** Transcriber's Notes **
The printed edition from which this e-text has been produced retains the
spelling and abbreviations of Hakluyt's 16th-century original. In this
version, the spelling has been retained, but the following manuscript
abbreviations have been silently expanded:
- vowels with macrons = vowel + 'n' or 'm'
- q; = -que (in the Latin)
- y'e = the; y't = that; w't = with
This edition contains footnotes and two types of sidenotes. Most footnotes
are added by the editor. They follow modern (19th-century) spelling
conventions. Those that don't are Hakluyt's (and are not always
systematically marked as such by the editor). The sidenotes are Hakluyt's
own. Summarizing sidenotes are labelled [Sidenote: ] and placed before the
sentence to which they apply. Sidenotes that are keyed with a symbol are
labeled [Marginal note: ] and placed at the point of the symbol, except in
poetry, where they are placed at a convenient point. Additional notes on
corrections, etc. are signed 'KTH'
** End Transcriber's Notes **
THE PRINCIPAL
Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques
AND
Discoveries
OF
THE ENGLISH NATION.
Collected by
RICHARD HAKLUYT, PREACHER.
AND
Edited by
EDMUND GOLDSMID, F.R.H.S.
VOL. XII.
AMERICA. PART I.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR ROBERT CECIL[1] KNIGHT.
Principall Secretarie to her Maiestie, Master of the Court of Wards and
Liueries, and one of her Maiesties most honourable Priuie Councell.
Right honourable, your fauourable acceptance of my second volume of the
English voyages offred vnto you the last yere, your perusing of the same at
your conuenient leasure, your good testimony of my selfe and of my
trauailes therein, together with the infallible signes of your earnest
desire to doe mee good, which very lately, when I thought least thereof,
brake forth into most bountiful and acceptable effects: these
considerations haue throughly animated and encouraged me to present vnto
your prudent censure this my third and last volume also. The subiect and
matter herein contained is the fourth part of the world, which more
commonly then properly is called America: but by the chiefest Authors The
new world. New, in regard of the new and late discouery thereof made by
Christopher Colon, aliàs Columbus, a Genouois by nation, in the yere of
grace 1492. And world, in respect of the huge extension thereof, which to
this day is not throughly discouered, neither within the Inland nor in the
coast, especially toward the North and Northwest, although on the either
side it be knowen vnto vs for the space of fiue thousand leagues at the
least, compting and considering the trending of the land, and for 3000.
more on the backeside in the South Sea from the Streight of Magellan to
Cape Mendoçino and Noua Albion. So that it seemeth very fitly to be called
A newe worlde. Howbeit it cannot be denied but that Antiquitie had some
kinde of dimme glimse, and vnperfect notice thereof. Which may appeare by
the relation of Plato in his two worthy dialogues of Timæus and Critias
vnder the discourse of that mighty large yland called by him Atlantis,
lying in the Ocean sea without the Streight of Hercules, now called the
Straight of Gibraltar, being (as he there reporteth) bigger then Africa and
Asia: And by that of Aristotle in his booke De admirandis auditionibus of
the long nauigation of certaine Carthaginians, who sayling forth of the
aforesaid Streight of Gibraltar into the maine Ocean for the space of many
dayes, in the ende found a mighty and fruitfull yland, which they would
haue inhabited, but were forbidden by their Senate and chiefe gouernours.
Moreouer, aboue 300. yeeres after these wee haue the testimony of Diodorus
Siculus lib. 5 cap. 7. of the like mighty yland discouered in the Westerne
Ocean by the Tyrrheni, who were forbidden for certaine causes to inhabite
the same by the foresaid Carthaginians. And Senecca in his tragedie
intituled Medea foretold aboue 1500. yeeres past, that in the later ages
the Ocean would discouer new worlds, and that the yle of Thule would no
more be the vttermost limite of the earth. For whereas Virgile had said to
Augustus Caesar, Tibi seruiat vltima Thule, alluding thereunto he
contradicteth the same, and saith, Nec sit terris vltima Thule. Yea
Tertullian, one of our most ancient and learned diuines, in the beginning
of his treatise de Pallio alludeth vnto Plato his Westerne Atlantis, which
there by another name he calleth Aeon, saying Aeon in Atlantico nunc
quæritur. And in his 40. chapter de Apologetico he reporteth the same to be
bigger then all Africa and Asia.[2] Of this new world and euery speciall
part thereof in this my third volume I haue brought to light the best and
most perfect relations of such as were chiefe actours in the particular
discoueries and serches of the same, giuing vnto euery man his right, and
leauing euery one to mainteine his owne credit. The order obserued in this
worke is farre more exact, then heretofore I could attaine vnto: for
whereas in my two former volumes I was enforced for lacke of sufficient
store, in diuers places to vse the methode of time onely (which many worthy
authors on the like occasion are enforced vnto) being now more plentifully
furnished with matter, I alwayes follow the double order of time and place.
