USA > Maine > A history of the discovery of Maine > Part 20
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In the west of Nova Scotia there is a large and broad bay, probably the entrance to the Bay of Fundy. Further west we come to the coast of Maine, at once recognized by its characteristic feature,-a long chain of small islands; and then to another bay filled with islands, which I take to be our present Passamaquoddy Bay. It is here called " Angoulesme " (Angoulême), a name often used by the French discov- erers. Into this bay a river runs from the north (the St. Croix), which the author of this map supposes to be a branch of the great river of the north. So much for the coast-line.
The interior of these countries is filled with objects and pictures partly imaginary and partly real; with scenes of Indian life, and birds and other animals moving about among the trees. The great group of islands (Terra nuova) has but few trees, thus answering to the old
* See this description of Nurumbega in Ramusio, vol. 3, fol. 423 F.
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CHARTS OF THE FRENCH DISCOVERIES.
Scandinavian denomination of " Helluland " (land of the flat stones). On the contrary, the country of Nova Scotia (Terra de Nurumbega) and Maine is described as full of large trees and thick forests, thus an- swering to the " Markland " (the land of the woods) of the old Scandi- navians.
Among the animals on the continent we see, now and then, a large bear or a running rabbit; and on the islands of Newfoundland various sorts of land- and water-fowl.
These scenes from the life of the Micmacs of Nova Scotia, and of the Abnakis of Maine, are as pleasant, peaceful, and agreeable, as the Indians themselves are represented in the discourse of the great French captain .* Some of them are seen sitting by the shore, embra- cing each other, and admiring nature. Some appear to be sleeping; others conversing about their affairs under the roofs of their huts. Some are hunting the bear, or bearing a good-sized deer. Little chil- dren amuse themselves with shooting at birds. Some have hung up their fish between two trees, just as the traveler sometimes sees done at the present day in the west of Canada. Cheerful groups are walking leisurely or dancing on the turf. No scenes of violence or destruction anywhere appear; no signs of cannibalism, depicted so dreadfully on many old maps of South America. In the foreground near Cape Race a cross appears, surmounted by a crown, denoting possession taken by some one of the Christian powers of Europe.
In short, everything is represented in accordance with the descrip- tions and views of the great French captain Parmentier, of the amiable Italian cosmographer Fracastoro, and also of the contemporary French, who are well known to have been friendly to the Indians of Canada, and disposed to keep on good terms with them.
In the front of all these coasts and countries, winding like a snake, there runs a long and narrow sand-bank; denoting, as I think, the fishing-grounds of these regions, and the extent of the right to use them claimed by the French fishermen.
In the centre of this bank, and south of Cape Breton and the Gut of Canso, there appears a square figure called " Isola della rena"-better, della arena-(the sandy island). It is at the same distance from the coast, and in the same position as the present "Sable Island," long ago known to, and dreaded by, the Portuguese and French fishermen. The French (or Portuguese) had left here some swine for the assistance of their wrecked mariners, and these swine had so rapidly increased, that they swarmed through the whole island.
* " Gli habitatori di questa terra sono gente trattabili, amichevoli e piacevoli."
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7
N.º. XII.
300
310
31.5
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.Tierra Nueva" by Giro: Rufcelli . 1561.
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CHARTS OF THE FRENCH DISCOVERIES.
The sea on this map, according to the description of Cabot, is full of sea-dogs, seals, spouting whales, cod, and other fish. Indians in their canoes, French and Portuguese in their large ships and boats, are busy in catching them. In the south-eastern corner of the map a vessel ap- pears with the French lilies upon the sails, and the motto, " vado alla terra nuova " (I go to the new country). A similar French vessel is sail- ing, in the south-west section of the map, along the coast of Maine. In the high north toward Labrador, there is another ship with the Portu- guese arms on her sails.
The results of the examination of this highly interesting map, from the time preceding Cartier, may be summed up thus :
The coast of Maine was known to the great French captain Parmen- tier, and his reporter Crignon ; to Ramusio, Fracastoro, and their Ital- ian contemporaries; and to the French, before Cartier. It was inclu- ded by them under the name of " Terra de Nurumbega;" and was designated on their maps by the numerous islands, which constitute its distinguishing feature. Their fishing-grounds were claimed to be co-extensive with this coast, and they knew at least one of its harbors, spacious and filled with islands, Passamaquoddy Bay, to which they give the name of " Angoulesme." They were also acquaint- ed with the entrance of the Bay of Fundy. The French ships came often in sight of this coast. Beyond it toward the south-west, their fishermen did not often go, and knew but little.
