First explorers of North America; or, Discoveries and adventures in the New world

Introduction

This volume deals with those adventures and adventurers that are connected with our own country. And the readers will easily perceive that they need not go far from home in order to find the points where strange and wonderful and heroic deeds have been done, and thrilling experiences have been shared. The men who were engaged in exploring and settling America, after its discovery by Columbus, often met difficulties, dangers and surprises equal to those which later adventurers have met while traversing the .wildest portions of Asia and Africa; and they displayed a bravery amid hardships and perils which has been seldom equaled. To know what it cost to lay open this country to the knowledge of the world, and prepare the way for those who now turn the forests into fruitful fields and build cities where so lately stretched the wilderness,

6 INTRODUCTION.

will help to make us prize the homes where we now live amid peace and plenty. And the country will wear a fresh interest in our eyes when we have learned of the striking adventures connected with the portions of it with which we are perhaps every day brought in contact.

In this volume, the author has told the story of these early adventures and adventurers, in a way that can hardly fail to awaken a deep interest in the readers and add to their valuable knowledge.

G. T. D.

Preface

After the discovery of America, a numoei of years elapsed before any permanent settlements were formed, especially on the northern portion of the continent. During this interval, and also after colonies began to be planted, courageous and enterprising men made various explorations along its almost interminable coasts, and into its vast, unknown interior. In these excursions they had numerous interviews with the natives, to whom they were as strange, in their appearance, language, and manners, as the wild natives were to them. Sometimes this intercourse was friendly, at other times belligerent. It resulted in many adventures, both romantic and tragic, and also in many geographical discoveries.

To give an account of the more important of these adventures and discoveries is the object of the present volume. Chronological order has been observed, so far as it would not interfere with the continuous narrative respecting particular individuals.

8 PREFACE.

Beginning with a brief account of Christopher Columbus, we have given the adventures of John and Sebastian Cabot, the discoverers of North America ; Cortereal, the kidnapper of the Labrador Indians ; Ponce de Leon, the romantic wanderer after the fountain of perpetual youth; Verazzano, the Florentine adventurer ; Narvaez, the Floridian gold-seeker ; Cartier, the discoverer of the St. Lawrence ; De Soto, the proud cavalier, who discovered the Mississippi only to be buried beneath its waters ; Frobisher, who carried home cargoes of worthless stone, under the impression that it was gold ore ; John Davis, the bold navigator among the icebergs of the north ; Hore, with his maneating crew ; Weymouth, and his conspirators ; Hudson, who first discovered the great artery of New York ; Champlain, the Canadian pioneer; Marquette, the gentle missionary; La Salle, the indomitable explorer of the Father of Waters ; and Father Hennepin, the discoverer of the Falls of St. Anthony.

From these accounts a correct opinion may be formed of the kind of experience which those underwent who first traversed the coast and explored the interior of this great continent

LIST

OF

ILLUSTRATIONS.

I. FRONTISPIECE.

TT. ILLUSTRATED TITLE PAGE.

