JOHN CABOT'S VOYAGES 



Besides these may be mentioned a legend on the map of 

 the world of 1544 which, according to what is written on it, 

 was the work of Sebastian Cabot. But even if this be correct, 

 the legend is of no great value, as he cannot be regarded as 

 a trustworthy authority.^ 



Lorenzo Pasqualigo writes on August 23 (September i, 

 N.S.), 1497, to his two brothers in Venice, among other 

 things : 



" Our Venetian, who set out with a little ship from Bristol to find new 

 islands, has returned, and says that he has discovered 700 leagues [Italian nau- 

 tical leagues] away the mainland of the kingdom of the Great Khan [Gran 

 Cam] [China], and that he sailed 300 leagues along its coast and landed, but 

 saw no people; but he brought here to the King some snares that were set up 

 to catch game, and a needle for making nets, and he found some trees with 

 cuts in them, from which he concluded that there were inhabitants. Being 

 in doubt he returned to the ship,- and was three months on the voyage, and 

 this is certain; and on the way back he saw two islands on the right hand, but 

 would not land so as not to lose time, as he was short of provisions. He says 

 that the tides are sluggish and do not run as here [i.e., in England]. The 

 King has promised him next time ten ships fitted out according to his desires, 

 and has given him as many prisoners to take with him as he has asked, ex- 

 cept those who are in prison for high treason; and he has given him money 

 to enjoy himself with in the meantime, and now he is with his Venetian wife 

 and his sons at Bristol. His name is Zuam Talbot [sic, for Cabot], and he is 

 called the Grand Admiral and great honor is shown him, and he goes dressed 

 in silk and the Englishmen run after him like madmen, but he will have noth- 

 ing to do with any of them, and so [do] many of our vagabonds. The dis- 

 coverer of these things has planted on the soil he has found the banner of 

 England and that of St. Mark, as he is a Venetian; so that our flag has been 

 hoisted far away" [cf. Harrisse, 1882, p. 322]. 



The Minister, Raimondo di Soncino, writes on August 24 

 (September 2, N.S.), 1497, to the Duke of IVEilan, among other 

 things : 



" Some months ago [sono mesi passate] his majesty the King [of Eng- 

 land] sent out a Venetian who is a good sailor, and has much ability in find- 



1 No importance can be attached in this connection to any of the statements 

 derived at second or third hand from Sebastian Cabot and communicated by 

 Contarini, Peter Martyr, Ramusio, and others. So far as they are worthy of 

 credence, they must refer to one or more later voyages. The statement in the 

 Cottonian Chronicle and in the Fabyan Chronicle refers to the voyage of 1498. 



2 Harisse's reproduction of the letter [1882, p. 322] reads: " Vene in nave 



