Lying behind these extensive coasts to the westward in the interior, is the region to which the Spaniards gave the name of the kingdom of _New Granada_, the name being applied in consequence of a resemblance which was detected between the plain around _Santa Fè de Bogotá_ and the royal _Vega_ which adjoins the historical Moorish capital. _New Granada_ was a most extensive region, comprising as it did the entire country from sea to sea in the north, lying between 60° and 78° longitude, and from 6° to 15° of latitude. [Sidenote: 1526.] _Bogotá_ was attacked, from the south, by Benalcazar, the governor of _Quito_; whilst Ximenes de Quesada, who had disembarked at _Santa Marta_, marched against it from the north. They did not fail to meet resistance, which, however, was no match for Spanish discipline, arms, and valour; and the above-named leaders had the renown of adding another grand possession to the South-American dominions of their sovereigns. In the course of time the more distant provinces, of which _Bogotá_ was the centre, became subject to its government. There were, however, a number of the inhabitants of this vast and varied mountainous region who either retained, throughout, their barbarous independence or who regained it from time to time. [Sidenote: 1535.] Ximenes de Quesada came to America about the year 1535, in the suite of the Governor of _Santa Marta_, by whom he was selected to lead an expedition against the _Chibchas_, who dwelt on the plain of _Bogotá_ and around the head waters of the _Magdalena_. Setting out in April 1536 with eight hundred men, he succeeded in pushing his way through the forest and across innumerable streams. He contrived to subsist for eight months, during which he traversed four hundred and fifty miles, enduring meanwhile the very utmost exertions and privations that human nature could support. It was not given to this leader to meet with an adversary sufficiently powerful or wealthy to confer upon him by his capture the splendour which has attached itself to the names of the conquerors of _Montazuma_ and of _Atahualpa_; but it may be doubted whether, in so far as may be judged by reading the accounts of their several exploits, one or the other of those adventurers had more difficulties to surmount than had Ximenes de Quesada. When he and his men had at length reached _Barranca_, they were arrested by a downpour of rain, which literally covered the country; but, in face of such discouraging circumstances, Ximenes persisted in proceeding. Sending on a party of twelve men, under Captain San Martin, he remained with the rest of his detachment, sleeping at night in the tops of trees, and subsisting on a small allowance of maize and horse-flesh daily.