Balboa

Balboa, Vasco Nunez de, born in Estremadura, Spain, in 1475, of a poor but noble family, started in 1501 for the Spanish Main, to better his fortunes. For nine years his history is obscure, but in 1510 he accompanied Enciso from St. Domingo to Darien, where he raised a settlement and was mixed up in the wretched intrigues that always occupied the Spanish explorers. In 1513, acting on the information of a friendly cacique, he pushed southwards, entered the continent of South America, and was the first European to behold the Pacific. His kindly treatment of the Indians, and his firm but judicious handling of his followers contributed much towards his success. On his return to Darien he found that Pedrariaz (Davila) had been sent out from Spain as governor with orders to arrest him. However, friendly relations were established and maintained with more or less constancy for two years. Then the jealousy of the governor, who thought that Balboa was gaining independent credit and influence, led to the arrest of the latter on an old charge. He was found guilty, condemned, and beheaded at Ada, in 1517.