Vaseo Nunez De Balboa, a Spanish American discoverer, born at Xeres de los Caballeros, Es-tremadura, in 1475, beheaded at Castillade Oro, Darien, in 1517. He was a nobleman who escaped from his creditors to Hispaniola, and subsequently joined Enciso's Darien expedition. Quarrels between rival commanders made him chief of the new settlement. His humane policy reconciled the Indians, and while engaged in exploring the isthmus he reached the summit of a mountain from which he discovered the Pacific, Sept. 26,1513. He erected a cross on the spot, and took possession of the whole region for Spain. But before the news of this important discovery reached Madrid Enciso's intrigues had resulted in Balboa's displacement by Davila, who soon lost the advantages gained by his predecessor. The Spanish government, at length enlightened in regard to the great achievements of Balboa, named him deputy governor; but Davila opposing his installation, he went in search of new settlements. This exasperated Davila still more, but his wrath was for a time appeased by the intercession of influential personages, and he even gave his daughter in marriage to Balboa. The continued success of the latter, however, revived his jealousy, and he seized a pretext for charging him with treason, and subjecting him to a mock trial.

Balboa and four of his friends were executed, he protesting to the last his innocence and his loyalty.