XXVI ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



1)1". Moses Harvey, F.]{.S.(\, the well-known historical writer of 

 Newfoundland, also approves most warmly of the idea in the following 

 terms : 



•' St. John's. Xewfoundland, May 5th, 189G. 



"Dear Dr. Bourinot. — 1 am glad to learn that at the approaching 

 meeting of the Royal Society of Canada a proposal will be submitted in 

 favour of some suitable celebration of the discovery of the continent of 

 North America b}* John Cabot. 1 am aware that a proposal of the same 

 nature has been laid before the public of Canada, t.nd I believe also, to 

 some small extent, before the people of the United States, and has met 

 with a fiivourable response. I have long taken a deep interest in this 

 matter, and in a paper on • The Voyages and Discoveries of the Cabots,' 

 read before the Historical Society of Nova Scotia, November 14th, 1893, 

 and since printed in their 'Collections,' 1 ventured to make a suggestion 

 in favour of such a celebration as is now under discussion, in 1897, the 

 fourth centenary of Cabot's great achievement. Subsequently, 1 sent you 

 a brief communication on the same subject which you were good enough 

 to lay before the Royal Society of Canada, where it met with a favour- 

 able reception. Doubtless the same thought may have presented itself 

 to many other minds ; but wdiether I was the tirst to give it expression in 

 tangible shape is of little moment. That it is now likely to be translated 

 into fact and become an embodied reality is to me a matter of profound 

 satisfaction, as it will be the realization of a long-cherished hope. 



" Indeed, it seems to me that the pi'o posai is one which will commend 

 itself, when duly expounded and considered, to most men of thought and 

 intelligence. The whole civilized world lately united in celebrating the 

 fourth centenary of the discovery of America with unequalled pomp and 

 splendour and in heaping fresh laurels on the grave of Columbus. The 

 Old World tittingly joined hands with the New, in expressing their sense 

 of the gi'eatness of an achievement which must stand alone in the records 

 of time as having influenced the destinies of humanity more widely and 

 permanently than any other single deed accomplished by the courage and 

 genius of man. But, while we would not for a moment detract from the 

 gloiy which must for ever encircle the name of Columbus, should we for- 

 get to lioiiour the memory of the man who achieved a discovery which 

 though not so brilliant and dazzling as that of Columbus, yet, judging it 

 by its far-reaching results, was second only to his. The real discoverer 

 of North America was John Cabot; and his landing on its shores pre- 

 ceded by nearly a year the date when Columbus first touched, without 

 knowinfr it, the coast of South America. In virtue of Cabot's discoveries 

 Kngland established her claims to the sovereignty of a large portion of 

 these northern lands. The fish-wealth of these northern seas, which 

 Cabot was the first to make known, speedily attracted fishermen ; and 

 for the ])i-otectioii and development of the fishei'ies colonies were first 



