The history and antiquities of Boston ... from its settlement in 1630, to the year 1770. Also, an introductory history of the discovery and settlement of New England

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THE

HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES or

Preface

THE History and Antiquities of Boston, to the year 1770, is now completed, and must abide the judgment of posterity. Whatever that judgment may be, the writer will rest conscious of having performed a service which will prove of some value to those who desire to obtain a knowledge of the rise and progress of the Metropolis of New England.

Although above five-and-twenty years have passed since the author began to collect materials for the work, it is but a few years since he determined to draw up a history from them, never before having found a proper time to devote to it. At length, after some changes of circumstances not necessary to be detailed, he was induced, "partly through the influence of friends in whose judgment he had much confidence, to enter upon the composition of the work.

About four years ago, application was made to the writer to edit an edition of the work of Dr. Caleb H. Snow, and arrangements were accordingly entered into with a bookseller for that purpose ; but, on a cursory examination of the work, it was found to be very far from such a history of the City as ought to be expected at the present day, and that it could not be made at all satisfactory, even by encumbering it with very extensive annotations, owing to the great chasms in the original text. This being represented to the undertaker, he at once changed his plan, and a new History was determined upon. The result is at length before the public, or that part of it previous to, and including a portion of, the year 1770.

As unthankful and unprofitable as the task of a local historian is, he cannot always escape the envy of sordid and narrow minds. Even John Stow, the famous Chronicler of England, had his envious traducers ; but it is pleasant to reflect, that, while their names are quite forgotten, that of Stow is becoming more and more renowned

IV PREFACE.

and resplendent. Those who would monopolize all knowledge seldom excel in any of its departments, though they may shine for a time with the borrowed lustre of others. Stow was not deterred by threats and intimidations from occupying ground open to all. Had he been, the world would have been deprived of one of its greatest antiquarian treasures.

The author of the History and Antiquities of Boston hopes to fare no worse than did his ancient brother, the Chronicler of London, who had the privilege of dying in poverty, notwithstanding "James, by the grace of God," gave him high-sounding " Letters Patent," allowing him (" then on the verge of his 80th year ") to sell as many of his books as he could ! Fortunately, in the present undertaking, no " Letters Patent " are necessary to give permission to the author or publisher to dispose of his work.

How many persons have had it in contemplation to write a History of Boston is unknown to the author ; but the only one, probably, who, within the last thirty years, has seriously thought of it, was Mr. Alonzo Lewis. That gentleman was very competent for the task, and had he been at liberty to prosecute it, agreeably to his announcement about twenty-five years ago, it would have rendered this undertaking unnecessary.

Respecting those persons who have specially aided the author, by the loan of documents, suggestions, or otherwise, it is very difficult to speak without incurring the charge of partiality, and he would therefore observe that nothing can be further from his intention than to give the slightest ground for such a charge. Several of the gentlemen hereafter named, having, perhaps, too much confidence in the author's ability for the undertaking, strongly recommended to him the preparation of a new work, instead of spending time upon one necessarily very defective, and which could not be made such a History of Boston as the present time required. These were honest convictions and valid arguments, the author acknowledged, and all without any intention of disparagement to the works which had hitherto appeared upon the historical and descriptive condition of the City ; those works being presumed to have been all that the times would warrant in which they were produced.

The names of several of the gentlemen to whom allusion has been made, as encouragers of this work, the author does not feel at liberty to omit, namely, William "Whiting, Esq., President of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society ; the Hon. Timothy Farrar, Vice-President of the same society ; the Hon. Francis Brinley,

PREFACE. V

Recording Secretary of the same ; Mr. John Dean, its Treasurer ; ILon. George S. Hillard, Frederic Kidder, Esq., Mr. John W. Parker of Roxbury ; the lion. David Soars, Mr. John F. Eliot, Mr. Edward Tuckerman, Mr. William B. Trask, Dr. William Jenks, Dr. Charles Lowell, Nathaniel I. Bowditch, Esq., T. L. Turner, M.D., Mr. James S. Loring, and William G. Brooks, Esq. From these, and likewise from many others, much kindness has been received in various ways ; and, for their approval and commendation of the work from time to time, as portions of it have appeared, the author tenders to them, one and all, his unfeigned gratitude. To one of those above named, however, a more special acknowledgment is due, namely, to Mr. John Dean, by whose quick perceptions and ready memory the author has been much benefited throughout his labors. The valuable aid of the friends referred to, although in almost every instance tendered unsolicited, is not the less appreciated by the author. Nor should the laborious services of Mr. Isaac Child, upon the extensive Index to this work, be passed over without particular acknowledgment.

