Tartarians (which often times heretofore haue sought farre and neere for
new seats, driuen therevnto through the necessitie of their cold and
miserable countreys) would in all this time haue found the way to America,
and entred the same, had the passages bene neuer so straite or difficult;
the countrey being so temperate pleasant and fruitfull, in comparison of
their owne. But there was neuer any such people found there by any of the
Spaniards, Portugals, or Frenchmen, who first discouered the Inland of that
countrey: which Spaniards or Frenchmen must then of necessitie haue seene
some one ciuil man in America, considering how full of ciuill people Asia
is; But they neuer saw so much as one token or signe, that euer any man of
the knowen part of the world had bene there.
4 Furthermore it is to be thought, that if by reason of mountaines, or
other craggy places, the people neither of Cataia or Tartarie could enter
the countrey of America, or they of America haue entred Asia, if it were so
ioyned: yet some one sauage or wandring beast would in so many yeres haue
passed into it: but there hath not any time bene found any of the beasts
proper to Cataia, or Tartarie &c. in America: nor of those proper to
America, in Tartarie, Cataia, &c. or any part of Asia. Which thing proueth
America, not onely to be one Island, and in no part adioyning to Asia: But
also that the people of those Countreys, haue not had any traffique with
each other.
5 Moreouer at the least some one of those paineful trauellers, which of
purpose haue passed the confines of both countreys, with intent only to
discouer, would as it is most likely haue gone from the one to the other:
if there had bene any piece of land, or Isthmos, to haue ioyned them
together, or els haue declared some cause to the contrary.
6 But neither Paulus Venetus,[35] who liued and dwelt a long time in
Cataia, euer came into America, and yet was at the sea coastes of Mangia,
ouer against it where he was embarked, and performed a great Nauigation
along those seas: Neither yet Verarzanus,[36] or Franciscus Vasques de
Coronado, who trauelled the North part of America by land, euer found entry
from thence by land to Cataia, or any part of Asia.
7 Also it appeareth to be an Island, insomuch as the Sea [Marginal note:
The Sea hath three motions. 1 Motum ab oriente in occidentem. 2 Motum
fluxus et refluxus. 3 Motum circularem. Ad cæli motum elementa omnia
(excepta terra) mouentur.] runneth by nature circularly from the East to
the West, following the diurnal motion of Primum Mobile, which carieth with
it all inferiour bodies moueable, aswel celestiall as elemental; which
motion of the waters is most euidently seene in the Sea, which lieth on the
Southside of Afrike where the current that runneth from the East to the
West is so strong (by reason of such motion) that the Portugals in their
voyages Eastward to Calicut, in passing by Cap. de buona Sperança are
enforced to make diuers courses, the current there being so swift as it
striketh from thence all along Westward vpon the fret of Magellan, being
distant from thence, neere the fourth part of the longitude of the earth;
and not hauing free passage and entrance thorow, the fret towards the West,
by reason of the narrownesse of the sayd Straite of Magelian [sic--KTH], it
runneth to salue this wrong, (Nature not yeelding to accidentall
restraints) all along the Easterne coastes of America, Northwards so far as
Cape Fredo, being the farthest knowne place of the same continent towards
the North: which is about 4800 leagues, reckoning therewithall the trending
of the land.
[Sidenote: Posita causa ponitur effectus.] 8 So that this current being
continually maintained with such force, as Iaques Cartier[37] affirmeth it
to be, who met with the same being at Baccalaos, as he sayled along the
coastes of America, then either it must be of necessitie haue way to passe
from Cape Fredo, thorow this fret, Westward towards Cataia, being knowen to
come so farre, onely to salue his former wrongs, by the authority before
named: or els it must needes strike ouer, vpon the coast of Island, Norway,
Finmarke, and Lappia, (which are East from the sayd place about 360
leagues) with greater force then it did from Cape de buona Sperança, vpon
the fret of Magellan, or from the fret of Magellan to Cape Fredo, vpon
which coastes Iaques Cartier met with the same, considering the shortnesse
of the Cut from the sayd Cape Fredo, to Island, Lappia, &c. And so the
cause Efficient remaining, it would haue continually followed along our
coasts, through the narrow seas, which it doth not, but is digested about
the North of Labrador, by some through passage there thorow this fret.
