Panama’s introduction into western civilization came officially in 1501. Rodrigo Galván de las Bastides, an adventurer and hopeful conquistador from Columbus’ second voyage sights land traveling southwest from Hispanõla. The land sighted was part of what would be the east coast of Panama. Deterred by weather and structural problems of the vessel, Bastides turned back and forfeited landfall, deemed not to be the winner.
The next contestant was the Great Admiral himself, Cristobal Colon (Columbus). Columbus embarked from the west of the Morocco in May 1502 on what would be his fourth and final voyage across the Atlantic. Entering the Caribbean and traveling west, Columbus followed the coast down from Mexico all the way to Honduras, to the north of what became Panama. Columbus did make landfall and contact with the natives; but this was for the primary purpose of finding a way to Asia through the Panamanian isthmus. Traveling south and exploring the coast, Columbus sought to procure gold from the natives, often being met with aggressive hostility. These early years of the 16th century saw Spanish interaction with natives in Central America, but no permanent colony produced
In 1508, attention to the isthmus changed when King Ferdinand II in Spain instituted a Conquest of Tierra Firma, or most of Central America and the north coast of South America. This was in large part a financial investment, as the wars in Spain were taking a fiscal toll on the King. Enter the conquistadors.
The race to Tierra Firma started with Alonso de Ojeda and Diego de Nicuesa, two Spaniards of varying backgrounds and wealth. Ojeda joined with Juan de la Cosa who had traveled with Columbus on previous voyages to the New World. Ferdinand seemed ambivalent as to who would govern the area of Tierra Firma, which would encompass all of Panama along with part of would be Columbia and Costa Rica. Ferdinand split the areas with an ambiguous dividing line. The bickering between the too would-be conquerors caused Ojeda to conscript lawyer Martin Fernandez Enciso to help mediate. With drama brewing, the men brought a growing schism over to Hispanõla to set up a staging area to invade Tierra Firma.
Nicuesa and Ojeda launched their respective forays into Central America and surrounding areas in the fall of 1509 amidst their feud. They both left constituents behind to gather supplies and men to follow in their wake. Ojeda had left Enciso to begin conscripting men and provisions to meet up with later. This proved sensible, since Ojeda was engaged in serious combat with natives near the Spanish province of Nueva Granada and was seriously displaced. Another name entered the conquistador’s competition: Vasco Nunez de Balboa.
Balboa had been living in Hispanola as a pig farmer since Bastides’ expedition in 1501-1502. Son of wealthy landowners in Spain, Balboa traveled with Bastides in search of his own glory and had the capital to finance the venture. The farming was not much of a success, and soon Balboa found himself in debt to Hispanola creditors. These creditors had an interesting rule: one who was in debt was not allowed to leave the island until the debt was paid off. Fast forward to 1513: Balboa claims the Pacific Ocean on Panama’s west coast for the King of Spain. What happened?
The story goes that Balboa of course knew of the drama circulating with the Spaniards itching to claim and establish ports in Panama, and of the expeditions planned. Aided by one of his friends, Balboa was reported to have stowed away on Enciso’s vessel in a food barrel. With his dog! Enciso of course discovers Balboa soon after launch, but is persuaded to keep him because of his value and experience.
Balboa helps to found Santa Maria de Antigua del Darien, which becomes the first governmental seat held by Europeans in the New World.
More to come...this story is real long I'm realizing...!
Sources:
Ward, Christopher. Imperial Panama. Albuquerque, University of Mexico Press. 1993.
http://www.bruceruiz.net/PanamaHistory/panama_history.htm
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