CONaUEST OF COLOMBIA. 137 



transformed the Indian city of Popayan to a centre of Spanish rule, explored 

 the sources of the Cauca, overran the upper valley of the Magdalena, and at 

 last ascended the slopes of the plateau on which stands Bogota. 



A third conqueror had already come from the north when these rivals arrived 

 from the south and west. Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada had first to cross the 

 difficult marshy tracts about the confluence of the Cesar with the Magdalena, where 

 he lost his flotilla. Then he scaled the advanced slojoes and, after forcing the 

 gorges and passes, at last secured a firm footing on the plateau, where was soon 

 founded the future capital, Santa Fé de Bogota. Quesada was now informed of 

 the near approach of the two other bands, under Belalcazar and Fredemann ; all 

 three are said to have comprised exactly the same number of men — 160 warriors, 

 a priest and a monk. But all differed in their equipment, those fresh from the 

 plunder of Peru being arrayed in silks and plumes, and those from Santa Marta 

 wearing cotton fabrics woven by the Indians, while the Venezuelans coming from 

 the llanos were clothed in the skins of wild beasts. 



The three camps established at three corners of the plain threatened to come 

 to blows, and after exterminating the Indians it was feared that they might end 

 by slaughtering each other. But peace was preserved, Fredemann accepting 

 a sum down in lieu of his pretended claims, while Belalcazar came to friendly 

 terms with Quesada regarding the frontiers of their respective domains. As 

 governor of the newly acquired territory, Quesada gave it the name of New 

 Grenada, in honour of his native land. 



By thus seizing the central region, which the surrounding populations had 

 been accustomed to regard as a holy land, to respect and fear as the centre of 

 civilisation and power, the Spaniards henceforth enjoyed the prestige of victory, 

 together with the advantage of an impregnable strategic position. It was now an 

 easy task to continue the work of exploration and to connect the various itineraries 

 of the conquerors. The Spanish captains withdrew peacefully to their several 

 domains, while the native chiefs brought the tribute of their villages, being at the 

 same time compelled to purchase the salt of which the plateau enjoyed a monopoly. 



Towns sprang up along the main routes, on the banks of the rivers, and near 

 the mining districts. The exploration of the lower Cauca valley, and of the 

 territory of Antioquia by Badillo and Robledo completed the survey of the upper 

 fluvial basin already made by Belalcazar and his lieutenants. Then followed the 

 navigator Andagoya, who, landing south of the Eio San Juan and ascending the 

 little river Dagua, crossed the coast range down to Cali. Thus was discovered 

 the great trade route of west Colombia, which is still followed. There remained 

 only the secondary routes and less important districts, many of which, guarded 

 by dense forests and fever-stricken marshes, are even now known only in their 

 more salient features. 



Of the numerous expeditions to the llanos v.'hich followed those of Speier and 

 Fredemann all traces were lost in these vast and monotonous solitudes, effaced 

 like "the way of the ship on the sea." No record has been preserved of the 

 itineraries followed by Jimenez de Quesada in 1569, by Antonio Bcrrio in 1591, 