As the work has appeared in parts, or numbers, it may be of use to specify the time of the appearance of those parts, in the event that questions may arise as to the work in which certain facts first appeared. The following statement is therefore given, which can easily be verified by the books of the publisher : Part I., including pages 1 to 48, was issued Sept. 1st, 1852 ; pages 49 to 96, Jan. 6th, 1853 ; 97 to 144, March 22d, 1853 ; 145 to 192, May 26th, 1853 ; 193 'to 240, July 25th, 1853 ; 241 to 288, Sept. 23d, 1853 ; 289 to 336, Dec. 10th, 1853; 337 to 384, March 17th, 1854; 385 to 432, June 13th, 1854 ; 433 to 480, Sept. 18th, 1854 ; 481 to 528, Dec. 12th, 1854 ; 529 to 576, March 13th, 1855 ; 577 to 624, June 11th, 1855 ; 625 to 672, Nov. 14th, 1855 ; 673 to 720, Feb. 11th, 1856 ; 721 to 768, April 2d, 1856.

Some account of the materials used in compiling the work may be expected ; but, as justice cannot be done to that subject within the compass of a Preface, it is thought best to pass it by with only a remark or two. The Town Records, from the time of their commencement in 1634, are the most important, being full and perfect from that date to the present time. To these the author has had free access, granted, in the most obliging manner, by the Mayors of the City for the time being, the City Clerk, and others connected with his office. Beyond the Records in the keeping of the City Clerk, and the author's own collections, very little assistance has been received

VI PREFACE.

besides that for which due acknowledgment is given in the notes to the work.

It will readily he perceived that to give an account of the materials consulted by the author, which have been collected by him through a period of more than a quarter of a century, would be a task not easily performed. As one item, however, his series of pamphlets may be mentioned. These alone number above five thousand, consisting of Town and City Documents, Reports of Societies, Historical Discourses, Hand-Bills, and, in short, everything of a fugitive character, which might in any way illustrate the History of the Town and City. To these, and a large collection of Newspapers, which have been laboriously consulted, the author is much indebted.

Respecting the works of the late Dr. Snow, printed and manuscript, put into the author's hands by the original undertaker, it is proper to remark that, having laid aside the plan of a new edition of that author's History of Boston, those materials have been of but very little service in this work.

Jhe author has been earnestly urged by numerous friends to continue his work to the present time, and his inclination is to do so ; but, as yet, no definite arrangement has been made for that purpose. It may be said to be in the hands of the public. An immense outlay has been made to produce the present volume, for which no adequate return has yet been realized. To bring the History down to near the present time, another volume of the same size as the present would be required, the materials for which are abundant.

As the work has been upwards of three years in passing through the press, some of its patrons may have become impatient to see the end of it, and some may have been misinformed as to the time it would take to complete it. It is therefore proper to state that no time for its completion was set, nor could it be with any degree of certainty. This it is thought necessary to bear in mind, because some of the agents engaged in its distribution may have made promises without any authority.

In presenting the History and Antiquities of Boston to the public, the author is far from presuming that it will be found perfect. All he pretends is, that he has endeavored to make it as near so as the nature of the undertaking, and the limits prescribed, allowed. He is well aware that numerous facts exist of much interest, of which notice could not be taken, notwithstanding there may be those who will wonder that so much has been found, and others may be disposed to complain of the unwieldy size of the volume. To them it may be

PREFACE. VII

said that the increase in the size of the Histories has not kept pace with the growth of the City, and that it cannot be doubted, but, by the end of another quarter of a century, one will be required much larger than the present. Most readers of local history of the present age are not satisfied with general statements; they want minute details, those which will bring scenes and events home to their minds, and awaken associations enlivened by their own experience.