III. NOVEL MODE OF BARTERING, . 43

IV. MAN-RIDING KING, ... 47 V. DE SOTO'S LANDING IN FLORIDA, . . 83

VI. FIRING OF DE SOTO'S CANNON, . . 121

VH. DE SOTO OFFERING PRAYER FOR RAIN, 135

VDI. FROB1SHER SEIZING AN INDIAN, . . 149

IX. THE STERN THIEF, 225

X. LA SALLE'S VOYAGE DOWN LAKE MICHIGAN, 265

XI. SHOOTING A BEAR AFTER GRAPES, . 268 XH. LA SALLE HUNTING OPOSSUMS, . . .273

XTTT. RAISING THE THREE CALUMETS, . . 278

XIV. INDIAN DANCE, 300

XV. INDIAN MODE OF KINDLING A FIRE, . 302

XVI. INDIAN WEAPONS, 325

Chapter I

America unknown. — Columbus. — His Difficulties. — Discovers Cat Island. — Erroneous Conjecture. — Columbus's Second Voyage. — Third Voyage. — Discovers the Main Land. — John Cabot's Patent — He discovers Labrador. — The Natives. — Productions. — He kidnaps Indians. — Sebastian Cabot. — Discovers a great River. — Extent of his Coasting. — Gaspar Cortereal. — Old Way to India. — New Way desired. — Cortereal's Object. — Reaches the Coast — His Observations. — Turns Kidnapper. — Enthusiasm on his Return Home. — Hia Second Voyage. — Discovers Greenland. — His End. — Miguel Cortereal. — His Voyage. — Results. — Spanish Conquests. — Ponce de Leon. — Seeks for Gold. — Imprudent Chief. — Ponce's Promotion.— Effect of Imagination. — Welcome News. — Ponce enthusiastic — Chimerical Voyage, — Mysterious Fountain. — Accidental Discoveries. — One by Ponce. — Origin of "Florida." — Spanish Assumptions.— Ponce a Governor. — Loses Reputation. — Attempts a Landing. — His Reception by the Indians. — Defeat and Death. 91

Chapter II

Traffic in human Beings. — John de Verazzano. — Coasts North America. — A narrow Escape. — Fears and Friends. — Two Squaws discovered. —A Child stolen. — Verazzano's Discoveries. — Enten

** CONTENTS.

Newport. -Block Island. -Suspicious Indians. - Fears overcome.- Two Kings. -Their Attire. _ Effects of Prejudice against Yellow- Mirrors rejected. - A novel Mode of Bartering.- Contemptuous Conduct. - Verazzano returns. - First Description of North America. - Claims of France — Verazzano's Death. M

Chapter III

Attempts at colonizing. _ Failures. - Pamphilo de Narvaez. -Terrific Hurricane. -Sacrilegious Proceeding. - Narvaez seeks for Gold.- A Man-riding Chief. -An Accident - A Town taken. _ Ambush. - The Party diminished. - The Sea found. - Original Boat-building. - Perilous Coasting. - Boats scattered. - End of the Expedition. - Alvaro Nunez escapes. - Juan de Ortiz remains behind.

Chapter IV

fames Cartier. - Island of Birds. -Effect of Musketry. - Effect of Presents. -Timid Damsels. - Miserable Livers. - Great Gulf discovered and explored. - Donnaconna. _ Gives away two of his Children. -Frightful Stories. _ Strange Mode of Warning. - The River. - Hochelega. - Native Hospitality. - Venerated Chief. - Meaning of « Montreal."- Dreadful Disease. _ A deceptive Device. - Ceremonies and Vows. -Indian Remedy. -King stealing. _ The Trap laid, and sprung. - Grief turned to Joy. _ Kidnapped King introduced to Court. -Lord of RobervaL - Expedition of Hore- Fat Birds. _ Following the Natives. -Primitive Cooking. - Intense Sufferings. -Cannibalism. - The fatal Lot. - Starvation in the Midst of Plenty. _ Welcome Arrival - Piracy. - The two Kings 5|

Chapter V

Hernando de Soto. -His Bravery and Skill. -His Horsemanship before the Inca.-The Inca's Cruelty. -De Soto's Wealth. -Hi* Appearance at Court. - Isabella de Bobadilla a Bride. -Return of

CONTENTS.

Nunez. — His exciting Reports. — Mode of conducting Expedition* of Discovery. — De Soto assumes all Expense. — Portuguese Volunteers.— Their Enthusiasm. — Andrew de Vasconselos and Followers.— Grand Review. — Appearance of the Spaniards. — Armor of the Portuguese.— Second Review —Humiliating Contrast — The Number of Adventurers. — Conversion of the Indians desired.— Priests and Monks

Chapter VI

The Departure. -Canary Islands - Merriment. - The beautiful Leonora. — Arrival at Cuba. — Spanish Amusements. — An Officer cashiered.— An important Volunteer. — Juan de Anasco. — Goes in search of a Harbor. -His Adventures. - The Land. -First Battle. — Porcallo's Exploit. — An imposing Scene. — Inconveniences. — Guides desert. — Native Houses. — Revenge. — Exploring Parties.— Hear of a Spaniard. — Juan Ortiz. — A happy Meeting. — The cleft Stick. — Spanish Captives. — Their Tortures. — Female Kindness.— Juan's Sufferings. — A hot Bed. — Midnight Encounter in a Graveyard.— Juan doomed a Sacrifice. — Female Informer. — A Wife lost for Kindness' Sake "

