Lives of Baron Steuben, Sebastian Cabot and William Eaton

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l^-a^ ^

THE

LIBRARY OP

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY CONDUCTED By

JARED SPARKS

VOL.

IX.

NEW YORK: HARPER

& B K O T 11 E R S, P U B L I FBANKLIN BQCARK.

S

II

K K

?,

Entered according to act of Congress

In the

jear

1M7

byJ^nED BP4RKS, hi

'heClerk'a otHce ort)>eDiBtnci Court of the District

ol

Miisaachuactts

LIVES OF

BARON STEUBEN,

SEBASTIAN

C A B

Ol

,

AND

W

I

LL1A

iiARrun &

U E A T C) W

NEW YOKK uoT n us, r.

i:

i-

:

u

FRANKLIN SQUARE.

ii 1. 1

sn

i:

i;

s.

CONTENTS.

Life

-^f

Baron Steuben, Br Francis Bowen.

Life of ££bastian Cabot, Br Charles Hatward,

,1

.

.

Jr.

91

Preface

CHAPTER

L

— Sev— — Hudson's Bay. — Failure of Provisions and Crew. — Returns Engof — Second Patent. — Death of John America. — AtCabot. — Second Voyage — Fails Labrador. tempts a Northwest Passage. — Dissatisfac— His Return England. — Cabot — of of Henry

Cabot's Birth

and Youth.

Ilcnrij the

grants a Patent for the Discovery a Northwest Passage. Discovery of of Cabot penetrates the American Continent. enth

Objections

to

his

land.

to

to colonize

to dis-

cover tion

to

Colonists.

the Seventh.

Injustice

^uits his Service.

.

93

CONTENTS.

VI

CHAPTER Henry

—

II.

in-

Ferdinand of Spain Eighth. Cabot stationed Cabot to his Service.

the

vites

—

— Death — Council of — — — — A]ppointed Spain by Charles — Expedition Pilot-Major of Spain. Moluccas. — Council of Badajos. — Jealousy — Diego Garcia. — MarPortuguese. of the Indies.

at Seville.

Cabot returns to England. of Ferdinand. Sir Thomas Pert the \^\1.— Expedition of Cabot recalled to Cause of its Failure. the

Fifth.

the

to

the

tin

Mcndez.

—

The Brothers Rojas.

CHAPTER Caboi

.

.11)7

III.

Canaries, and thence to the

sails to the

de

.

Verds.

Cape and the Rojas.

— Disaffection

of Mendez

— 3Intiny. — Cabot enters the River La Plata. — Annoyed by the Na-

— Enters Parana and Para— Three Spaniards and a guay. — The Party harassed Contest the

the

tives.

vio-

seized,

ensues.

lent

Cabot at by Diego Garcia, who overtakes Santa Ana, and claims the Right of Discov-

— Garcia — Cabot — Cabot sends a Messenger Country. leaves

resists.

ery.

the to

—

conquer Peru. Spain, and determines The Emperor's pecuniary Embarrassments, Cabot explores when he receives the Report. to

—

the

La

Plata.

— Quarrel

between the

Foh

CONTENTS.

vi

—

lowers of Cabot and Garcia. Capture of Sanctus Spiritus. The Adventurers return

—

to

119

Spain

CHAPTER Cabot's

Reception in

IV.

Spain.

— Resumes

the

of Pilot-Major. — Account of a personal Interview Cabot. — His private Character. — Relinquishes and — turns England. — Ed/card Charles him return Fifth — His Occupations England. — Spain. Office

tcith

his Office

to

the

the

re-

Sixth.

to

requests

to

in

Errors with Regard

to the

Knighting of

the

Cabots

135

CHAPTER

V.

— Cabot's eaily Observa— Explains Public Theory — Had Condition ComKing. — nfMisEnglish — Cabot — —Remedy. Nature of Opposed by "The Stilyard." that Corporation. — Remonstrances Privy Council. — The Stilyard fore — Preparations fur Expeditions oroken InstrucNorth. — Cabot furnishes — A Part of Squadron under Chancellor reaches Russia. — Chancellor's — The Emperor. personal Interview with — a Charter. Adventurers obtain Change

Magnetic Variation. tions.

his

in

to

the

merce.

consulted.

laid be-

the

up.

the

to the

tions.

the

the

in

Cabot's Fortune.

— King EdwarcTs Death. —

CONTENTS

VIU

Cabot's Pension suspended for two Years. Characteristic Anecdote.

Pension.

— His Death.

— Cabot

-

resigns Ai


CONTENTS by Famin. Consul

IX

— Friendly Warning oft K

hr d-

ish

Treaty

.

CHAPTER IV. — Article negotiated by Famin.

by the Senate.

.

1&

trjcctcd

— — Other — Instructions of Mr.

Ar-

Stipulations.

ticles objected to.

Sec-

retary Pickering to the American Co7isttls Interviews of Eaton with the Hey, ana

—

l85

Negotiations toith his 3Iinisfers

CHAPTER

V.

—

Segotiation continued. Influence of England. Presents demanded by the Hey. State-

—

ment of the Articles Letter to the Bey.

—

an Accommodation

—

refpiired.

— President's

Dijficulties removed,

and 2(K)

effected.

CHAPTER

V[.

—

Arrival of the Hero ivith Stores. Apprehensions of War with Tunis remwed. Fraud-

—

—

vhnt Conduct of the Bey. Eaton takes Charge of the Danish Affairs at Tunis. Ffis

disinterested

Conduct

in

—

Relation

to

— Letter of Danish — Eaton's Quarwith Famin. — Chastises him — Defends summoned and Bey. himself and denounces Famin. — Arrival nf

Danish Vessels. Admiral in Relation the

the

to

it.

rel

publicly,

is

before the

CONTENrS.

X the

Anna

Blaria with Stores, and her Deten-

tion in the Service

of the

Bei/.

CHAPTER

.224

,

VII

and

between

Difficulties

.

.

United

the

— Project ofTrijjoU a Commercial ConvenTunis. — Failure. — Ncio De— mands of Determination send Bey. a Squadron Mediterranean. — OutStates.

tion icith

Its

the

to

into the

rage upon 3Ir. Cathcart, and Satisfaction demanded. 238

CHAPTER

Vin.

— Tripoli — Proceedings — — Project of dtthron sue of ing reigning Bashaw and restoring Brother. — Eaton's Voyage Leghorn. —

Arrival of the American Squadron. hlockaded.

at

Is

Tripoli.

the Expediiio7i.

the

his

to

Return

to

Tunisian Tripoli.

—

Tunis.

— Reported

Capture of carrying Provisions to Discussions arising from it.

Vessels

A

—

Tunisian Xebec arrested and examined by an American Schooner. Conduct of the

—

and Trouble groioing

Schooner's Crew, oj

it.

— Eaton's

successful Interposition.

CHAPTER Intervention of the

of Tripoli and

of ike

IX.

Bey of Tunis

the

in the AJfairs

United States.

the Constellation at Tunis.

Bey for

out

a Ship renewed.

— Arrival

— Demand of

— Eaton

com-

255

CONTENTS.

XI

municatcs his Project against Tripoli to tht

Commanders of

— — Squadron. Brig Franklin captured — Efforts procure Crew. — Further CommuniBashaic. — It

the

proved by them. hi/ a Tripolitan.

is

the

to

Liberation of the cations with the exiled

Differ-

ences with the

Commanders of

Squadron, and

of — New Demands

tion in Tunis.

— The Derne. Tunis.

Bashaw

American

the

Eaton's Situa-

Difficulties

exiled

disap-

leaves

of the Bey. Malta for

— Arrival of Commodore — His Arrest. — Eaton's

JMorris at

with the Bey, and Return

to

Rupture

the

United

267

States

CHAPTER

X.

Eaton's Arrival in the United Slates.

—

Posses Washington. Second Visit Brimficld. to

—

and Attempt

to settle his

United States.

— Letter

the

—

Visit

Summer

in

to

Washington, Accounts with the

to the

—

Speaker of the

House of Representatives. Appointment as States for the the United Navy Agent of

— Cautious Policy of — Return Mediterranean and Arrival Egypt-— Rtctption by — termination join BaTurkish Lines. — shaw. — Arrested with surmounted, and a — Cnnrention concludrd Bashaw llarbary Powers.

the.

to

['resident.

the

the

in

Viceroy.

to

J)i

the

at the

./iinrtion

Difficulties

the

effnted. nii/l lliiimt

between Eaton

289

CONTEr^TS

XM

CHAPTER

march across

to

Preparations

XI. the

Dijjicnltj with the Camel- Drivers.

commenced.

Arab

— Further

Recruits.

Desert.— March

—

with the

Difficulties

— Alarming Intelligence from

—

Extracts Derne, and its Consequences. Eaton's Neics Journal. the from of Squadron at Dcrnc. 3Iarch continued. Arri-

—

— — — Battles — Overtures of PeaceTroops stationed by — Negotiations concluded reigning Bashaw. — Derne evacuated. — Eaton's Return val at

Derne.

loith

the

there.

the

to

the United States,

and flattering Reception.

300

CHAPTER XH.

— Return Vash— Proceedings of House of — Resolve passed by Massa— Eaton's Deposition on Tried of Burr. — Final Adjustment Claims. — Election of — ConInhabitants of by — Failure of duct — Death if — Corresponwith Ex-Bashaic and Friends. — Speech Town Meeting —

Eaton's Visit to Brimjield.

to

Rejj-

resentatives.

chusetts

1

the

ington.

the

Legislature.

the

his

to the /legislature

the

Brimfield. as Representative.

tion.

dence

Reelet'

his Step-son.

the

in

Last

Ilis

Illness

other

at Ilrinifleld.

and Death.

— Character.

.

.

33"

LIFE OF

BARON STEUBEN; BY

FRAN

::

IS

BO WEN.

PREFACE. In

llic

present,

in

following pages, I have attempted to a connected form, the few memorials

that remain, of an able

A

revolution.

manuscript papers,

York

and worthy

selection

now

in

from

officer of the

Baron Steuben's

possession of the IVew most of the

Historical Society, has furnished

facts related.

These papers

consist chiefly of letters

written and received by him in the course of the

war, and several drafts of petitions presented to Conjirass, in which is contained the little that is

known of

his early career.

