INTRODUCTION 
self not only the most trusted but the most 
useful member of the expedition. 
I am reminded in this connection that 
IMatthew Henson is not the first colored man 
who by his fidelity and devotion has made him- 
self the trusty companion of the men who have 
explored and opened up the western continent. 
Even in the days when the Negro had Httle or 
no opportunity to show his ability as a leader, 
he proved himself at least a splendid follower, 
and there are few great adventures in which 
the American white man has engaged where 
he has not been accompanied by a colored 
man. 
Nearly all the early Spanish explorers were 
accompanied by Negroes. It is said that the 
first ship built in America was constructed by 
the slaves of Vasquez de Ayllon, who at- 
tempted to establish a Spanish settlement 
where Jamestown, Virginia, was later founded. 
Balboa had 30 Negroes with him, and they as- 
sisted him in constructing the first ship on the 
Pacific coast. Three hundred slaves were 
brought to this country by Cortez, the con- 
queror of Mexico, and it is said that the town 
of Santiago del Principe was founded by 
xviii 
