The Conquest of the River Plate (1535-1555)

part in such considerable numbers in the expedition of Don Pedro de

Mendoza. The Flemings were at that time as much Charles's subjects as the Spaniards, and the owners of the ships in which Schmidt and his countrymen sailed, were bankers--allies and favourites of the young Emperor.

It appears that Schmidt was not enlisted among the soldiers of Mendoza, but came as an _emp...