JOHN CABOT'S LETTERS PATENTS a.d. 



1495. 



faciant, & tarn in armandis navibus seu navigiis, quam 

 in provisione commeatus & victualium pro sua pecunia 

 emendorum, atque aliarum omnium rerum sibi provi- 

 dendarum pro dicta navigatione sumenda suos omnes 

 favores & auxilia impertiant. In cujus rei testimonium Ann - Dom - 

 has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste meipso I+ 95- 

 apud Westmonasterium quinto die Martii anno regni 

 nostri undecimo. 



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 have given and granted, and by 

 these presents do give and grant for us and our heires, 

 to our welbeloved John Cabot citizen of Venice, to 

 Lewis, Sebastian, and Santius, sonnes of the sayd John, 

 and to the heires of them, and every of them, and their 

 deputies, full and free authority, leave, and power to 

 saile to all parts, coun treys, and seas of the East, of the 

 West, and of the North, under our banners and ensignes, 

 with five ships of what burthen or quantity soever they 

 be, and as many mariners or men as they will have with 

 them in the sayd ships, upon their owne proper costs 

 and charges, to seeke out, discover, and finde whatsoever 

 isles, countreys, regions or provinces of the heathen and 

 infidels whatsoever they be, and in what part of the world 

 soever they be, which before this time have bene un- 

 knowen to all Christians : we have granted to them, and 

 also to every of them, the heires of them, and every of 

 them, and their deputies, and have given them licence 

 to set up our banners and ensignes in every village, 

 towne, castle, isle, or maine land of them newly found. 

 And that the aforesayd John 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 unto us the rule, title, and jurisdic- 



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