[Sidenote: Conterenus.] The like course of the water in some respect
happeneth in the Mediterrane sea, (as affirmeth Conterenus) whereas the
current which cometh from Tanais, and Pontus Euxinus, running along all the
coasts of Greece, Italy, France, and Spaine, and not finding sufficient way
out through Gibraltar, by meanes of the straitnesse of the fret it runneth
backe againe along the coastes of Barbary, by Alexandria, Natolia, &c.
[Sidenote: An objection answered.] It may (peraduenture) bee thought that
this course of the sea doth sometime surcease, and thereby impugne this
principle, because it is not discerned all along the coast of America, in
such sort as Iaques Cartier found it: Wherevnto I answere this: that
albeit, in euery part of the Coast of America, or elswhere this current is
not sensibly perceuied, yet it hath euermore such like motion, either in
the vppermost or nethermost part of the sea; as it may be proued true, if
ye sinke a sayle by a couple of ropes, neere the ground, fastening to the
nethermost corners two gunne chambers or other weights: by the driuing
whereof you shall plainely perceiue, the course of the water, and current
running with such course in the bottome. [Marginal note: The sea doth
euermore performe this circular motion, either in Suprema, or concaua
superficie aquæ.]
By the like experiment, you may finde the ordinary motion of the sea, in
the Ocean: howe farre soeuer you be off the land.
9 Also there commeth another current from out the Northeast from the
Scythian Sea (as M. Ienkinson a man of rare vertue, great trauail and
experience, told me) which runneth Westward towardes Labrador, [Marginal
note: The yce set westward euery yeere from Island. Auth. Iona Arngriimo.]
as the other did, which commeth from the South: so that both these
currents, must haue way thorow this our fret, or else encounter together
and runne contrarie courses; in one line, but no such conflicts of
streames, or contrary courses are found about any part of Labrador, or
Terra noua, as witnesse our yeerely fishers, and other saylers that way,
but is there disgested, as aforesayd, and found by experience of Barnard de
la Torre, to fall into Mar del Sur.
10 Furthermore, the current in the great Ocean, could not haue beene
maintained to runne continually one way, from the beginning of the world
vnto this day, had there not beene some thorow passage by the fret
aforesayd, and so by circular motion bee brought againe to maintaine it
selfe: For the Tides and courses of the sea are maintayned by their
interchangeable motions: as fresh riuers are by springs, by ebbing and
flowing, by rarefaction and condensation.
So that it resteth not possible (so farre as my simple reason can
comprehend) that this perpetuall current can by any meanes be maintained,
but onely by continuall reaccesse of the same water, which passeth thorow
the fret, and is brought about thither againe, by such circular motion as
aforesayd. [Marginal note: The flowing is occasioned by reason that the
heate of the moone boyleth, and maketh the water thinne by way of
rarefaction.] And the certaine falling thereof by this fret into Mar del
Sur [Marginal note: An experience to prooue the falling of this current
into Mar del Sur.] is prooued by the testimonie and experience of Bernard
de la Torre, who was sent from P. de la Natiuidad to the Moluccæ, Anno
domini 1542. by commandement of Anthony Mendoza, then Viceroy of Noua
Hispania, which Bernard sayled 750. Leagues, on the Northside of the
Aequator, and there met with a current, which came from the Northeast, the
which droue him backe againe to Tidore.
Wherfore, this current being proued to come from C. de buona Sperança to
the fret of Magellan, and wanting sufficient entrance there, by narrownes
of the straite, is by the necessitie of natures force, brought to Terra de
Labrador, where Iaques Cartier met the same, and thence certainly knowen,
not to strike ouer vpon Island, Lappia, &c. and found by Bernard de la
Torre in Mar del Sur, on the backeside of America: therefore this current
(hauing none other passage) must of necessity fall out thorow this our fret
into Mar del Sur, and so trending by the Moluccæ, China, and C. de buona
Sperança, maintaineth it selfe, by circular motion, which is all one in
nature, with Motus ab Oriente in Occidentem.
So that it seemeth, we haue now more occasion to doubt of our returne, then
whether there be a passage that way, yea or no: which doubt, hereafter
shall be sufficiently remooued. Wherefore, in mine opinion, reason it self,
grounded vpon experience, assureth vs of this passage, if there were
nothing els to put vs in hope thereof. But least these might not suffice, I
haue added in this chapter following, some further proofe hereof, by the
experience of such as haue passed some part of this discouerie: and in the
next adioining to that the authority of those, which haue sailed wholy,
thorow euery part thereof.
To proue by experience of sundry mens trauels, the opening of some part of
this Northwest passage: whereby good hope remaineth of the rest.
Chap. 3.
