University of Virginia Library

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304

THE UNKNOWN REGIONS OF THE WEST.

One hundred and three years had passed away since the founding of
Jamestown, and the little colony of one hundred and five souls had
grown to nearly one hundred thousand. Hardy pioneers had extended
the domain of civilization far into the interior. There were now twenty-four
counties in Virginia, and settlements were approaching the eastern
base of the Blue Ridge, but of the country beyond the "rocky barrier"
nothing whatever was known, The most daring adventurer had not
dared to penetrate this unknown wilderness. But the conquest of the
wilderness was the mission of those determined spirits who had fled from
oppression in the Old World to find a home of freedom on the shores of
the New. Governer Spotswood determined to know something more of
this region, and accordingly equipped a company of horsemen, and heading
it in person began his march from Williamsburg through a dense
wilderness inhabited by wild beasts and savage men. Toiling on for
several days, the expedition at last reached the base of the Alleghanies,
and pushing upward through the narrow defiles the intrepid governor
and his little party reached the summit and stood upon one of the loftiest
peaks of the Appalachian range. What a spot! Never before, perhaps,
had the footsteps or the voice of civilized man been heard amid
this mountain fastness. As that little band stood there gazing westward
into an illimitable wilderness, they there resolved that its vast extent
should be peopled, redeemed from the sway of savage men, and the forest
be made to blossom as the rose. How well that resolution has been
carried into effect, let the fifteen millions of happy and prosperous people
who now throng the great valley of the Mississippi answer.

The party returned to Williamsburg and gave the most glowing description
of the country which they had visited. Amid forests of fragrant
trees and perfumed alcoves, spots more enchantingly beautiful than
were ever graced by Calypso and her nymphs, they had discovered those
mysterious hygeian fountains from which flowed these life-giving waters
which have since obtained a world-wide fame. In order to induce emigration
to the West, the governor established the "Transmontane Order,
or Knights of the Golden Horseshoe," giving to each of those who accompanied
him a miniature golden horseshoe bearing the inscription,
"Sic Jurat transcendere Montes" (thus he swears to cross the mountains).
These were given to whoever would accept them, with the understanding
that he would comply with the inscription. (See De Hass, page 35.)

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SILVER MEDAL PRESENTED THE INDIAN POTENTATE, THE
"KING OF PAMUNKIE,"

By the nial Authorities of Virginia.