regions-the
deadly miasma of the climate. So toilsome and
difficult was the march, that for the first fourteen
days he did not advance more than ten Spanish
leagues. At this point, however, he encountered
Cacique named Ponca, who pointed to lofty
range Of mountains, stretching far away to the
south, and informed him that from their SUBMITS
the great object of his search could be found.


Taking fresh courage at this announcement, be
ordered the sick to return to Camagre, and with
greatly reduced force he pushed forward on his
march.


At length, on the evening of the 25th of Sep
tember, he arrived at a small village at the foot
of lofty mountain, and there learned with rap
ture that the Southern Ocean could be distinctly
discerned from it's bald and rocky summit The
day previous, he had fought great battle with the
natives, and took several prisoners. From amongst
these, he selected guide, and made preparations
to commence the ascent on the following day.
Upon counting his men, he ascertained that ut the
whole number with which he set out, only sixty
seven remained who had strength enough left to
venture the task of climbing the mountain.


At day-dawn, everything being in readiness, he
commenced the ascent. Rugged, steep, and slip
perry was the path, the heroic heart Of Balboa
bore him on, with feet step and flashing eye. At
ten o'clock he emerged from the dense sea of veg
citation through which he had struggled, and came
out upon open and elevated plain. Shooting
still upward, the rocky summit rose many hundred
feet above him; but from that eminence his guide
announced that the glittering waters of a bOund-
less ocean would burst upon his sight Halting
his men, he commanded them to remain fixed in
their footsteps, and not presume to follow until
he gave the signal TO approach. Then with the
pride and vigOr Of the condor that still SCARED
above him, lost in the distant cOuds he sprang
forward, solitary and alone, to feast his eyes upon
the magnificent scene. Onward and upward he
pursued his way, his chivalrous old Spanish heart
beating with the heroism of crusader, and the
hope of immortal renown. One more crag rose
above him. Bounding to its summit, the sublime
and ma jestc spectacle burst suddenly upon him,
in all It's romantic glory. Far away DER noun
tain, river and forest, brightly flashing in the
morning sun, and marking the clear horizon with
its line, smiled the calm blue waters of the
Pacific Ocean


Overcome by the grandeur of his discovery, as
well as filled with humble DEVOTION that he was
the instrument selected by Divine Providence to
make it, he fell upon his knees, and poured out
his thankfulness to heaven, that he the first
European whose eye had ever rested on the pros
pect before him. L en- giving the signal to his
companions. they soon clambered to his side, and
there, after joining the Priest. Andres de Vara in
the solemn chant of TIE Dtum, they subscribed
their names to a formal Declaration drawn by the
Notary of the expedition. announcing to the whole
civilized world, that Kasco Nunez de Balboa on the
26h day Of September, 1913, diScoUered that Sea.
and took possession Of it with all its islands, and
surrounding lands, in the name and for the benefit
of the Sovereigns of CASTLE.


Preparations were Immediately made to descend
the western declivity of the mountain, and take
corporal possession of the sea. This imposing GER
emony was performed on St. Miehaels Day. the
Eery same day that Balboa reached the sea-cOast-


Seizing with his left hand banner on one side
of which was painted the Virgin and infant Jesus,
and on the other, the arms of Castillo and Leon,
and drawing his sword with his right, he waded
into the until the water reached above his
knees then waving his banner, and striking the
billuws he exclaimed in loud voice, - Long live
H., Y. n
Juana, SOvereigns of Castillo Leon, and Arragon,
in whose names, and for the Royal Crown of Cas-
tile. take corporal possession of these seas and
lands, and adjacent coasts, and islands !"


This naughty proHunciamentO only attested
by twenty-six OF his followers and hence origin
ated the claim. persevered in for many years
by the Spanish MOnarchs, Of the exclusive right
TO navigate the Pacific Ocean, as well as the sole
ownership of all the lands by which it is bor-
deTed and of all the islands by which 1t Is dotted
over and adorned.


1t is unnecessary to follow Balboa any further
in his fortunes. Suffice it to say, that he was
most ungratefully treated by his country and.
like Columbus himself, was doomed to disappOint-
ment and disgrace. The world hates its greatest
benefaetors and Balboa formed no exception to
the general rule. He was finally accused OF some
reasonable conspiracy against his Sovereign, and
though the only testimony against him, was the
oath of his btterest enemy, and the suspicious of
a deserter from his standard, he tried by Ped
rarias Governor of d .rien, and in the year l5l7-
only four years after his great discoyery-he Was
led forth from prison, and ignominiously executed
in the public square, at Acla.


A distant age, and foreign people will yet do
Justice to his memory and should the day ever
arrive when San Francisco shall fulfill her proud
destiny, and luru it the Pacific, like Venice of
old over the Adriatc. then, the first object that
from tho summit or her hills shall greet the eve of