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CHAPTER VIII. 



OF THE EXPEDITION LATELY PREPARED. 



A VITAL interest of Great Britain is the extension and 

 security of commerce. From this source, in a great 

 measure, flow her internal grandeur, national renown, and 

 wide dominion ; and every means tending to promote 

 commerce is consequently encouraged to the greatest 

 degree. 



After the discovery of America by Columbus, or more 

 accurately speaking by Cabot, who was the first to touch 

 upon the continent of North America, as we have seen in 

 the sketch of his voyage, sanguine expectations were 

 entertained of a possibility of finding a passage westward 

 to the East Indies, by which the tedious voyage by the 

 Cape of Good Hope might be avoided ; and no expense 

 was spared in fitting out ships from time to time, to have 

 the expectation realized. New and daring adventurers 

 came forward in hopes of winning the laurels of success, 