2. ON MAP, NO. 12, OF "TERRA NUEVA" BY GIROLAMO RUSCELLI, 1561.
Girolamo Ruscelli was a learned Italian, a "Philologus," from Viterbo, who lived partly in Rome, partly in Venice, the two great Italian centers for the study of cosmography. He was a contemporary of Jacomo di Gastaldi, and is, by some, called "Gastaldi's successor." He composed several linguistic and literary works, and published his well-known translation of Ptolemy, in 1561, at Venice, where the works of Gastaldi and Ramusio had for the most part been issued. Ruscelli died in that city in the year 1569.
Ruscelli added to his Italian Ptolemy a work with the title "Espo- sitioni e introduttioni universali sopra tutta la geografia di Tolomeo" (Universal expositions and introductions to the entire Geography of Ptolemy), which contains remarks on mathematical geography, and the art of drawing maps and charts ; also a series of mips, delineating all the countries of the world. I give here No. XXXII. of these maps, to which the author has given the title: " Tierra Nueva." IIe comprises
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CHARTS OF THE FRENCH DISCOVERIES.
under this name the following countries: "Tierra del Labrador," "Tierra del Bacalaos," and "Tierra de Nurumberg," and nearly the whole east coast of the United States, as far down as " La Florida," in about 40º N.
He quotes no authorities for his map; but it is evident that he used the same sources, as Gastaldi had used for his map of 1550, which, as I have shown, were very ancient, taken probably from the first sketches and charts brought home from " Terre Neuve" by the French adven- turers and fishermen. Perhaps also Ruscelli simply copied the work of his countryman and friend Gastaldi, leaving out now and then a name, or changing it, and adding here and there another. I furnish this map particularly to show, that the system of Gastaldi, as contained in Ramusio, did not remain isolated, but found a contemporaneous response, and was copied by others. For the greater part of the con- tents of this map, I may refer to what I have said on the map of Gastaldi, No. 11.
Labrador, Newfoundland, the great river of Canada, and the several harbors of Nova Scotia, are all drawn and named by Ruscelli in the same manner as by Gastaldi.
The harbor of " Angouleme " (Passamaqnoddy Bay) has also the same form. At the south-west of it, Ruscelli places another pretty broad inlet, probably Penobscot Bay. The coast runs down with a bend to a prominent pointed cape, called "C. de S. Maria" (probably Cape Cod). I have before observed (p. 50), that the name " C. de S. Maria" had been given by the Spaniards to another cape on our coast, proba- bly Cape Ann; but by the later map-makers the same name is some- times applied to Cape Cod.
But I find on this map an entirely new name-" Larcadia "-which I have not observed on any prior map. It is a name of Indian origin; and was probably applied by French fishermen to the coast south-west of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is well known that this name, which in the beginning had no definite limits, was afterwards restricted by the French to Nova Scotia and its vicinity; including also a part of the present State of Maine. The name is variously written, "L'Arcadie," "L'Aecadie," "la Cadie." and otherwise. On the map under discussion the name stands on the coast of Maine exactly in the midst between Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Bays. "The word is said to be derived from the Indian 'Aquoddiauki,' or 'Aquoddie,' meaning the fish called a 'pollock.'"*
* According to Mr. Parkman, Pioneers of France in the New World, p. 220. [According to another authority, Porter C. Bliss, a thorough student of the Indian
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CHARTS OF THE FRENCH DISCOVERIES.
