22 A. D. 1502. 



did Portugal ever reap much advantage from thofe port-towns, in point 

 of commerce, any farther than they helped to curb the Moorifli pirates; 

 whom, however, neither they nor Spain ha^e ever been able efFedually 

 to fupprefs. 



In this year was finally concluded the mofl; aufpicious marriage of 

 Margaret, eldeft daughter of king Henry VII of England, to king 

 Janaes IV of Scotland. The lands afligned by James for her dowery of 

 L.2000 per annum, in earldoms, lordfhips, manors, forefts, with the pa- 

 laces and caftles of Linlithgow and Stirling, are at this time probably 

 more than ten times their value at that time. 



A treaty of friendfhip and intercourfe of commerce was concluded 

 between king Henry VII of England, and Maximilian king of the Ro- 

 mans, &c. where it is in general terms ftipulated, ' That the merchants 

 on both lides may freely refort and trade to each others dominions.' 



In another treaty, in this fame year 1502, between thofe two princes, 

 there is a grant of L, 10,000 Sterling from king Heiiry VII to Maximi- 

 lian, for enabling him to make war againfl the Turks on the fide of 

 Hungary, where at this time they were pufiiing on their conquefis ; on 

 v,'hich account the popes laboured to excite all Chriftian princes to con- 

 tribute. And it mufi; be owned, that, confidering the charafter of king 

 Henry VII, this was a large contribution for thofe timea. [^Foedera, 

 V. xiii, p. 6, 9.] 



King Henry VII, by a charter, licenfed Hugh Elliot and Thomas 

 Afhhurft, merchants of Briftol, John Gunfalus and Francis Fernandus, 

 natives of Portugal, to fail with fuch fliips and mariners as they fhall 

 judge proper, under Englifli colours, into all the parts and countries of 

 the eaftern, weftern, fouthern, and northern feas, in order to difcover 

 any iflands, coails, and countries of heathen and infidel parts of the 

 world ; and to ered: king Henry's banners and enfigns at v/hatever 

 town, cafile, iiland, or continent, they fhall fo difcover, and to hold the 

 fame (fays the king) for our ufe, as our lieutenants there ; Provided 

 they do not concern themfelves with, nor offer to moiefi; fuch heathen 

 and infidel countries as are already difcovered, and reduced to the obe- 

 dience of the king of Portugal, or of any other prince our friend or 

 confederate. 



Whenever any dlfcovery fiiall be made, it is our will that men and 

 women from England be freely permitted to fettle therein, and to im- 

 prove the fame under the protection of thele grantees, whom we here- 

 by empower to make laws, &c. there. 



The feven remaining claufes relate to the fettling, failing, and trad- 

 ing to fuch fuppofed, and to be difcovered country ; the cuftoms to be 

 paid, and the reflridions of the trade thither to his own fubjeds, £cc. 

 And he thus concludes : 