As it respects the commission of errors, the author would expressly state that he is well aware that many exist in his work ; and that, however many, others may detect, he feels quite sure that no one can discover as many as himself. But, at the same time, he believes his work to be quite as free from them as any other historical work of the same magnitude. There are those who sometimes acquire among the superficial a reputation for knowledge and accuracy by carping at every error, or supposed error, pointed out to them in works of this kind ; while the same individual could not produce a single octavo page without such blemishes. Who ever saw a perfect book, — one free from errors ? Curious stories are told about immaculate typography and amateur printers. Dr. Cotton Mather, in his Magnalia, has some very good hints for those who would have it understood that errors in a book are unpardonable sins.

It may incur the charge of vanity for an author to append to his name his honors or titles ; but if a long period of labor in historical fields can be any excuse, that may be offered in this instance ; for it is above thirty years since the writer commenced his historical and antiquarian labors, and he has now reached the fifty-seventh of his age. This may be considered an unnecessary apology for adopting an ancient custom, especially as there are some instances, at the present time, of ostentatious displays of this kind to names in works to which even a claim to editorship may be questionable.

ENGRAVINGS.

Portraits 39

Autographs, 134

Others 125_

Whole number, 298

Adams (arms), 675

Adams, Matthew (autograph), 675

Adams, Samuel (autograph), 613

Adams, Samuel (portrait), 671

Addington, Isaac (autograph), 472

Andros, Edmund (autograph), 477

Appleton (arms), 765

Appleton, Samuel (autograph), 411

Aspiuwall, William (autograph), • 225

Author (arms), in

Author (autograph), vn

Belcher (arms), 607

Belcher, Jonathan (portrait), 585

Belcher (autograph), 607

Belliugham (arms), 178

Bellingham, Richard (autograph), 257

Bernard, Francis (autograph), 654

Bilboes, 114

Blackstone's Residence, 97

Boyle, Hon. Robert (portrait), 317

Boylstou, Zabdiel (autograph), 726

Boys, Antipas (autograph), 340

Bradford (arms), 231

Bradford, William (autograph), 132

Bradstreet (arms), 446

Bradstreet, Anne (autograph), 446

Bradstreet, Simon (autograph), 446

Bradstreet, Simon (portrait), 512

Brattle (arms), 369

Brattle-street Church, 519

Brattle, Thomas (autograph), 388

Brenton (arms), 328

Brinley (arms), . . - 718

Brinley, Francis (autograph), 718

Bromfield, Edward (autograph), 598

Broughton, Thomas (autograph), 341

Bulfinch (arms), 663

Burnet (arms), 578

Burnet, William (portrait), 581

Burroughs, Francis (autograph), 595

Byfleld (arms), 592

Byfield, Nathaniel (autograph), 481

Cabot, Sebastian (portrait), 2

Calfe, Robert (autograph), 568

Cartier, James (portrait), 5

Catholic Costume, 104

Chaffe, Matthew (autograph), 243

Charles Second (portrait), 451

Chauncy (arms), 393

Checkley (arms), 459

Checkley, Anthony (autograph), 459

Chesebrough, William (autograph), 126

Christ Church, 567

Church, Benjamin (autograph), 398

Clarke, Thomas (autograph), 454

Clarke, Thomas (autograph), 341

Coddington, William (autograph), 118

Coins of Massachusetts, 330

Colbron, William (autograph), 285

Colman, Benjamin (portrait), 543

Colony Seal, 472

Conant, Roger (autograph), 139

Cooke, Elisha (autograph), 484

Cooke, Richard (autograph), 340

Cooper, Samuel (portrait), 670

Cotton (arms), 157

Cotton, John (portrait), , 158

Cotton, John (autograph), 161

Corwin, Jonathan (autograph), 500

Cutting, John (autograph), 340

Daille, Pierre (autograph), 488

Davenport (arms), 426

Davenport defacing the Cross, 168

Davenport, John (portrait), 76

Davenport, Nathaniel (autograph), 413

Davis, John (autograph), 243

Davis, William (autograph), 340

Deane, Thomas (autograph), 371

Diving-bell; 257

Douglass, William (autograph), 623

Drake, Sir Francis (autograph), 8

Dry Goods, sign of, 1757, 642

Dudley (arms), 137

Dudley, Joseph (autograph), 473

Dudley, Joseph (portrait), 472

Dudley, Thomas (autograph), 123

Dunton, John (autograph), 595

Eliot (arms), 313

Endicott (arms), 115

Endicott, John (autograph), 56

Endicott, John (portrait), 58

Fac Simile of Records, 173

Faneuil Hall, 611

Faneuil, Peter (autograph), 536

Fayerweather, John (autograph), 600

Federal-street Church, 576

First Baptist Church, 433

First Church, 548

Flag of New England, 330

Fording a River, 146

Foster, John (autograph), 538

Eoxcroft (arms), 4S7

Fuller, Samuel (autograph), 14a

Gage, Thomas (autograph), 750

Gage, Thomas (portrait), 750

Gallop, John (autograph), 243

Gedney, Bartholomew (autograph), 499

Georgian, 290

Gilbert, Sir Humphrey (portrait), 9

Gookin (arms), 27^

Gookin, Daniel (autograph), 281

Gorges (arms), 292

Gorges, Sir Ferdinando (autograph), 54

Great House, Charlestown, 106

Hakluyt, Richard (autograph),

Hancock House,

Hancock, John (portrait),

Hancock, Thomas (autograph),

Hathorne, John (autograph),

Haynes (arms),

Henchman (arms),

Henchman, Daniel (autograph),

Hieroglyphics,

Hollis-street Church,

Hubbard, William (autograph),

Hudson, William (autograph),

Hull, John (autograph),

Humphrey, John (autograph),

Hunting, Samuel (autograph),

Hutchinson (arms),

Hutchinson, Edward (autograph), 324,

Hutchinson, Ephraim (autograph),

ENGRAVINGS.

