THE FIRST PATENT GRANTED

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BY AN ENGLISH SOVEREIGN TO 1578.) ELIZABETH TO SIR H. GILBERT.

CHAPTER I.

First Discovery-Columbus, &c.

1. THOUSANDS of years had elapsed since the creation of the world, and the inhabitants of the eastern hemisphere were yet ignorant, that, on the face of the planet, which they inhabited, was another continent of nearly equal extent. Nor did they become acquainted with this fact by any fortunate accident; but they owed its proof, to the penetration and persevering efforts of a man, as extraordinary, as the discovery which he made.

1. What did the people of the eastern hemisphere know about this continent three hundred and fifty years ago? Did they learn its existence by accident?

P'T. I.

P'D. I.

CH. I.

Former

ages ig

norant of

geogra

phy.

22

P'T.1.

P'D. I.

CH. I.

COLUMBUS

2. This was CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, a native of Genoa, born in 1447. He possessed all those energetic impulses of the soul which lead to high achievement; and, with these he combined judgment the most Birth grave and solid, prudence and patience the most steady and rare and unoffending, piety the most devout, and, what talents of ensured his success, the most untiring perseverance ever manifested by man.

1447

Colu

bus.

Circumstan

this ge

3. Columbus had married the daughter of one of the Portuguese discoverers, then deceased; whose widow, finding how eagerly her son-in-law sought such sources of information, gave to him all the maps and charts which had belonged to her husband. Marco Polo, a Venetian, had travelled to the east, and returned with wonderful accounts of the riches of Cathay and the island of Cipango, called, generally, the East Indies, and now known to be China and Japan.

4. The idea that the earth was round, was ridiculed ces fa- by most persons at that time; but it was fully believed vorable by Columbus, on the evidence of its figure, exhibited in eclipses of the moon. Hence, he believed, that those rich countries described by Marco Polo might be found by sailing west; and he formed the design to lead the way, through unknown oceans.

nius.

his services

Offers 5. Columbus believed that great advantages would to accrue to the nation who should patronize his underreigning taking; and, with filial respect, he first offered his serreigns vices to his native state, but had the mortification to

.sove

find them rejected. He then applied to John II. of Portugal; to Henry VII. of England; and to Ferdinand and Isabella, king and queen of Spain. But these monarchs could not comprehend his schemes, and would not encourage them.

2. Who was the discoverer? What was his character? - 3. What woman gave him sources of information? What traveller had excited his mind about distant countries? What countries? 4. In what opinion was Columbus in advance of his contempora ries? Why did he believe in the true figure of the earth? How did he suppose he could reach those rich countries called the East Indies?-5. To whom did Columbus first offer his services? With what success? Whose patronage did he next solicit What sovereign of England? What sovereigns of Spain?

THE NEW WORLD.

сн.

23

6. At the court of Spain, he had spent two years in PT.I. a succession of mortifying repulses; and at length, PD.T. quite discouraged, he was preparing to go to England, CH. 1. when he was recalled by a mandate from Isabella. They are Not knowing how to raise the sum of money requisite accepted for defraying the expenses of the voyage, the excellent queen determined to sacrifice her jewels; but this was prevented by the extraordinary exertions of her minis

ters.

bella.

bus dis

Covers

7. Columbus made his first voyage, the most inte- 1492 resting of any in the annals of navigation, in 1492. He Columdiscovered the first found land of the New World, on the eleventh of October. It was an Island called by the natives Guanahani, but to which he piously gave the name of San Salvador, the Holy Saviour.

the New World.

Sent

chains.

Deprived

of na

country.

8. In his third voyage he discovered the continent on the coast of South America, fourteen months after home in the Cabots had reached its shores in the north-east. By the ingratitude of Ferdinand, he was, like a condemned criminal, sent home in chains. Americus Vespucius, a native of Florence, having made a voyage to ming the the New World, received from the public an honor which belonged to Columbus, that of giving a name to the continent. In 1502, the great discoverer made his fourth and last voyage, when, having returned to Spain, in Vallohis patroness, Isabella, being dead, his just claims disSpain regarded, and himself neglected, he sunk beneath his sufferings, and died, in the 59th year of his age. When the good meet with calamities in this world, it is pleasant to reflect, that there is a future state, where they will be made happy.