Wherefore proposing vnto my selfe the right situation of this New world, I
begin at the extreme Northerne limite, and put downe successiuely in one
ranke or classis, according to the order aforesaide, all such voyages as
haue bene made to the said part: which comming all together, and following
orderly one vpon another, doe much more lighten the readers vnderstanding,
and confirme his iudgment, then if they had bene scattered in sundry
corners of the worke. Which methode I obserue from the highest North to the
lowest South.[3] Now where any country hath bene but seldome hanted, or any
extraordinary or chiefe action occureth, if I finde one voyage well written
by two seuerall persons, sometimes I make no difficultie to set downe both
those iournals, as finding diuers things of good moment obserued in the
one, which are quite omitted in the other. For commonly a souldier
obserueth one thing, and a mariner another, and as your honour knoweth,
Plus vident oculi, quàm oculus. But this course I take very seldome and
sparingly. And albeit my worke do cary the title of The English voyages,
aswell in regard that the greatest part are theirs, and that my trauaile
was chiefly vndertaken for preseruation of their memorable actions, yet
where our owne mens experience is defectiue, there I haue bene careful to
supply the same with the best and chiefest relations of strangers. As in
the discouery of the Grand Bay, of the mighty riuer of S. Laurence, of the
countries of Canada, Hochelaga, and Saguenay, of Florida, and the Inland of
Cibola, Tiguex, Cicuic, and Quiuira, of The gulfe of California, and the
North westerne sea-coast to Cabo Mendoçino and Sierra Neuada: as also of
the late and rich discouery of 15. prouinces on the backside of Florida and
Virginia, the chiefest whereof is called the kingdome of New Mexico, for
the wealth, ciuil gouernment, and populousnesse of the same. Moreouer
because since our warres with Spaine, by the taking of their ships, and
sacking of their townes and cities, most of all their secrets of the West
Indies, and euery part thereof are fallen into our peoples hands (which in
former time were for the most part vnknowen vnto vs,) I haue vsed the
vttermost of my best endeuour, to get, and hauing gotten, to translate out
of Spanish, and here in this present volume to publish such secrets of
theirs, as may any way auaile vs or annoy them, if they driue and vrge vs
by their sullen insolencies, to continue our courses of hostilitie against
them, and shall cease to seeke a good and Christian peace vpon indifferent
and equal conditions. What these things be, and of how great importance
your honour in part may vnderstand, if it please you to vouchsafe to reade
the Catalogues conteyning the 14 principal heads of this worke. Whereby
your honor may farther perceiue that there is no chiefe riuer, no port, no
towne, no citie, no prouince of any reckoning in the West Indies, that hath
not here some good description thereof, aswell for the inland as the
sea-coast. And for the knowledge of the true breadth of the Sea betweene
Noua Albion on the Northwest part of America, and the yle of Iapan lying
ouer against the kingdomes of Coray and China, which vntil these foure
yeeres was neuer reueiled vnto vs, being a point of exceeding great
consequence, I haue here inserted the voyage of one Francis Gualle a
Spaniard made from Acapulco an hauen on the South sea on the coast of New
Spaine, first to the Philippinas, and then to the citie of Macao in China,
and homeward from Macao by the yles of Iapan, and thence to the back of the
West Indies in the Northerly latitude of 37. degrees 1/2. In which course
betweene the said ylands and the maine he found a wide and spacious open
Ocean of 900. leagues broad, which a little more to the Northward hath bene
set out as a Streight, and called in most mappes The Streight of Anian. In
which relation to the viceroy hee constantly affirmeth three seuerall
times, that there is a passage that way vnto the North parts of Asia.
Moreouer, because I perceiue by a letter directed by her Maiestie to the
Emperour of China (and sent in the last Fleet intended for those parts by
The South Sea vnder the charge of Beniamin Wood, chiefly set out at the
charges of sir Robert Duddeley, a gentleman of excellent parts) that she
vseth her princely mediation for obtaining of freedome of traffique for her
marchants in his dominions, for the better instruction of our people in the
state of those countries, I haue brought to light certaine new
aduertisements of the late alteration of the mightie monarchie of the
confronting yle of Iapan, and of the new conquest of the kingdome of Coray,
not long since tributarie to the king of China, by Quabacondono the monarch
of all the yles and princedomes of Iapan; as also of the Tartars called
Iezi, adioyning on the East and Northeast parts of Coray, where I thinke
the best vtterance of our natural and chiefe commoditie of cloth is like to
be, if it please God hereafter to reueile vnto vs the passage thither by
the Northwest. The most exact and true information of the North parts of
China I finde in a history of Tamerlan, which I haue in French, set out
within these sixe yeeres by the abbat of Mortimer, dedicated to the French
king that now reigneth, who confesseth that it was long since written in
the Arabian tongue by one Alhacen a wise and valiant Captaine, employed by
the said mighty prince in all his conquests of the foresaid kingdome. Which
history I would not haue failed to haue translated into English, if I had
not found it learnedly done vnto my hand.
And for an appendix vnto the ende of my worke, I haue thought it not
impertinent, to exhibite to the graue and discreet iudgements of those
which haue the chiefe places in the Admiraltie and marine causes of
England, Certaine briefe extracts of the orders of the Contractation house
of Siuil in Spaine, touching their gouernment in sea-matters: together with
The streight and seuere examination of Pilots and Masters before they be
admitted to take charge of ships, aswell by the Pilot mayor, and
brotherhood of ancient Masters, as by the Kings reader of The lecture of
the art of Nauigation, with the time that they be enioyned to bee his
auditors, and some part of the questions that they are to answere vnto.
Which if they finde good and beneficial for our seamen, I hope they wil
gladly imbrace and imitate, or finding out some fitter course of their
owne, will seeke to bring such as are of that calling vnto better
gouernment and more perfection in that most laudable and needfull vocation.