Paulus Venetus, who dwelt many yeres in Cataia, affirmed that hee sayled
1500 miles vpon the coastes of Mangia, and Anian, towards the Northeast:
alwayes finding the Seas open before him, not onely as farre as he went,
but also as farre as he could discerne.
[Sidenote: Alcatrarzi be Pelicanes.] 2 Also Franciscus Vasques de Coronado
passing from Mexico by Ceuola, through the country of Quiuira, to Siera
Neuada, found there a great sea, where were certaine ships laden with
Merchandise, carrying on their prowes the pictures of certaine birds called
Alcatrarzi, part whereof were made of golde, and part of siluer, who
signified by signes, that they were thirty dayes comming thither: which
likewise proueth America by experience to be disioyned from Cataia: on that
part by a great Sea, because they could not come from any part of America,
as Natiues thereof: for that so farre as is discouered, there hath not bene
found there any one Shippe of that countrey.
[Sidenote: Baros lib. 9. Of his first Decas cap 1.] 3. In like maner, Iohn
Baros[38] testifieth that the Cosmographers of China (where he himselfe had
bene) affirme that the Sea coast trendeth from thence Northeast, to 50
degrees of Septentrional latitude, being the furthest part that way which
the Portugals had then knowledge of: And that the said Cosmographers knew
no cause to the contrary, but that it might continue further.
By whose experiences America is prooued to be separate from those parts of
Asia, directly against the same. And not contented with the iudgements of
these learned men only, I haue searched what might be further sayd for the
confirmation hereof.
4 And I found that Franciscus Lopez de Gomara affirmeth America to be an
Island, and likewise Gronland: and that Gronland is distant from Lappia 40
leagues, and from Terra de Labrador, 50.
5 Moreouer, Aluaros Nunnius[39] a Spaniard, and learned Cosmographer, and
Iacobus Cartier, who made two voyages into those parts, and sayled 900
miles upon the Northeast coastes of America doe in part confirme the same.
6 Likewise Hieronymus Fracastorius,[40] a learned Italian, and trauailer in
the North parts of the same land.
7 Also Iaques Cartier hauing done the like, heard say at Hochelaga in Noua
Francia, how that there was a great Sea at Saguinay, whereof the end was
not knowen: which they presupposed to be the passage to Cataia.
[Sidenote: Written in the discourses of Nauigation.] Furthermore, Sebastian
Cabota by his personal experience and trauel hath set foorth, and described
this passage in his Charts, which are yet to be seene in the Queens
Maiesties priuie Gallerie at Whitehall, who was sent to make this discouery
by king Henrie the seuenth, and entred the same fret: affirming that he
sayled very farre Westward, with a quarter of the North, on the Northside
of Terra de Labrador the eleuenth of Iune, vntill he came to the
Septentrionall latitude of 67 degrees and a halfe,[41]and finding the Seas
still open, sayd, that he might, and would haue gone to Cataia, if the
mutinie of the Master and Mariners had not bene.
Now as these mens experience hath proued some part of this passage: so the
chapter following shal put you in full assurance of the rest, by their
experiences which haue passed through euery part thereof.
To prooue by circumstance that the Northwest passage hath bene sayled
throughout.
Chap. 4.
The diuersitie betwene bruite beastes and men, or betweene the wise and the
simple is, that the one iudgeth by sense onely, [Marginal note: Quinque
sensus. 1 Visus. 2 Auditus. 3 Olfactus. 4 Gustus. 5 Tactus. Singularia
sensu, vniuersalia verò mente percipiuntur.] and gathereth no surety of any
thing that he hath not seene, felt, heard, tasted, or smelled: And the
other not so onely, but also findeth the certaintie of things by reason,
before they happen to be tryed. Wherefore I haue added proofes of both
sorts, that the one and the other might thereby be satisfied.
1 First, as Gemma Frisius reciteth, there went from Europe three brethren
through this passage: whereof it tooke the name of Fretum trium fratrum.
3 Also Plinie affirmeth out of Cornelius Nepos, (who wrote 57 yeeres before
Christ) that there were certaine Indians driuen by tempest, vpon the coast
of Germanie which were presented by the king of Sueuia, vnto Quintus
Metellus Celer, the Proconsull of France.
[Sidenote: Lib. 2. cap. 66.] 3 And Plinie vpon the same sayth, that it is
no maruel though there be Sea by the North, where there is such abundance
of moisture: which argueth that hee doubted not of a nauigable passage that
way, through which those Indians came.