Hutchinson, Thomas {autograph), 7C1

Hutchinson, Thomas (portrait), 701

Indians, first interview with, 83

Indian Fort, 45

Indians visit Boston, 121

Indian Wigwam, 40

Jacklene, Edmund (autograph), 243

Jackson, Edmund (autograph), 243

Johnson, Isaac (autograph), 404

Johnson, James (autograph), 243

Joylifie (arms), 509

King's Chapel, 470

Knollys, Hanserd (portrait), 254

Lake, Thomas (autograph), 340

Leverett, John (portrait), 289

Loom, 272

Lowell (arms), 749

Lynde (arms), 544

Lynde, Joseph (autograph), • 526

Mather, Cotton (autograph), 579

Mather, Cotton (portrait), 579

Mather, Increase (autograph), 448

Mather, Increase (portrait), 448

Mayhew, Jonathan (portrait), 666

Meeting-house, First, 104

Meeting-house, 142

Miantonimo's execution, 274

Monument to Ven, 67

Mountfort (arms), 522

Mosley (arms), 408

Mosley, Samuel (autograph), 402

Mylom, John (autograph), 243

Negus, Jonathan (autograph), . 243

Nelson, John (autograph), 540

New South Church, 552

Ninigret (portrait), 215

Old South Church, 386

Old State House, 350

Old Store, Dock Square, 435

Oliver (arms), 300

Oliver, James (autograph), 293, 340

Oliver, John (autograph), 243

Oliver, Peter (autograph), 341

Otis (arms), 692

Otis, James (portrait), 667

Paddy, 'William (autograph), 340

Parker, Richai-d (autograph), 340

Parsons (arms), 555

Pateshall, Robert (autograph), 341

Penn, James (autograph), '. 390

Pequot Fort, stormed, 208

Philip (King) (autograph), 387

Philip, King (portrait), .388

Pillory, 437

Poole, Jonathan (autograph), 411

Poole, William (autograph), 341

Pownall (arms), 654

Pownall, Gov. Thomas (autograph), 654

Pownall, Gov. Thomas (portrait), 644

Powning, Henry (autograph), 341

Prat, Benjamin (autograph), 714

Pratt, Phinehas (autograph), 41

Primitive House, 61

Prince (arms), 637

Prince, Thomas (autograph), 156

Prince, Thomas (portrait), 646

Printer, James (autograph), 422

Printing Press, 242

Protestant Costume, 104

Purchis, Oliver (autograph), 371

Pynchon, John (autograph), 454

Pynchon, William (autograph), 90

Pyramid, 722

Quincy (arms), 495

Randolph, Edward (autograph), 443

Raynsford, Edward (autograph) 335

Khode Island Captives, 276

Rovve, Owen (autograph), 194

Russell (arms), 354

Russell, Richard (autograph), 355

Sailing of the First Colony, 56

Sailing of the Mary and John, 78

Sailing of the Second Colony, 80

Saltonstall, Nathaniel (autograph), 447

Savage (arms), 401

Savage, Thomas (autograph), 403

Scotto, Joshua (autograph), 243

Scottow (arms), 349

Sears (arms), 733

Second Church, 311

Sergeant, Peter (autograp h), 512