Many

have been obtained

interesting an-

from

a sketch by Colonel North, first published in the appendix to Dr. Thacher's " Military Journal." A few particu 'jcdotes

jars

have been communicated by Mr.

Pains have likewise been taken

to

Du

Ponceau.

consult such

other sources of information as relate to the trans* actions in

which Baron Steuben was engaged.

BARON STEUBEN

At ution,

the

commencement of

the American revoin

peace generally prevailed

Europe

and

;

the consequent want of employment induced many French and German officers to look to this country,

as a proper

talent.

The

field

for the display

services of

of military

some of them were

val-

In a pecuniary point of uable and important. view, however, the prospect was not a tempting of Congress was as well one, for the

poverty

known abroad

as at

led

by a

desire

wish to engage

home.

who

turers, therefore,

of in

Most of the adven-

crossed the Atlantic, were

hme,

or by

an enthusiastic

a contest for freedom.

Such

were well adapted to imbibe the republican spirits of their American associates, and, on principles their return

the

full

home,

cxtenf.,

troubles, which

to carry out these

principles to

the

domestic

a long train of events

had been

by

engaging

in

The names in Europe. Lafayette and Kosciuszko, first conspicuously known on this the side of the ocean, wero destined to become

preparing

of

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY

b

watchwords of It

was well

ish

liberty

to their

own

country-men.

for this country, that jealousy of Brit-

power so

far

blinded the ministers of Louis the

Sixteenth, that they could not foresee this result. Without their aid, the contest here might have in 177S, in favor of England, or have been protracted at an expense, for which even the blessings of liberty might, for a time, have proved

terminated

an inadequate compensation. The services of foreign

important in

officers,

every respect, were peculiarly valuable in organizing and disciplining the army, introducing a

system of military tactics, and creating the enThe colonists had gineer and artillery corps.

been well trained, during the French and Indian wars, in a kind of partisan service, in which long experience had demonstrated their superiority over the regularly disciplined troops of England. they were now to contend in the European

But

mode

of warfare, against organized soldiery in the open fi(3ld, and in the attack and defence of fortified

towns

Their

inability

to

sustain

a

contest

of

such a character was taught in a woful lesson, by the campaign of 1776 in New York and the Jer

Nothing but the indomitable spirit of the people, and the great prudence and sagacity of

seys.

the Commander-in-chief, enabled the

army to reBut the

trieve the losses of this disastrous year. skill

of the General turned these defeats to so good

BARON STEUBEN.

7

account, that at last they learned from the enemy the art to conquer. The study of tactics was commenced under the instruction of the ail

European volunteers, whose exertions

at length placed the regular line on an equal footing, in respect of discipline and military skill, with the

English soldiers.

No

one rendered more impor-

tant services in this respect, than the subject of

the following memoir. Of the early history

of

Frederic William

Augustus, Baron Steuben, nothing is known. He was born in some part of Germany, about the

We first hear of him in the service year 1730.* of the king of Prussia, with whom he attained the rank of aid-de-camp, and was particularly connected with the Quartermaster-General's deThis arrangement was in conformity partment. with a part

of the

Prussian system, by which

each department had some person near the

mon

whom

the officers directed their requests, and the king applied for any information relative to the condition of the corps. arch, to

•

A

letter

from

tlic

father of

Baron Steuben

to Dr.

Franklin, making inquiry about liis son, which is now before me, is dated, at Custrin, in Prussia, October 8th,

"W.

K. von Steujcn, Major and 1779, and is sigrned Clicvalior of the Order of i\Iorit." In tliis letter the father says

he

seventy-tlirec.

is

eighty-one years old, and his wif«

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

g

Steuben was not, however, a Prussian by birth ; on one occasion he was heard to remark, that he had been a native subject, the great Fred-

for if

eric

him

would certainly have despatched

prisoner to

Spandau,

As

mission from his service.

a snail estate

was born

in

as

a

for daring to request a dis-

Suabia,

it is

the Baron possessed not unlikely that he

in that province.

Steuben was fortunate enough to engage the the friendship and confidence of Prince Henry, some was for he whose to family King's brother, In an unfortunate campaign, the Prince incurred the displeasure of his inexorable He was ordered to retire from the field, brother.

time attached.

and

his suite

were placed

in situations

intended to

make them feel the misfortune of being friends to a man, who had dared to displease the King. Steuben was sent

into Silesia, with orders to recruit,

a equip, and discipline, within a certain period, service. and hard down regiment broken by long

The

pecuniary allowance was wholly insufficient for the end proposed but, in such a service, no ;

intrinsic difficulties

could excuse a failure in exe-

cuting the King's commands. The Baron repaired to the appointed spot, and, by his unwearied exer tions,

the

regiment

was marched complete

to

This

head-quarters within the time prescribed. service was performed at an early period, and

probably

procured

the

appointment,

which

he

BARON STEUBE N held,

Bubseqiienlly himself. It

»

.

of aid-de-camp

to

Frederic

not unlikely, that another arbitrary exerinduced him. in 1763,

is

tion of the royal authority

to

withdraw from the Prussian service.

Perhaps army, consequent on the of Ilubertsberg, which was ratified this peace to this proyear, may have reconciled Frederic the

reduction

of the

Steuben did not

ceedino-. O

King, who accepted

forfeit

the favor of the

his resignation with kindness,

and gave him, by way of pecuniary reward, a canonry

of Havelburg, with

the cathedral

in

German

salary of twelve hundred eric relied more on the

florins.

a

Fred-

revenues, than on the

of the church, and used its funds spiritual services to without scruple pension ofF his retired officers.

The Baron was

a valucertainly well fitted to be

able officer in the church militant.

tained a strong attachment

and was observed to be

He

ever re-

for his stern old master,

much

affected,

when,

in

America, he received the news of that monarch's death.

That in

his military talents

Prussia

is

shown by a

were highly esteemed more recent date.

fact of

the course of the revolutionary war in this country, Congress applied to the several Eucourts for a transcript of their military

When,

in

ropean

codes, the

Prime Minister of Prussia

their military instructions

replied, thai

had never been publish-

AMERICAN BIOGRAPIiy.

10

ed, nor even transcribed, except for the use ol He added, that he was surprised at the generals. the request; for he understood that Baron Steuben

was employed in the American service, and that no one was better able to give accurate informa tion respecting the minutest details of the Prussian

system.

Upon estate of

leaving the army, Steuben repaired to his Weilheim, on the borders of Baden and

As

Wurtemberg.

the income of this property, his eccle-

even when united to the emoluments of siastical office,

was

insufficient to maintain

him

in

a style suitable to his rank,

he sought employment

a military capacity from

some of the German

in

princes.

Liberal

offers

were received from the

king of Sardinia, but, by the advice of his friend. Prince Henry of Prussia, these were declined,

and he accepted an appointment from the Prince of HohenzoUern-Hechingen, who, in 1764, made him Grand Marshal of the court, with a salary of twelve hundred

florins.

He

was

at the

same pe-

liod appointed Colonel in the circle of Suabia, an The troops office more honorable than lucrative.

of the circle were chiefly militia, and the duty consisted in little else than attending a periodical review.

In 1767, the Prince Margrave of Baden made Steuben a knight of the Order of Fidelity, and soon afterwards gave him the chief command of

BARON STEUBKN.

11

ihe troops, with the title of General, and yearly to the amount of two thousand flo-

emoluments

As

rins.

several of the offices enumerated

held at the

same

time, the situation of the

were

Baron

was now so agreeable, that he refused two liberal from the Prime Minister of Austria, tc

protiers

induce him to enter the service of the Emperor. Steuben retained through life the pride of an

He

old soldier. order, a star

suspended

always wore the insignia of

his

ornamented with gold and diamonds,

at the breast

of his coat.

His military

subordinates were obliged to conform strictly to the rules of etiquette, in rendering the outward testimonials of respect

due

A

to his olKce.

little

incident, which occurred near the close of the American war, affords an amusing illustration of this

amiable weakness.

One

day, while at dinner at head-quarters, the to express himself with much

Baron happened

feeling and energy on (jouvemeur Morris, who

some important

subject,

hand, was

sat at his right

peculiarly struck with the remark, and, in his frank

way, slapped Steuben somewhat roughly on the " Well back, and cried out, with an oath, done, (jleneral, well sult,

as

done

"

Much

!

he deemed

it,

irritated

the old

at

IJaron

the ininstantly

the table, and retired to his mar(juce^ " Confound the exclaiming, with great warmth, fellow with his old wooden leg, he w ill govern quitted

!

the whole country."

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

12

The

situation of

Steuben

at the courts of

Baden

and HohenzoUern, for he seems to have divided his time between the two, was sufficiently agreeaHis yearly income, which amounted in all five hundred and eighty guineas, afforded

ble.

to

about

ample provision, in that country, for all the expenses that became his rank; while the various offices which he held, employed his time and attention, He was able to emwithout being burdensome. ploy a part of each winter in making excursions France and the principal courts of Germany,

to

where he had opportunity

a

taste of court pleasures,

to enlarge his circle

of friends.

and an In this

way, he formed an acquaintance with the Count de St. Germain, whom he met in Alsace at the house of the Baron de Waldner. lier,

and

he was introduced in

English noblemen, cer and

In a trip to Montpel-

Prince de JNIontbarrey 1775 he formed a friendship with several to

;

among whom were Lord Spen-

Lord Warwick.

These gentlemen gave him a pressing invitation come and spend a summer with them in EngNot disinclined to so agreeable a project, land.

to

he was yet compelled by circumstances to postpone the affair till the year 1777, when he began to

think seriously of juitting the plan in execution. to Paris in April, with the intention of

He went

leaving that place for Calais, on his way to London, about the end of June. Having arrived at

BARON STEUBEN. Paris, he sent a note to the

main,

who was then

Count de

13 St.

Ger-

the French Minister of

War,

testifying a desire to visit

iiini

at Versailles.

The

same evening. Colonel Pagenstecher, a gentleman attached to the court, waited upon Steuhen to inform him, that St. Germain desired him not to

come

to

Versailles, but

to

be

at

the Arsenal

Paris in the course of a few days, where the

in

Count

wished to converse with him on business of im As Steuben had no project to execute, portance. nor any favor to ask of the Count, there was a mystery in this proceeding, which he could not

At the interview, however, which ocall was

fathom.

curred at the appointed time and place, explained.