Chapter VII

The Vessels return. - Urribarracaxi. - Treacherous Guides. - Treatment of the Dead. -An Indian Freak. - A sagacious Hound. - Its End. — A villanous Plot. — The Counterplot. — Deceitful Review. — Dreadful Conflict. — Warriors in the Water. — A second Plot. — A fearful Struggle. — A desperate Captive. — A narrow Escape. — Indians compelled to massacre. - Its Object. -A difficult March. - Power of the Bow. — Towns abandoned. — The Reason 98

Chapter VIII

Exploring Parties. — Guide murdered. — Ocean found. — Traces of Narvaez. — Signals. — Anasco's Expedition. — Avoids the Native*—

His Dangers. — Sufferings from Cold. — Suspense. — Acute Smelling.— A Breaicfast Party. — Attacked and taken. — Plans for an Emergency. — Joyful Discovery. — Happy Meeting. — Captives liberated. — Different Routes. — Calderon's Courage. — Signals discovered. — A fat Chief. — His Concealment. — Capture. — Stratagem. — •Escape. — Declarations of the Guard. — Superstition and Necromancy.— De Soto's Policy. 101

Chapter IX

Winter Experience. — Golden Reports. — Effects of Cruelty. — Tree shot down. — Cannon left. — Cofaqui. — Peter's Alarm. — His Baptism.— Large Escort. — The Course lost. — The Army bewildered.— The Swine useful. — Anasco's Success. — Beautiful Squaw-Sachem. — Her Courtesy. — A Suicide. — The Princess captured. — Gold proves to be Copper. — Pearls. — Spanish Mail. — The Princess escapes.— Her Cruelty. — Gigantic Chief. — Battle of Mauvila. — Engagement of the Rearguard.— Results of the Battle. — A Night of Agony.. . . 118

Chapter X

Ecclesiastical Losses. — Dry Mass. — Rumor of Ships. — De Soto's Change. — Battle at Night — Moscoso cashiered. — Novel Bedding.— Fortified Town. — The Mississippi discovered. — Great Change.— Indian's Request. — Imposing Service. — Boats destroyed. — Death of De Soto. — His double Burial. — Moscoso his Successor. — Arrival in Mexico. — The Route. — The Time occupied. — The Termination. — Diminished Numbers. — The Policy and Influence of the Spaniards.— Bloodhounds. — Sunday the sailing Day 131

Chapter XI

Our Plan — Sir Martin Frobisher. — Queen. — Pinnacled Coast — Dan gers. — Men lost — Discouragements resisted. — Beautiful Sight —

CONTENTS.

Btraits discovered. — Mighty Deer.— Escape from Indians. — Visitors. — Boat's Crew captured. — Frobisher badly off. — Decoy Bell. — Man caught. — Tongue bitten. — Reports of Gold. — Tn© black Stone. — Second Voyage. — Gold seeking. — Conflicts. — Suspicions of a cloven Foot. — Woman licks Wounds. — Lameness feigned. — Talking to a Picture. — Vessels loaded. — Meta incognito.— Third Voyage. — Dogs. — Whales. — A Whale run down. Fresh Water from Icebergs. — The Dennis destroyed. — Sudden Changes. — Refining the Ore. — False Stories. — The Truth discovered. 143

Chapter XII

ir Francis Drake. — Visits California.— San Francisco. — Singular Conduct — Imposing Visit. — Supposed Coronation. — Professing Allegiance. — The Californians. — Drake takes Possession. — Visits Florida. — St. Augustine. — A French Captive. — Spaniards flee.— Death of Powell. — The Town destroyed. — Drake visits Virginia.— Raleigh's Colony. — New Calamity. — The Colony disheartened.— Their Interpretation of Providence. — They are taken Home.— Governor Lane. — Tobacco introduced into England. 163

Chapter XIII

Captain John Davis. — Great Roaring. — Its Cause. — Land of Desolation.— Band of Music — Its Effect.— Friendly Alliance. — Bear Hunting. — Mistake about Dogs. — Davis's Discoveries. — Amusements. — Change in the Natives. — Ringleader taken. — Interesting Phenomenon. — Game.— Secret Attack. — Sun shines twenty-four Hours. — Fat Dogs. — Stag Hunt. — The Marquis de la Roche- Sable Island Sufferers. — Captain George Weymouth. — Fresh Water from Icebergs. — Effect of Ice upon the Vessel. — Sailors appalled. — They mutiny — Weymouth yields. — He sails South. — Finds an Inlet — Nain. — Great Storm. — His Return. — Bartholomew Gosnold. — Indians with a European Shallop. — Cape Cod discovered. — A perpetual Name. — Elizabeth Island. — A Colony. — Its End. — Its Ruins. 174

