A discourse of a discouerie for a new passage to Cataia. VVritten by Sir Humfrey Gilbert, Knight

To proue a passage by authori∣tie to be on the Northside of AMERICA, to goe to CATAIA, China, and the East India. &c.

WHen I gaue my self to the studie of Geogra∣phie, after I had perused & diligently scanned the descriptions of Europe, A∣sia, and Afrike, and confer∣red them with the Mappes and Globes both Antique & Moderne: I came in time to the fourth part of the worlde, cōmonly called AMERICA, which by al descriptiōs I founde to be an Ilande enuironed round about with the Sea, hauing on the south∣side of it, the frete, or strayte of Magellan, on the West side Mare de sur, which Sea run∣neth towardes the North, separating it from the East parts of Asia, where the do∣minions of the Cataians are, On the East part our Weste Ocean, and on the North∣side the sea that seuereth it frō Grondland, thorow which Northern seas, the passage lyeth, which I take now in hande to dis∣couer.

Plato in Timeo, and in the Dialogue cal∣led Critias, discourseth of an incomparable

great Ilande, thē called Atlantis, being grea∣ter then all Affrik, and Asia, whiche laye Westward from the Straits of Gibraltar, Nauigable round aboute: affirming also that the Princes of Atlantis, did aswel en∣ioye the gouernaunce of all Affrik, and the most part of Europe, as of Atlantis it selfe.

Also to prooue Platoes opinion of this Ilande, and the inhabyting of it in aūcient tyme, by them of Europe, to be of the more credit: Marineus Siculus, in his Chronicle of Spayne, reporteth that there hath ben foūd by the Spaniardes, in the Golde Mynes of America, certeine peeces of Money, ingra∣ued w^t the Image of Augustus Caesar: which peeces were sent vnto the Pope, for a testi∣monie of the matter, by Iohn Rufus, Arche∣bishop of Cosentinum.

Moreouer, this was not onely thought of Plato, but by Marsilius Ficinus, an excellēt Florentine Philosopher, Crantor the Grae∣cian, Proclus, & also Philo the famous Ievve, (as appeareth in his booke De Mundo, & in the Cōmentaries vpon Plato) to be ouer∣flowen, and swallowed vp with water, by reason of a mightie Earthquake, and strea∣myng downe of the heauenly Fludgates.

The like whereof happened vnto some part of Italie, whē by the forciblenes of the Sea, called Superum, it cut of Cicilia from the Continent of Calabria, as appeareth in Iustine, in y^e beginning of his fourth boke. Also there chaunced the like in Zelande a part of Flaunders.

And also the cities of Pyrrha, and Antis∣sa, aboute Meotis Palus, with the Citie Burys, in the Corynthian bosome, cōmonly called Sinus Corynthiacus, haue bene swal∣lowed vp with the sea, and are not at this day to be discerned: By which accident, A∣merica grew to be vnknowen of long time, vnto vs of the later ages, and was lately discouered again, by Americus Vespucius, in the yere of our Lord, 1497. which some say to haue bene first discouered, by Chri∣stopherus Columbus, a Genuest. Anno. 1492.

The same calamity hapned vnto this Isle of Atlantis 600. & od yeres before Plato his time, which some of y^e people of the south∣east parts of y^e world accompted as 9000. yeres: for the manner then was to recone the moone, her Period of the Zodiak for a yere, which is our vsuall moneth, depen∣ding a Luminari minore.

So that in these our dayes there can no

other mayne or Ilande bee founde, or iudged to be parcell of this Atlantis, then those Westerne Ilandes, which beare now the name of AMERICA: counteruailing thereby the name of Atlantis, in the know∣ledge of our age.

Then, if when no part of the said Atlan∣tis was oppressed by water, & earthquake, the coastes rounde about the same were nauigable: a far greater hope now remai∣neth of the same by the Northwest, seeing the most parte of it was, since that time, swalowed vp with water, which coulde not vtterly take away the olde deepes and chanels, but rather, be an occasion of the inlarging of the olde, and also an inforcing of a great many new: why then should we nowe doubte of our Northwest passage & nauigation from Englande to India? &c. seeing that Atlātis, now called AMERICA, was euer knowen to be an Ilande, and in those days nauigable round about, which by accesse of more water coulde not be di∣minished.

Also Aristotle in his boke De Mundo, and the learned Germane, Simon Gryneus in his annotations vpon the same, saith that

the whole earth (meaning thereby as ma∣nifestly doth appeare, Asia, Afrik and Eu∣rope, being al the countreis then knowen) to be but on Ilande, cōpassed about with y^e reach of the Sea Atlantine: which likewise approueth AMERICA to be an Iande, and in no parte adioyning to Asia, or the rest.

Also many Auncient writers, as Strabo & others, called both the Ocean sea (which lieth East of India) Atlanticū pela∣gus; and that Sea also on the west coasts of Spayne & Afrik, Mare Atlanticum: the di∣stance betweene which two coastes, is al∣most halfe the compasse of the earth.

