Orange County Directory 1878-9
Historical and Business Review.
SETTLEMENT AND PROGRESS.
THE causes which led to the, discovery and rapid settlement of North America were many and peculiar. They furnish subject for speculation, and upon them widely differing theories have been built up. Not until near the close of the fifteenth century was this continent discovered; and judging from the standpoint of the nineteenth century, it was not wanted earlier. Europe could easily have spared any of her population for settling a new world of such vast proportions earlier. Italy was at this time the centre of western civilization, and from her courts and cities radiated science, and the knowledge which was to enrich the world. The invention of gunpowder which came into use about the middle of the fourteenth century, overthrew chivalry, and turned the thoughts of the knights and warriors into other channels than those of war. The art of printing had come into practical use and was rapidly disseminating knowledge among the people, and paving the pathway up which science would soon climb. Soon came the discovery of the magnetic needle, and this, coupled with the other two, caused an entire revolution in the thoughts, habits and pursuits of the greater portion of the civilized races of mankind; opening before them new, broader and deeper channels in which to move; and until then unknown paths through which they were to pursue their ways. With the downfall of chivalry the occupation of the knight as a warrior passed away. And there appeared as yet no legitimate outlet into which to turn the energy and enterprise of the people; true, the avenues of trade were open, yet there rested thereon a peculiar odium, from having been previously considered that a merchant was lacking in the courage and manhood which the soldier possessed. But now with the compass as an unfailing guide to direct their course ships traversed the great seas in all directions; and when science had taught the use of the Astrolabe and Cross stag to obtain the altitude of the sun and stars therefrom determine latitude and time, the navigator casting off the restraints that had hitherto compelled him to keep ever in sight the peaks and headlands of the coasts, ventured upon the great seas secure in that small thread of steel as guide. This opened to the knight a channel into which his already developed thoughts and habits could turn. Thus commerce was stimulated, navigation received a mighty impulse and discovery began.
Soon the barks of the explorers were traversing every sea then known and venturing ofttimes into the great beyond. The leaders in this were the Portuguese. Leaving the shores of their own country behind them, they soon beheld the Madeira Islands rising above the sea line. Soon they had sighted the Canary Islands and ere long the peaks of the Azores and Cape de Verd rise to view, with the coasts of Upper and Lower Guinea. Tales of the gold dust, ivory and gums found there together with negro slaves, awoke a wild spirit of adventure throughout Europe. Soon daring Bartholomew Dias electrified Europe with the knowledge of the “Cape of Storms,” which king John the Second shortly changed to the “Cape of Good Hope,” when Vasco da Gama rounded the cape and crossing the Indian Ocean unfurled the banner of Portugal in the harbor of Calicut, on the Malabar coast and here established the first European settlement in India. Following Dias and Gama came Cabral, Almeida. Albuquerque and others who subdued the Indian Princes, and compelled them to pay tribute and also to submit to the establishment of colonies on their shores and the erection of factories in their chief cities.
Soon the Portuguese galleons had touched the shores of Farther India, explored the islands of Oceanica, and compelled their people to acknowledge the supremacy of the Portuguese, whose every vessel that sailed from thence, bore rich cargoes of silks and spices to Europe. Lisbon became the seat of the worlds commerce, and her nobles its merchant princes. In reading the history of those early discoverers and their achievements, one almost catches the spirit of enthusiasm that animated them, and can even fancy a breath of perfume is borne front those fragrant cargoes of spices (across the sea) to his senses.
But Portugal was not long to monopolize the world's commerce. Filled with a spirit of rivalry and ambition, the mariners of Spain soon ploughing the ocean's billows in search of new lands and adventures. Side by side with the flag of Portugal, that of Spain was carried over every sea then known, and the banner of Castile was destined soon to be unfurled upon the shores of a NEW WORLD. The fame of the achievements of the Portuguese navigators stirred all Europe. It filled England, and crossed to Italy and thrilled with enthusiasm the breast Christopher Columbus, who even then was not unknown to fame. Day by day he pondered, and at length formed westward to reach the Indies. The world knows what years of toil and suffering that idea cost; how scorn and upon this man, unfortunate only in being in of his age; how he patiently overcame obstacles fought down ignorance and prejudice, never losing faith in himself, or sight of his object, until in his ideal, stands revealed a HEMISPHERE, and America is given to the civilized world. What necromantic wonders follow. All Europe was aflame. The same wild spirit of heroism and adventure awoke as in the times of the crusades; who could remain idle when such a field for wealth, ambition and renown was opened? What a strange drama this; grander, more wild and weird than fancy ever dreamed or romance pictured. Spain and Portugal peopling a world; an empire, Mexico, conquered and at the feet of Cortez; Peru chained, and subject to Pizarro and Almagro, Cabral in Brazil, the islands of the Caribbe, Cuba, Florida, Virginia. New England. New France, and at last the United States of America all act in this strange drama.