We have received from Mr. Henry Harrisse of Paris copies, taken from
the archives of the Parliament of Rouen, of two powers of attorney
made by Verrazzano. They do not relate to his reputed voyage of
discovery, but apparently refer to the projected voyage to the
Indies for spices, and serve to establish the authenticity of the
agreement with Chabot in regard to the latter voyage. They are
important in so far as they fix the year 1526 as that in which the
contract was made, corroborating the opinion which we expressed in
that particular,[Footnote: page 35.] and conforming to the documents
from the archives in Simancas in regard to the capture and execution
of Verrazzano by the Spaniards. They also prove that Verrazzano had
a brother Hieronimo, a relationship conceded [Footnote: Page 91] to
the author of the map, in the Borgian collection,[Footnote: The
Propaganda College in which this collection is found, is not in the
Vatican, as inadvertently stated, but in the Via Due Macelli on the
opposite side of the river.] bearing his name, though not
ascertained, but regarded as of no practical importance, inasmuch as
the mere consanguinity of these parties could not verify the
representations on the map, even if they were made by Hieronimo, of
which as yet there is no positive proof. Indeed on the contrary we
are assured from Rome, on high authority, that this map appears to
belong to a period subsequent to 1550, and is regarded by its
custodians is only a copy at the best.
This note with the two papers from Rouen appended are intended as a
supplement to the Memoir on the "Voyage of Verrazzano." H. C. M,
Brooklyn, April, 20, 1876.