Americans forget about Spain. We like to remember our defeat of the British that secured the nation-hood of the original thirteen colonies. We don’t recall that Spain claimed what is now Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. In a few weeks, I will spend several nights in Natchez, Mississippi in the former home of the Spanish colonial governor. Continue Reading
1.22.1804: “I inclosed you the map of a Mr. Evans, a Welshman, employed by the Spanish government for that purpose, but whose original object I believe had been to go in search of the Welsh Indians, said to be up the Missouri.” —to Captain Meriwether Lewis from President Thomas JeffersonContinue Reading
Welsh legend has it that a prince set sail for North America in the 1100’s. Madoc couldn’t have known where he was going. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen to land at Mobile Bay in present-day Alabama.
Imagine, crawling out of a tiny boat after a trip across an ocean, only to have one’s carcass picked clean by mosquitoes and no-see-ums and alligators, not to mention the natives who were already there.Continue Reading