The

ministers

of France

had watched with

commencement of trouble in the Eno-colonies, and, eager to weaken the power of

interest the lish

the rival country, wished to aid the revolutionists as far as they could, without openly compromising themselves with England a result which they ;

desired to avoid,

the colonists had given better evidence of being able to maintain themselves in the contest. With the of the French mintill

privity

arms and money, to a considerable amount, had been shipped to America, and only a mock istry,

made to the wishes of many oflicers, who were dcsirf)us of enlistin.

depress,

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

98

Minu'e they laid their course toward Iceland. accounts of this enterprise are not in existence

;

but sufficient remains to show the firmness and lelligence,

m-

which marked then and afterwards the

character of Cabot.

After a considerable delay at Iceland, the party, partaking in some degree of their young leader's enthusiasm, began their voyage through the west" ern seas. They sailed happily," we are told, " confident of the Northwest long-desired

finding

to India,

the 24th of June,

1497," passage v/hen an unexpected wonder was revealed.* About five o'clock in the morning, the observers from the till

leading ships were surprised at the discovery of Jand, which, on a nearer approach, was found considerably extended. this

to

Cabot's s-imple account of

momentous discovery

make

his

is

amusing.

way immediately

ter certayne dayes,"

said he,

He hoped

to India,

"

I

"but, affound that the

land ranne towards the north, which was to

However

great displeasure." to the young navigator, he

American

continent.

The

mee

a

great a displeasure had discovered the

land

seen was

the

coast, together with an island off the coast, of the latter received the name of St, Labrador ;

John's Island, from the day on which it was dis" full of white bearSj covered, and is described as *

Haldu3^t, Vol. III. p. G.

SEBASTIAN CABOT.

99

Costatrges far greater than the English."* lumbus had discovered and taken possession of and

islands in the

Cabot

We the

New

World, but

obtain the

(o

first

it

was reserved

fof

sight of the continent

here perceive the straight-forward energy of young navigator he did not forget, as many ;

Alhave done, the object of his voyage. the were attracted his men unexpected by though v»-ould

continent, he

remembered

to

his obligation

open

India passage, and, there is reason to think, penetrated farther north than to the sixty-seventh degree, in the accomplishment, as he hoped, of *he

his design.

The

bay, since called Hudson's Bay, appeared to be the passage he was seeking. ^Vith something like triumph he left his course on the to

Cabot

ocean

;

the extensive sheet of water before

confirmed

his

opinion, and

for several

him

days he

As he was enthusiasm than when he

went forward confident of success. ur^infT left

of

less

Bristol, discontent was manifested on the part

his

and

on with no

crew.

He

commanded

confidence

;

reasoned with them, encouraged, ;

their

but they

voyage

wanted had

his youthful

been

long

and

their provisions were nearly exhaust dangerous whither cd they were going they knew not He and they insisted on returning to England. ;

;

;

•

Lives of the Admirals, Vol-

I.

o. .T38.

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

J

1

hao

self-command

sufficient

and

policy

not

to

contend with these repining mariners ; he mildly Retracpromised to comply with their demands. his

ing

with

steps

philosophical

coolness,

and

relinquishing his project, he soon regained the After coasting to the southward, he left Atlantic. the continent he had discovered, and returned to his native country.

If Sebdotian

Cabot had been a

vairr

man, he

might have boasted, on his return, of what he had succeeded in accomplishing. Such, how ever, does not seem to have been his character,

we

and

find

Wati

making immediate exertions

for

a second expedition. His arguments in favor of the first voyag.B had been laughed at ; he was ac-

cused of bein^ visionary

w4ien age should teach

;

him wisdom, the cautious said, he would be content His fortunes now wore a differto stay at home. ent aspect

h^d

;

set eyes

in his

search for the India passage, he

on the

New

World

;

his plans, after

were not quite so visionary, and the most :;redulous allowed that one so enterprising and ali,

.una'.e

should

make another

in-

for-

attempt.

A

second patent, bearing date February 3d, i498. was granted by Henry the Seventh. It stood •I

the

name

bastian being

of John Cabot and his deputies, Sestill a young man, and it allowed

tiiem " six English shippes, so that and

if

the said

^hippes be of the bourdeyn of two hundred tonnes

SEBASTIAN CABOT.

101

or under, with their apparail requisite and necessarie for the safe conduct of the said shippes."* They were further instructed to pursue their origi-

These second

nal discoveries.

show

letters

less

of the thrifty spirit which Henry before displayed. The result of the former voyage had warmed the into

King

Cabot

like liberality.

something

Shortly

the

after

date

of this

John

patent,

and Sebastian determined

died,

to prose-

cute alone the voyage, of which he had ever, in Aside from his adventurous realitv, the direction. the

spirit,

been

had

new

what he favor

public interest

two

only by Neither was he

to

was

was on in this

slate;

ships,

had

it

so

hardly

his

side.

first

voyage

claims

his

requited

country.

quish

sible

heavy expenses of the

in

the

to relin-

ready won, now

What

second expedition,

that

the royal is

impos-

to

one or

it

extended, however,

and a considerable amount of funds.

"Divers merchants of London small stocks," induced, as

also

mankind are

adventuied in

every age and country, by the novelty of the project. Trusting that the India passage would still be ascertained, or that the

new country might be

a profitable

market, mercantile adventurers exerted themselvc; lo freight several small vessels, which, as part o/ Cabot's

fleet, sailed

from Bristol

•This interesting document ered by the indcfatijrablc bastian Cabot," bv wliom

aiitlior it

was

in

1498. been discov" MciiKiir of So-

iias lately

of

tlie

first

given to

ilio

world

1

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

02 But

for

the grossest neglect,

we might have

learned the particulars of these memorable voyages from Cabot himself. series of his papers, with

A

suitable

maps, descriptive of these adventures, was

Carelessness^ nearly ready for publication. iiowever, suffered them to be mislaid, and now .eft

How

time has hidden them for ever. well as remarkable

delightful as

was the modesty, which made

no boast of such achievements

:

committing: merit

the keeping of a few hasty manuscripts, and the gratitude of posterity ; that gratitude, Avhich has suffered such a man to be forgotten, because to

he

fo

bore to proclaim his own praises. particulars of Cabot's second expedition to

The

American continent are very scanty. His patience and daring do not se.'em to have met with

the

success.

Besides searching

to the East, his object

the

new

for th.e desirable

was doubtless

route

to colonize

region, for which purpose he took with

him three hundred men.

more saw with World.

With

Before long he once the shores of the New delight promptitude he

characteristic

ef-

a landing on the coast of Labrador, and instructed a portion of his men to examine the

fected

:;ountry,

with a view to colonization, while he sailed

farther to seek the passage. tain,

and not

His course

is

uncer-

v(jry important, since his intentions

were defeated.

During Cabot's absence, suffered,

it

is

his

supposed, with

crew upon the land extreme cold, al-

SEBASTIAN CABOT.

103

" Tlie middle of July. dayes were The very longe, and in manner without nyght." territorv was a wihierness, and provisions were un-

though

in the

attainable

in

;

word, they missed

a

Enghsh comforts, and gave way

their

usual

to

despondency. Several excursions for exploring the country were attempted but the resolution, wiiich the conduct ;

and commands of their young leader had inspired, was gone, and they were naturally enough dispirof companions and friends, who under the severity of the climate. daily perished Cabot, not finding what he sought, returned to ited

by the

I/abrador

;

loss

but

how was

the vexation of his other

disaj)j)ointments increased on learning the condition of his colonists

!

Not only had they taken

no steps toward a settlement, but absolutely refused to remain longer on the coast. They complained of exposure to a cold climate, and, with a disregard to previous engagements and

all

manly

on being removed. Cabot yielded to the demands of his crew, and

discipline, insisted

having laid his course to the south as far as Cape His reception Florida, he recrossed the Atlantic.

m

England was calculated

It

accounts for life.

the

blank

hurt his pride, and

to at

Let us see how

this

period

in

his

his nation repaid the

public discoverer of the American continent.*

• I am awnro, tliat at so late a day it seems presiiinptu ous to deny tliat Cdlnnibiis was tlie discoverer of Amcr

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHI.

104

the Seventh was one of the most penuri«

Henry

OU3 monarchs ever seated on the throne of Eno-land far

;

avarice

was with him almost a

from excelling, he

fell far

disease, and so

short of

many of

his

Such was the king, who, it liberality. be i-emembered, was considerably interested in

subjects in will

Cabot's pecuniary success. When the navigator returned without having opened the new way to the luxuries of India, or having colonized the lately

discovered territory, disappointment was manifested both by the King and private individuals. And, as tne Cornish rebellion was demanding the royal attention, and the novelty of the voyages had worn

away, Cabot met with coldness and neglect. The King's method of revenging a miscarriage, which "iO one could have prevented, convinces us that disease, as has

his his

been

said,

" had

now reached

moral sense."

The

second

Cahot ond

letters

patent

his deputies, with

empowered John

no mention of

heirs

;

ica; oeriainly, prcsiiinptiioiis, despite the theories con-

cerning the Northmen and others, to assert that Cabot TJiat lie is entitled to priority of first discovered it. claim to Columbus, in discovering the continent, will appear from a comparison of dates. Cabot's discovery >va3

made June

cordinent on his

Columbus

discovei'ed

voyage, which commenced

tlie

May

and Amerigo Vespucci did not leave Spain Cabut was, therefore, nearly one advance of Columbus, and nearly two in advance

30th, ]4!'8 unlil

24th, 1497. tiiird

May

;

20th, 14'J0.

year ni of Ami^rigo Vespucci.

SEBASTIAN CABOT. SO that in strictness the privilege

105

expired

his

at

death, and Sebastian, in actinsi under this giant,

might possibly have violated self to rescind the privileges

which

his

his

Of

powers.

this

magnanimous monarch availed him

quibble, the

of the

first

patent, in

name

actually appeared. deeply the royal injustice, and although his means were limited, he had no idea of depending on a disappointed and mean-spirited

Cabot

sovereign.

felt

If

Henry,

like

Ferdinand of Spain

iii

man

to

treatment of Columbus, could

his

whom

sli'dit

a

was indebted, the poor mariner himself of a monarch whose patronag? was limited by hope of pecuniary compensation. could

the world

rid

In the year 1499, he again asked royal assistance;

meeting with "noe greate or favourable f.i tertainment," he furnished out of his own mesi 5 but,

the suitable vessels, and, setting forth from Bristol, "made srreat discoveries."

