The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 22, July 1918 - April, 1919 Page: 257
521 p. : ill. (some col.), ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The First Europeans in .Texas, 1528-1536
erally consistent,-bearing in mind that the distances stated are
estimates, and not measnurements,-and are verified by the state-
ments with regard to itinerary and topography.
Both narratives were evidently written as aids to subsequent
explorers, and all landmarks seen and remembered that would
be of assistance to other travelers in the same region were con-
scientiously noted. Read together, the two accounts depict the
regions visited with surprising clearness. The landmarks noted
are distinctive; the four rivers on the coast; the ancones, the "big
water"; the "river of nuts"; the first mountains, near the coast;
and the "river as wide as Guadalquivir," are unmistakable. The
inland journey, first along the skirts of a chain of mountains,
extending toward the north perpendicular to the coast; thence
through valleys, across a big river coming from the north and
thirty leagues of plains; then through more than fifty leagues of
desert mountains, to a "plain beyond the chain of mountains,"-
and from there thirty or more leagues westward to a "river that
flows between mountains," is likewise as clear as such an account
could then have been written, with or without field notes. The
subsequent journey up the river and to the west across a plain,
and finally to the southwest and south "parallel with the coast
of the south sea," is indicated in equally distinct outlines.
The imaginary journey from the coast across Texas to the north-
west, to the Rio Grande-Conchas confluence, or to the barranca
in New Mexico, upon which much study and space have been
wasted, is obviously impossible. It is inconsistent with the topog-
raphy and natural history of Texas, which cannot be made to
approximate that described in the narratives; and it denies to
such men as Cabeza de Vaca and Andr6s Dorantes the attribute
of common sense.
Their one purpose, while on the coast of Texas, was to reach
a Spanish settlement, and they knew that this could be done
only by going toward the west or southwest. Certainly they would
go in that direction, unless there was some powerful reason for
not doing so. The narratives account specifically for ninety or
a hundred leagues from Mal-Hado, westward, along the coasts,
"toward P6nuco." At the end of this stretch they joined the
Avavares, because these Indians lived further on in the same
direction. The Avavares lived inland, but there was but one257
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 22, July 1918 - April, 1919, periodical, 1919; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117156/m1/271/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.