DISCOVERY OF THE PACIFIC. 
9 
of such a passage, that it was only thought requisite, to equip 
a ship, in every respect able to weather the storms and dangers 
of the northern latitudes, in order to wrest from the Portuguese 
the sovereignty of the Indian Commerce. The spirit of the 
English merchants was aroused, they had long looked upon the 
commercial greatness of Portugal arising from her Indian \ ossess- 
ions, with an eye of the bitterest jealousy, and therefore with 
the utmost zeal and alacrity, they fell into any scheme, however 
wild and preposterous it might be in its general outline; however 
difficult it might be in its execution, and improbable in its final 
accomplishment. 
The greater part of North America was as yet undiscovered, 
but the existence of the Pacific had been established by the 
daring spirit of Balboa, who with a chosen band of hardy 
adventurers had crossed the Isthmus of Darien, and the English 
navigators thence drew the conclusion, that the Atlantic and 
the Pacific communicated with each other, at some point to the 
northward; consequently the only problem to be solved, was, 
at what degree of latitude, that communication was to be found. 
In the discovery of the Pacific, the English saw a most important 
point was gained, in the accomplishment of their grand object; 
which by the discovery of the north west passage, was to strike 
an irrecoverable blow, at the Indian commerce of the Portuguese. 
The fountains of wealth were about to be opened, and many 
plans were suggested, one after the other of which was relin¬ 
quished, to make way for a successor equally absurd, and which 
in respect to a successful issue, was at open variance with aP 
probability. It must however be admitted, in exculpation of 
our early navigators, that they had difficulties to contend against, 
and obstacles to surmount, which foretold a positive failure, and 
which in themselves were sufficient to discourage, and daunt the 
most enterprising spirit, for they could not be overcome by 
nautical skill, nor the most determined courage and perseverance. 
A very small portion of America was as yet known, and it 
was not until the reign of Henry VII., that Newfoundland was 
discovered, then considered to be the most northern part of 
America, thereby proving that all the expeditions which had 
I 
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