Chapter XIV

Dutch Enterprise. — Henry Hudson. — Arrives at Sandy Hook. — Horseshoe Harbor. — Soundings. — Coney Island. — Productions. — Visitors. — Indian Alliance. — Mr. Heckewelder. — Interesting Tradition. — The long House. — How it was shortened The Conduct

of the Natives. — The Crew land. — What they saw. — Hudson suspicious. — Unfortunate Adventure. — A gloomy Night — A sad Spectacle. — The Burial. — Coleman's Point — Precautionary Measures. — More Visitors. — Indian Stratagem. — Indians captured.— One escapes. — Red Coats. — Discovers a great River. — Its Names. — Show of Love. — Want of Confidence 194

Chapter XV

Suspicious Visitors. — Hudson's Progress. — The Highlands. — Thick Fog. — Effect of its Disappearance. — The two Captives again. — Catskill Mountains. — Loving People. — Cause of bad Luck. — Trade. — Hudson. — Shoals. — Adventures of the Mate. — Proof of Friendship. — Feeling the Way. — Hudson intoxicates the Indians. — Modest Wife. — Drunken Chief. — Effect upon the People. — Wampum. —The Chief recovers. — Thank Offering. 20ft

Chapter XVI

Effect of Ardent Spirits. — Heckewelder. — Singular Tradition. — Great Surprise. — Opinions concerning the Arrival of the first Ship.— Effect upon the Indians. — Preparation for its Reception. — Grand Dance. — Exciting Reports of the Runners. — Salutations exchanged. — A Man in Red — How he is received. — He drinks, and the Glass to the Indians. — Their Conduct. — Om of them, after a Speech, drinks. — Its Effect. — His Assertions. — His Example tollowed. — General Intoxication. — Presents. — Their ridiculous Use of them. — The Whites considered Gods. — Story of the Bullock's Hide. — Indians outwitted. — Locality of this Scene. — Different Names of Manhattan Island 213

Chapter XVII

Hudson's highest Point. — He descends. — Lands. — Trees. — The old Man again. — Disappointed Chief. — Fishing. — Newburgh. — Hard Metal. — A Boat Thief. — An Affray. — Effect of a Gun. — The two Captives again. — An Attack. — The Repulse. — Attack renewed. — Falcon. — Its Execution. — Both Parties retreat. — Appearance of Ore. — Sail along Manhattan. — The Half Moon at Sea. — Magic Change. — Different Rates of Travel. — The Time Hudson occupied in exploring the River. — Extent of the Country. — Population. — English Prohibition. — Crew mutinies. — Hudson returns

Chapter XVIII

Rum and Gunpowder. — Samuel Champlain. — His Discovery. — French and Indian Allies. — A War Party. — The Five Nations. — Champlain passes up the St. Lawrence. — Lake St. Peter. — Sorelle River. — Indian Deception. — Dangerous Rapids. — Vessel sent back. — Vigilance. — Beautiful Country. — Superstitious Incantations. — Champlain's pretended Dream. — Its happy Effect. — Passage through Lake Champlain. — Transparent Water. — Unexpected Meeting. — Singular Message. — Morning Battle. — Novel Expedie it. — Effect of Fire-arms. — Victorious Rejoicings. — Indian Practi se after a Battle. — Tortures. — Champlain returns to France

Chapter XIX

Rumen* of a great River. — Opinions concerning it. — Reasons for visiting it — The exploring Party. — Wild Rice Indians. — Their Ad-

2*

|g CONTENTS.

vice. -Alarming Stories. -Salt Bay. -No Salt -Beautiful Landscape. - A Cross discovered. - Village in Commotion. - The Portage. -Pleasant Sail. -Iron Mines. -The Mississippi Mode of Travelling. -Welcome Paths. - Romantic Cluster of Villages. - Their judicious Approach. - Friendly Reception. - Courteous Entertainment. - The Calumet. - Council. - Feast. - Escort. - Meaning of « Illinois." -Departure. -Looking out for a River. - Discover huge painted Monsters -

