64 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [dEC. 6, 



diers marclied seven days through a desert country, but returned 

 dreadfully wearied, for they found nothing to eat but green 

 cherries and corn stalks, in a miserable town of seven or eight 

 houses/' 



The province of Chisca, as indicated by these extracts and as 

 located by Mr. Brevoort, was nearly coincident with the gold 

 fields of northern Georgia, but north of the most southerly range 

 of the mountains. I have given the evidence so that every one 

 can judge for himself whether these Indians practiced the smelt- 

 ing of metals. The relation of the Knight of Elvas, through- 

 out, gives an impression of the advanced state of civilization 

 among the Indians, so that here, if anywhere, the knowledge of 

 the smelting of metals should have existed. 



One fact throws a little doubt upon the correctness of De 

 Soto's route, as jDrojected by Mr. Brevoort. His projection car- 

 ries the route almost directly through the city of Dahlonega and 

 the northern counties of Georgia. Members of the Academy, 

 better acquainted than myself Avith the locality, will be able to 

 say whether these counties are not within the gold fields. If 

 they are, it is highly improbable that the sharp eyes of such a 

 party of Spaniards would have failed to detect the, gold if they 

 passed through them. 



The omission of all mention of silver in this " Eelation " 

 tends to confirm the suggestion that the materials of ornaments 

 containing: that metal, might have been obtained from the 

 sunken ships, especially if they came from localities near the 

 coast. 



There is no reason why the Natchez Indians should not have 

 understood the smelting of metals of well as those of Mexico and 

 Peru. 



The heroism and fine qualities of De Soto may command our 

 admiration, without diminishing our satisfaction over the follow- 

 ing record of good old Father Las Oasas, the noblest Spaniard 

 of the whole Castile de Toro. '' The merciless tyrants have in- 

 vaded these provinces since the year 1510. They all committed 

 the same outrages, to put themselves by robbery and pillage into 

 places of honor and profit, far above their quality. But God was 

 pleased to punish them after a most signal manner, for they 



