HISTORY OF AMERICA.

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THE discovery of America has led to events unrivalled in modern history, and we cannot sufficiently admire that steady unconquerable resolution, that amazing force of mind which carried the first bold discoverer through all opposition, and over innumerable obstacles, to the ultimate end of his grand design. The intelligent reader will be agreeably entertained in following this skilful navigator, through unknown seas, in search of a New World: every little incident during the voyage will appear of sufficient magnitude to fix the attention, and excite a strong sympathy with the adventurous chief, in all the various turns of his fortune.

This first volume will contain what Doctor Robertson calls the most splendid portion of the American story: he is undoubtedly right as far as it respects South America, and it is so detached, as to form a perfect whole by itself. Most of the prominent facts are a faithful transcript from that accurate and elegant historian. According to his Note, No. XI. Christopher Columbus was born, A. D. 1447: the place of his birth is not ascertained, but it appears he was a subject of the Republic of Genoa, and was allured into the service of the Portuguese by the fame of their discoveries; he was descended from an honourable family, though reduced to indigence by various misfortunes.

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ficiency in the study of them. Thus qualified, sea at the age of fourteen, and began his car element, which conducted him to so much early voyages were to those ports in the M which his countrymen, the Genoese, freque being too narrow a sphere for his active min an excursion to the northern seas, and visited Iceland; he proceeded beyond that island, (t) the ancients) and advanced several degrees wit circle.

This voyage enlarged his knowledge in more than it improved his fortune; afterward into the service of a famous sea captain of l and family. This man commanded a small sq out at his own expense, and by cruising again metans and the Venetians, the rivals of his cou had acquired both wealth and reputation. C tinued in the service of this captain for sever tinguished both for his courage and experienc at length, in an obstinate engagement off the tugal, with some Venetian caravals, returnin from the Low Countries, the vessel on boar was, took fire, together with one of the ener which it was fast grappled.

In this dreadful extremity his intrepidity of mind did not forsake him; for, throwin the sea, and laying hold of a floating oar, by terity in swimming, he reached the shore, two leagues distant. Thus was a life saved great undertakings.

When he had recovered sufficient strengt to Lisbon, where many of his countrymer warmly solicited him to stay in that kingd naval skill and experience could not fail of that reward, which his merit entitled him listened with a favourable ear to the advice

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güese had held in making their discoveries. The study of these gratified and inflamed his favourite passion; and, while he contemplated the maps and read the descriptions of the new countries which Perestrello had seen, his impatience to visit them became irresistible. In order to indulge it, he made a voyage to Madeira, and continued during several years to trade with that island, with the Canaries, the Azores, the settlements in Guinea, and all the other places which the Portuguese had discovered on the continent of Africa.

He was now become one of the most skilful navigators in Europe; but his ambition aimed at something more. The mind of Columbus, naturally inquisitive and capable of deep reflection, was often employed in revolving the principles upon which the Portuguese had founded_their schemes of discovery, and the mode in which they had carried them on.

The great object in view, at that period, was to find out a passage by sea to the East Indies. From the time that the Portuguese doubled Cape de Verd, this was a point they were anxiously solicitous to attain; in comparison with it, all discoveries in Africa appeared inconsiderable. But how intent soever the Portuguese were upon discovering a new route to those desirable regions, they searched presence for it only by steering towards the south, in hopes of arriving at India, by turning to the east, after they had sailed round the utmost extremity of Africa. This course, however, was still unknown; and if discovered, was of 'such immense length, that a voyage from Europe to India, must have appeared an undertaking extremely arduous, and of very uncertain issue.

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More than half a century had been employed in advanc ing, from Cape Non to the Equator; much longer

aring his of time might elapse before the extensive navigatie space Columbus that to India could be accomplished. These reflection

ocean, new countries, which probably formed vast continent of India, must infallibly be disc

The spherical figure of the earth was ki magnitude ascertained with some degree of acc this it was evident, that the continents of Eure Africa, formed but a small portion of the terra It appeared likewise very probable that the this side the globe, was balanced by a proport of land in the other hemisphere. These com cerning another continent, drawn from the fig ture of the globe, were confirmed by the ob conjectures of modern navigators.

A Portuguese pilot having stretched farthe than was usual at that time, took up a piece ficially carved floating upon the sea; and as towards him by a westerly wind, he conclude from some unknown land, situated in that qua bus's brother-in-law, also had found to the w deira isles, a piece of timber, fashioned in t ner, and brought by the same wind; and hac canes of an enormous size floating upon the resembled those described by Ptolemy, peculiar to the East Indies. After a cour winds, trees torn up with their roots, were of the coasts of the Azores, and at one time t of two men, with singular features, which res the inhabitants of Europe, nor of Africa, we there.

To a mind capable of forming and exec signs as that of Columbus, these observatic rities operated in full force with his sangu prizing temper; speculation led immedi fully satisfied himself with respect to th system, he was impatient to bring it to the ment, and to set out on a voyage of discov

The first step towards this, was to secur of some of the considerable powers in Eu