So that it is incredible, as by Plato appeareth manifestly, that the East Indian sea had the name Atlanticum pelagus, of the Mountaine Atlas in Afrik, or yet the Sea adioining to Afrik had name Oceanus At∣lanticus, of the same mountaine: but y^t those Seas and the mountaine Atlas, were so called of this great Ilande Atlantis, and that the one & the other, had their names for a memoriall of the mightie prince At∣las, sometime King therof, who was Iaphet youngest sonne to Noah, in whose time the

whole earth was diuided betwene the three bretherne, Sem. Cam, and Iaphet.

Wherefore I am of opinion that Ame∣rica by the Northwest, wilbe founde fauo∣rable to this our enterprise, and am the rather imboldened to beleeue the same, for that I finde it not onely confirmed by Pla∣to, Aristotle, and other auncient Philoso∣phers: but also by al the best moderne Ge∣ographers, as (Gemma Frisius, Muristerus, Appianus, Hunterus, Costaldus, Guyzardin{us}, Michael Tramesinus, Franciscus Demonge∣nitus, Barnardus Puteanus, Andreas Vanasor, Tramontanus, Petrus Martyr, and also Hor∣telius) who doth coaste out in his generall Mappe (set out Anno 1569.) al y^e coūtreys and capes, on the Northwestside of Ame∣rica, from Houchelaga to C. De Paraman∣tia: describing likewise y^e sea coasts of Ca∣taia and Grondland, towardes any part of America, making both Grondland & Ameri∣ca, Ilands disioyned by a great sea, from any part of Asia.

Al which learned men and painful tra∣uellers haue affirmed, with one consent & voice, that America was an Iland: & y^t there lyeth a great Sea betweene it, Cataia, and Grondland, by the which any man of our countrey, that wil giue the attempt,

may with smal danger passe to Cataia, the Moluccae, India, & al other places in y^e East, in much shorter time, then either the Spa∣niard, or Portingale doth, or may do, from the neerest parte of any of their countreis within Europe.

What mooued these learned men to af∣firme thus much, I know not, or to what end so many & sundrye trauellers, of both ages, haue allowed the same: But I coniec¦ture that they would neuer haue so con∣stantly affirmed, or notified their opinions therein to the world, if they had not had great good cause, and many probable rea∣sons, to haue lead them thereunto.

Now least you should make smal accompt of ancient writers or of their experiences, which trauelled long before our times, re∣coning their authority amongst fables of no importance: I haue for the better assu∣rance of those proofes, set down some part of a discourse, writtē in the Saxon tongue, and translated into English by M. Now∣el Seruaunte to Maister Secretarie Cecill, wherein there is described a Nauiga∣tion, which one Ochther made, in the time of Kinge ALFRED, Kinge of Westsaxe

Anno. 871. the wordes of which discourse were these: He sayled right North, hauing al∣vvayes the desert land on the Starborde, and on the Larbord, the mayne sea, cōtinueing his course, vntill he perceiued that the coaste bow∣ed directly tovvardes the East, or else the Sea o∣pened into the land he coulde not tel hovv far, vvhere he vvas compelled to staye, vntil he had a vvesterne vvinde, or somevvhat vpon the North, and sayled thence directly East, alongst the coast, so farre as he vvas able in foure dayes, vvhere he vvas againe inforced to tary, vntil he had a North vvind, because the coast there bow¦ed directly towardes the South, or at least ope∣ned, he knew not how far into the land, so that he sayled thence along the coaste continually ful South, so farre as he could trauel in the space of fiue dayes, vvhere he discouered a mightie riuer, vvhiche opened farre into the lande, and in the entrye of this riuer he turned backe againe.

Wherby it appeareth, that he went the verye same waye, that we now do yearely trade by S. Nicholas into Muscouia, whiche way no man in our age knewe, for certein∣tie to be sea, vntill it was since discouered by our English men, in the time of King Edvvarde the sixt: but thought before that

time that Grondlande had ioyned to Nor∣moria Byarmia, and therfore was accomp∣ted a newe discouerie, being nothing so in deede, as by this discourse of Ochthets it appeareth.

Neuertheles if any man shoulde haue takē this voiage in hand, by the incourag∣ment of this onely author, he should haue beene thought but simple: consideringe that this Nauigation was writtē so ma∣ny yeares past, in so barbarous a tongue by one onely obscure author, and yet wee in these our dayes finde by our owne expe∣riences, his former reports to be true.

How much more then, ought we to be∣leue this passage to Cataia to be, being ve∣rified by the opinions of all the best, both Antique, and Moderne Geographers, & plainly set out in the best & most allowed Mappes, Charts, Globes, Cosmographi∣call tables, and discourses, of this our age, and by the rest, not denyed, but left as a matter doubtfull.

To proue by reason, a passage to be on the Northside of AMERICA: to goe to CATAIA, &c, Cap. 2.

FIrst, al seas are main¦teined by the abundance of water, so that y^e nerer the end, any Riuer, Baye or Hauē is, the shallower it waxeth, (although by some Occidental barre, it is somtime found otherwise) But the farther you saile West, from Island, to∣wards y^e place, wher this fret is thought to be, the more deeper are the seas: which giueth vs good hope, of continuance of y^e same sea, w^t Mare de Sur, by some frete that lyeth betweene America, Grondlande, and Cataia.