For land

;

years he scarcely returned to Engleast, he took no part in any of her

fifteen

at

naval expeditions. at

Maracaibo.

We

That

hear of him at one period adventure c ouKI

his spirit of

be suddenly checked,

is not probable ; ana j.eihaps, besides extending his re|)utation abroi 1, ho was perfecting his naval education. Columtt;;

had now made

his

second and third voyages,

;ind

had thereby gained the fame of having discovered America. Other adventurers, too, who but fcl

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

106

lowed the steps of predecessors, were honored as " public benefactors, while not one bay, cape, or headland

name

llie

"

in

the

memory

new country recalled by its of Cabot. With these reflec-

were nearly fifteen years of his life eu)bitHe no more proffered his services to a tered. tions

monarch who had 1512,

we

find

govern me It.

him

slighted them, and in the year in

the employ of the Spanish

SEBASTIAN CABOT.

CHAPTER

107

II.

—

the

Ferdinand of Spain inEighth. Cabot to his Service. Cabot stationed

Henry

— — Council of of Ferdinand. — Cabot returns vites

at Seville.

the Indies.

—

to

— Death

England.—

Sir Thomas Pert the Expedition of 1517. Cause of its Failure. Cabot recalled to

— — Appointed Spain by Fifth. — Pilot-Major of Spain. Expedition Moluccas. — Council of Badajos. — — Diego Garcia. Jealousy — Mar of Portuguese. — Mendcz, The Brothers Rojas. Charles

the

to

the

the

tin

The

of the documents before alluded to

loss

cannot be too

much lamented.

must be confessed, the

fifteen

Without them,

it

years previous to

Cabot's appearance in Spain are poorly accounted for. A blank occurs, which these annals, written

when

his

active,

would doubtless

* Tliat

spirits

siicli

were buoyant, fill

and

mind

liis

up.*

papers were once accessible,

may

ba in-

ferred from the

stands as jsland,

tlic

following passage in Hakltiyt, which lieadiiifr tu Cabot's description of St. Joiin'd

— "An extract taken out of the map of Sebastian

Cabot, cut by Clement Adams, conccrninfj his discovery of the West Intlii's, which is to be seone in Iicr Majestie's

privie

jraljcj-ii'

at

Westminster, and in many

aticienl incrclinnls'' houses."

otlirr

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

108

King Henry the Seventh died

in

the

yeu».

1509, during Cabot's absence and upon the accession of his son it became probable that the covetousness of the father would be in some ;

measure

atoned

reinstated

for,

and

that

naval

the

in

Cabot would bo

service.

the

Henry

Eighth, only eighteen years of age when he as cended the throne, had an " active and fiery spirit,"

which had been hitherto directed toward

the attainment of a superior education. His opin ion of his own talents, and his ambition, were considerable, and he

made

the hoarded

free with

treasure of his

father in encouraging projects of

public

Such a monarch,

utility.

particularly as

the events of the last ten years had raised Cabot's original discoveries in the general estimation, was likely to retrieve the errors of his predecessor.

In this state of aftairs, Ferdinand of Spain determined to anticipate the movements of Henry

^

by

attaching

Cabot

Vespucci having

to

lately

his

service.

died, an

Amerigo

opening

in

the

Accord naval department seemed to offer itself. in continental ingly, while Henry was engaged discussions,

Ferdinand addressed a

letter to

Lord

Captain-general of England, re him to forward his designs by sending questing

Willoughby,

Cabot with

to

on

Spain the

;

a direction

I3tli

which was complied 1512, The

of September,

king of Spain, with a

very sudden desire to be

SEBASTIAN CABOT.

109

considered a patron of science, made great exertions to extend maritime discoveries. On Cabot's

kingdom, he gave Iiim the title of and stationed him at Seville with a Captain, liberal allowance, and at first, as it would appear, arrival in his his

no

with

definite

have wished

and

to

Ferdinand seems to

duties.

to atone for his treatment in

Endand,

have been aware that no one could afford

more valuable information concerning the Northwest passage, and the coast of Labrador. In 1515, Cabot was employed, with several of best cosmographers of the age, on Ferdinand's favorite j)roject, a general revision of maps

the

and charts.

During the same year he was honored by being chosen a member of the Council of the Indies, a fact which, considering his a^e and

nativity,

shows him

to

have been

in

fa-

high

These duties were probably performed, since, when Ferdinand set on

vor at court.

well foot

an expedition to sail the following year in search of the India passage, he complimented Cabot so highly as to give him the vancement is doubtless as

command.

much

This ad-

attributable

to

Ferdinand's rivalry with Henry, as to the talents of the navigator. An ambitious king easily overlooks the faults of a favorite. come now to

We

one of the sudden changes, which lian

it

was Sebas

Cabot's fortune often to experience.

The new

expedition was

in

consi(leral)le

for

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

110

when, unluckily for him, Ferdinand 23d of January, 1516. All prepawere checked, public well-wishers and

vvardness,

died on rations

the

ambitious

speculators

were

disappointed

,

but

Cabot had more cause than any other

to regret the loss of his patron. Charles the Fifth, who was to be the successor, had lately been acknowledged Emperor in the Netherlands, and remained

some time crown

ish

confusion

of

his

in ;

Brussels before assuming the Spana period of dissension and much

among

minister

the

Spaniards, who,

Chievres,

employed

triguing art to find favor with the

by means every

in-

young sovereign.

Ferdinand's kindness to Cabot had incensed his jealous

subjects

;

King should have dence, and

they were indignant, that

availed

themselves of his

manifest their resentment.

the that their

the

raised a foreigner to his confi-

They

death

to

insinuated that

voyage of 14 9G had accomplished nothing, Cabot was a foreign impostor, and that under

new

kincr aflairs

should take a different turn.

Cardinal Ximenes was too aged to govern with severity during the interregnum, and when Charles arrived

in

Spain, at only sixteen

years of age,

intriguers and misrepresenters had given an undue bias to his mind. Even Fonseca, the notorious

calumniator of Columbus, was

in office.

Cabot could catch no glimmer of hope in al' this darkness and, that he might avoid undeserv ;

SEBASTIAN CABOT.

il]

ed obloquy, lie returned once more to England. We may remark here his determination, constantadhered to, of being independent of royalty. he perceived that he was not needed, he left his king's employment; otherwise, he considered ly

If

his services

an equivalent

His strong ceeded his

common

for the

favors received

sense, which

powers, prevented his well-founded enterprise desperate

a

considering because of a few untoward accidents lied

on

his

ex-

generally

intellectual

own

honest intentions

;

and he

re-

in withstandinij

envv or malice. After a short residence

succeeded

in

England, our navifja-

out the expedition which the death of Ferdinand had delayed. Henry the tor

in fitting

Eighth, probably not displeased at his return, " " furnished certen and some funds, and shippes one Sir Thomas Pert first in command appointed

under Cabot, whose weakness, as we shall see, rendered the affair a failure. They sailed from

England tination

in

1517.

many

Concerning

their

disputes have arisen.

torians say, that they

exact des-

Several his-

went on a trading voyage

Spanish settlements in the West Indies; but these accounts are so confused, that we find

to the

them

at

one time off the coast of Labrador, and

shortly after as far south point

is

as

interesting, because,

Cape if

Florida.

Cabot

The

really under-

took a trading voyage, he must have relincjuished

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

112 in

a

moment

the Nortliwest

The

wise.

of dates,

is

of pique, his hopes of discovering But the fact is otherDassatre.

trading voyage, which,

by

a confusion

1517, actually took place So that Cabot w-dH 1527.

assigned to

ten years after, in neither so inconsistent, nor so ungiateful to the memory of his late patron, as to interfere with a trade to

which the Spanish government

laid

an

pixclusive claim.

Contemporary and subsequent accounts repre-

Thomas Pert as totally unfit to be second command in such an expedition. His coward-

sent Sir in

ice

was

sufficient

to render his

commander's en-

penetrated to about the of north latitude, and, entersixty-seventh degree Hudson's ing Bay, gave English names to various

ergy

inefiectual.

They

places in the vicinity, when, as previously, doubts among the crew. The severity of the climate, and many privations, increased their

of success arose

eagerness to return

;

while Pert, a

command and influence, favored Under such circumstances ces. to quell the

unable

to

man

of high

their remonstran-

was impossible the pilots being mutiny by force; and, convince the understandings of tiie it

crew, Cabot turned homeward. Although he had confessedly failed, he must have gained credit in England oy his resolution, while Sir Thomas seems to have been recognised as the cause of " His fliint the miscarriage. heart," says Eden,

SEBASTIAN CABOT **

was the cause

the

that

113

voyage

took

none

effect."*

Neither

merchants interested

the

in

the late

expedition, nor the King, who was engaged on the continent, were disposed to

unfortunate

now

renew an attempt

discover the long-desired

to

Moreover, a hightful disease, f known passage. as the Siocating Sickness, prevailed in England in 1517, and prevented the nation from thinking of an expensive and unpromising enterprise. Fortunately for Cabot, the affairs of Spain were in a

better condition.

Soon

after his accession,

Charles

the Fifth, examining into the unsettled expedition of 1516, was surprised at the sudden disappearance of Cabot. He already knew something of character, and the

his

state

records bore

ample

regard for him. These facts sufficiently exposed the jealousy and and Charles, anxious intrigues of the Spaniards

testimony of Ferdinand's

high

;

to

atone

for

to

the

1518,

•

It

appointed Cabot, in honorable office of Pilot-Major of past injustice,

has been a riuestion whether

«!ntrance into Hudson's Bay,

of sixty-seven was reached

have

was not the

first

in 14'J7.

As

these questions

interest for the general reader, I omit any discussion of them. They arc treated at lentjth

"

Memoir of Cabot," Chapter Memoir of Cabot, p. 120.

in the

tliis

wiictlicr the latitude

little

fiirtlirr

t

and

VOL.

IX.