To leaue this point, I was once minded to haue added to the end of these my
labours a short treatise, which I haue lying by me in writing, touching The
curing of hot diseases incident to traueilers in long and Southerne
voyages, which treatise was written in English, no doubt of a very honest
mind, by one M. George Wateson, and dedicated vnto her sacred Maiestie. But
being carefull to do nothing herein rashly, I shewed it to my worshipfull
friend M. doctour Gilbert, a gentleman no lesse excellent in the chiefest
secrets of the Mathematicks (as that rare iewel lately set foorth by him in
Latine doeth euidently declare) then in his owne profession of physicke:
who assured me, after hee had perused the said treatise, that it was very
defectiue and vnperfect, and that if hee might haue leasure, which that
argument would require, he would either write something thereof more
aduisedly himselfe, or would conferre with the whole Colledge of the
Physicions, and set downe some order by common consent for the preseruation
of her Maiesties subjects. Now as the foresaid treatise touched the cure of
diseases growing in hot regions, so being requested thereunto by some in
authoritie they may adde their iudgments for the cure of diseases incident
unto men employed in cold regions, which to good purpose may serue our
peoples turnes, if they chance to prosecute the intermitted discouery by
the Northwest, whereunto I finde diuers worshipfull citizens at this
present much inclined. Now because long since I did foresee, that my
profession of diuinitie, the care of my family, and other occasions might
call and diuert me from these kinde of endeuours, I haue for these 3 yeeres
last pasts encouraged and furthered in these studies of Cosmographie and
forren histories, my very honest, industrious, and learned friend M. IOHN
PORY, one of speciall skill and extraordinary hope to performe great
matters in the same, and beneficial for the common wealth.
Thus Sir I haue portrayed out in rude lineaments my Westerne Atlantis or
America: assuring you, that if I had bene able, I would haue limned her and
set her out with farre more liuely and exquisite colours: yet, as she is, I
humbly desire you to receiue her with your wonted and accustomed fauour at
my handes, who alwayes wil remaine most ready and deuoted to do your honour
any poore seruice that I may; and in the meane season will not faile
vnfainedly to beseech the Almighty to powre vpon you the best of his
temporall blessings in this world, and after this life ended with true and
much honour, to make you partaker of his joyes eternall. From London the
first of September, the yeere of our Lord God 1600.
Your Honours most humble to
be commanded,
RICHARD HAKLVYT, Preacher.
Nauigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoueries
OF THE
ENGLISH NATION IN AMERICA.
* * * * *
The most ancient Discovery of the West Indies by Madoc the sonne of Owen
Guyneth Prince of North-wales, in the yeere 1170: taken out of the
history of Wales, lately published by M. Dauid Powel Doctor of
Diuinity.[4]
After the death of Owen Guyneth, his sonnes fell at debate who should
inherit after him: for the eldest sonne borne in matrimony, Edward or
Iorweth Drwydion, was counted vnmeet to gouerne, because of the maime upon
his face: and Howell that tooke vpon him all the rule was a base sonne,
begotten upon an Irish woman. Therefore Dauid gathered all the power he
could, and came against Howel, and fighting with him, slew him; and
afterwards inioyed quietly the whole land of Northwales, vntil his brother
Iorwerths sonne came to age. [Sidenote: Madoc the son of Owen Guyneth.]
Madoc another of Owen Guyneth his sonnes left the land in contention
betwixt his brethren, and prepared certaine ships, with men and munition,
and sought aduentures by Seas, sailing West, and leauing the coast of
Ireland so farre North, that he came vnto a land vnknowen, where he saw
many strange things.
[Sidenote: Humf. Llyod.] This land most needs be some part of that Countrey
of which the Spanyards affirme themselues to be the first finders since
Hannos time. Whereupon it is manifest that that countrey was by Britaines
discouered, long before Columbus led any Spanyards thither.
Of the voyage and returne of this Madoc there be many fables feined, as the
common people doe vse in distance of place and length of time rather to
augment then to diminish: but sure it is there he was. [Sidenote: The
second voyage of Madoc the sonne of Owen Guyneth.] And after he had
returned home, and declared the pleasant and fruitfull countreys that he
had seen without inhabitants, and vpon the contrary part, for what barren
and wild ground his brethren and nephews did murther one another, he
prepared a number of ships, and got with him such men and women as were
desirous to liue in quietness: and taking leaue of his friends, tooke his
journey thitherward againe. [Sidenote: Gomara. lib. 2. cap. 16.] Therefore
it is to be supposed that he and his people inhabited part of those
countreys: for it appeareth by Francis Lopez de Gomara, that in Acuzamil
and other places the people honored the crosse. Wherby it may be gathered
that Christians had bene there before the comming of the Spanyards. But
because this people were not many, they followed the maners of the land
which they came vnto, and vsed the language they found there.
[Sidenote: M. Powels addition. Gutyn Owen.] This Madoc arriuing in that
Westerne countrey, vnto the which he came in the yere 1170, left most of
his people there, and returning backe for more of his owne nation,
acquaintance and friends to inhabit that faire and large countrey, went
thither againe with ten sailes, as I find noted by Gutyn Owen. I am of
opinion that the land whereunto he came was some part of the West
Indies.[5]
* * * * *
Carmina Meredith filij Rhesi[6] mentionem facientia de Madoco filio Oweni
Guynedd, et de sua nauigatione in terras incognitas. Vixit hic Meredith
circiter annum Domini 1477.
Madoc wyf, mwyedic wedd,
Iawn genau, Owyn Guynedd:
Ni fynnum dir, fy enaid oedd
Na da mawr, ond y moroedd.[7]
The same in English.
Madoc I am the sonne of Owen Gwynedd
With stature large, and comely grace adorned:
No lands at home nor store of wealth me please,
My minde was whole to search the Ocean seas.