The aboriginal name given on this map to Nova Scotia and the neigh- borhood has this peculiarity, that instead of being written, as accord- ing to its Indian etymology it should be, " Norumbega" or "Norumbec," it is written "Nurumberg ;" showing that the Italian, as well as the German geographers, were reminded, by this Abnaki word, of the famous German town of "Nuremberg." In a similar manner the Indian name "Pernambuco" in South America has been sometimes Germanized to "Fernamburg" (Ferdinand's town).
dialects, Acadie is a pure Micmac word, meaning "place." In Nova Scotia and Maine, it is used by the Indians in composition with other words, as in Pestum-acadie, and in Etchemin, Pascatum-acadie, now Passamaquoddy, meaning the " place of the pollock." Gesner, in his "Resources of Nova Scotia," pp. 2, 31, gives the same mean. ing, illustrated in the words, Anglishou-akade, a place where Englishmen reside ; Sagaben-acade, ground-nut-place, now Shubenacadie. The origin of' acadie is ahki, land or place, with da, a particle of admiration, added; translated by Rale, voila! there ! implying abundance .- ED. ]
CHAPTER VII.
FIRST SPANISH EXPEDITIONS ALONG THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA FROM COLUMBUS TO AYLLON, 1492 to 1520.
1. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
THE earliest discoveries of the North American continent by Europeans were made on the great north-eastern penin- sula, Newfoundland, the most eastern projection of which is the point nearest to Europe ; and was reached on the old highway, by the intermediate stations, Faroe, Iceland, and Greenland.
Then followed the discovery of the West India islands, toward which the navigation was comparatively easy by help of the trade-winds and the equatorial current.
From both these northern and southern regions the more central parts of the coast were reached, and by degrees more thoroughly explored.
The State of Maine, being a part of the north-eastern peninsula, was usually reached from that quarter; and its early discovery is more intimately connected with that of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Canada, and other northern divisions, than with that of the West India islands and Flor- ida. Accordingly, the voyages of the Northmen, the Cabots, the Cortereals, and others, are much more connected with the discovery of Maine, than those of Ponce de Leon, Ayllon, De Soto, and their successors at the south, who scarcely reached our coast.
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SPANISH EXPEDITIONS IN FLORIDA, 1492-1520.
Some of these southern expeditions in their progress, at last came very near to our northern coasts ; and, as I shall show, were at least intended for them. Bringing up the chain of discovery to as high a latitude as about 40° N., they serve to settle the question, how the coast of Maine was interlinked with the entire coast-line, and what position it occupied there. They also gave names on the south of Maine to certain bays, capes, and rivers, which are found on the Spanish charts. We should not be able to understand these charts, and to show on them what belonged to us and what not, without taking some notice of the southern voyages and their results.
A review of them, therefore, will be necessary, and a short review will suffice, to point out the most important steps in the progress of this branch of the history of discovery, which relates to the south-eastern coasts of North America.
2. COLUMBUS AND THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES.
Columbus, setting out on his first voyage in September, 1492, from the island of Gomara, followed at first a strictly western course in about 28º N., near and along the northern limits of the northern trade winds.
If he had kept on this track to the end, he would have reached the east coast of the United States in 283º N., about the latitude of Cape Canaveral in Florida. But during the latter half of his voyage, at the end of September, when about midway in the Atlantic Ocean, he began to change his course a little to the south, and so touched the new world in about the latitude of the southern end of our east coast.
The Indians of the small Lucayan islands, with whom he first came in contact, had from ancient times a more intimate intercourse with their southern neighbors,-the inhabitants of the larger Antilles,-than with those at the north,-the inhabitants of Florida and the east coast of the United States.
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SPANISH EXPEDITIONS IN FLORIDA, 1492-1520.
They were connected with the south by a chain of islands and low banks, whose channels were navigable for canoes ; and were drawn in that direction by old traditions, that their paradise lay in those magnificent countries, the high moun- tains of which they could see from some parts of the Lucayan Archipelago. On the other hand, they were separated from the east coast of North America by a deep strait and the swift current of the Gulf-stream, which would be likely to sweep away their canoes, and be to them an object of dread. Besides, the flat and less attractive country of Florida was nowhere in sight from their native islands.
When therefore Columbus made inquiries of the poor islanders after larger and more beautiful countries, and took some of them on board as pilots, they conducted him to the south ; 'and in this manner turned him off from our east coast ; so that during the rest of his life, he continued to be occupied with the exploration of the southern regions, and gave little attention to the northern. .
