A Negro Explorer at the North Pole | Page 3

He could not merely drive a
dog-team or skin a musk-ox with the skill of a native, but he was
something of a navigator as well. In this way Mr. Henson made himself
not only the most trusted but the most useful member of the expedition.
I am reminded in this connection that Matthew Henson is not the first
colored man who by his fidelity and devotion has made himself the
trusty companion of the men who have explored and opened up the
western continent. Even in the days when the Negro had little or no
opportunity to show his ability as a leader, he proved himself at least a
splendid follower, and there are few great adventures in which the
American white man has engaged where he has not been accompanied
by a colored man.
Nearly all the early Spanish explorers were accompanied by Negroes. It
is said that the first ship built in America was constructed by the slaves
of Vasquez de Ayllon, who attempted to establish a Spanish settlement
where Jamestown, Virginia, was later founded. Balboa had 30 Negroes
with him, and they assisted him in constructing the first ship on the
Pacific coast. Three hundred slaves were brought to this country by
Cortez, the conqueror of Mexico, and it is said that the town of
Santiago del Principe was founded by Negro slaves who later rebelled

against their Spanish masters.
Of the story of those earlier Negro explorers we have, aside from the
Negro Estevan or "little Steve," who was the guide and leader in the
search for the fabulous seven cities, almost nothing more than a passing
reference in the accounts which have come down to us. Now, a race
which has come up from slavery; which is just now for the first time
learning to build for itself homes, churches, schools; which is learning
for the first time to start banks, organize insurance companies, erect
manufacturing plants, establish hospitals; a race which is doing all the
fundamental things for the first time; which has, in short, its history
before it instead of behind; such a race in such conditions needs for its
own encouragement, as well as to justify the hopes of its friends, the
records of the members of the race who have been a part of any great
and historic achievement.
For this reason, as well as for others; for the sake of my race as well as
the truth of history; I am proud and glad to welcome this account of his
adventure from a man who has not only honored the race of which he is
a member, but has proven again that courage, fidelity, and ability are
honored and rewarded under a black skin as well as under a white.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON.
Principal, Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute.

A NEGRO EXPLORER AT THE NORTH POLE
CHAPTER I
THE EARLY YEARS: SCHOOLBOY, CABIN-BOY, SEAMAN,
AND LIEUTENANT PEARY'S BODY-SERVANT--FIRST TRIPS
TO THE ARCTIC
When the news of the discovery of the North Pole, by Commander
Peary, was first sent to the world, a distinguished citizen of New York

City, well versed in the affairs of the Peary Arctic Club, made the
statement, that he was sure that Matt Henson had been with
Commander Peary on the day of the discovery. There were not many
people who knew who Henson was, or the reason why the gentleman
had made the remark, and, when asked why he was so certain, he
explained that, for the best part of the twenty years of Commander
Peary's Arctic work, his faithful and often only companion was
Matthew Alexander Henson.
To-day there is a more general knowledge of Commander Peary, his
work and his success, and a vague understanding of the fact that
Commander Peary's sole companion from the realm of civilization,
when he stood at the North Pole, was Matthew A. Henson, a Colored
Man.
To satisfy the demand of perfectly natural curiosity, I have undertaken
to write a brief autobiography, giving particularly an account of my
Arctic work.
I was born in Charles County, Maryland, August 8, 1866. The place of
my birth was on the Potomac River, about forty-four miles below
Washington, D. C. Slavery days were over forever when I was born.
Besides, my parents were both free born before me, and in my mother's
veins ran some white blood. At an early age, my parents were induced
to leave the country and remove to Washington, D. C. My mother died
when I was seven years old. I was taken in charge by my uncle, who
sent me to school, the "N Street School" in Washington, D. C., which I
attended for over six years. After leaving school I went to Baltimore,
Md., where I shipped as cabin-boy, on board a vessel bound