* * * * *
The offer of the discouery of the West Indies by Christopher Columbus to
king Henry the seuenth in the yeere 1488 the 13 of February: with the
kings acceptation of the offer, and the cause whereupon hee was depriued
of the same: recorded in the thirteenth chapter of the history of Don
Fernand Columbus of the life and deeds of his father Christopher
Columbus.[8]
Christophero Colon temendo, se parimente i Re di Castiglia non assentissero
alla sua impresa, non gli bisognasse proporla di nuouo à qualche alto
principe, e cosi in cio passasse lungo tempo; mando in Inghilterra vn suo
fratello, che haueua appresso di se, chiantato Bartholomeo Colon: il qual,
quantunque non hauesse lettere Latine, erà però huomo prattico, e
giudicioso nelle cose del mare, e sapea molto bene far carte da nauigare, e
sphere, et altri instrumenti di quella professione, come dal suo fratello
era instrutto. Partito adunque Bartholomeo Colon per Inghilterra, volle la
sua sorte, che desse in man di cor sali, i quali lo spogliarono insieme con
gli altri delta sua naue. Per la qual cosa, e per la sua pouertà et
infirmità, che in cosi diuerse terre lo assalirono crudelmente, prolungo
per gran tempo la sua ambasciata, fin che, aquistata vn poco di faculia con
le carte, ch' ei fabricana, cominciò a far pratiche co' il Re Enrico
settimo padre de Enrico ottauo, che al presente regna: a cui appresentò vn
mappamondo, nel quale erano scritti questi versi, che frá le sue scriture
lo trouai, e da me saranno qui posti piu rosto per l'antichità, che per la
loro elganza.
Terraram quicunque cupis foeliciter oras
Noscere, cuncta decens doctè pictura docebit,
Quam Strabo affirmat, Ptolomæus, Plinius, atque
Isidorus: non vno tamen sententia cuique.
Pingitur hîc etiam nuper sulcata carinis
Hispanis Zona illa, priùs incognita genti
Torrida, quæ tandem nunc est notissima multis.
Et piu di sotto diceua
Pro Authore siue Pictore.
Ianua cui patriæ est nomen, cui Bartholomæus
Columbus de Terra Rubra, opus edidit istud,
Londonijis anno Domini 1480 atque insuper anno
Octauo, decimaque die cum tertia mensis
Februarij. Laudes Christo cantentur abundè.
Et, percioche auuertirà alcuno, che dice Columbus de Terra Rubra, dico
medesimamente Io viddi alcune sotto scritioni dell'Ammiraglio, primo che
acquistasse lo stato, ou' egli si sotto scriueua, Columbus de Terra Rubra.
Ma, tornando al Re d'Inghilterra, dico, che, da lui il mappamondo veduto,
et cio che i'Ammiraglio gli offeriua, con allegro volto accettò la sua
offerta, e mandolo a chiamare. Ma, percioche Dio Phaueua per Cas. tiglia
serbata, gia l'Ammiraglio in quel tempo era andato, e tornato con la
vittoria della sua impresa, secondo che per ordine si racconterà. Lasciarò
hora di raccontar ciò, che Bartolomeo Colon hauena negociato in
Inghilterra, e tornarò all'Ammiraglio, etc.
The same in English.
Christopher Columbus fearing least if the king of Castile in like manner
(as the king of Portugall had done) should not condescend vnto his
enterprise, he should be inforced to offer the same againe to some other
prince, and so much time should be spent therein, sent into England a
certaine brother of his which he had with him, whose name was Bartholomew
Columbus, who, albeit he had not the Latine tongue, yet neuerthelesse was a
man of experience and skilfull in Sea causes, and could very wel make sea
cards and globes, and other instruments belonging to that profession, as he
was instructed by his brother. Wherefore after that Bartholomew Columbus
was departed for England, his lucke was to fall into the hands of pirats,
which spoiled him with the rest of them which were in the ship which he
went in. [Sidenote: The occasion why the West Indies were not discouered
for England.] Vpon which occasion, and by reason of his pouerty and
sicknesse which cruelly assaulted him in a countrey so farre distant from
his friends, he deferred his embassage for a long while, until such time as
he had gotten somewhat handsome about him with making of Sea Cards. At
length he began to deale with King Henry the seuenth the father of Henry
the eight, which reigneth at this present: vnto whom he presented a mappe
of the world, wherein these verses were written, which I found among his
papers: and I will here set them downe, rather for their antiquity then for
their goodnesse.
Thou which desireth easily the coasts of lands to know,
This comely mappe right learnedly the same to thee will shew:
Which Strabo, Plinie, Ptolomew and Isodore maintaine:
Yet for all that they do not all in one accord remaine.
Here also is set downe the late discouered burning Zone
By Portingals, vnto the world which whilom was vnknowen.
Whereof the knowledge now at length thorow all the world is blowen.
And a little vnder he added:
For the Author or the Drawer.
He, whose deare natiue soile hight stately Genua.
Euen he whose name is Bartholomew Colon de Terra Rubra,
The yeere of Grace a thousand and foure hundred and fourescore
And eight, and on the thirteenth day of February more,
In London published this worke. To Christ all laud therefore.
And because some peraduenture may obserue that he calleth himselfe Columbus
de Terra Rubra, I say, that in like maner I haue seene some subscriptions
of my father Christopher Columbus, before he had the degree of Admirall,
wherein be signed his name thus, Columbus de Terra Rubra. [Sidenote: King
Henry the seuenth his acceptation of Columbus offer.] But to returne to the
king of England, I say, that after he had seene the map, and that which my
father Christopher Columbus offered vnto him, he accepted the offer with
ioyfull countenance, and sent to call him into England. But because God had
reserued the said offer for Castile, Columbus was gone in the meane space,
and also returned with the performance of his enterprise, as hereafter in
order shall be rehearsed. Now will I leaue off from making any farther
mention of that which Bartholomew Colon had negotiated in England, and I
will returne vnto the Admirall, &c.
* * * * *
Another testimony taken out of the 60 chapter of the foresayd history of
Ferdinando Columbus concerning the offer that Bartholomew Columbus made
to king Henry the seuenth on the behalfe of his brother Christopher.
