CHAPTER XII. 



HISTORICAL OUTLINE. 



I have been urged by some friends to render this new edition 

 more complete by adding an historical sketch of Trinidad. I 

 must confess that I would never have attempted the task had I 

 been left altogether dependent on my own resources ; but I for- 

 tunately found in the " History of Trinidad," by E. L. Joseph, 

 and specially in Mr. G. Borders " Histoire de la Trinidad," 

 the information and assistance which otherwise I would never 

 have been able to procure. Mr. Borde was even good enough 

 to place at my disposal the MS. of the second volume of his 

 history. To Mr. Fraser, also, I am indebted for information 

 respecting the government of the Commissioners and Sir Thomas 

 Hislop. However, I am alone responsible for what is reported 

 from the time of Sir Henry Macleod to the present day. This 

 sketch I publish for what it is worth ; a mere record of the more 

 interesting events connected with the annals of the colony. 



As already stated, Trinidad was discovered on the 31st of 

 July, 1492, by the great navigator, Christopher Columbus. 

 ' ' About mid-day," says Washington Irving, " a mariner at the 

 mast-head beheld the summits of three mountains arising above 

 the horizon. As the ships drew nearer, it was seen that these 

 three mountains were united at the base. 



" Columbus had determined to give the first land he should 

 behold the name of the Trinity. The appearance of these three 

 mountains, united into one, struck him as a singular coincidence, 

 and, with a solemn feeling of devotion, he gave the island the 

 name of ' La Trinidad/ which it bears at the present day." 

 These mountains, rising at the back of Punta Tablas, are known 

 as the "Three Sisters." The south-eastern point was next 

 sighted, and received the name of " Point Galera," instead of 

 f Point Galeota," by which it is now known. 