2 Also, if that America were not an I∣land, but a part of the contīnent adioining to Asia, either the people which inhabite Mangia, Anian, and Quinzay, &c being bor∣derers vpon it, woulde before this time, haue made some roade into it: hoping to haue found some like cōmodities to their owne.

3 Or els the Scythians, and Tartarians, (which often times hertofore, haue sought far and nere, for new seates, driuen there∣unto, through the necessitie of their colde, and miserable countreys) would in al this time, haue found the way to America, & en∣tred y^e same, had the passages bene neuer so strayte, or difficult: the countrie beeing so temperate, pleasaunte and fruitfull, in comparison of their owne. But there was neuer any such people found there, by any of the Spaniardes, Portingals, or Frenchemen, who firste discouered the Inlande of that Countrie: which Spaniardes, or Frenche∣men, must then of necessitie, haue seene some one Ciuil man in America, conside∣ringe how full of ciuil people Asia is: But they neuer sawe so muche as one token, or signe, that euer any man of the knowen part of the worlde, had beene there.

4 Furthermore, it is to be thought, y^e if by reason of mountains, or other craggy places, y^e people neither of Cataia, or Tarta∣rie could enter y^e coūtrie of America, or they of America, haue entred Asia, if it were so ioy¦ned: yet some one sauage, or wādring beast wold in so many yeres, haue passed into it: but there hath not at any time been found

any of y^e beasts proper to Cataia, or Tartarie &c. in America: nor of those proper to Ame¦rica, in Tartarie, Cataia, &c. or ani part of Asia

Which thing proueth America, not only to be one Iland, and in no part adioyning to Asia, But also that the people of those Countreyes, haue not had any traffyke with eache other.

5 Moreouer, at the leaste some one of those painefull trauellors, which of pur∣pose haue passed the Confines of both coū∣treys, with intent only to discouer, would, (as it is most likely) haue gone from the one to the other: if there had bene any piece of lande, or Ismos, to haue ioyned thē together, or else haue declared some cause to the contrary.

6 But neither Paulus venetus, who ly∣ued, and dwelt a long time, in Cataia, euer came into America, and yet was at the Sea coastes of Mangia, ouer against it, where he was imbarked, and perfourmed a great Nauigation along those Seas: Neither yet Verarzanus, or Franciscus vasques de Co∣ronado, who trauelled the North parte of America by lande, euer founde entrye from thēce by land, to Cataia, or any part of Asia.

7 Also it appeareth to be an Iland, in∣somuche as the Sea runneth by nature circularly, from the East to the VVest, fol∣lowing the Diurnal motion of Primum Mo∣bile, and carieth with it all inferiour bo∣dies moueable, aswel celestial, as elemētal: which motion of y^e waters, is most euidēt∣ly seene in the Sea, which lyeth on the Southside of Afrik, where the currant that runneth from the East to the VVest, is so strong (by reason of such motion) that the Portingales in y^e voiages, Eastvvard to Cal∣lecute, in passing by Cap. De buona speranca, are enforced to make diuers courses, the currant there being so swift, as it striketh frō thence, all along VVestvvard, vpon the fret of Magellan, being distant frō thence, nere the fourth parte of the longitude of the earth: and not hauing free passage & entrance, thorow that fret towardes the West, by reason of the narrownesse of the said straite of Magellan, it runneth to salue this wrong (Nature not yelding to accidē∣tall restraintes) all along the Easterne coasts of America, Northvvardes, so farre as Cap. Fredo, beeing the farthest knowen place of the same continent, towardes the North: which is about, 4800. leagues, reconing therewithal the trending of the land.

8 So that this Currant, being conti∣nually mainteined with such force, as Ia∣ques Cartier affirmeth it to be, who mette with the same being at Baccalaos, as he sai∣led alongst the coastes of America, then, ei∣ther it must of necessitie, haue way to passe from Cap. Fredo, thorowe this frete, West∣warde towardes Cataia, being knowen to come so farre, onely to salue his former wronges, by the authoritie before named: or els it must needes strike ouer, vpon the coast of Island, Lappia, Finmarke, & Norvvay, (which are East from the said place, about 360. Leagues) with greater force, then it did from Cap. de buona Speranca, vpon the fret of Magellan, or from the frete of Magellan to Cap. Fredo, vpon whiche coastes, Iaques Cartier mette with the same, consi∣dering the shortnes of the Cut, from the said C. Fredo, to Island, Lappia, &c. And so the cause Efficient remaining, it would haue continually followed along our coastes, through the narrowe seas, which it doth not, but is disgested about the North of Labrador, by some through passage there, thorow this fret.

The like course of the water, in some re∣spect, happeneth in the Mediterrane Sea (as affirmeth Conteren{us}) wheras the currant,

which cōmeth from Tanijs, & the sea Euxi∣nus, running along al the coasts of Greece, Italie, Fraunce, and Spaine, and not finding sufficient way out through Gibralter, by meanes of the straitnes of the fret, it run∣neth back againe, alongst the coasts of Bar∣barie, by Alexandria, Natolia, &c.