Tornato adunque l'Ammiraglio dallo scoprimento di Cuba and di Giamaica,
tornò nella Spagnuola Bartolomeo Colon suo fratello, quello, che era già
andato a trattare accordo col Re d'Inghilterra sopra lo scoprimento delle
Indie, come di sopra habiam detto. Questo poi, ritornando sene verso
Castiglia con capitoli conceduti, haueua inteso a Parigi dal re Carlo di
Francia, l'Ammiraglio suo fratello hauer gia scorperte l'Indie: per che gli
souenne per poter far il Viaggio di cento scudi. Et, Auenga che per cotal
nuoua egli si fosse molto affrettato, per arriuar l'Ammiraglio in Spagna,
quando non dimeno giunse a Siuiglia, egli era gia tornato alle Indie co' 17
nauigli. Perche, per asseguir quanto ei gli haueba lasciato, di subito al
principio dell' anno del 1494 sen' andò a i Re Catholici, menando seco Don
Diego Colon, mio fratello, e me ancora, accioche seruissimo di paggi al
serenissimo principe Don Giouanni, il qual viua in gloria, si come hauea
commandata la Catholica Reina donna Isabella, che alhora era in
Vagliadolid. Tosto adunque che noi giungemmo, i Re chiamarono Don
Bartolomeo, et mandaronlo alia Spagnuola centre naui, &c.
The same in English.
Christopher Columbus the Admirall being returned from the discouery of Cuba
and Iamayca, found in Hispaniola his brother Bartholomew Columbus, who
before had beene sent to intreat of an agreement with the king of England
for the discouery of the Indies, as we haue sayd before. This Bartholomew
therefore returning vnto Castile, with the capitulations granted by the
king of England to his brother, vnderstood at Paris by Charles the king of
France that the Admirall his brother had already performed that discouery:
whereupon the French king gaue vnto the sayd Bartholomew an hundred French
crownes to beare his charges into Spaine. And albeit he made great haste
vpon this good newes to meet with the Admirall in Spaine, yet at his
comming to Siuil his brother was already returned to the Indies with
seuenteene saile of shipps. Wherefore to fulfill that which he had left him
in charge in the beginning of the yeere 1494 he repaired to the Catholike
princes, taking with him Diego Colon my brother and me also, which were to
be preferred as Pages to the most excellent Prince Don Iohn, who now is
with God, according to the commandement of the Catholic Queene Lady
Isabell, which was then in Validolid. Assoone therefore as we came to the
Court, the princes called for Don Bartholomew, and sent him to Hispaniola
with three ships, &c.
* * * * *
THE ENGLISH VOYAGES, NAVIGATIONS, AND DISCOUERIES.
_(Intended for the finding of a northwest passage) to the north parts of
America, to meta incogita, and the backeside of Gronland, as farre as 72
degrees and 12 minuts: performed first by Sebastian Cabota, and since by
Sir Martin Frobisher, and M. John Dauis, with the patents, discourses,
and aduertisements thereto belonging._
The Letters patents of King Henry the seuenth granted vnto Iohn Cabot and
his three sonnes, Lewis, Sebastian, and Sancius for the discouerie of new
and vnknowen lands.
Henricus Dei gratia rex Angliæ, et Franciæ, et Dominus Hiberniæ, omnibus,
ad quos præsentes literæ nostræ peruenerint, salutem.
Notum sit et manifestum, quòd dedimus et concessimus, ac per præsentes
damus et concedimus pro nobis et hæredibus nostris, dilectis nobis Ioanni
Caboto ciui Venetiarum, Lodouico, Sebastiano, et Sancio, filijs dicti
Ioannis, et eorum ac cuiuslibet eorum hæredibus et deputatis, plenam ac
liberam authoritatem, facultatem, et potestatem nauigandi ad omnes partes,
regiones, et sinus maris orientalis, occidentalis, et septentrionalis, sub
banneris, vexillis, et insignijs nostris, cum quinque nauibus siue
nauigijs, cuiuscúnque portituræ et qualitatis existant, et cum tot et
tantis nautis et hominibus, quot et quantos in dictis nauibus secum ducere
voluerint, suis et eorum proprijs sumptibus et expensis, ad inueniendum,
discooperiendum, et inuestigandum quascunque insulas, patrias, regiones
siue prouincias gentilium et infidelium quorumcunque, in quacunque parte
mundi positas, quæ Christianis omnibus ante hæc tempora fuerint incognitæ.
Concessimus etiam eisdem et eorum cuilibet, eorumque et cuiuslibet eorum
hæredibus et deputatis, ac licentiam dedimus ad affigendum prædictas
banneras nostras et insignia in quacunque villa, oppido, castro, insula seu
terra firma à se nouiter inuentis. Et quòd prænominatus Ioannes, et filij
eiusdem, seu hæredes et eorum deputati, quascunque huiusmodi villas,
castra, oppida, et insulas à se inuentas, quæ subiugari, occupari,
possideri possint, subiugare, occupare, possidere valeant tanquam vasalli
nostri, et gubernatores, locatenentes, et deputati eorundem, dominium,
titulum et iurisdictionem earundem villarum, castrorum, oppidorum,
insularum, ac terræ firmæ sic inuentorum nobis acquirendo. Ita tamen, vt ex
omnibus fructibus, proficuis, emolumentis, commodis, lucris, et
obuintionibus ex huiusmodi nauigatione prouenientibus, præfatus Iohannes,
et filij ac hæredes, et eorum deputati, teneanter et sint obligati nobis
pro omni viagio suo, toties quoties ad portum nostrum Bristolliæ
applicuerint (ad quem omnino applicare teneantur et sint astricti) deductis
omnibus sumptibus et impensis necessarijs per eosdem factis, quintam partem
capitalis lucri facti, siue in mercibus, siue in pecunijs persoluere:
Dantes nos et concedentes eisdem suisque hæredibus et deputatis, vt ab omni
solutione custumarum omnium et singulorum honorum et mercium, quas secum
reportarint ab illis locis sic nouiter inuentis, liberi sint et immunes. Et
insuper dedimus et concessimus eisdem ac suis hæredibus et deputatis, quod
terræ omnes firmæ, insulæ, villæ, oppida, castra, et loca quæcunque a se
inuenta, quotquot ab eis inueniri contigerit, non possint ab alijs
quibusuis nostris subditis frequentari seu visitari, absque licentia
prædictorum Ioannis et eius filiorum, suorumque deputatoram, sub poena
amissionis tam nauium quàm bonorum omnium quorumcunque ad ea loca sic
inuenta nauigare præsumentium. Volentes et strictissimè mandantes omnibus
et singulis nostris subditis, tam in terra quàm in mari constitutis, vt
præfato Ioanni et eius filijs ac deputatis, bonam assistentiam faciant, et
tam in armandis nauibus seu nauigijs, quàm in prouisione commeatus et
victualium pro sua pecunia emendorum, atque aliarum omnium rerum sibi
prouidendarum pro dicta nauigatione sumenda suos omnes fauore set auxilia
impertiant. In cuius rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus
patentes. [Sidenote: Ann. Dom. 1495.] Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium
quinto die Martij anno regni nostri vndecimo.