On his first homeward voyage in January, 1493, he ap- proached the great section of the ocean, which lies along the east coast of North America, more nearly than at any other time. His course was in a north-east direction, somewhat parallel with our east coast, but at a distance from it, for nearly four hundred leagues ; passing not far to the east of the Bermudas, and about a hundred and fifty leagues south of the southern end of the great Newfoundland Banks .*
Though Columbus never saw this east coast, yet he was convinced that there was a great continental land lying in this direction, at the north-west of his islands. He however be- lieved until his death, as many did after him, that this great continent was the eastern coast of Asia, and that the islands
* See this track laid down on the chart of Columbus' voyages by Na- varrete in his "Colleccion de los viages et descubrimientos," tom. 1, p. 332.
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SPANISH EXPEDITIONS IN FLORIDA, 1492-1520.
visited by him were situated not far eastward from that con- tinent.
On his second voyage to the west he sailed along the south shore of Cuba, June, 1494, in a west-north-west direction. Arriving in the vicinity of its western extremity, he turned back, declaring his conviction, that the country was not an island, but a part of the great Asiatic continent.
As unhappily not one of the numerous charts which Co- lumbus constructed has been preserved, 'we cannot say what may have been his exact idea in regard to the distance, trend- ing, and configuration of that eastern continental coast. His first view may have been, that in these particulars it resembled the coast-line drawn on the globe of Martin Behaim, in 1492, running north-east of Zipangu (Japan), supposed by Colum- bus to be the same with his Isla Española (St. Domingo).
It is probable, although it is nowhere directly stated, that Columbus became acquainted, at a later time, with the dis- coveries of the Cabots and Cortereals made nine and six years before his death. This is rendered indeed quite certain, so far at least as the discoveries of Cabot are concerned, from the fact, that these had been already depicted on the celebrated map of Juan de la Cosa, the pilot and companion of Co- lumbus.
The east coast of North America is drawn by Cosa on this chart, in accordance, doubtless, with the views of Columbus ; that is, at a considerable distance from the West India islands, with a trending from the south-west to the north-east. On one point, however, Cosa differed from Columbus, namely, in representing Cuba as an island, and not as a peninsula, as Columbus continued to regard it, probably during his life.
Similar representations were made in various ways on maps made long after the death of Columbus. His last two voyages were occupied in explorations much further south, which have no special relation to our subject.
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SPANISH EXPEDITIONS IN FLORIDA, 1492-1520.
' 3: EXPEDITION OF PONCE DE LEON FROM PORTO RICO TO THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA IN 1513.
For the reasons above stated, the more northern regions were for several years neglected by Columbus and his follow- ers ; and even the northern side of Cuba, which, accordingly, was supposed by them to be continental with Asia, until it was circumnavigated by Sebastian de Ocampo, in 1508, when its insular character became generally known.
Soon after this voyage of Ocampo, the Spaniards began to search more eagerly after the regions north of Cuba. The Indians of Cuba and of the Lucayan islands related a tradi- tion, that there was, in that direction, a great country, which they named " Cautio," in which there was a wonderful foun- tain, having power to restore youth and strength to those who bathed in its waters. A similar story was told of an island, called " Bimini," said to lie in the north-western part of the Lucavan Archipelago.
It is probable that Ocampo brought home from his circum- navigation of Cuba, the first accounts of these traditions, and spread them among his countrymen, the Spanish settlers. And probably soon after, private adventurers and explorers may have undertaken voyages in search of this fountain of Bimini, and the country of Cautio.
Some years later, Juan Ponce de Leon, the conqueror and governor of Porto Rico, influenced by these glowing tradi- tions, determined to seek this fabled fountain to restore his shattered frame; and on the 3d of March, 1513,# sailed with three vessels to the north-west, having as chief pilot,
* Nearly all former authors have placed this voyage in the year 1512. But Peschel, in his " Geschichte des Zeitalters der Entdeckungen, " p. 521, has proved that this year is an impossible date, and that instead of it the , year 1513 must be adopted.
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SPANISH EXPEDITIONS IN FLORIDA, 1492-1520.
Antonio de Alaminos, a very intelligent and skillful man, who afterwards distinguished himself by several important discoveries.
De Leon, sailing at first along the eastern coasts of the Lucayan Archipelago, arrived on the 14th, at " Guanahani," the first American island discovered by Columbus. No Spanish navigator, so far as we know, since the discovery of Columbus in 1492, had reached this his north-western ne plus ultra. Ponce de Leon now passed it, crossed the track of Columbus, and advanced still further to the north-west.