It may (peraduenture) be thought, that this course of the sea, doth sometime sur∣cease, and therby impugne this principle, because it is not discerned all along the coast of America, in such sort as Iaques Car∣tier found it: Whereunto I answere this: that albeit, in euerie parte of the Coaste of America, or els where, this Currant is not sensibly perceiued, yet, it hath euermore such like motion, either in the vppermost, or nethermost parte of the sea: as it may be proued true, if ye sinke a sayle by a cou∣ple of ropes, nere the ground, fastening to y^e nethermost corners, two gun chābers, or other weights: by the driuing whereof you shal plainly perceiue, the course of the water, and Currant, running with such like course in the bottome.

By the like experiment, you may finde the ordinarie motion of the sea, in the Ocean: how farre soeuer you be of the land.

9 Also there commeth another Cur∣rant frō out the Northeast from the Scy∣thian Sea (as M. Iynkinson a man of rare vertue, great trauaile and experience, told me) which runneth Westwarde towardes Labrador, as the other did, which commeth from the South: so that both these Cur∣rants, must haue way thorowe this our frete, or else incounter together and runne contrary courses, in one line, but no suche conflictes of streames, or contrary courses are found about any parte of Labrador, or Terra noua, as witnesse our yerely fishers, and other saylers that way, but is there disgested, as aforesaid, and founde by the experience of Barnard de la Tore, to fall in∣to Mare del Sur.

10 Furthermore, the Currant in the great Ocean, coulde not haue beene main∣teined to runne continually one way, from the beginning of the world, vnto this day had there not bene some thorow passage by the frete aforesaide, and so by circular motion, be brought againe to mainteine it selfe: For the Tides, and courses of the Sea, are maintained by their interchangeable mo∣tions: as freash riuers are by springes, by eb∣bing and flovving, by rarifaction and con∣densation.

So that it resteth not possible (so farre as my simple reason can comprehend) that this perpetual currant, can by any means be maintained, but only by continual reac∣cesse of the same water, which passeth tho∣row the fret, and is brought about thither againe, by suche Circular motion as a∣foresaid. And the certaine falling thereof by this fret, into Mare de sur, is proued by the testimonie and experience, of Barnarde del la Torre, who was sent frō P. del la Na∣tiuita, to the Mulluccae, Anno. Dom. 1542. by cōmandement of Anthonie Mendoza, then Viceroy of Noua Hispania, which Barnarde, sayled 750. Leagues, on the Northside of the AEquator, and there mette with a cur∣rant, which came from the Northeast, and droue him backe againe to Tidore.

Wherfore, this currant being proued to come from C. de buona Speranca, to the fret of Magellan, and wanting sufficient en∣trance there, by narrownes of the straite, is by y^e necessitie of natures force, brought to Terra de Labrador, where Iaques Cartier met y^e same, & thēce certainly knowen, not to strike ouer vpon Island, Lappia, &c. and founde by Barnarde de la Torre, in Mare del

Sur, on the backeside of America, therefore, this currant (hauing none other passage) must of necessitie, fall out thorow this our fret into Mare del Sur, & so trending by the Mulluccae, China, and C. De buona, speranca, maintaineth itself by circular motiō which is all one in nature, with Motus ab Oriente in Occidentem.

So that it seemeth, we haue now more occasion to doubt of our returne, thē whe∣ther there be a passage that way, yea or no: which doubt, hereafter shalbe suffici∣ently remoued. Wherefore, in mine opini∣on, reason it selfe, grounded vpon experi∣ence, assureth vs of this passage, if there were nothing els to put vs in hope there∣of. But least these might not suffise, I haue added in this Chapiter followinge, some further proofe hereof, by the experience of such as haue passed some part of this dis∣couerie: and in the next adioyning to that, the authoritie of those, whiche haue say∣led wholy, thorowe euerie part thereof.

To proue by experience of sun∣drie mens trauels, the opening of some part of this Northvvest passage: wher∣by good hope remaineth of the rest.

Cap. 3.

PAulus Venetus, who dwelt many yeres in Cataia, affirmed that he sailed, 1500 myles, vpon the coastes of Mangia, and Anian, towards the Northeast: alwayes finding the Seas open before him, not onely as farre as he went: but also as far as he could discerne.

2 Also, Franciscus Vasques de Coronado, passing frō Mexico by Ceuola, through the countrey of Quiuir, to Sierra Neuada, found there a great Sea, where were certaine Ships laden with Merchandize, the ma∣riners wearing on their heades the pic∣tures of certaine birdes, called Alcatratzi, part whereof were made of golde, & parte of siluer: who signified by signes, that they were 30. dayes comming thither: whiche likewise proueth, America by experience, to be disioyned from Cataia, on that part, by a great Sea, because they coulde not come from any parte of America, as Natiues thereof: for that, so far as it is discouered, there hath not bene founde there, any one Shippe of that Countrey.

3 In like maner, Iohan. Baros, testifieth y^e the Cosmographers of China (where he him∣self had bene) affirme y^t the Sea coast, trē∣deth frō thēce, Northeast, to 50. degrees, of Septentrional latitude, being the farthest parte that way, whiche the Portingals had then knowledge of: And that the said Cos∣mographers, knewe no cause to the contra∣rie, but that it might continue further.