Sewall, Samuel (autograph), 501

Sewall, Samuel (portrait), 500

Shawmut, 51

Ship of 1594, 1

Shirley (arms), 627

Shirley, William (portrait), 63i)

Shirley, William (autograph), 628

Shrimpton, Samuel (autograph), 511

Shute, Gov. Samuel (autograph), 557

Smith, Capt. John (portrait), 19

Spinningwheel, 266

Spinningwheel, 560

Stamp (Colonial), 639

Stamp of the Stamp Act (half-penny), 689

Stamp of the Stamp Act (five shillings), 715

Standish, Miles (autograph), 43

Stationer's Sign, 566

St. Botolph's Church, 103

Stocks, 246

Stone Chapel, 472

Stoughton (arms), 210

Stoughton, Israel (autograph), 214

Stoughton, William (autograph), 501

Stoughton, William (portrait), 524

Tailer, William (autograph), 551

Thacher (arms), 385

Thomas, JZva.n,(autograph), 340

Townsend, Penn (autograph), 486

Traske, William (autograph), 57

Triangular Warehouse, 174

Trimountain, 99

Trinity Church 583

Turen, George (autograph), 243

Turner (arms), 416

Turner, William (autograph), 418

Tuttell, Richard (autograph), 243

Underhill (arms), 197

Upsall, Nicholas (autograph), 345

Usher, Hezekiah (autograph), 340

Vane (arms), 188

Vane, Sir Henry (portrait), 186

Verazzani, John (portrait), 4

View of Boston 1630, 150

View by Pownal, 655

View by Revere, 747

View in 1S53, to face title.

View in 1853, of vicinity, to face p. I.

Walking in great boots, 321

Warren (arms), 707

Wendell (arms), 619

West Church, 601

Wheeler, Thomas (autograph), 406

Wheelwright (arms), 435

Wheelwright, John (autograph), 220

Whiting (arms), 332

Willard (arms), 533

Willard, Samuel (portrait), 533

William and Mary (portraits), 685

Williams, Roger (autograph), 117

Willis, Nicholas (autograph), 243

Willoughby, (arms), 375

Winslow (arms), 339

Winslow, Edward (autograph), 210

Wilson, John (autograph), 93

Wilson, John {portrait), 98

Winter Scene at Shawmut, 101

Winthrop (arms), 128

Winthrop, John (autograph), 70

Winthrop, John (portrait), 314

Winthrop, John Jr. (autograph), 151

Winthrop, John, Jr. (portrait), 151

Witches, ." 322

Wussausmon (autograph), 397

!E&f£i&& sobsid y on wjl&k&§> mim.' oiir dw ib dut on a

THE HISTORY OF BOSTON.

Chapter I

Boston, the Metropolis of a vast Country. — Events which led to its Settlement. — Cabot's Discoveries. — Influence of Columbus. — Spanish and French Enterprise. — Cortereal. — Aubert. — Verazzam's Discoveries — Their Importance. — Cartier. — DeMont's Discoveries. — Hawkins. — Hoare. — Frobisher.— Hakluyt. — Robert Thorn. — School of Discovery. — Overthrow of the Spanish Armada. — English Energy transferred to America.