[Sidenote: Pag. 590.] 4 And for the better proofe that the same authoritie
of Cornelius Nepos is not by me wrested, to proue my opinion of the
Northwest passage: you shall finde the same affirmed more plainly in that
behalfe, by the excellent Geographer Dominicus Marius Niger, who sheweth
how many wayes the Indian sea stretcheth it selfe, making in that place
recital of certaine Indians, that were likewise driuen through the North
Seas from India, vpon the coastes of Germany, by great tempest, as they
were sayling in trade of marchandize.
5 Also while Frederic Barbarossa reigned Emperour, Anno Do. 1160. there
came certaine other Indians vpon the coast of Germanie. [Marginal note:
Auouched by Franciscus Lopes de Gomara in his historie of India, lib. I.
cap. 10.]
6 Likewise Othon in the storie of the Gothes affirmeth, that in the time of
the Germane Emperours there were also certaine Indians cast by force of
weather, vpon the coast of the sayd countrey, which foresaid Indians could
not possibly haue come by the Southeast, Southwest, nor from any part of
Afrike or America, nor yet by the Northeast: therefore they came of
necessitie by this our Northwest passage.
To prooue that these Indians aforenamed came not by the Southeast,
Southwest, nor from any other part of Afrike, or America.
Cap. 5.
First, they could not come from the Southeast by the Cape de bona Sperança,
because the roughnes of the Seas there is such (occasioned by the currents
and great winds in that part) that the greatest armadas the king of
Portugal hath, cannot without great difficulty passe that way, much lesse
then a Canoa of India could liue in those outragious seas without
shipwracke (being a vessel of very small burden) and haue conducted
themselues to the place aforesayd, being men vnexpert in the Arte of
nauigation.
2 Also, it appeareth plainely that they were not able to come from alongst
the coast of Afrike aforesayd, to those parts of Europe, because the winds
doe (for the most part) blow there Easterly off from the shore, and the
current running that way in like sort, should haue driuen them Westward
vpon some part of America: for such winds and tides could neuer haue led
them from thence to the said place where they were found, nor yet could
they haue come from any of the countries aforesayd, keeping the seas
alwayes, without skilful mariners to haue conducted them such like courses
as were necessary to performe such a voiage.
3 Presupposing also, if they had bene driuen to the West (as they must haue
bene, comming that way) then they should haue perished, wanting supplie of
victuals, not hauing any place (once leauing the coast of Afrike) vntill
they came to America, nor from America vntill they arriued vpon some part
of Europe, or the Islands adioyning to it, to haue refreshed themselues.
4 Also, if (notwithstanding such impossibilities) they might haue recouered
Germanie by comming from India by the Southeast, yet must they without all
doubt haue stricken vpon some other part of Europe before their arriuall
there, as the Isles of the Açores, Portugal, Spaine, France, England,
Ireland, &c. which if they had done, it is not credible that they should or
would haue departed vndiscovered of the inhabitants: but there was neuer
found in those dayes any such ship or men but only vpon the coasts of
Germanie, where they haue bene sundry times and in sundry ages cast aland:
neither is it like that they would haue committed themselues againe to sea,
if they had so arriued, not knowing where they were, nor whither to haue
gone.
[Sidenote: This fifth reason by later experience is proued vtterly vntrue.]
5 And by the Southwest it is vnpossible, because the current aforesayd
which commeth from the East, striketh with such force vpon the fret of
Magellan, and falleth with such swiftnesse and furie into Mar del Zur, that
hardly any ship (but not possibly a Canoa, with such vnskilfull mariners)
can come into our Westerne Ocean through that fret, from the West seas of
America, as Magellans experience hath partly taught vs.
[Sidenote: That the Indians could not be natiues either of Africa, or of
America.] 6 And further, to prooue that these people so arriuing vpon the
coast of Germany, were Indians, and not inhabiters of any part either of
Africa or America, it is manifest, because the natiues both of Africa and
America neither had, or haue at this day (as is reported) other kind of
boates then such as do beare neither mastes nor sailes, (except onely vpon
the coasts of Barbarie and the Turkes ships) but do carie themselues from
place to place neere the shore by the ore onely.
To prooue that those Indians came not by the Northeast, and that there is
no thorow nauigable passage that way.
Cap. 6.
It is likely that there should be no thorow passage by the Northeast,
whereby to goe round about the world, because all Seas (as aforesayd) are
maintained by the abundance of water, waxing more shallow and shelffie
towards the ende, as we find it doeth by experience in Mare Glaciali,
towards the East, which breedeth small hope of any great continuance of
that sea, to be nauigable towards the East, sufficient to saile thereby
round about the world.