By whose experiences, America is pro∣ued to be seperate from those partes of Asia, directly against the same. And not cō∣tented with the iudgements of these lear∣ned men only, I haue serched, what might be further said, for the confirmatiō hereof.

4 And I found, that Franciscus Lopes de Gomara, affirmeth, (America) to be an Iland, and likewise Grondland: and that Grond∣land is distant from Lappia. 40. leagues, & from Terra de Labrador, 50.

5 Moreouer, Aluerus Nunnius, a Spani∣arde and learned Cosmographer, and Iaco∣bus Cartier, who made two voyages, into those partes, and sayled 500. myles, vpon the Northeast coasts of America.

6 Likewise, Hieronimus Fracastorius, a learned Italian, and traueller, in the North

parts of the same land.

7 Also Verarsannus, a Florentine, hauing done y^e like, heard say at Houchelaga in No∣ua Francia, how y^t there was a great Sea at Saguinay, whereof the ende was not knowen: which they presupposed to be the passage to Cataia.

8 Furthermore, Sebastian Gabota, by his personall experience, and trauell, hath set foorth, and described this passage, in his Charts, whiche are yet to bee seene, in the Queenes Maiesties priuie Gallerie, at VVhite hall, who was sent to make this discouerie by King Henrie the seauenth, & entred the same fret: affirming, that he sailed very far vvestward, with a quarter of the North, on the Northside of Terra de Labrador, the ele∣uenth of Iune, vntil he came to the Septen∣trional latitude of 67 ½ degrees & finding the Seas still open, said, that he might, & would haue gone to Cataia, if the Mutinie of the Maisters. & Mariners, had not ben.

Now, as these mens experience, haue proued some parte of this passage: so the Chapter following, shal put you in full as∣surance of y^e rest, by their experiēces which haue passed thorow euery part thereof.

To proue by circumstance, that the Northvvest passage, hath beene say∣led thorough out. Cap. 4.

THe diuersity betwene bruite beastes and men, or betwene the wise and the simple, is that the one iud∣geth by sense onely, & ga∣thereth no suertie of anye thing that he hath not sene, fealt, heard, ta∣sted, or smelled: And the other not so one∣ly, but also findeth the certaintie of things by reason, before they happen to be tryed. Wherfore, I haue added proofes of both sortes, that the one and the other, might thereby be satisfied.

• 1 First, as Gemma Frisius reciteth, there went from Europe, 3 brethren through this passage: whereof it tooke the name, of Fretum trium fratrum.
• 2 Also, Plinie affirmeth, out of Corneli∣us Nepos, (who wrote 57. yeres before Christ) that there were certain Indians dri∣uen by tempest, vpon the coast of Germanie

• which were presented by y^e King of Sueuia, vnto Quintus Metellus Celer, then Procon∣sul of Fraunce.
• 3 And Plinie, vpon the same, saith that it is no maruel, though there be Sea by the North, where there is such abundance of moisture: which argueth, that he doubted not of a Nauigable passage that way, tho∣row which those Indians came.
• 4 And for the better profe, that the same authoritie of Cornelius Nepos, is not by me wrested, to prooue my opinion of the Northvvest passage: you shal finde the same affirmed more plainely in that behalfe, by the excellent Geographer, Dominicus Marius Niger, who sheweth how many wayes the Indian Sea stretcheth it selfe, making in that place, recitall of certaine Indians, that were likewise driuen through the North Seas from India, vpon the coasts of Ger∣manie, by great tempest, as they were say∣ling in trade of Merchandize.
• 5 Also, whiles Frederic Barbarossa raig∣ned Emperour, Anno D. 1160. there came cer¦teine other Indians,vpon the coaste of Ger∣manie.
• ...

• 6 Likewise, Othon, in the storie of the Gothes affirmeth, that in the time of the Germane Emperours, ther were, also certain Indians cast by force of weather, vpon the coast of the said Countrey: which foresaid Indians, coulde not possiblie haue come by the Southeast, Southwest, nor from any part of Afrik, or America, nor yet by the North∣east: therfore they came of necessity, by this our Northvvest passage.

To prooue that these Indians a∣forenamed, came not by the Southeast, Southvvest, nor from any other part of Afrik, or America. Cap. 5.

1 FIrst, they coulde not come frō the South∣vvest, by C. debuona Spe∣ranca, because y^e rough∣nes of the Seas there, are such (occasioned by the Currants, and great windes, in that part) that the grea∣test Armados, the King of Portingale hath, cannot without great difficulty passe that way: muchlesse then a Canoa of India coulde

liue in those outragious Seas, without Shipwracke (beeing a vessell but of verie small burden) and haue conducted them∣selues to the place aforesaide, beeing men vnexpert in the Art of Nauigation.

2 Also, it appeareth plainely, that they were not able, to come from alongest the coast of Afrik aforesaide, to those partes of Europe, because the winds do (for the most part) blow ther Easterlie, of from the shore, and the Currante running that way, in like sort, should haue driuen them VVest∣vvard, vpon some part of America, for such windes and Tydes, coulde neuer haue led thē from thence, to the said place where they were found, Nor yet could they haue come from any of the Countries aforesaid keeping the Seas alwayes without skil∣full Mariners, to haue conducted them such like courses, as were necessarie, to per∣fourme such a voyage.

