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Primary Source 5.6
CABOT’S DISCOVERY OF NORTH AMERICA1
The Age of Exploration was driven by a lust for spices and products of the East. Additionally,
Europeans desired to know what the rest of the world contained. Advances in naval
technology as well as a growing familiarity with trade winds and currents allowed seafarers
from prominent countries such as Portugal, Italy, and Spain to sail literally into the unknown.
Firearms were first added onto an English ship in 1337. From that point onward, ships
became increasingly well-armed fortresses. Portugal became the first naval power. Explorers
such as Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama took to the seas, and in turn, earned their
place in history. John Cabot (c. 1450–c. 1499), a Venetian explorer, sought a northwest
passage around the Americas. Instead, in 1497 he discovered North America (though, like
Columbus, he imagined that he had in fact landed in Asia). He named many islands and capes
on the coastline of Canada.
The following passage is a letter from Raimondo de Soncino to his employer,
Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, regarding Cabot’s travels. His landfall on the coast of North
America opened a new sphere of English influence.
Click here for the larger text from which the passage is excerpted.
Perhaps your Excellency, in the press of so much business, will not be disturbed to
learn that his Majesty [Henry VII.2] has gained a part of Asia 3 without a stroke of the sword.
In this Kingdom is a popular Venetian called Messer Joanne Cabot, a man of considerable
ability, most skillful in navigation, who having seen the most serene Kings, first him of
Portugal, then him of Spain, that they had occupied unknown islands, thought to make a
similar acquisition for his Majesty [Henry VII.]. And having obtained the royal privileges
which gave him the use of the land found by him, provided the right of possession was
reserved to the Crown, he departed in a little ship from the port of Bristol, in the western
part of this kingdom, with eighteen persons, who placed their fortunes with him. Passing
Ireland more to the west, and then ascending towards the north, he began to navigate the
eastern part of the ocean. Leaving, for some days, the north to the right hand, and having
wandered enough, he came at last to main land, where he planted the royal banner, took
possession for his Highness [Henry VII.], made certain marks and returned. The said
Messer Joanne, as he is a foreigner and poor, would not be believed, if his partners, who are
all Englishmen, and from Bristol, did not testify to the truth of what he tells. This Messer
Joanne has the representation of the world on a map, and also on a globe, which he has
made, and he shows by them where he arrived, and going towards the East, has passed
much of the country of Tanais.4 And they say that the land is fertile and temperate, and
think that the red wood grows there, and the silks, and they affirm that there the sea is full
of fish that can be taken not only with nets, but with fishing-baskets, a stone being placed in
G.E. Weare, Cabot’s Discovery of North America (London: John MacQueen, 1897), 147-150.
King of England in 1509–1547.
3 Of course, not Asia, but North America.
4 Northeastern part of Asia.
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the basket to sink it in the water, and this, as I have said, is told me by the said Messer
Joanne.
And the said Englishmen, his partners, say that they can bring so many fish that
this kingdom will have no more business with Islanda (Iceland), and that from that country
there will be a very great trade in the fish which they call stock-fish (stoch-fissi). But
Messer Joanne has his thoughts directed to a greater undertaking, for he thinks of going,
after this place is occupied, along the coast farther toward the east until he is opposed the
island called Cipango, situate in the equinoctial region, where he believes all the spices of
the world grow, and where there are also gems. And he says that he was once at Mecca 5,
where from remote countries spices are carried by caravan, and that those carrying them,
being asked where those spices grew, said they did not know, but that they came with
other merchandise from remote countries to their home by other caravans, and that the
same information was repeated by those who brought the spices in turn to them. And he
argues that if the oriental people tell to those of the south that these things are brought
from places remote from them, and thus from hand to hand, presupposing the rotundity of
the earth, it follows that the last carry to the northern, toward the west. And he tells this in
a way that makes it quite plain to me, and I believe it. And what is a greater thing, his
Majesty, who is learned and not prodigal, places confidence in what he says, and since his
return, provides well for him, as this Messer Joanne tells me.
And in the spring he says that his Majesty will arm some ships, and will give him
all the criminals, so that he may go to this country and plant a colony there.
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Holy city in Saudi Arabia.