8

xiv,

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY

114

This favor was con6rmed

Spain.*

visited

Emperor

Cabot's

England,

in

now became

duties

when the

1520.

numerous

and

Public opinion inclined to a highly responsible. " What need have Southern expedition. we," said Peter Martyr, the historian, "of these things,

common

which are

To for

the

South!

with the

to

must not go

riches

all

the people of Europe? They that seek

South! to

the

cold and frozen

North." Attention was gradually directed to the Moluc cas, and the other islands in the same latitude ;

and Cabot advised a voyage thither through the Straits of Magellan, then recently discovered. But, before the project was matured, he was brought conspicuously before the public. Portugal, havhitherto old route the ing engrossed the trade by

of the

Moluccas,

remonstrated

strongly against Spain, and contended, that, by the grants of the papal bull, the said islands fell within her limits. Spain laid an opposing claim ;

these

and,

movements

in

in

order to a settlement, the Emperor orsolemn council should be held at

dained, that a

Badajos persons

in

the year 1524.

summoned

At

the head of a

for consultation,

list

of

and of course

of the highest repute in the nautical profession, is After more than a montn's the name of Cabot.

*

Herrera, Dec.

II. lib. iii.

cap. 7.

SEBASTIAN CABOT. 7ioSion, the council declared,

that the islands

by

115

on the 31st of May,

at least

twenty degrees, within the Spanish limits. The Portuguese representati\es retired, much chagrined, and uttered blind threats of maintaining their pretensions by

We

force.

fell,

shall hereafter see

how they vented

their dissatisfaction.

The

important decision being made known, a Company was formed for the prosecution of the

Molucca sion

trade, of which, having received permisfrom the Council of the Indies, Cabot ac-

cepted the command. faithful performance of cles of agreement,

He his

gave bonds for the duty, and by the arti-

executed

at

Madrid

in

1525,

three ships and one hundred and fifty men were to be provided by the Emperor, and the Compa

ny were

to

supply

all

Four thousand

poses.

funds for commercial purducats, and a share of the

were guarantied to the Emperor. In this enterprise Cabot received the title of Captaingeneral, and the month of August, 1525, was profits,

fixed

upon

for

their departure.

Numerous

cumstances, however, were combined

to

cir-

cause

delay.

When

the Portuguese found their threats had on Charles the Fifth, they resorted to more courteous remonstrances. Their young king insisted, that an invasion of his monopoly would

no

effect

be the ruin of

his

kingdom, from which the con«

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

116

sanguinily of the parties, as well as their connexion by marriage (he having obtained the hand oi

the Emperor's sister), should secure him.

To

this

Charles replied, that, however much he might regard domestic ties, he could not reasonably be expected to relinquish an enterprise, the right to

Incensed by this uhich lay entirely on his side. took secret measures the of refusal, kins Portugal to

thwart

his

rival's

hopes

;

employing, as the

sequel renders probable, a worthless man, named Diego Garcia. This person, who could probably be induced by pay to any villany, prepared with great secrecy a squadron of three vessels, solely, we must believe, to embarrass Cabot's

We

movements.

shall

meet him

at

a

more

advanced stage of the enterprise.

Meantime many delays occurred

at

liome to

One set of try the patience of our navigator. men harassed him exceedingly by superintending, the capacity of agents, the naval arrangements. He In almost every point they were at variance. in

wished to appoint his

nominated one that

office.

voked

at his

De

The

own

lieutenant-general, and

Rufis, a trust-worthy friend, to deputies pretended to be pro-

obstinacy, and committed the trust to

one Martin Mendez, late an officer under MagelWhether Cabot was unjustly prejudiced lan. against this man, which is

is

quite possible, or not,

it

evident that no unanimity could exist between

SEBASTIAN CABOT. such

officers

;

1

17

nor would Cabot consent to the ap-

promise had been given, should act only under his directions or his absence. Instead of looking, therefore, for

})ointment, until a written that in

Mendez

counsel and friendship in the lieutenant, the captain could only hope that he would not o{)enly his orders.

oppose

Two

brothers,, of Spanish extraction, named de Miguel Rojas and Francisco de Rojas, who afterwards made themselves conspicuous, were

also attached to the expedition. a

man

latter

The

former was

of considerable valor and nautical the

commander

skill,

the

of one

of the ships, the Trinidad, and both of them zealous adherents of Martin Mendez.

Finally, to complete this dangerous outfit, the unprecedented step was taken of furnishing each ship with sealed orders, which were to be opened

soon as they were fairly embarked. These, which were probably given without Cabot's knowl-

as

edge, contained the provision, that, in case of his death, tlu; cliief command should devolve on one of eleven persons therein nominated, and, in case of their death, on him cliosen by the general vote, jjrovided that, on an equality of votes, the candidates should cast

blame

for

suiiiii;:

at

This was indeed a

lots.

most ingenious " premium if these facts were known

to to

disalfecticn," and, him, Cabot was to

such oikh

Perhaps, iiow-

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

118

nvcr, as he had liaggled so long with the captious

was unwilling to raise new objections these inauspicious circumstances the ex sailed at length in the beginning of April p'jdition 1526. temptation, as we have seen, was before deputies, he

Under

A

every individual to strive after the

supreme power. devolving on some of the inferiors was thought possible in Spain, the sealed orders plainly sliowed and we cannot mark the commencement

That

its

;

of such a voyage without more than one misgivwithout a fear lest the coming as to its success ;

mander's

energy

may

fail,

in

time of need, to

calm those stormy elements of treachery.

disaffection

and

SEBASTIAN CABOT.

CHAPTER Cabot

sails

to

119

III.

the Canaries,

—

and thence

to

the

Cape de Verds. Disaffection of Mendez and the Rojas. Cabot enters the Mutiny. River

— — — Annoyed

La

Plata.

the Natives.

— Enters Parana and by Paraguay. — Three Spaniards and a — The Party harassed by Diego GarCabot and — Ana, Cabot Right of Discovery. — Garcia — Cabot Country. a Messenger Spain, and determines — Peru. The conquer Empcror^s pecuniary he Embarrassments, — Cabot — Report. La between Followers Cabot and Garcia. — Capture of Sanclus of — Adthe

the

violent Contest

seized,

ensues.

cia, tvho

overtakes

at Saiita

claims the

re-

leaves

sists.

sends

the

to

to

ichen

explores

the

receives the

Plata.

Qiiarrcl

the

Spiritus. venturers return to Spain.

Tlie

No one would have been surprised, had the smotliered flame of tnutiny, which cv^ery arrange* inent must have tended lo cherish, broken out the Tliat event wai? very day of leavin;; the shore. Tlu; testimony of reserved for a later period.

personal friends, as well as his |)uhlic life, gives us a hijih idea of Cabot's gentleness of cliaracter. His

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

120

companions always speak of him with affection, and few instances of his harshness or severity are recorded.

Of

firmness, in time of danger,

see he was not

we

sliall

His ambition was

destitute.

in-

Had he been more

for the

dulged pLibhc good. mindftd of himself, he would have escaped

many

disappointments, and enjoyed more renown. He first sailed to the Canaries,* and thence to the

Cape de Verd

Islands, touching at both,

probable, to replenish the stock of provisions,

it

is

and

committino- no such outrages as his enemies have

represented.

The

Islanders were uniformly kind

and injury in return would have been unCape St. Augustine was necessary and impolitic. their next stopping-place, from which they laid

to him,

their course to the south.

But the voyage was not

thus far accomplished without trouble secret traitors

;

for the three

were much confirmed by the extra-

ordinary arrangements of the deputies to provide lor the Captain-general's losing the command.

Cunning men of dissatisfaction

in ;

power may always find causes and Martin Mendez and the

brothers Rojas soon began to complain, that Cabot did not strive to allay the disputes which had arisen fit

Seville.

They

tried

to

convince the

sailors,

that he had laid in no adequate store of provisions, or, at any rate, that he secreted them in his own • Lives of the Admirals, Vol.

I.

p.

409.

SEBASTIAN CABOT. Mendez

vessel from general distribution. Ijis

partisans,

they were true men,

if

121 desired

to withstand

oppression, and depose a tyrant in favor of honest officers. The plans of revolt were originated and

matured by these reckless mariners in utter seAt length the time came, which was crecy. agreed on for active resistance.

As

the squadron was running

men became

of Brazil, these

down

the coast

openly insolent

in

olaming the movements of their commander, ex horting the crews, who naturally partook of the excitement, to avail themselves promptly of the Cabot's situation privileges of the sealed orders.

was a

critical

one

;

but two of his countrymen

the expedition, and he heard all around him insinuations of foreign usurpation, and that he

were

in

raised by favor to govern a people whom he As his three highest had never materially served. officers were inimical, he saw that he must rely

was

solely

on himself.

The band which

rallied

Mendez, he was well aware, hoped liim

around

to isuimidate

by numbers, and were not prepared

for de-

cisive resistance; accordincjly, without the scruples

of a weaker man, and with no attempt at a compromise, he ordered Martin ^lendez and Miguel

and Francisco dc Rojas to be seized, (taking the latter from his ship without ceremony,) and, placing

them with two

faithful

he put tliem on shore

seamen

in

at the nearest

an open boat, island.

This

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

122

degrading treatment of men so lately glorying in their superiority was never forgotten ; and years afterward we find them employing their malice Dgainst their energetic

The measure was

But

further mutiny.

commander.

entirely successful in quelling

had

as the Captain-general

highest officers, he

unauthorized, without special permission, to prosecute the original enterprise, and, as the best expedient, directed his lost his

felt

course to the mouth of the able, that

La

he intended to make

temporary stopping-place. the scene of

much

Plata.

It is

prob-

merely a proved, however,

this river

It

wild adventure.

we

In fact,

have now reached the most romantic period Cabot's

in

In addition to being deprived of his officers, he lost one of his vessels by shipwreck, life.

which deterred him altogether from the voyage.

prosecuting resolved, with his usual activity

He

of mind, to renew the attempt to explore the La Plata ; in making which, his predecessor in the office of Pilot- Major, Diego de Solis, had perished.

This course, under existing circumstances, was probably the best certainly he was right in wait;

commands from years did much to

ing further

the

next

unfold

five

prove

his

skill,

and mature

his

Emperor.

The

his character,

judgment.

His

predecessor, it must be remembered, with a body of fifty men, had been inhumanly butchered, and actually devoured ivas

thrown.

by the people among

whom

he

SEBASTIAN CABOT. Cabot

modern

sailed

up the

boldly

iiavi2;ating skill

river,

123 from which

has not yet removed the

dano-ers, as far as the small island afterwards called

Gabriel, just off the city of Buenos Ayres. JVear tliis is the island called after Martin Gar-

St.

cia,

pilot

of the unfortunate Solis, and one of the

who escaped the voracity of the savages. He afterwards died and was buried in the place where few

Diego was destroyed. But this melancholy spot was not necessary remind our adventurer of natives

;

the

hostility

of

to

the

their very first landing at St. Gabriel

for

His courage, however, preand, obtaining a suitable ground for anchorhis crew ing his vessels, the captain with most of

was stoutly vailed

resisted.