3 Presupposing also, if they had bene driuē to the vvest (as they must haue beene cōming that way) then they should haue perished, wanting supplie of victuals, not hauing any place (once leauing the coaste of Afrik) vntil they came to America: nor

from America, vntil they arriued vpō some part of Europe, or the Ilandes adioyning to it, to haue refreshed themselues.

4 Also, if (notwithstanding such impos∣sibilities) they might haue recouered Ger∣manie, by comming from India, by the South¦east, yet must they without al doubt, haue striken vpon some other part of Europe, be∣fore their arriual there, as the Iles of Ma∣dera, Portingal, Spaine, Fraunce, England, Ire∣land, &c. which if they had done, it is not credible, that they should, or would haue departed, vndiscouered of the inhabitāts: but there was neuer found in these dayes, any such Ship or men, but onely vpon the coasts of Germanie, where they haue bene sundrie times, and in sundrie ages cast a land: Neither is it like, that they woulde haue committed themselues againe to Sea, if they had so arriued, not knowing wher they were, nor whither to haue gon.

5 And by the Southvvest it is as vnpos∣ble, because the currant aforesaide, which commeth from the East, striketh with such force vpon the fret of Magellan, and falleth with such swiftnes and furie; into Mare de Sur, that hardly any ship (but not possible

a Canoa, with such vnskilfull Mariners) can come into our vvesterne Ocean, thorow that fret, from the vvest Seas of Ameri∣ca, as Magellans experience hathe partly taught vs.

6 And further, to proue that these peo∣ple, so arriuing vpō the coast of Germanie, were Indians, and not inhabiters of anye part, either of Africa, or America, it is ma∣nifest: because the Natiues both of Africa & America, neither had, or haue, at this day (as is reported) other kinde of boates, thē such as do beare neither masts, nor sayls, (except onely vpon the Coastes of Barbarie and the Turks Shippes) but do carie them∣selues from place to place, neere the shore, by the ore onely.

¶To prooue that those Indians came not by the Northeast, & that ther is no thorow Nauigable passage that way. Cap. 6.

1 IT is lykelie that there should be no tho∣rowe passage by the Northeast, whereby to goe rounde about the world: because al seas (as aforesaide) are maintained by the a∣bundance of water, waxing more shallow and shelffie towards the end, as we finde, it doth by experience, in Mare Glaciali, to∣wards the East, which breedeth smal hope of any great continuance, of that Sea, to be Nauigable towardes the East, suffici∣ent to sayle thereby, rounde about the worlde.

2 Also, it standeth scarcely with reason, that the Indians dwelling vnder Torrida Zona, could indure the iniurie of the colde ayre, about the Septentrional latitude of 80 degrees, vnder which eleuation, the pas∣sage by the Northeast, cannot be (as the of∣ten

experience had of al the South parts of it shaweth) seeing that some of the inhabi∣tants of this colde Climat (whose summer is to them an extreame winter) haue bene stroken to death, with the colde damps of the ayre, about 72 degrees, by an acciden∣tal mishappe: and yet the ayre in such like Eleuation is alwayes colde, and to colde for suche as the Indians are.

3 Furthermore, the pearcing colde of the grose thicke ayre so neere the Pole, will so stiffen and furre the sayles, and shippe tackling, that no Mariner can either hoise or strike them (as our experience farre ne∣rer the South, then this passage is presup∣posed to be, hath taught vs) without the vse whereof no voyage can be perfourmed.

4 Also, the ayre is so darkened, with continual mysts, and fogges, so neere the Pole, that no man can well see, either to guide his shippe, or direct his course.

5 Also the compasse at such eleuation, doth verie sodenly varie: which thinges must of force, haue bene their destructions, although they had beene men of muche more skil then the Indians are.

6 Moreouer al Bayes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and ri∣uers, doe receiue their increase vpon the fludde, sensibly to be discerned, on the one side of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or the other, as many wayes as they de open to any maine sea, as Mare Mediterraneum, Mare Rubium, Si∣nus Persicus, Sinus Bodicus, Thamisis, and al other knowen Hauens, or riuers in any part of the world: & eche of them opening but on one part to y^e mayne sea, do likwise receiue their encrease vpon the fluddē, the same way, & none other, which Mare Gla∣ciale doth, onely by the VVest (as M. Iyn∣kinson affirmed vnto me) and therefore it followeth that this Northeast sea, recei∣uing increase but onely from the VVest, cannot possibly open to the maine Ocean, by the East.

7 Moreouer, the farther you passe in∣to any sea, towardes the end of it, on that parte which is shutte vp from the mayne Sea (as in all those aboue mentioned) the lesse and lesse the Tydes rise and fall. The like whereof also happeneth in Mare Glaciale, which proueth but small continu∣ance of that sea, toward the East.