On the 27th of March, which was Easter-day, commonly called in Spain, " Pascua Florida" (Flowery Easter), he discovered land in about 29º N. He sailed along the coast for two days in a north-westerly direction, looking for a har- bor, until on the second day of April, he came to anchor at a place in 38° 8' N., probably near the present St. Augustine. Here he went on shore, took possession of the country in the name of the king of Spain ; and, thinking it to be a large island, he called it " La Florida," as well because he had dis- covered it on the above-mentioned festival day, as also from its flowery aspect .*
The next day, Friday, he still continued his course to the north-west ; but on Saturday, changing his mind, he returned along the coast in a southerly direction ; disappointed, per- haps, in the object of his search, and desirous of ascertaining what connection there might be between Florida and Cuba.
He continued on his southern course until the 20th of April, baffled by the strong current of the Gulf-stream, and making little progress. He occasionally landed and gave names to several places ; for instance, to a place,-discovered on the 8th of May, in latitude 28º 15' N .. probably Cape Canaveral, as indicated on subsequent Spanish maps,-he
* See Herrera, Dec. I, lib. 9, cap. 10.
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212 SPANISH EXPEDITIONS IN FLORIDA, 1492-1520.
gave the name "Cabo de Corrientes," so called from the strength of the currents which rendered it difficult for him to pass, though sailing with favoring winds and all his sails set. In about 25° N., he saw the coast turning westward, and there descried a long chain of rocky reefs and islets of various forms, which appeared to his Spanish imagination like mar- tyrs lying upon their grates ; and which he therefore called " Los Martyres " (the Martyrs), our present Florida Keys.
Having reached these keys, De Leon turned to the north, entered upon other 'waters quite new to the Spaniards, and came upon the western coast of his "island Florida," along which he sailed some distance to the north, perhaps as far as the present "Charlotte Bay." From this point he again turned south, and on his home route came in sight of the ... Tortugas" (the Tortoises) ; where, having Cuba on the one hand, and Florida on the other, he was able to determine the distance between those two countries. After cruising in the Lucayan Archipelago, he arrived at Porto Rico in the month of September or October .*
After this expedition, De Leon went to Spain, where the king gave him the title of " Adelantado de la isla de Bimini y la Florida," together with the government of these newly dis- covered provinces, with a commission to establish a colony there. De Leon was accordingly the first European gov- ernor appointed for the North American continent. For the next few years, however, he was so occupied with expeditions against the troublesome inhabitants of the Caribbean islands, " that he could not profit by his commission." But in the year 1521, he began to arm and avail himself of his con- mission in Florida. With the remainder of his fortune he fitted out two vessels, and sailed again to that country ; at this time visiting only its western coast, and accordingly fur-
* There are some doubts about this date.
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SPANISH EXPEDITIONS IN FLORIDA, 1492 -- 1520.
nishing nothing of interest to our subject. On this his last expedition he was mortally wounded in a battle with the Indians of Florida ; and died in Cuba, leaving a son, the heir of his titles to the great country discovered by him in the north.
The Spanish name " Florida," which De Leon gave to this new country, remains ; while the Indian names, " Cautio" and " Bimini" were soon forgotten. The name of Florida was extended by degrees further north with the progress of Spanish discovery and power in that direction. New Eng- land, and even Labrador, were at last included under the name of Florida. Nearly to the end of the eighteenth cen- tury, the name of North America was little used by Spanish authors .*
4. VOYAGE OF ANTONIO DE ALAMINOS FROM VERA CRUZ THROUGH THE BAHAMA CHANNEL TO SPAIN IN 1519.
Before and after the expedition of De Leon in 1513, nu- merous private excursions were made to the coasts of Florida and the Lucayan islands, from St. Domingo and Cuba. Among the adventurers was a certain Diego Miruelo, who had preceded De Leon, and was now found by him to his astonishment, making on his own account a second expedi- tion to Florida, in 1516. This Miruelo brought home speci- mens of gold, which increased the fame of this country among the Spaniards.t
We are not told to what part of Florida Miruelo went ; but probably it was not to the east coast. The Gulf of Mexico at this time, and in subsequent years, attracted the
* Among these authors is the well-known historian, Barcia, in his great history of Florida.
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