[MACXENZIE] THE BARONETS OF NOVA SCOTIA 91 
than forty days. He was received with much honour and King Henry 
was so greatly pleased with the discovery made that he knighted Cabot 
who became known as The Great Admiral, and who was further re- 
warded by a grant from the King’s Privy Purse, 10th of August, 1497. 
“To hym that founde the new isle £10.”* Thus was North America 
discovered by mariners sailing under the flag of England. 
“The law of nations recognises the principle of right of the ter- 
ritory of a heretofore unknown country, to the power under whose 
flag the same may have been discovered. ‘Thus the right to the coun- 
try discovered by the Cabots appertained to the dominion of the brit- 
ish monarch; and though, at that time, no settlement was made there- 
cn of an effectual nature, yet the entering thereon by the subjects of 
any other nation, would be an unlawful intrusion, and an usurpa- 
tiom,?? 2 
To King Henry the Seventh no less honour is due than to Cabot 
in connection with this great achievement, for it was entirely owing to 
that Monarch’s sagacity and foresight that the discoverer came to make 
his memorable voyage under the Ensign of St. George. As was the 
case when Columbus came to his Court, King Henry at once grasp- 
ed the importance and feasibility of the scheme propounded by Cabot 
and though his natural caution led him to do no more than grant his 
Letters Patent authorizing the expedition, nevertheless when Cabot re- 
turned, having accomplished what he undertook to do, the King re- 
warded him, and gave him material assistance in fitting out a second 
expedition of discovery, towards which he promised ten armed ships 
and the gift of all his prisoners, except such as were confined for high 
treason, to take with him on the voyage. 
“John Cabot was the pioneer of English discovery and English 
colonisation. A long life of mercantile adventure had prepared him 
for the great work; and the experienced old navigator was at least 
sixty years of age when he offered his services to Henry VII. His 
great merit was that he at once appreciated the genius and prevision 
of Columbus, and understood the true significance of his magnificent 
achievement. He studied the theories and methods of his illustrious 
countryman, and understood the great work that was left for others 
to achieve by following his lead. The results more than justified his 
representations.” 5 
Britain having shewn the way, mariners and adventurers of other 
nations began to make the voyage to the new found lands. 
In 1500 Gaspar Corte Real obtained Letters Patent from the King 
of Portugal, authorizing him to lead an expedition which sailed the 
same year, and having reached the mainland of North America, he 