The vast tract of country, of which Boston is the most important place or metropolis, if New York be excepted, seems first* to have been known to the French with far greater accuracy than to the people of any other European nation. It is true the Cabotsf were before the French in the American seas, in point of time, or the seas of this New World, (for it was before Americus had conferred his name upon the continent), but there is no evidence that they ever landed anywhere on the North American coast, although it is probably true ttIp of 1594. t that Sebastian Cabot, in his voyage of 1498, by some

means not now known, secured two or three of the natives of the northern parts, supposed to be Newfoundland, whom he conveyed to England. § Upon Cabot's discoveries, it may gratify the curious reader to see a

* It requires more credulity, in the opinion of the writer, than a historian should be possessed of, to recount in his text the vague stories of the discoveries and possessions of the Scandinavians or Northmen along the shores of New England. If they deserve notice anywhere, it should not be in a work of higher pretensions than one which might be well entitled " Speculative History."

f In 1497, John Cabot and his son Sebastian, at their own expense, discovered land far to the north. Neither Columbus nor Vespucius had yet seen North America. Thus did this voyage of the Cabots give England its original claim to the New World, such as it was. But it was in a second voyage that Sebastian Cabot ranged this coast from about 57° north, to the latitude of the " Fretumllerculeum," according to Peter Martyr ; that is, to about 36° N. lat. See, also,

J This is a perfectly correct representation of an armed ship of the armada age, as published in Blundevile's treatise on " Nauigation," 4to. 1594.

§ Lord Bacon, at the end of his " History of the Keign of Henry the Seventh," devotes two pages to '■'■The Remarkable Occurrences " in that reign. "This year, the seventeenth of this king's reign [which chronology is erroneous], Sebastian Cabot brought three Indians into Eng land. They were clothed in beasts' skins, and eat raw flesh. Two of them were seen two years after, dressed like Englishmen, and not to be distinguished from them." See, also, Purchas, 738, ed. 1614. Robert Fabian in Hakluyt, 515,' ed. 1589. Works, Hakluyt Son. for 1850, p. 23.

HISTORY OF BOSTON.

SEBASTIAN CABOT.

few other particulars in this place ; they therefore follow, as Sebastian

himself related them : * " When my father," he writes, "departed from Venice many yeeres since to dwell in England, to follow the trade of merchandizes, he tooke me with him to the citie of London, while I was very yong, yet hauing, neuerthelesse, some knowledge of letters, of humanity, and of the sphere. f And when my father died in that time when newes were brought that Don Christofer Colonus Genuese [Columbus] had discovered the coasts of India, whereof was great talke in all the court of king Henry the Seventh, who then raignecl, insomuch that all men with great admiration affirmed it to bee a thing more diuine than humane, to saile by the West into the East where spices growe, by a way that was neuer known 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 winde, I should by a shorter tract come into India, I thereupon caused the king to be aduertised of my deuise, who immediatly commaunclecl two Cam els J to bee furnished with all things appertaining to the voiage, which was, as farre as I remember, in the yeere 1496, in the begining of Sommer. § I began therefore to saile toward the Northwest, not thinking to find any other land than that of Cathay, and from thence to turne towards India, but after certaine clayes I found that the land ranne towards the North, which was to me a great displeasure. Neuerthelesse, sailing along the coast to see if I could find any gulfe that turned, I found the land still continued to the 56 deg. vnder our pole. And seeing that there the coast turned toward the East, despairing to find the passage, I turned back again, and sailed down by the coast of that land towards the Equinoctiall (ever with intent to find the said passage to India), and came to

* To Galeacius Butrigarius, the Pope's Legate in Spain, in Hakluyt, 512, ed. 1589. But it must be borne in mind that the passage extracted in the text is somewhat erroneous in several particulars, but not affecting our purpose. See Biddle's Mem. of Sebastian Cabot, ch. i. Hakluyt appears to have copied from an exceptional translation of Ramusio.

f Thomas Lanquet, in his Chronicle, says, Sebastian Cabot, son of a Genoese, born m Bristowe, professing knowledge in the circuit of the earth, was sent from Bristowe, to discover strange countryes, and he fyrste founde out

Newfoundelande in 1498. — Barrett's Hist, of Bristol, 172.

| Caravel or Carvel, a kind of light, round ship, with a square poop, rigged and fitted out like a galley, holding about six score or seven score tun : These are accounted the best sailers on the sea, and much used by the Portugueses.— Phillips and Kersey's World of Words

§ " In the year 1498, on St. John's day," as it is in a manuscript in my possession, "was Newfoundland found by Bristol men, in a ship called the Matthew."— Barrett's Hist, of Bristol, 172.

