Plate I.

The Promontory of Florida, at Which the French Touched; Named by Them the French Promontory

During their first voyage to Florida, the French landed near a well wooded headland, slightly raised from the surroundings flat coastline. In honour of France the commander of the fleet named this place which is about thirty degrees from the equator, the French cape. Coasting northward, they discovered a deep and beautiful river at whose mouth they cast anchor in order to examine it in more detail the nest day. On his second expedition Laudonnière called it the river of Dolphins because he had seen large numbers swimming there. When they disembarked they saw many Indians coming to give them a kind and friendly welcome, even making them presents of the skins they wore. After accepting many gifts from the commander of the expedition the Indians brought them to their king, who had not risen up, but remained seated on branches of laurels and palms. This king made our captain a present of a large animal skin decorated all over with very lifelike drawings of animals of the forest.

The digital copies of the de Bry engravings (N2012-6) included here are made possible by a donation from the Michael W. and Dr. Linda Fisher Collection.

All translations are taken from Discovering the New World, Based on the Works of Theodore de Bry, edited by Michael Alexander (New York: Harper & Row, 1976).