Chapter XX

Marquette discovers the Missouri. - Effect of its Waters upon the Mis- 6 issippi.- Marquette's Opinions. -The Platte and Colorado. - The Ohio passed. -Spirit's Residence. - Ochres. - Reeds. - Interv.eW with Indians— Possess European Articles. - Warlike Movements allayed by the Calumet. - Interpreter discovered. - Arkansas Indians. - Escort of ten Canoes. - Distance of the Sea. - The Party in Danger. -The Peril escaped. - Reasons for returning. - Enter the Illinois. -A Chief invites Marquette to return. - Reach Chicago -Time of Absence. -Marquette settles as a Missionary.- His Presentiment. -His rural Worship. - His Retirement. - His singular Decease

Chapter XXI

La Salle. -His Opinions about China. - His Desire for Adventure. - His Patents. -His Company. - Builds a Vessel. - First Voyage. - Great Storm. -A Vow to St Anthony. - False Rumors. -The Griffin lost -Noise forbidden. -A Bear shot. -Effect of the Report - Robbery. - False Friendship. - Case of Perplexity.- A Battle at Hand. - Effect of a Parley. - The Difficulty adjusted. - Want of Food. -Arrival of De Tonty.-La Salle lost. -Kills Opossums. -Finds the Company. -Disagreeable Voyage. -The welcome Buffalo. - Forsaken Village. - The Reason. - La Salle seize.

Corn. — New Year's Day. — Mass. — Hennepin exhorts the Men. — The Effect. — Lake Peoria. — Meaning of the Name 201

Chapter XXII

A Village. — Bold Approach. — La Salle's Policy. — Three Calumets. — Friendly Understanding. — Ceremonious Hospitality. — La Salle's Explanation. — Pay for Com. — Sudden Change. — Effect of Slander. — More terrible Stories. — Deserters. — A Proposition. — Fort of the Broken Heart. — Ship-building. — Bold Resolution. — Troubles accumulate. — A constant Friend. — Change of Plan. — Tonty with the Illinois. — Alarming Report. — Tonty's Danger. — Sudden Retreat. — Father de la Ribourde walks in the Wood. — Never returns. — His Death. — Painful Travelling. — Sieur de Boisrondet lost — His Adventures. — Three great Captains 278

Chapter XXIII

The Party. — Women and Children with them. — Employments of the Women. — Ice. — A Man lost. — Unnecessary Alarm. — Means of Defence. — Friendly Relations. — La Salle takes Possession. — Indian King. — Native Royalty. — Permanent Dwellings. — A Canoe chased. — Numerous Natives. — Respect for the Calumet — Natchez. — Escort. — Abandoned Village. — Horrid Spectacle. — Three Channels. — A Party explores each. — The Gulf of Mexico reached. — La Salle takes Possession of Louisiana. — Evidence of Posses? 'on. — He returns. — Ascent of the River difficult 287

Chapter XXIV

Father Hennepin. — A Fleet of Canoes. — Hennepin interrupts it — Is captured. — Crying Indians. — Prisoners doomed to die. — Hennepin's Course. - Captivity instead of Death. — Strength of the Native* -

Dance of the Reed. — Chief Aquipaguetin. — Makes a gular Conduct. — Indian Cunning. — Lake of Tears. — Captives in Suspense. — Mode of kindling a Fire. — Falls of St. Anthony. — Separation of the Captives. — Pace quickened by Fire. — The Chalice a supposed Spirit. — A comic Musician. — Hennepin adopted. — His Treatment — Ridiculous Scene. — Indian Sweat. — The Compass. — The Pot and Lion. — Mode of learning the Language. — Putting Black to White. — Infant Baptism. — Infant dies. — Hennepin's conroling Reflections 296

Chapter XXV

Pierced Pine. — An Offering and Prayer to the Falls. — The Vow fulfilled. — Picard forgets his Powder. — A great Serpent. — Disturbance in Camp. — The Law of Hunting. — Hennepin goes to the Wisconsin.— His Disappointment. — Is reduced to great Straits. — Indian and Thorn. — Effect of Excitement. — Great Alarm. — A Drove ot Stags. — Fire Spirits. — Sieur du Luth. — His Equipage. — Hennepin's pretended Relationship. — Digs up his Property. — His Discoveries. — The Party leave the Indians. — They fire a parting Salute. — Its Effect. — They steal a votive Offering. — Arrive at Mackinaw. — Hennepin's Description of Niagara Falls. — Columbus and the Birds. — Small Vessels. — Watchful Providence 3K