;

proceeded

further

to

discovery in boats.

Seven

up, he found the port which he leagues named St. Salvador,* situated on an island just farther

where the La Plata changes into the Parana, and Here nearly opposite the mouth of the Uruguay. the inhabitants likewise annoyed the Spaniards by killing

two of

that lO

make

their

tion, since the party ficient

of Solis had given them suf-

opportunity to taste the fiesh of soldiers.

St. Salvador

.he

number; declaring, however, them was not their inten-

a meal of

ships

were •

proved an excellent harbor, and a guard under left there with

Memoir of GaboL,

p.

150.

AMERICAN BIOGV. APHY.

124 Antonio

cle

Grajeda.

Meantime Cabot prepared

several boats and a small caravel, and proceeded up the Parana, Some miles higher up, he erect-

seen on the maps as Sanctus Spirfirst time very " a to Herrera, and, good, intelligent, according rational people." Although our voyager's party,

ed the

fort still

finding the inhabitants for the

Iti'.s,

first not numerous, was greatly diminished by defection and mortality, his hopes do not seem to He encourhave been weakened for a moment.

at

aged the avaricious by hopes of gain, and pointed out to the weary the wonderful novelties of the

Becountry through which they were passing. the attracted from natives were the sides, daily shore, and, in the simplicity of their admiration,

flocked to the ships. After sailing through a land " very fayre and inhabited with infinite people," they reached the

where the

point

river receives the

Paraguay, itself Leaving the Parana, they ascended the new

branching off to the right. therefore,

on the

right,

river about thirty-four leagues.*

of this

district differed

The

inhabitants

from any before seen, being

acquainted with agriculture, and carrying to a great extent their jealousy of foreign invasion, and par*

Campbell and others transpose the names of these

rivers.

the "

Herrera, however, together with the audior of are more worthy to ba

Memoir of Cabot," who

trusted, furnish the above account.

SEBASTIAN CABOT. ticularly their hatred

uiguese. «vith

These

125

toward the Spanish and Por-

contrasted singularly points in their character ; they qiiahties

some other

nere industrious, regardful of each other's

rights,

ind cultivated their land to advantage while their 3oniinual enmitv to strangers rendered our navic-a;

tor's situation

extremely critical. ^Notwithstanding care to avert difBculty, his hitherto peaceful voyage was soon changed into fierce contention. his

Three Spaniards having one day unwittingly their party, to gather the fruit of the palm tree, the natives laid violent hands on them. Resistance was impossible, and the fellows were ])oor left

easily captured.

news,

determined

Their comrades, on learning the to avenge the wrong and ;

Cabot, for the mander.

first

became a

lime,

military

com-

The small band of Spanish adventurers, worn by the labors of a long voyage, might well have declined a contest with the hordes of natives that

now came

But

against them.

together with the

their national spirit,

hardihood of their profession,

made them

alive to every injury. They were of the and unskilled in their ignorant coimtry, mode of warfare but under Cabot's enemy's yet, ;

sustained their part of a long and contest with It bloody unflinching courage. prob-

command, they

ably lasted most of the day, doubly severe for our adventurers, ioLsmuch as they had no strong-hold?

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

126

on the shore; yet, on its conclusion, three hundred natives and only twenty-five Spaniards were found to

have

The

fallen.

suppose from military skill

this ;

fact,

he was enabled

sition in the river,

a letter

Captain-general, we may showed a fair degree of to retain his

po-

and, after the battle,

despatched to the commander of one of the forts,

giving the particulars of the affray, and the loss on eacli side.

Cabot could

afford to lose these

ill

ticularly as their fate depressed the

survivors,

men, par-

hopes of the

who had by no means agreed

to under-

go the hardships of a voyage up the La Plata. From this time, the prospects of the party, hitherto

bright,

became dark and ominous.

Cabot

doubtless might have withstood any further attacks during his voyage, had not Diego Garcia, a man

whom we to

have met before, and who seems always

have been the

terrupted

evil

genius of our navigator, inIt is time to

his plans at this point.

this man's movements after leaving Spain under the auspices of the Portuguese government The reasons for believing that the king of Por-

trace

tugal, disappointed

by the

decision of the council

Badajos, employed Garcia to follow Cabot's steps, and frustrate his projects, have already been at

stated.

Let us see how Garcia

left

faithfully the mission in

performed. Spain way to the Canaries, next to the

was

526, made his Cape de Verds, 1

SEBASTIAN CABOT. and thence

to

the coast of Brazil.

early months of 1527, he

visited

12"

Dunnf;

tlie

the bay of All

and at length, probably of meeting Cabot at eithei abovementioned places, he entered the

Saints, the island of Patos,

baulked of of the

his intention

mouth of the La

Plata.

His course thus

far,

it

be seen, was exactly that of Cabot, and he ascended the river immediately. Antonio de Grajeda, commander of the ships will

which Cabot

left at St.

Salvador, had just received

the letter announcing the dreadful battle, when he perceived Garcia's party coming up the La Plata.

Agitated by the late news, he fancied that they were no others than the mutineers, whom the captain had put on shore ; accordingly Garcia was met with several armed boats, led by the com-

mander

in person.

At

first

he favored the mis-

conception, and they had nearly come to open contest; he declared himself, however, in time to

secure a peaceable issue.

Parting with

one of

which he had shamefully allowed to be employed in the slave business, he ordered the his

vessels,

remainder to follow him immediately to the comharbor of St. Salvador. Perhaps h^

modious

foresaw that Cabot would give him no farorrtble reception, and was willing to have forces at hand.

Garcia then manned two brigantincs with sixty men, and ascended thence to the fort of Sanclus Spiritus,

where Cabot had

left

a small force under

AMERICAN BIOGBAPHY.

1*^S

This commander was courteous

Gregorio Caio.

and good-natured

mand

;

and

Garcia's

to

of a surrender of the

fort,

haughty dehe rephed, that, guest, he should

although very ready to serve his hold command in the name of Cabot and

He

Emperor. terms

with

the

to

the

have

kept Indeed, we can Portuguese. that he was aware of Garcia's

hardly suppose character and intentions favor, that he

however,

seems,

would

;

for

liberate

he requested, as a

any of Cabot's party

might have fallen into the enemy's hands, pledging himself to reimburse whatever ransom

that

money was expended

;

and

finally

besought him

to befriend the Spaniards, should they in the late

skirmish have lost their commander.

This

is

not the language he would have used

towards Garcia, had he fully

known him

;

and

it

was only likely to excite a smile in an unprincipled man, in the employ of a revengeful government. Indeed, when he reached the Paraguay, Diego was so mindful of Caro's requests, that he made an excursion along the right branch of the PaThis movement is the only one which rana. seems to contradict the supposition, that he intended from the

first

to overtake

and embarrass

If such was his intention, our navigator. gression was both useless and prejudicial.

a di-

Garc.a soon returned to his purpose, and led his p rty to Santa Ana, near which port the battle

SEBASTIAN CABOT.

129

had taken place and Cabot was now stationed His surprise at seeing Diego can best be imagined. No historian has left a particular account of their interview. itself in

his

Probably much displeasure manifestc d reception, and perhaps Garcia was

pleased to perceive that his rival's force, what with mortality and the detachments at the forts, was

much weakened.

The new-comer

demands of a surrender

;

insisting,

repeated

his

upon ground?

not very justifiable, on the sole right of discovery. Cabot was not a man to yield to such injustice ; neither was he inclined, in a savage and obscure region,

to

involve

whoever got the great

distress.

The

cannot be known. not in

his

men

better,

much mutual

in

a contest, which,

must necessarily produce

result

of their

altercations

In a short time they returned, cordiality, to Sanctus Spiritus.

Garcia, having stationed at the forts a large body of his followers, who partook of his spirit, and from

whom Cabot

to

of

subsequently suffered inconvenience,

the country without delay.

left

Cabot's only course was to despatch messengers Charles the Fifth, in order, by a candid account

voyage, his treatment of the mutinous orticers, and consequent change of destination, to coimteract the caknnnies which a disai)pointed his

The persons so might circulate in Spain. were Francis Cahh.ion and George employed

rival

Barlow, and their original report VOL IX. 9

is

still

in

exist

AMERICAN BIOGllAPHY.

130

To

ence.*

ument,

it

understand

is

necessary

fully the force

to

brino;

of this doc

before ourselves

the hopes which Cabot's success in ascending the river, together with his ambitious tcnpcrarncnt, naturally inspired. At the commencement of the voyage, he waij expected to touch at the western shore of Amer ica.

"

Having passed the winding he

gf'llan,

is

to

direct

his

course

strait

of

the

to

Ma right

hand, in the rear of our supposed continent."' Accident had changed iiis course, and he now

hoped,

and by ages,

route

by continuing his ascent of the river, risking a few more contests with the sav-

that,

he should reach the intended coast by a hitherto unknown. Besides, he observed

and silver ornaments were worn in protribes along the La Plata, and, several by with his usual shrewdness, making friends of them, that gold

fusion

"he came

to learn many secrets of the country." reached the waters which would lead him Having to the mines, he had possibly fixed his hopes on the reduction of a region, the riches of which

would secure a competency

to

his

party,

and

In other repay the generosity of his sovereign. this discovery expeditions he had been baffled seemed indisputably his own. ;

We

have no accounts of Garcia's *

Horrera, Dec. IV.

lib. iii.

efforts,

cap. ].

on

SEBASTIAN CABOT.

31

Europe, further than what is to be the ill-natured sneers of severa from gathered historians. He was not idle, and in some quarters arriving

in

doubtless brought Cabot into disrepute. PerhajH; he was exciting the Portuguese government to a decisive step in opposition.

Whatever were

his

endeavors, he influenced not at all the mind of Charles the Fifth. Cabot's demands, in case of

undertaking great conquest, were ''provision, ainniunition, goods proper for trade, and a comthe

recruit

plete

of seamen

and

soldiers."