The same in English.
Henry by the grace of God, king of England and France, and lord of Ireland,
to all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting.
Be it knowen that we haue giuen and granted, and by these presents do giue
and grant for vs and our heires, to our welbeloued Iohn Cabot citizen of
Venice,[9] to Lewis, Sebastian, and Santius, sonnes of the said Iohn, and
to the heires of them, and euery of them, and their deputies, full and free
authority, leaue, and power to saile to all parts, countreys, and seas of
the East, of the West, and of the North, under our banners and ensignes,
with fiue ships of what burthen or quality soeuer they be, and as many
mariners or men as they will haue with them in the sayd ships, vpon their
owne proper costs and charges, to seeke out, discouer, and finde whatsoeuer
isles, countreys, regions or prouinces of the heathen and infidels
whatsoeuer they be, and in what part of the world soeuer they be, which
before this time haue bene vnknowen to all Christians; we haue granted to
them, and also to euery of them, the heires of them, and their deputies,
and haue giuen them licence to set vp our banners and ensignes in euery
village, towne, castle, isle, or maine land of them newly found. And that
the aforesayd Iohn and his sonnes, or their heires and assignes may subdue,
occupy and possesse all such townes, cities, castles and isles of them
found, which they can subdue, occupy and possesse, as our vassals, and
lieutenants, getting vnto vs the rule, title, and iurisdiction of the same
villages, townes, castles, and firme land so found. [Sidenote: Bristol
thought the meetest port for Westerne discoueries.] Yet so that the
aforesayd Iohn, and his sonnes and heires, and their deputies, be holden
and bounden of all the fruits, profits, gaines, and commodities growing of
such nauigation, for euery their voyage, as often as they shall arriue at
our port of Bristoll (at the which port they shall be bound and holden
onely to arriue) all maner of necessary costs and charges by them made,
being deducted, to pay vnto vs in wares or money the fift part of the
capitall gaine so gotten. [Sidenote: Freedome from custome.] We giuing and
granting vnto them and to their heires and deputies, that they shall be
free from all paying of customes of all and singular such merchandize as
they shall bring with them from those places so newly found. And moreouer,
we haue giuen and granted to them, their heires and deputies, that all the
firme lands, isles, villages, townes, castles and places whatsoeuer they be
that they shall chance to finde, may not of any other of our subiects be
frequented or visited without the licence of the foresayd Iohn and his
sonnes, and their deputies, vnder paine of forfeiture aswell of their
shippes as of all and singuler goods of all them that shall presume to
saile to those places so found. Willing, and most straightly commanding all
and singuler our subiects aswell on land as on sea, to giue good assistance
to the aforesayd Iohn and his sonnes and deputies, and that as well in
arming and furnishing their ships or vessels, as in prouision of food, and
in buying of victuals for their money, and all other things by them to be
prouided necessary for the sayd nauigation, they do giue them all their
helpe and fauour. In witnesse whereof we haue caused to be made these our
Letters patents. Witnesse our selfe at Westminister the fift day of March,
in the eleuenth yeere of our reigne.[10]
* * * * *
Billa signata anno 13 Henrici septimi.
[Sidenote: A record of the rolls touching the voyage of Iohn Cabot and
Sebastian his sonne.] Rex tertio die Februarij, anno 13, licentiam dedit
Ioanni Caboto, quod ipse capere possit sex naues Anglicanas, in aliquo
portu, siue portibus regni Angliæ, ita quod sint de portagio 200. doliorum,
vel subtus, cum apparatu requisito, et quod recipere possint in dictas
naues omnes tales magistros, marinarios, et subditos regis, qui cum eo
exire voluerint, &c.
The same in English.
The king vpon the third day of February, in the 13 yeere of his reigne,
gaue licence to Iohn Cabot to take sixe English ships in any hauen or
hauens of the realme of England, being of the burden of 200 tunnes, or
vnder, with all necessary furniture, and to take also into the said ships
all such masters, mariners, and subjects of the king as willingly will go
with him, &c.[11]
* * * * *
An extract taken out of the map[12] of Sebastian Cabot, cut by Clement
Adams, concerning his discouery of the West Indies, which is to be seene
in her Maiesties priuie gallerie at Westminster, and in many other
ancient merchants houses.
