Primary Source Reading #1: De Soto’s Visit to Cofitachequi, 1540
On May 1, 1540, Hernando de Soto reached the Wateree River in South Carolina, near the present-day site of Camden. Across the river was the capital city of Cofitachequi. The following account of his visit was written later by a member of de Soto’s expedition known only as “the gentleman of Elvas.” Elvas is a town in Portugal.
After a little time the Cacica [queen or head woman] came out of the town, seated in a chair, which some principal men having borne to the bank, she entered a canoe. Over the stern was
spread an awning, and in the bottom lay extended a mat where there were two cushions, one above the other, upon which she sat; and she was accompanied by her chief men, in other canoes, with Indians. She approached the spot where the Governor [de Soto] was, and, being arrived, thus addressed him:
Excellent Lord: Be this your coming to these shores most happy. My ability can in no way equal my wishes, nor my services become the merits of so great a prince; nevertheless, good wishes are to be valued more than all the treasures of the earth without them. With sincerest and purest good-will I tender you my person, my lands, my people, and make you these small gifts.
The Cacica presented much clothing of the country, from the shawls and skins that came in the other boats; and drawing from over her head a large string of pearls, she threw them about his neck, exchanging with him many gracious words of friendship and courtesy. She directed that canoes should come to the spot, whence the Governor and his people passed to the opposite side of the river. Soon as he was lodged in the town, a great many turkeys were sent to him. The country was delightful and fertile, having good interval lands upon the streams; the forest was open, with abundance of walnut and mulberry trees. The sea was stated to be two days’ travel. ...
The Cacica, observing that the Christians valued the pearls, told the Governor, that, if he should order some sepulchres [or tombs] to be searched, he would find many. ... They examined those in the town, and found 350 pounds’ weight of pearls, and figures of babies and birds made of them . . . In the town were found a dirk [knife] and [rosary] beads that had belonged to Christians, who, the Indians said, had many years before been in the port, distant two days’ journey. He that had been there was the Governor-licentiate Ayllon ….
“The Narrative of the Expedition of Hernando de Soto by the Gentleman of Elvas,” in
Spanish Explorers in the Southern United States, 1528-1543
(New York, 1907), pp. 173-74.