PROCEEDINGS FOR 1897 XXIII 



The following letter from the distinguished President of the Eoyal 

 Geographical Society in London, Sir Clements R. Markham, K.C.B., 

 F.E.S., shows the intei'est he has taken in this meeting, although it has 

 not been found possible to find any member of that institution free to 

 come out to the Dominion and represent it at the meeting : 



" 21 EccLESTON Square, London, S.W., 3rd April, 1897. 



" Dear Dr. Bourinot, — Many thanks for your note of March 25th, 

 and its inclosures. 



" I would certainly come to Halifax myself if it was possible ; but I 

 am obliged to be in London on those days of June. I will, however, try 

 to get a suitable representative of the Royal Geographical Society to be 

 present. 



" I think the Royal Society of Canada has adopted a very wise 

 course in avoiding debatable ground, and adopting a mode of commemo- 

 ration which will unite all who take an interest in the subject. 



" On Monday, April 12th, I am going to read a paper on the voy- 

 ages of Cabots at the Royal Geographical Society, as a commemoration 

 of the great achievement on our part. 



" I trust then to find a suitable delegate for the societ}'. 



'• I regi'et that 1 shall be prevented from coming to Halifax, but I 

 feel sure that the gathering will be worthy of the occasion, and I wish 

 the Royal Society of Canada all possible success in the laudable and 

 jjatriotic course it has adopted. 



"Ever yours sincerely, 



"Clements R. Markham." 



Since the receipt of this letter the council have been advised of the 

 appointment of General D. R. Cameron, C.M.G., E.R.G.S., as the repre- 

 sentative of the society. 



Invitations were also extended to several universities and societies 

 in the United States and Canada, and a large number have duly ap- 

 pointed delegates to attend the present meeting.' 



It is time indeed that English-speaking peoples recognized the 

 services of a man who has been almost forgotten for four centuries 

 except by a few enthusiastic and patient students of histoiy. For many 

 years writers have given to Sebastian Cabot, the son, that honour which 

 should have been paid to John Cabot, the father, and it is only within 

 a few decades that the latter has found his true place alongside of the 

 l)ioneei's of American discovery and exploration. The great Genoese, 

 Christopher Columbus, has been long honoured by monuments in many 

 lands, and only five years ago the civilized world sent its representatives 

 tu Chicago to pay him a tribute that few benefactors of the human race 



1 See supi-a, p. II, for list of delegates in attendance. 