Anno Domini 1497 Ioannes Cabotus Venetus, et Sebastianus illius filius eam
terram fecerunt peruiam, quam nullus priùs adire ausus fuit, die 24 Junij,
circiter horam quintam bene manè. Hanc autem appellauit Terram primùm
visam, credo quod ex mari in eam partem primùm oculos iniecerat. Nam quæ ex
aduerso sita est insula eam appellauit insulam Diui Ioannis, hac opinor
ratione, quòd aperta fuit eo die qui est sacer Diuo Ioanni Baptistæ: Huius
incolæ pelles animalium, exuuiasque ferarum pro indumentis habent, easque
tanti faciunt, quanti nos vestes preciosissimas. Cùm bellum gerunt, vtuntur
arcu, sagittis, hastis, spiculis, clauis ligneis et fundis. Tellus sterilis
est, neque vllos fructus affert, ex quo fit, vt vrsis albo colore, et
ceruis inusitatæ apud nos magnitudinis referta sit: piscibus abundat,
ijsque sane magnis, quales sunt lupi marini, et quos salmones vulgus
appellat; soleæ autem reperiuntur tam longæ, vt vlnæ mensuram excedant.
Imprimis autem magna est copia eorum piscium, quos vulgari sermone vocant
Bacallaos. Gignuntur in ea insula accipitres ita nigri, vt coruorum
similitudinem mirum in modum exprimant, perdices autem et aquilæ sunt nigri
coloris.
The same in English.
In the yeere of our Lord 1497 Iohn Cabot a Venetian, and his sonne
Sebastian (with an English fleet set out from Bristoll) discouered that
land which no man before that time had attempted, on the 24 of Iune,[13]
about fiue of the clocke early in the morning. This land he called Prima
vista, that is to say, First seene, because as I suppose it was that part
whereof they had the first sight from sea. That Island which lieth out
before the land, he called the Island of S. Iohn vpon this occasion, as I
thinke, because it was discouered vpon the day of Iohn the Baptist. The
inhabitants of this Island vse to weare beasts skinnes, and haue them in as
great estimation as we haue our finest garments. In their warres they vse
bowes, arrowes, pikes, darts, woodden clubs, and slings. The soile is
barren in some places, and yeeldeth litle fruit, but it is full of white
beares, and stagges farre greater then ours. It yeeldeth plenty of fish,
and those very great, as seales, and those which commonly we call salmons:
there are soles also aboue a yard in length: but especially there is great
abundance of that kinde of fish which the Sauages call baccalaos. In the
same Island also there breed hauks, but they are so blacke that they are
very like to rauens, as also their partridges, and egles, which are in like
sort blacke.
* * * * *
A discourse of Sebastian Cabot touching his discouery of part of the West
India out of England in the time of king Henry the seuenth, vsed to
Galeacius Butrigarius the Popes Legate in Spaine, and reported by the
sayd Legate in this sort.
[Sidenote: This discourse is taken out of the second volume of the voyages
of Baptista Ramusius.[14]] Doe you not vnderstand sayd he (speaking to
certaine Gentlemen of Venice) how to passe to India toward the Northwest,
as did of late a citizen of Venice, so valiant a man, and so well practised
in all things pertaining to nauigations, and the science of Cosmographie,
that at this present he hath not his like in Spaine, insomuch that for his
virtues he is preferred aboue all other pilots that saile to the West
Indies, who may not passe thither without his licence, and is therefore
called Piloto mayor, that is, the grand Pilot. [Sidenote: Sebastian Cabota
Pilot mayor of Spaine.] And when we sayd that we knew him not, he
proceeded, saying, that being certaine yeres in the city of Siuil, and
desirous to haue some knowledge of the nauigations of the Spanyards, it was
tolde him that there was in the city a valiant man, a Venetian borne named
Sebastian Cabot, who had the charge of those things, being an expert man in
that science, and one that coulde make Cardes for the Sea, with his owne
hand, and by this report, seeking his acquaintance, hee found him a very
gentle person, who intertained him friendly, and shewed him many things,
and among other a large Mappe of the world, with certaine particular
Nauigations, as well of the Portugals, as of the Spaniards, and that he
spake further vnto him to this effect.
When my father departed from Venice many yeeres since to dwell in England,
to follow the trade of marchandises, hee tooke mee with him to the citie of
London, while I was very yong, yet hauing neuerthelesse some knowledge of
letters of humanitie, and of the Sphere. And when my father died in that
time when newes were brought that Don Christopher Colonus Genuese had
discouered the coasts of India, whereof was great talke in all the Court of
king Henry the 7, who then raigned, insomuch that all men with great
admiration affirmed it to be a thing more diuine then humane, to saile by
the West into the East where spices growe, by a way that was neuer knowen
before, by this fame and report there increased in my heart a great flame
of desire to attempt some notable thing. And vnderstanding by reason of the
Sphere, that if I should saile by way of the Northwest, I should by a
shorter tract come into India, I thereupon caused the King to be aduertised
of my deuise, who immediatly commanded two Caruels to bee furnished with
all things appertayning to the voyage, which was as farre as I remember in
the yeere 1496. in the beginning of Sommer. I began therefore to saile
toward the Northwest, not thinking to finde any other land then that of
Cathay, and from thence to turne toward India, but after certaine dayes I
found that the land ranne towards the North, which was to mee a great
displeasure. Neuerthelesse, sayling along by the coast to see if I could
finde any gulfe that turned, I found the lande still continent to the 56.
degree vnder our Pole. And seeing that there the coast turned toward the
East, despairing to finde the passage, I turned backe againe, and sailed
downe by the coast of that land toward the Equinoctiall (euer with intent
to finde the saide passage to India) and came to that part of this firme
lande which is nowe called Florida, where my victuals failing, I departed
from thence and returned into England, where I found great tumults among
the people, and preparation for wanes in Scotland; by reason whereof there
was no more consideration had to this voyage.