He dies

dolid in

1506

9. Many attempts were now made to show that the country had been previously discovered. The Welsh Welch brought forward the story of Madoc, son of Owen Madoc.

6. Who was the only one to understand his views or favor them? What sacrifice was she prepared to make? 7. When did Columbus make his first voyage? What land did he first discover? When? What name give?-8. What did he discover in his third voyage? Did any persons discover the continent before him? How was he treated? After whom was the continent named? In what year did he make his last voyage? What occurred soon after?-9. From what story did the Welch claim to be the discoverers of the western continent?

story A

$24

FOUR NATIONS.

PT.1. Gwyneth, who, in the twelfth century, had sailed west,
discovered a country, and afterwards conducted a colo-
CH. I. ny thither, which was heard of no more.
If this story

P'D. I.

claims.

be true, there yet exists no proof, that the region found was America.

10. The Norwegians discovered Iceland and Greenland, during the ninth century, and there established Nor- colonies. Biorn, or Biron, an Icelander, in a voyage wegian to Greenland, during the eleventh century, was driven south-west in a storm, and found a region which, from Vine- its great number of vines, he called Vineland; but land. here, also, proof fails, that the place found, had its locality on the American coast.

America

CHAPTER II.

English Discoveries-French.

1. THE principal European nations who first disco

is con- vered and colonized our county, are

nected

with four nations of Eu

rope.

tian Ca

I. The English,

II. The French,

III. The Spanish,

IV. The Dutch.

1496. 2. John Cabot, a native of Venice, had, with his John and family, settled in England. He and his renowned son, Sebas- Sebastian, were men of great learning, enterprise, and bot. ability. By a commission of Henry VII., dated March 5th, 1496, (the oldest American state paper of England) they had authority to discover and colonize any hea 1497 then countries not before known to Christians.

Discover

3. They sailed from England in May, 1497, and ir. tinent. June, discovered the Island of Newfoundland, which

the Con

10. From what the Norwegians?

Who Se. 3

CHAPTER II.1. What European nations discovered and settled our continent? -2. Who was John Cabot ? bastian? Who gave them a commission, and at what time? What important discovery did they make?

FRENCH DISCOVERIES.

25

P'D. I

they called Prima Vista. Steering northward, they PT. 1 made the first discovery of the continent, on the coast of Labrador, in latitude about 55°. On their return they pursued a southerly direction for an uncertain distance.

сн. 11

1498

tian Ca

bot dis

covers

our coas

The

French

also em

ploy an

4. Sebastian Cabot sailed a second time,-reached Sebas Labrador in latitude 58°, thence turning southerly, he became the discoverer of the coast of the United States; along which he proceeded, as far as to the southern latitude of Maryland. 5. The French King, Francis I., in 1524, sent out John Verrazani, a native of Florence, who reached the continent in the latitude of Wilmington, North Carolina. His crew looked with wonder upon the wild costume of the natives, made of the skins of animals, and set off by necklaces of coral and garlands of feathers. As they sailed northward along the coast, they thought the country very inviting, it being covered with green trees, among which were many fragrant flowers.

Italian

disover

er.

1524

ni in N

6. At a fine harbor, supposed to be that of Newport in Rhode Island, Verrazani remained fifteen days, and there found "the goodliest people he had seen." From Verraza thence he followed the north-eastern shore of New England England, finding the inhabitants jealous and hostile. From Nova Scotia, he returned to France, and wrote a narrative of his voyage, which is still existing.

Cartier

7. James Cartier was the discoverer to whom the French trace the extensive empire which they possess- 1534. ed in North America. Cartier, after a prosperous voy- ames age of twenty days, made Cape Ronavista, the most makes easterly point of Newfoundland. Sailing around the great dis north-eastern extremity of the island, he encountered severe weather and icy seas. Then stretching to the south-west, he discovered, on St. Lawrence's day, the noble gulf which bears the name of that saint.

3. At what place?-4. Who discovered the coast of the United States? and how far?-5. What Italian did the king of France send out? Where did he reach our shore? What account did he give of the natives?-6. What Indians do you suppose he encountered at Newport? 7. Who was the greatest discoverer employed by the French? During Cartier's first voyage, what great discoveries did he make?

coveries.