He died on his
outward passage, and the lands washed by the Amazon fell within
the territories of Portugal. The unfortunate navigator did not
even enjoy the undivided honor of giving his name to the waters
he had discovered. He enjoyed only the barren glory of the
discovery, surely not balanced by the iniquitous circumstances
which attended it. *12
[Footnote 12: "His crime is, in some measure, balanced by the
glory of having ventured upon a navigation of near two thousand
leagues, through unknown nations, in a vessel hastily
constructed, with green timber, and by very unskilful hands,
without provisions, without a compass, or a pilot." (Robertson,
America, (ed. London, 1796,) vol. III. p. 84.) The historian of
America does not hold the moral balance with as unerring a hand
as usual, in his judgment of Orellana's splendid enterprise. No
success, however splendid, in the language of one, not too severe
a moralist,
"Can blazon evil deeds or consecrate a crime."]
One of Orellana's party maintained a stout opposition to his
proceedings, as repugnant both to humanity and honor. This was
Sanchez de Vargas and the cruel commander was revenged on him by
abandoning him to his fate in the desolate region where he was
now found by his countrymen. *13
[Footnote 13: An expedition more remarkable than that of Orellana
was performed by a delicate female, Madame Godin, who, in 1769,
attempted to descend the Amazon in an open boat to its mouth.
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