[Sidenote: The second voyage of Cabot to the land of Brazil, and Rio de
Plata.] Whereupon I went into Spaine to the Catholique king, and Queene
Elizabeth, which being aduertised what I had done, intertained me, and at
their charges furnished certaine ships, wherewith they caused me to saile
to discouer the coastes of Brazile, where I found an exceeding great and
large riuer named at this present Rio de la plata, that is, the riuer of
siluer, into the which I sailed and followed it into the firme land, more
then sixe score leagues, finding it euery where very faire, and inhabited
with infinite people, which with admiration came running dayly to our
ships. Into this Riuer runne so many other riuers, that it is in maner
incredible.
[Sidenote: The office of Pilote maior.] After this I made many other
voyages, which I nowe pretermit, and waxing olde, I giue myselfe to rest
from such trauels, because there are nowe many yong and lustie Pilots and
Mariners of good experience, by whose forwardnesse I doe reioyce in the
fruit of my labours, and rest with the charge of this office, as you
see.[15]
* * * * *
The foresaide Baptista Ramusius in his preface to the thirde volume of the
Nauigations writeth thus of Sebastian Cabot.
In the latter part of this volume are put certaine relations of Iohn de
Vararzana, Florentine, and of a great captaine a Frenchman, and the two
voyages of Iaques Cartier a Briton, who sailed vnto the land situate in 50.
degrees of latitude to the North, which is called New France, which landes
hitherto are not throughly knowen, whether they doe ioyne with the firme
lande of Florida and Noua Hispania, or whether they bee separated and
diuided all by the Sea as Ilands: and whether that by that way one may goe
by Sea vnto the countrey of Cathaia. [Sidenote: The great probabilitie of
this North-west passage.] As many yeeres past it was written vnto mee by
Sebastian Cabota our Countrey man a Venetian, a man of great experience,
and very rare in the art of Nauigation, and the knowledge of Cosmographie,
who sailed along and beyond this land of New France, at the charge of King
Henry the seuenth king of England: and he aduertised mee, that hauing
sailed a long time West and by North, beyond those Ilands vnto the Latitude
of 67. degrees and an halfe, vnder the North pole, and at the 11. day of
Iune finding still the open Sea without any manner of impediment, he
thought verily by that way to haue passed on still the way to Cathaia,
which is in the East, and would haue done it, if the mutinie of the
ship-master and Mariners had not hindered him and made him to returne
homewards from that place. But it seemeth that God doeth yet still reserue
this great enterprise for some great prince to discouer this voyage of
Cathaia by this way, which for the bringing of the Spiceries from India
into Europe, were the most easy and shortest of all other wayes hitherto
found out. And surely this enterprise would be the most glorious, and of
most importance of all other that can be imagined to make his name great,
and fame immortall, to all ages to come, farre more then can be done by any
of all these great troubles and warres which dayly are used in Europe among
the miserable Christian people.
* * * * *
Another testunonie of the voyage of Sebastian Cabot to the West and
Northwest, taken out of the sixt Chapter of the third Decade of Peter
Martyr of Angleria.
Scrutatus est oras glaciales Sebastianus quidam Cabotus genere Venetus, sed
à parentibus in Britanniam insulam tendentibus (vti moris est Venetorum,
qui commercij causa terrarum omnium sunt hospites) transportatus penè
infans. Duo is sibi nauigia, propria pecunia in Britannia ipsa instruxit,
et primò tentens cum hominibus tercentum ad Septentrionem donec etiam Iulio
mense vastas repererit glaciates moles pelago natantes, et lucem ferè
perpetuam, tellure tamen libera, gelu liquefacto: quare coactus fuit, vti
ait, vela vertere et occidentem sequi: tetenditque tantum ad meridiem
littore sese incuruante, vt Herculei freti latitudinis fere gradus æquarit:
ad occidentémque profectus tantum est vt Cubam Insulam à Iæua, longitudine
graduum penè parem, habuerit. Is ea littora percurrens, quæ Baccalaos
appelauit, eosdem se reperisse aquarum, sed lenes delapsus ad Occidentem
ait, quos Castellani, meridionales suas regiones adnauigantes, inuenient.
Ergò non modò verisimilius, sed necessario concludendum est, vastos inter
vtramque ignotam hactenus tellurem iacere hiatus, qui viam præbeant aquis
ab oriente cadentibus in Occidentem. Quas arbitror impulsu coelorum
circulariter agi in gyrum circa terræ globum, non autem Demogorgone
anhelante vomi, absorberique vt nonnulli senserunt, quod influxu, et
refluxu forsan assentire daretur. Baccalaos, Cabotus ipse terras illas
appellauit, eò quod in earum pelago tantam reperierit magnorum quorundam
piscium, tynnos æmulantium, sic vocatorum ab indigenis, multitudinem, vt
etiam illi interdum nauigia detardarent. Earum Regionum homines pellibus
tantum coopertos reperiebat, rationis haudquaquam expertes. Vrsorum inesse
regionibus copiam ingentem refert, qui et ipsi piscibus vescantur. Inter
densa namque piscium illorum agmina sese immergunt vrsi, et singulos
singuli complexos, vnguibusque inter squammas immissis in terram raptant et
comedunt. Proptereà minimè noxios hominibus visos esse ait Orichalcum in
plerisque locis se vidisse apud incolas prædicat. Familiarem habeo domi
Cabotum ipsum, et contubernalem interdum. Vocatus namque ex Britannia à
Rege nostro Catholico, post Henrici Maioris Britanniæ Regis mortem,
concurialis noster est, expectatque indies, vt nauigia sibi parentur,
quibus arcanum hoc naturæ latens iam tandem detegatur.
The same in English.