8 Also, the farther ye goe towarde the East, in Mare Glaciale, the lesse saite the wa∣ter

is: whiche coulde not happen, if it were open to the salte Sea towardes the Easte, as it is to the VVeste onely, see∣ing (Euerie thinge naturally ingendereth his lyke) & then must it bee like salte through∣out, as all the Seas are, in such like Cli∣mate, and Eleuation.

And therfore it seemeth, that this North¦east sea is maintained by the riuer Oby, & such like fresshets as Mare Goticū, & Mare Mediterraneum, in y^e vppermost parts ther∣of, by y^e riuer Nil{us}, Danubius, Neper, Tanais. &c.

9 Furthermore, if there were any such sea at that eleuation, of like it should be al∣wayes frosen throughout (there being no tydes to hinder it) because the extreame coldnes of the ayre in the vppermost part, & the extreame coldnes of the earth in the bottome, the sea there being but of small depth, whereby the one accidental coldnes doth meete with the other, and the sunne not hauinge their reflection so neere the Pole, but at verie blunt angles, it can ne∣uer bee dissolued after it is frosen, not∣withstandinge the great length of their day: for that the sunne hath no heate at al in his light, or beams, but proceding only

by an accidentall reflection, whiche there wanteth in effect.

10 And yet if the sunne were of sufficient force in that eleuation, to preuaile against this Ise, yet must it be brokē before it can be dissolued, which cannot be but through the long continuance of the sunne aboue their Horizon, and by that time the sum∣mer woulde be so farre spent, and so great a darkenes and colde insue, that no man could be able to endure so colde, darke, and discomfortable a Nauigation, if it were possible for him then, and there to liue.

11 Further, the Ise being once broken, it must of force, so driue with the windes and Tydes, that no ship can sayle in those Seas, seeing our ••••shers of Island, and the Nevve found Land, are subiect to daunger, thorowe the great Ilandes of Ise, whiche fleete in the Seas, (to the saylers great daunger) farre to the South of that presup∣posed Passage.

12 And it cannot be, that this North∣east passage should be any nerer the South, then before recited, for then it shoulde cut of Ciremissi, and Turbi, Tartarij, with Vze∣sucani,

Chisani, and others from the Conti∣nent of Asia, which are knowen to be adioy¦ning to Scythia, Tartaria, &c. with the other part of the same Continent.

And if there were any thorough pas∣sage by the Northeast, yet were it to small purpose for our traffike, because no shippe of great burden, can Nauigate in so shal∣lowe a Sea: and shippes of small burden are very vnfit and vnprofitable, especially towardes the blusteringe North, to per∣fourme suche a voyage.

To prooue that the Indians a∣forenamed, came onely by the North∣vvest, which induceth a certeintie of our passage by experience. Cap. 7.

IT is as likely, that they came by the North∣vvest, as it is vnlikely that they should come, ether by the Southeast, Southvvest, Northeast, or from any o∣ther parte of Africa, or America, and there∣fore this Northvvest passage, hauing bene already so many wayes proued, by dispro∣uing of the others, &c. I shal the lesse nede in this place, to vse many wordes other∣wise thē to conclude in this sort, That they came onely by the Northvvest from England: hauinge these many reasons to leade mee therunto.

• 1 Firste, the one halfe of the windes of the compasse, might bring them by the Northvvest, vearinge alwayes betweene two sheats, with which kinde of saylinge y^e Indians are only acquainted, not hauing any vse of a bowe, line, or quarter winde,

• without y^e which no ship can possibly come either by the Southeast, Southwest, or North¦east, hauing so many sundrie capes to dou∣ble, whereunto are required such chaunge and shift of windes.
• 2 And it seemeth likely, that they should come by the Northvvest, because the Coast whereon they were driuen, lay East from this our passage, And all windes, do natural∣ly driue a Shippe to an opposite point, from vvhence it blovveth, not beeing otherwise guided by Art, which the Indians do vtter∣ly want. And therefore it seemeth, that they came directly thorowe this our fret, which they might doe with one winde.
• 3 For if they had come by Cap. de buo∣na Speranca, then must they (as aforesaid) haue fallen vpon the South partes of A∣merica.
• 4 And if by the fret of Magellan, then vp∣on the coastes of Afrik, Spaine, Portingal, Fraunce, Ireland, or England.
• ...

  5 And if by the Northeast, then vpon the coasts of Cerecinissi•• Tartarij, Lappia, Island, Terra de Labrador, &c. & vpon these coasts, (aforesaid) they haue neuer bene found.

• ...

  So that by all likelyhood, they coulde neuer haue come, without shipwracke, vp∣pon the coasts of Germanie, if they had first striken vpon the coastes of so manie coun∣treys, wanting both Art and shipping, to make orderly discouerie: and altogether ignorant both in the Art of Nauigation, & also of the Rockes, Flats, Sands, or Ha∣uens of those parts of the world, which in most of these places are plentifull.

• ...

  6 And further it seemeth very likely, that the inhabitants of the most parte of those countries, by which they must haue come, any other way besides, by the North¦vvest, being for the most part Anthropopha∣gi, or men eaters, woulde haue deuoured them, slaine them, or (at the leaste wise) kept them as wonders for the gaze.