These

seeming exorbitant, the merchants interested

in

the squadron decided that their rights should escheat to the crown but the Emjjeror, willing: to ;

avow

confidence

in the navigator, agreed to stand personally responsible for the enterprise. But Charles showed more generosity than fore-

his

At the very time of Bourbon's soldiers were mutinous

sight in this affair. jio-al,

the

Moluccas had been mortgaged

;*

this

for

pro-

pay and even

;

the pecuniary assistance solicited by the Emperor from the Cortes had been refused. The good will in

of a king so straitened of necessity spent

itself

promises. It

was

at

this

time that Pi/arro offered to re-

duce Peru solely at his own expense. He followed up the oiler by personal importunity, and it * Memoir of Cabot,

p. IfiO.

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

t32

was accepted.

After an extravagant promise to provide every thing, and resign all conquests to the crown, the entire and exclusive rano-e of the coast of Peru was granted to him and thus was Caboi frustrated by the very sovereign who had nearly been his benefactor. If tlie seaman was at fault ;

immoderate

for

requisitions,

Charles was no

less so

holding out hopes which his empty treasury could not fulfil. The facts in the case should for

monarch from the imputations of neglect which many historians have cast

clear the

and

dilatoriness,

upon

his character.

in Spain, Cabot was awaiting anxiously the result of his embassy, and

During these negotiations

He continuing to hope, until hope became folly. was confirmed in his belief, that the waters of the Parana would convey him

to the

mines of Potosi

;

and, while doubtful of the Emperor's pleasure, he

improved and amused his men by exploring the countrv, and ascertaining the manners of the several tribes

the or

bordering on the

La

Emperor apprized him of him

left

Spain, their ing to a

in

uncertainty

many

his

until

Plata.

Whether

change of mind, he returned to

delays must have been distress-

band eager

to penetrate a region, which a promised recompense for their previous depri-

vations.

Cabot and region

in

his

crew were bold men, and

the vicinity of the

riv^er

left

unsearched.

no It

SEBASTIAN CABOT. required no

men

resolution in

little

133

anxiously ex-

had seen one pecting news from home, and who after another of their number drop away, to exstrong-holds of savages, and gather knowledge at the risk of life and limb. One or two were often left in charge of the vessels, while plore

the

the

band rambled into the

interior,

for

trusting

shelter to the hospitality of the natives, or a tem-

The Spanish government, moreover, send supplies, they were cast on their resources for subsistence and Herrera gives

porary tent.

neglecting to

own

;

Cabot

to the Emperor, in which the productions of Brazil, and the improvements in various breeds of Spanish animals, are

part of a report from

described with an accuracy of observation not unworthy the agrii'ulturist or man of science. Cabot

of temper, which, and united with sound principles intelligence, enAt home, he abled him to profit by every event.

was endued with an

elasticity

explained his projects to heedless sovereigns sea,

won

and

in

affection

;

at

by courageous perseverance of savages, while waiting the pleasure of his king, found time to instruct his followers, and stimulate them to industry. a

;

region

Things were thus proceeding, when misfortune broke loose on the

little

community.

Those

of

Garcia's party, whom he had left behind, \vanting the good influence of a Cabot, fell one day into a violent

disoute

with

the

natives,

and

at

liMigth

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

134

SO enraged them, that they declared vengeance Of course against every white man on the river. the httle garrisons at Sanctus Spiritus and St. Salvador, though not the offenders, did not escape the indignation of the savages.

The most

hostile tribe

was the Guaranis, a wantonly ferocious people, whose animosity made them forget that they had entered into an explicit treaty of peace with our After the affront, several meetino-s navigator.

were

secretly held, until their sanguinary project

was perfected.

One

morning, just before daybreak,

this

blood-

thirsty race rushed in a body upon Sanctus Spiritus. The inmates, a part surprised asleep, and a part fatigued with previous exertions, could offer no

and the fort was carried. The savages, elated with their good fortune, next besieged St. resistance,

Salvador. But by this time, the alarm had spread, and the admiral was able to maintain his position, until

sea.

he could prepare one of his largest vessels for The others he determined to leave behind.

Collecting, therefore, all the supplies which could be obtained, the little band, much reduced in

number, and driven before a tribe of Indians, embarked for their native country. They landed ir. Spain in the year 1 53 1 , exactly the time of their departure.

five

years from

SEBASTIAN CABOT.

CHAPTER

135

IV.

— Resumes — Account of a personal of Pilot-Major.

Cnbot^s llcception in Spain.

— His

tcrvitiv ivith Cabot.

— Relinquishes — Edward

his Office

land.

Fifth requests him

the

gard

private Character.

and returns

Sixth.

to

— CharlesEng— His Spain. the

to return to

Occupations in England. to the

the Office In'

Knighting of

— Errors

with Re-

the Cahots.

Cabot was about fifty-three years of age when he returned to Spain, and, after his wild hfe in South America, we are glad office

in

civilized society.

what was

his reception at the

him holding not easy to say

to find

It is

One

Spanish court.

writer declares that he was received with coldness

and

ill

strives

nature, while the author of the

show

to

that

his

report

"Memoir"

was

perfectly

Perhaps neither is entirely correct. that the merchants withdrew from the

satisfactory.

The

fact,

concern, shows them to have been disappointed, but surely Charles did not venture to frown on a

man,

whom

originated

he had ungenerously deluded, and the

now promised

The

project,

that,

in

Pizarro's

who

hands,

the monarch wealth and reputation

Spaniards were piqued at Cabot's severity

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

136 to

mutineers, but they could

the

feme

1)3

Plata,

not

sully tlie

had acquired by his conduct in the Lf His crew could bear witness to his com

times of great and most varied danger. Moreover,, his generosity in alluding to the better in

posure

of

fortunes

Columbus won him many

friends;

without the jealousy of a selfish man, he did not hesitate to declare his exploits to be " more divine

For

than human."

these and similar reasons his

of Pilot-Major afforded many years his occu-

resumption of the office

and

for

general satisfaction, pation was one of great emolument and honor.

Several passages in the old authors show, as

documents so imperfect and antiquated can show, that, besides being esteemed a strictly honorable man, he was the first navigator of the clearly as

day.

A

practice

Fifth

thorough

how

relied

theorist,

theory was

entirely on

he

had learned by

useful.

his

Charles

the

opinion, which was their intercourse no

In all always readily given. is found to the character or progress of

allusion

To

Pizarro.

the one, his

a twinge of conscience a

;

name probably brought and the other, however his

glad

to

aid

have

felt

that the monarch's favors

conferred.

A

of him at this

rival

by

propositions,

mus*.

were unjust

}

contemporary writer thus speak? " He is so valiant a man. time ;

and so well practised in all things pertaming to navigations, and the science of cosmographie

SEBASTIAN CABOT. that

at

this

137

present he hath not his like in all another occasion, a gentleman of

On

Spaine."

the time, desiring

some important maritime

in-

formation, was referred to Cabot; and his account

of their })ersonal interview, even

now

that three

The centuries have elapsed, is highly interesting. " It was tolde mee that there was in writer says, the city a valiant man, a Venetian* born, named Sebastian Cabot, who had charge of the navigations of

the Spaniards, being an expert nian in and one that could make cardes for

that science,

the sea with his owne hand, and, by this report, seeking his acquaintance, I found him a very gentle and courteous person, ivho entertained met

friendly, and shewed mee many among other a large majjpe of the

things,

and

world,

with

certaine particuler navigations, as well of the Portugals as of the Si)aniards, and he spake further

unto

mee

Several

to this effect." like

hints

f

disclose

character of Sebastian Cabot.

to

us the

private

His warm ambition

into maturer hopes, and we can antiold an age, calm, benevolent, and useful. cipate Whilst holding the office of Pilot-Major, he frequently led in person small naval expedition."

was changed

which served

to

keep

alive

than to promote discovery. *

public interest,

This error has alrp.idy been exposed,

niiikluyt, Vol. HI.

p. 7.

more

His leisure was prob-

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

138

ably occupied with preparing the documenls relative to his eventful life, which carelessness and accident Jiave destroyed. These were doubtless

among

the pleasantest

He had, indeed, consideryears of Cabot's life. his extensive been ing plans, singularly unsuccessful ; neither does it that domestic comforts appear were gathered thickly around hini. But he was man whom many, like Richard Eden, delighted

a

to consider their " very friend,

and have sometimes

keepe them company in their own houses." He had, moreover, done the world much service, only He failing because he intended to do much more. sought distinction, because

increased his useful-

it

ness.

He La

thus concludes a letter some years after the " After this I made

Plata expedition. other voyages, w^iich

many

I

now

pretermit, and,

waxing

olde, I give myself to rest from such travels, be-

cause there are nowe

many young and

lustie pilots

and mariners of good experience, by whose forwardness I do rejoyce in the fruit of my labours,

and

rest with

see." *

the charge of this office, as you the language of a man, who

This

is

view disappointment in the proper light, preferring a competency and the general respect

could

to success gained by intrigue, or the favors showered upon a parasite. By this time he must have •

Haklnyt, Vol.

Til. p. 7.

SEBASTIAN CABOT name would never

seen, that his

lumbus

we

that

;

it

139

rival ihal

would even be shaded by

Co-

of it

and

;

him reviewing the

yet past with gratitude, and anticipating the future with more than ordinary calmness. find

Seventeen years thus elapsed, when the natural feeling of an old man induced Cabot to relinquish his situation

in

Spain, in order to dwell again in It is a pleasant thing, after all

his native country.

wanderings, to see him turning his steps homeward. rejoice when the recioient of foreign his

We

favor

remembers the land which gave him

In the year 1548, while in peror, he returned

exemplary

oflicer

her naval interest,

;

full

birth.

favor with the

Em-

an England. Spain he knew, better than any one, and his eminence was acknowlto

lost

But Charles edged both by the king and people. the Fifth had nothing to fear from Cabot's intimate knowledge of

his affairs

;

no combination of

circumstances could have induced him to use his information against a sovereign,

dence he had gained

in

whose

confi-

it.

Edward the Sixth had just reached the British when our navigator returned, and fixed his

liirone,

residence

much

in

Bristol.

Public

raised louchinir the

hopes had been

younir king.

Having

enjoyed an excellent education, and naturally fond of naval affliirs, it was thought that his reign would be memorable

for the

encouragenient of maritime

A JI E R I C A N B 1 O G

140

" In

excellence.

11

APHY

.