[Sidenote: Quicquid naturali loco priuatur, quam citisimè corrumpitur.]
[Sidenote: Qualis causa, talis effectus.] 2 Also, it standeth scarcely with
reason, that the Indians dwelling vnder Torrida Zone, could endure the
iniurie of the cold ayre, about the Septentrional latitude of 80. degrees,
vnder which eleuation the passage by the Northeast cannot bee (as the often
experience had of all the South parts of it sheweth) seeing that some of
the inhabiants of this cold climate (whose Summer is to them an extreme
Winter) haue bene stroken to death with the cold damps of the aire about 72
degrees, by an accidental mishap, and yet the aire in such like Eleuation
is alwaies cold, and too cold for such as the Indians are.
3 Furthermore, the piercing cold of the grosse thicke aire so neere the
Pole wil so stiffen and furre the sailes and ship tackling, that no mariner
can either hoise or strike them (as our experience farre neerer the South,
then this passage is presupposed to be, hath taught vs) without the vse
whereof no voiage can be performed.
4 Also the aire is so darkened with continuall mists and fogs so neere the
Pole, that no man can well see, either to guide his ship, or direct his
course.
5 Also the compasse at such eleuation doth very suddenly vary, which things
must of force haue bene their destructions, although they had bene men of
much more skill then the Indians are.
[Sidenote: Similium similis est ratio.] 6 Moreouer, all baies, gulfes, and
riuers doe receiue their increase vpon the flood, sensibly to be discerned
on the one side of the shore or the other, as many waies as they be open to
any main sea, as Mare Mediterraneum, Mare Rubrum, Sinus Persicus, Sinus
Bodicus, Thamesis, and all other knowen hauens or riuers in any part of the
world, and each of them opening but on one part to the maine sea, doe
likewise receiue their increase vpon the flood the same way, and none
other, which Mare Glaciale doeth, onely by the West, as M. Ienkinson
affirmed vnto me: and therefore it followeth that this Northeast sea,
receiuing increase but onely from the West, cannot possibly open to the
maine Ocean by the East.
7 Moreouer, the farther you passe into any sea towards the end of it, on
that part which is shut vp from the maine sea (as in all those aboue
mentioned) the lesse and lesse the tides rise and fall. The like whereof
also happeneth in Mare Glaciale, which proueth but small continuance of
that sea toward the East.
[Sidenote: Quicquid corrumpitur à contrario corrumpítur.] 8 Also, the
further yee goe toward the East in Mare Glaciale, the lesse salt the water
is: which could not happen, if it were open to the salt Sea towards the
East, as it is to the West only, seeing Euery thing naturally ingendreth
his like: and then must it be like salt throughout, as all the seas are, in
such like climate and eleuation.[42]
[Sidenote: Omne simile giguit sui simile.] And therefore it seemeth that
this Northeast sea is maintained by the riuer Ob, and such like freshets,
as Mare Goticum, and Mare Mediterraneum, in the vppermost parts thereof by
the riuers Nilus, Danubius, Neper, Tanais, &c.
9 Furthermore, if there were any such sea at that eleuation, of like it
should be alwaies frozen throughout (there being no tides to hinder it)
because the extreme coldnes of the aire being in the vppermost part, and
the extreme coldnesse of the earth in the bottome, the sea there being but
of small depth, whereby the one accidentall coldnesse doth meet with the
other, and the Sunne not hauing his reflection so neere the Pole, but at
very blunt angels, it can neuer be dissolued after it is frozen,
notwithstanding the great length of their day: for that the sunne hath no
heate at all in his light or beames, but proceeding onely by an accidentall
reflection, which there wanteth in effect.
10 And yet if the Sunne were of sufficient force in that eleuation, to
preuaile against this ice, yet must it be broken before it can be
dissolued, which cannot be but through the long continuance of the sunne
aboue their Horizon, and by that time the Sommer would be so farre spent,
and so great darkenes and cold ensue, that no man could be able to endure
so cold, darke, and discomfortable a nauigation, if it were possible for
him then, and there to liue.
11 Further, the ice being once broken, it must of force so driue with the
windes and tides, that no ship can saile in those seas, seeing our Fishers
of Island, and the New found land, are subiect to danger through the great
Islands of Ice which fleete in the Seas (to the sailers great danger) farre
to the South of that presupposed passage.