Chapter I

America unknown. — Columbus. — His Difficulties. — Discoi * Cat Island. — Erroneous Conjecture. — Columbus's Second Voyage. — Third Voyage. — Discovers the Main Land. — John Cabot's Patent. — He discovers Labrador. — The Natives. — Productions. — He kidnaps Indians. — Sebastian Cabot. — Discovers a great River. — Extent of his Coasting. — Gaspar Cortereal. — Old Way to India. — New Way desired. — Cortereal's Object. — Reaches the Coast. — His Observations. — Turns Kidnapper. — Enthusiasm on his Return Home. — His Second Voyage. — Discovers Greenland. — His End. — Miguel Cortereal. — His Voyage. — Results. — Spanish Conquests. — Ponce de Leon. — Seeks for Gold. — Imprudent Chief. — Ponce's Promotion. — Effect of Imagination. — Welcome News. — Ponce enthusiastic. — Chimerical Voyage. — Mysterious Fountain. — Accidental Discoveries. — One by Ponce. — Origin of "Florida." — Spanish Assumptions. — Ponce a Governor. — Loses Reputation. — Attempts a Landing. — His Reception by the Indians. — Defeat and Death.

Previous to the voyages of Christopher Columbus, the existence of the immense concinent of America was unknown to the nations of the eastern hemisphere. Here was a territory of many thousands of miles in extent, containing the largest rivers, lakes, and mountains in the world, with numerous towns and villages, some of whose inhabitants, especially in the southern part of the continent, had made considerable progress towards civilization ;

22 DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.

and yet a knowledge of these facts was concealed from all the rest of the world. The ocean, which, hy the art of navigation, is now converted into a highway of communication between the two continents, was then an impassable barrier. It is no easy task, at the present time, to conceive the difficulties which must have beset those who were the pioneers in the discovery of the different parts of this western world.

Columbus, a native of Genoa, in Italy, from the time he first projected a voyage for the purpose of discovering either a new continent, or a western pas sage to the East Indies, until he landed upon the new world, was surrounded by embarrassments sufficiently numerous and great to have totally discouraged any other than a man of indomitable per severance. But he was not doomed to a disappoint ment. His unfaltering hope, his ceaseless industry his patient self-denial, and his inflexibility of purpose, were all rewarded when, at midnight, on the 12th of October, old style, 1492, the cheering cry of " Land ! land ! " was heard from on board his vessel, which, for two months, had been tossed about upon the restless billows of an apparently shoreless ocean. The land proved to be Cat Island, sometimes called San Salvador, one of the Bahamas.

As Columbus had sailed under the auspices of Ferdinand and Isabella, of Spain, he took posses-

JOHN CABOT. 23

sion of the newly-discovered country in their name. After visiting various other islands, he returned to communicate the results of his voyage. The important intelligence was soon diffused, and every where elicited the spirit of inquiry and adventure. It was generally supposed that the lands which he had discovered were the western extremity of India. For this reason they were generally spoken of as the Indies. After this opinion was known to be erroneous, they were still designated the West Indies, which name they have always retained.

On the 25th of September, 1493, Columbus set sail from Cadiz on his second voyage, and on the 2d of November he discovered one of the Caribbee Islands, to which he gave the name of Dominico. After cruising several weeks among these islands, and establishing a colony, he returned without seeing the main land. This was reserved for his third voyage, when he had the honor to land on the coast of Paria, in South America. Columbus made one voyage more, but without effecting any additional important discoveries. He never saw North America !

Previous to his third Voyage, Henry VII., King of England, was aroused to the importance of engaging in maritime adventure. He gave to John Cabot, a Venetian merchant, whose residence was in Bristol, a patent, authorizing liira and his three sons,

24 cabot's discovery.

or either of them, their heirs, or their deputies, to explore the eastern, western, or northern sea, at their own expense. They were to raise the royal banners of England over any castles, towns, cities, islands, or continents which they might discover, and rule over them as governors, subject to the crown of England. They also had guarantied to them the monopoly of the trade of the countries which they should discover, on condition that all their productions should be brought into the port of Bristol, where they were to be received free of duties, and also, that, when sold, one fifth of their net profits should be paid into the royal treasury.