Burnet

childhood,"

tells

us

"he knew all the harhors and ports both-oi" h's own dominions, and of France and Scotland, and how much water they had, and what was the w^y of coming into them." Add to this, that nature's other gifts exactly fitted him for a ])0])ular mon arch, and that, in the second year of his reign, Se-

Cabot, an old man respected in private and the greatest seaman of the age, became life, one of his subjects, and no one will fail to anticibastian

pate brilliant naval adventures. When Charles the Fifth perceived this state of things, he repented

had

lost his

that on

Pilot-Major

;

any consideration he

accordingly the English

monarch received before long a formal demand, that " Sebastian Cabote, Grand Pilot of the Emperor's Indies, then in England, might be sent over to Spain, as a very necessary man for the Emperor, whose servant he was, and had a pension These latter words might lead us to of him."

think that Charles, hoping his removal would be temporary, had wished to continue Cabot's pension

;

at

any

rate,

it

is

gratifying to

golden opinions the seaman had ces

in

Spain

:

The

request

won by

see what his servi-

was not complied

vnih. It is difficult to

ascertain precisely

what Cabot's

cfficc w^as after he returned to England. expected to continue in private life in

He

had

his native

HI

SEBASTIAN CAB,.T. city

but the

;

importunities of

his determination,

and

Edward changed

is

supposed, by Hak'uyt was appointed to an office hkon the

The

Americans.

were accordingly let loose A Danish mer-

commerce of Denmark.

chantman from Leghorn arrived soon Goletta,

arrival

a stop to bis designs in that

unsuspicious

after at

of danger, information

the

of

which was immediately communicated by Famii?, and th.e master and crew were arrested before they

make their escape. Another Danish ship, laden with coffee, sugar, and other West India proIn duce, was sent into Biserta on the same day.

could

consequence of these events, the Danish consulgeneral, Mr. Hammekin, expecting to be compelled to leave the kingdom, solicited cliarge of the rival interests

Danish

affairs.

As

Eaton

to take

there were no

between the two nations, the propo-

was readily acceded to. On the 28lh of June, the Danish flagstaff" was (3ut down, and war was declared by the Bey against the King of Densition

mark

:

more than seventy Danes were condemned

WILLIAM

E

slavery, and the consul

to

.V

TON

221

.

was confined

to

his

A

few days afterwards, he and his family were ordered to quit the kingdom of Tunis. Tl e house.

minister of the

Bey

detailed to

Eaton the causes

of the war. and attempted to show that the Danes His argument was, " that were the as^gressors. the the

Bey had a right to demand presents, and that King of Denmark had violated his good faith that

by treating confessed,

He

demand contemptuously."

conversation, that the

in

war was

in-

tended against the Americans but the letter from the President had suspended the operation for a reasonable time, to wait tiie arrival of the ship. ;

He

acknowledged, that tliey had never received of so excellent a quality from any Chris-

articles

'•

1 remarked to him," says Eaton, he had that, given me the credit which he was now convinced he ought, he might have saved

tian nation.

"

if

himself and the

Bey much

entire trouble of I

his

impatience, and the but navy against us

arming had observed with some concern, that he chose ;

rather to hear meddling fellows, who would as deliberately betray him as me, if the occasion suit-

ed."

'-That

is

past," said he, -'and

you have had

We

your own way of

are convinced revenge. dealt with have us, though we somecandidly you a little hard-bitted but you times thought you ;

are a sort of Englishmen,

not?"

"We

are not

you Americans, are you

Italians."'

"Have you

nc

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

228

in America?" "Yes; once a year our of the and streets, accompanied by our girls boys sailors and fiddlers, make a Pope and a Devil of

Pope

jld

cast clothes,

mount them both on a

horrico

(jackass), and. after driving them about till they are wearied, tar and feather and burn them ton;ether,

by way of amusement." said,

"I

headed

He

laughed heartily, and

believe you are just such another hardrace as th.e English ; but, thank God,

we are friends." The Bey, by way

of expressing his satisfaction,

offered Eaton a house at Biserta, by the seaside, As early as in which he might pass the summer. the I6t,h of July, eight Danish vessels had been

captured, and about one hundred men reduced to The estimated value of the ships and slavery. cargoes, together with the slaves, was four hun-

The dred and eleven thousand Spanish dollars. had desired six of the vessels masters of captured property, giving him to understand that they could open a credit in LegHe went to the minister, and proposed to horn.

Eaton

to

redeem

their

purchase the vessels

in his

own name.

The

pro-

was accepted, and an agent appointed. Eaton examined the vessels, and made an offer.' position

During the time taken by the minister it, the Danish captains were alarmed

up the

project.

depended on the

The

only hope now of the government to

consul's

refusal

to consider into giving

WILLIAM EATON. accept

liis

terms.

He

2'29

was overbid by Famin

;

but

be only a ruse to extort a highei proved for a messenger arrived the next oiTer day at to

this

;

Biserta to declare the astonishment of the o^overninent at his departure, because their agent had re ceived orders to close with his proposal. He re-

turned

immediately, concluded the bargain, and mode of payment but the Danish

fixed on the

;

captains failed to fulfil their promises, and Eaton was left with six vessels, purchased on credit. An

now offered him of realizing a sum by a perfecdy fair and honorable

opportunity was 'lantlsome

speculation, with property which against

his will,

difficulties

with

upon

his

hands

Denmark were

had been forced,

when

the

adjusted by

the

;

but,

on the part of that power, of eight vesand cargoes and sixty-one thousand four hun-

sacrifice,

sels

dred and forty Spanish dollars, for the redemption of eighty-six captives, Eaton surrendered the vessels in his possession

to

their

respective masters,

simply on the condition of his credit with the gov crnment beincr redeemed, and his actual disburse-

ments

rejjaid.

This was an act of disinterestec

generosity which received the acknowledgment o( the Danish admiral on the spot, and, subsequently;

nore ample and emphatic expressions of gratitude horn the monarch himself, through the medium of the "Board of Affairs relating to the Slates on the Coast of Barbary."

The

following extract

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

230 from their

.

letter to

Eaton

is

equally honorable lo

both parties. " His

Majesty the King, having been informed of your kind proceeding towards his subjects, who last year had the misfortune of being made slaves

by the Tunisians

;

as also of the service

you have

rendered the owners of six of the captured ships, by venturing to purchase them, at the instance of the masters, and restoring a

them

since to the said

somewhat precarious

owners, though upon of getting reimbursed your expenses assistance

friendly

dore Koefoed, as

;

security

and of the

which you have lent he addressed himself

Commoto

you

;

to order us to

has been most graciously pleased transmit to you the gold box, ornamented with

of his royal name, which will be delivered to you along with this letter, and which the

initials

you

will

please to accept, as a token of his most

high satisfaction with regard to the services you have rendered the nation."

The letter was replied to in suitable terms by the consul, and transmitted forthwith to the Department of State.

The

intercourse

between Eaton and the former

American consul was not very conjectured from expressions letters, heretofore cited.

to a

cordial, as

in

About

may be

his journals this time,

and

came manner it

sudden and violent conclusion, in a and 'he excellence?

characteristic both of the faults

WILLIAM EATON.

23 1

of Eaton's temperament. Finding himself often thwarted by the intrigues of Famin, and irritated

by personal insults, he gave him, on occasion of an accidental meetinsr, a severe castigation with

Famin summoned him before the horsewhip. but Eaton, nowise intimidated by the apprehension of summary proceedings, met him a

tribunal

;

and boldly denounced him as a traitor and declaring, that he did not present himself there to answer the allegations of the traitor, there,

a villain

;

but to denounce

from

him

that

him

as such,

and

to

he

protection which

withdraw

had never

merited, but had shamefully dishonored. " I will send you out of the country," said the

Bey.

"

You

will

do

me

care to appreciate."

an honor, which " How dare

I will

take

lift

your

you

"

hand against a subject of mine in my kingdom ? " If your reneiiade had been in the kingdom of heaven, and had given me the same provocation, I

would have given hhu the same discipline. But Bey of Tunis has too much penetration to

the

believe

abject wretch faithful even

that

patron.

he were

If

Frenchman,

I

such,

if

would respect him as such

would protect him as such iSfussulman, I would honor him as such

American,

to

his

he were a true

I

;

if ;

;

if

an

a good or, if a

should be duly respected. He is I have documents to neither one nor the other.

Cliristi;m,

lie

convince you, that he would

sell

vour head

for

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

232

caroubes, and barter

away the

court

See here

for

piastres.

an American, who, by his

into

trapped

reputation of youi his

statement

to

means, has been en-

this

Hear him

hands.

call

your

prime minister and his mercantile agents a set of " How " " thieves and robbers."' Yes, thieves 1

and robbers '•

"

Mercy

!

" !

and

thieves

Yes,

"

Forbearance

man

!

of your confidence mediation between your !

master,

the

President

;

cried

robbers

This

Famin. This

!

Is

is

man

the

the

of

and

Excellency my and these are the meas-

ures he uses to maintain the good understanding subsisting

between

us.

Had

he

been

faithful,

either in his representations of your Excellency's nation character to the President, or in that of

my

you, you would long since have received, whatever they might have been, the presents stipulated It is his treachery, his as tokens of friendship. to

his

falsehood, tions,

tween

sleek and plausible misrepresenta

which have generated the misintelligence beus.

intrigues.

Do

not suppose I am ignorant of his Full well I know, he labored three days,

incessantly, after

my

arrival at Biserta, to prevail

on your Excellency to refuse

me

an audience.

our negotiation, he was playing a double game with us. And full well 1 know that he has uniformly insinuated, that Full well I

my

know,

that, during

government were

flattering

you with delusive

WILLIAM EATON.

233

expectations and insincere proinises, and that I myself am sent here to be the instrument of this hypocrisy.''

" But

how do you know

these things

ever passed between him and

was

jects,

me

What-

?

on these sub-

iete-a-teteJ'^

"

Yes, but the fellow had not prudence enough to ksep your confidence. Elated with the prosof success, he blabbed every thing to the she to her neighbors so that

pect

woman he keeps

;

;

has been the topic of conversation in half the Christian taverns in Tunis, that his Excellenov it

'

the

Bey was

going to send away tlio American accommodate an apostate Frenchman the Bey of Tunis had not independence of *

consul as if

to

!

discernment

nor

mind,

to

discriminate

the event of insulting a nation and

Permit

between

disobli2:in