Pamfilo De Narvaez, a Spanish explorer, born in Valladolid about 1480, perished off the southern coast of Louisiana in 1528. He came to America apparently as early as 1501, served in Santo Domingo, and then passed to Cuba, where he stood next in command to Velazquez, the governor. Sent to Mexico to reduce Cortes, he was defeated, lost an eye and was confined as a prisoner by Cortes for five years. He then went to Spain, obtained a grant of Florida, and sailed with a large force in 1527. He landed at Tampa bay, April 16, 1528, and marched to Appalache. Finding the country poor and thinly peopled with fierce tribes, he at last made for the coast, built rude boats, and endeavored to reach Mexico. Soon after crossing the mouth of the Mississippi he was blown out to sea in his boat and perished. Most of his force sank under hardship or hostilities, but his treasurer Cabeca de Vaca and others made their way across the continent, and finally reached the Spanish settlement of San Miguel in So-nora in May, 1536. His accounts led to the exploration of New Mexico and California.