1497-1508.] CABOT COIITEREAL AUBERT. 3

that part of this firme land which is now called Florida,* whore my victuals foiling', I departed from thence and returned into England, where I found great tumults among the people, and preparation for warres in Scotland : by reason whereof there was no more consideration had to this voyage."

In another account f it is said that " one Sebastian Cabot with three hundred men directed his course so farre toward the North Pole, J that even in the mooneth of July he founde monstrous heapes of Ise, swimming on the Sea, and in a manner continual day lyght." " Thus seying suche heapes of Ise before him, he was enforced to tourne his sayles."

It is even doubtful whether Cabot saw any of the promontories on the coast of what is now New England, § and all that can be gathered with certainty is that he did sail along the coast to a point not far from Roanoke Inlet, and then bore away for England. Nevertheless he gave the name Baccalaos || to the country along which he sailed, "because that in the seas thereabout hee found so great multitudes of certaine bigge fishes much like vnto Tunnies (which the inhabitants call Baccalaos), that they sometimes stayed his shippes."

From this notice of Cabot, it is evident that the expeditions of Columbus had kindled " a great flame " for discoveries in England, and not only in England but likewise in France, as will appear. Owing, however, to intestine wars and commotions, little was done for many years by any of the English nation ; yet the French and Spaniards were not idle in the mean time, and the Portuguese took some part in western discoveries. One, of the nation last named, Gaspar Cortereal, in the year 1500, visited all the coast of Newfoundland, and a considerable part of Labrador. But he ** did little more than Cabot, and in a second voyage he was lost, as was his brother in an attempt to find him.

In 1508, Thomas Aubert, of Dieppe, made a voyage to Newfoundland, and was the first European who sailed up the St. Lawrence. On his return to France, he carried thither several of the Indians, which were the first ever seen in that country.

* The limits of Florida must not be consid- § lis reconnurent l'isle de Terre-Neuve et

ered as they have since existed. The northern une partie du continent voisin. On ajoute meme

boundary was not denned for several ages. It qu'ils ramenerent a Londres quatre sauvages de

the straits of Gibraltar. qu'ils n'avoient debarque en aucun endroit, ni

•j- Eden's Decades, chap. vi. Dec. 3, as trans, de l'isle, ni du continent. — Charlevoix, His-

by Lok. — Hakluyt, v. 282-3, ed. 1812. toire Gen. Nouv. France, i. 4, ed. 6 T. 12°.

JVntillhe came, the 11 of June, 1498, to || The Baccalaos are certaine lies lying against

the septentrionall latitude of 67^ degrees, and the influxe of Canada, nigh vnto Corttrialis,

finding the seas still open, said, that he might and owe their first discovery vnto Sebastian

and would haue gone to Cataia, if the enimity Cabot. — Heylyn's Mikrokosmos, 805, ed. 1631.

of the master and mariners had not beene. — ** A la verite on ne scauroit nier qu'il n'ait

Stowe, Chronicle, 805, ed. 1600, or p. 480, ed. mis pied a terre en plusieurs endroits, et im-

1631. " There is a strong presumption in favor pose des noms, dont quelques-uns subsistent en-

of Cabot's having actually discovered Hudson's core. — Charlevoix, i. 4. And the same may be

Straits, and gained the 67th degree, through said at this day, as it regards the names of

Fox's Channel." — /. Winter Jones, in Works places. of Hakluyt Soc.

HISTORY OF BOSTON.

JOHN VERAZZANI.

The next voyage of importance to that of Cabot was performed by John Verazzani, by birth a Florentine. Pie was in the employ of Francis I., who fitted him out in 1523, and the following year, as he himself related to his master, * as follows : On " the 17 of Ianuary, by the grace of God, wee departed from the dishabited Rocke by the Isle of Madera, with fiftie men, well prouided for eight moneths : And sayling westwards with a faire Easterly winde, in 25 dayes wee ranne 500 leagues, and the 20 of Februarie we were ouertaken with as sharp e and terrible a tempest as euer any saylers suffered : whereof with ye diuine helpe and mercifull assistance of Almightie God, and the goodnesse of our ship, accompanied with the good hap of her fortunate name,f wee were deliuered, and with a prosperous wind followed our course West and by North, and in other 25 dayes wee made aboue 400 leagues more : where we discouered a newe land, neuer before seen of any man, either ancient or moderne."