Under this patent, Cabot set sail from England in May, 1497, in a vessel called the Matthew, and on June 24th, came in sight of land near the fifty-sixth degree of north latitude — probably the coast of Labrador, which afterwards was sometimes called Newfoundland. Thus the North American continent was discovered by a private commercial com pany, under the protection of the King of England, more than a year before the main land of South America was seen by Columbus. This original discovery established the right of England, above other European nations, to take possession of the newly-discovered lands on the North American continent. But justice demanded that previous to their occupancy by colonies, they should be purchased of the natives

KIDNAPPING OF INDIANS. 25

for a fair equivalent. These natives were rude Indians. In an old document, which is said to be an extract taken out of the map of Sebastian Cabot, cut by Clement Adams, they are said to " wear beasts' skins, and have them in as great estimation as we have our finest garments. In their warres, they use bowes, arrowes, pikes, darts, wooden clubs, and slings. The soil is barren in some places, and yeeldeth little fruit, but it is full of white bears and stagges far greater than ours. It yeeldeth plenty of fish, and those very great as seales, and those which we commonly call salmons ; there are soles, also, above a yard in length, but especially there is great abundance of that kind of fish which the savages call baccalaos." Hawks were seen as black as ravens, and partridges and eagles of a similar color. The fish called baccalaos were the cod, whose fishery at the present time furnishes employment to a large number of men.

Cabot induced some of the natives to come on board his vessel, three of whom he took to England. At first, they wore their own costume, and are said to have eaten raw flesh. They afterwards adopted English garments, and in the course of two years were so far Anglicized in appearance that they ceased to attract special attention.

After the decease of John Cabot, Sebastian, his son, went to Spain. By the Spanish king he was 3

26 ROUTES TO INDIA.

sent to the coast of Brazil, where he had the honor of discovering the magnificent Rio de la Plata, or River of Plate. He subsequently returned to England, obtained another patent, and revisited Labrador, with a company of three hundred persons. He coasted as far south as Maryland, and as far north as the sixty-second degree of latitude, entering the straits and bay which have since been named after Hudson. He is said by some historians to have made a third voyage to America ; but as no important particulars are given of his voyages to this country, except his discovery of the continent, we shall here part company with him.

The next adventurer who claims our attention is Gaspar Cortereal, a Portuguese, who, in the year 1500, visited Newfoundland.

The usual course to the rich, spice-producing countries of the East Indies, at that period, was by a tedious, dangerous, and expensive voyage round the Cape of Good Hope and through the Indian Ocean. It was a great desideratum to find some other passage which would be less tedious and costly. It had been by some conjectured that possibly a new route might be found by sailing in an opposite direction from the Cape of Good Hope, to the north-west. If the earth was round, why could they not reach the Indies by sailing to the north-west as well as the south-east T One object of Gaspar Cortereal was.

APPEARANCE OF LABRADOR. 27

to discover this north-west passage to China and the Spice Islands. Having arrived at Newfoundland, he directed his course northward along the bleak and rocky coast, to which he gave the name of Labrador which it still retains. He observed that portions of the country along which he sailed were covered until forests, the timber of which was well adapted for masts and spars of ships. The waters were full of fish. The inhabitants were robust and hardy, though poor. They were skilful in the use of the bow, were clothed in skins, and lived in caves. Cortereal managed to get fifty or more of them on board his vessel, whom he kidnapped, and afterwards sold as slaves ! He sailed as far north as the fiftieth degree of latitude, when, in consequence of the severity of the cold, and the dangers arising from the icebergs which were floating around him, he concluded to postpone further operations till next year. He returned, and gave such a favorable account of his voyage, and expressed such sanguine hopes of discovering the long-looked-for north-west passage, that the court caught his enthusiasm, and authorized him to make another voyage, with twc vessels under his command. He did so. The voyage proceeded favorably till they reached a coast to which they gave the name of Terra Verdr, (Greenland;) not the country which is now called Greenland, but some part of the coast which they