PROCEEDINGS FOR 18i»(i XXV 



"John Cabot must, therefore, be considered to have been the founder 

 of British maritime enterprise. It is unfortunate that nothing has been 

 preserved that can give us a clear idea of the man, of his character and 

 his attainments. We can form a judgment of Cohimbus from his wi'itings. 

 We know something of his heroisms and of his failings. He is a living- 

 man to us, and, therefore, he has attained world-wide celeljrity, and 

 appeals to our sympathy and our reverence. John Cabot is little more 

 than a name ; but it is a great name. The few certain facts we know 

 concerning him are immortal facts, ever to be had in remembrance. He 

 made the third voyage across the Atlantic and returned. He discovered 

 the mainland of America. He raised the beacon which showed English- 

 men the way to the new world. He was the tirst to hoist the cross of St. 

 George on the w^estern side of the Atlantic Ocean. His fate is unknown. 

 Scarcely anything is known of his companions. But the names of three 

 Englishmen are preserved, who certainl}^ titted out vessels, and probably 

 went with Cabot in 1498. The names of Lancelot Thirkill, Thomas 

 Bradley, and John Carter, therefore, should also be had in remembrance. 



" There arc ver}^ solid reasons for a Cabot celebration : very complete 

 justifications of the proposal of the Eoj-al Society of Canada. I trust 

 that the proposal will receive the support it deserves, and I can assure 

 you that this honour, done to the memory of the great navigator, has my 

 very cordial sympathy ; and I am sure that it will have the sympath}^ of 

 the society over which I have the honour to preside. 

 '" Believe me, dear sir, to be ever 



" Yours faithfully, 



"Clements E. Markham, 



•• President R. G. S. 

 ■" Dr. J. G. Bourinot, C.M.Gr., Secretary to the Eoyal Society of Canada." 



Dr. Justin Winsor, the librarian of Harvard University, and editor 

 -of the " Narrative and Critical History of America," whose knowledge of 

 ■cartography is not equalled by that of any other student in America, also 

 writes to the society : 



" Gore Hall, Cambridge, Mass., May 2nd. 1896. 

 " Dear Dr. Bourinot, — I think the Eoyal Society does well to com- 

 memorate the Cabot voyages. Perhaps 1 can send a paper in June, 1897. 

 I shall be at that time on my way abroad for fifteen months' absence. 



"Could it not be arranged that the meeting of 1897 at Halifax be a 

 joint meeting of the Eoyal Society and the American Histoincal Associa- 

 tion, with delegates from the state historical societies ? 



" Very truly, 



"Justin Winsor." 