  So that it plainly appeareth, that those Indians (which, as you haue heard, in sun∣drie ages were driuen by tempest, vpon the shore of Germanie) came onely through our Northvvest passage.

• ...

  7 Moreouer, the passage is certeinely prooued, by a Nauigation that a Portin∣gal made, who passed thorow this fret: gi∣uing

• ...

  name to a Promontorie far within the same, calling it after his owne name, Pro∣montoria Corterialis, neere adioyning vnto Polisacus fluui••s.

• 8 Also one Scolmus a Dane, entred and passed a great part thereof.
• 9 Also there was one Salua Terra, a Gen∣tleman of Victoria, in Spaine, that came by chaunce out of the VVest Indians, into Ire∣land, Anno, 1568. who affirmed the North∣vvest passage from vs to Cataia, constant∣ly to be beleeued in America, Nauigable. And further said, in the presence of S. Hen∣ry Sidney (the Lord Deputie of Ireland) in my hearing, that a Frier of Mexico, called Andro Vrdaneta, more then viij. yeares, be∣fore his then comming into Ireland, tolde him there, that he came from Mare de Sur into Germanie, through this Northvvest passage, & shewed Salua Terra (at that time beeing then with him in Mexico) a Sea Carde made by his owne experience, and trauel, in that voyage: wherin was plain∣ly set downe and described, this Northwest passage: agreeing in al pointes with Hor∣telius Mappe.

And further, this Frier, tolde the King of Portingal, (as he returned by that coun∣trey homewarde) that there was (of cer∣taintie) suche a passage, Northvvest from England, and that he ment to publishe the same: which done, the King most earnest∣ly desired him, not in any wise to disclose, or make the passage knowen to any Nati∣on: For that (said the King) If England had knovvledge, and experience thereof, it vvould greatly hinder both the King of Spaine, and me. This Frier (as Salua Terra reported) was the greatest Discouerer by sea, that hath bene in our age. Also Salua Terra, be∣inge perswaded, of this passage by the Frier Vrdaneta, and by the common o∣pinion of the Spaniardes, inhabiting Ame∣rica, offered most willingly to accompanie me in this Discouerie: which of like hee woulde not haue done, if he had stoode in doubt thereof.

And now as these moderne experiences, cannot be impugned: So, least it might be obiected, that these thinges (gathered out of auncient writers, which wrote so many yeres past) might serue little to proue this passage, by the North of America, because both America and India, were to them then vtterly vnknowen to remoue this doubt,

let this suffise: That Aristotle, (who was 300. yeres before Christ) named Mare Indi∣cum. Also Berosus (who liued 330 yeres be∣fore Christ) hath these words, e Ganges in India. Also in the first Chapter of Hester be these words, In the dayes of Assuerus which ruled from India, to AEthiopia: which Assue∣rus liued 580 yeres before christ. Also Quin∣tus Curtius (where he speaketh of the Con∣quests of Alexander) mēcioneth India. Also, Arian{us} Philostratus, & Sidrach in his discour∣ses of the warres of the king of Bactria, & of Garaab, who had the most part of India vn∣der his gouernmēt. Al which assureth vs, that both India, and Indians were knowen in those dayes.

These things cōsidered, we may (in my o∣pinion) not only assure our selues of this passage, by y^e Northwest, but also y^t it is na∣uigable, both to come & goe, as hath beene proued in part & in al, by the experience of diuers, as Sebastian Gabota, Corterialis, the three brethren aboue named, the Indians, and Vrdaneta the Frier of Mexico, &c.

And yet notwithstanding al which, there be some that haue a better hope of this passage to Cataia, by y^e Northeast, then by y^e vvest: whose reasons, with my seuerall an∣swers, ensue in the Chapter following.

Certaine reasons, alledged for the prouing of a passage by the North∣east, before the Queenes Maiestie, and certaine Lordes of the Counsell, with my seuerall answeres, then vsed to the same. Cap. 8.

BEcause you may vn¦derstande, aswell those thinges alledged against me, as what doth serue for my purpose, I haue here added the reasons of a worthy Gentleman, and a great tra∣ueller, who conceiued a better hope of the passage to Cataia, from vs, to bee by the Northeast, then by the Northvvest: whom I haue not named in this place, because I seeke to impngne his opinions, as fol∣loweth.

He first said, that he thought not to the contrarie, but that there was a passage by the Northvvest, according to mine opi∣nion: But assured he was, that there might be founde a Nauigable passage, by the Northeast from England, to go to al the

East partes of the worlde: which he ende∣uoured to prooue three wayes.

The first was, that he heard a fisher∣man of Tartaria say, in hunting the Morce, that he sayled very far towards the South∣east, finding no ende of the Sea: whereby hee hoped a thorowe passage to bee that way.

Whereunto I answered, that the Tar∣tarians were a barbarous people, and vt∣terly ignorant in the Art of Nauigation, not knowing the vse of the sea, Carde, cō∣passe, or starre, which he confessed true: and therefore they coulde not (saide I) certain∣ly know the Southeast, from the Northeast, in a wide sea, and a place vnknowen, from the sight of the land.

Or if he sailed any thing nere the shore, yet he (being ignorant) might be deceiued by the doubling of many points & Capes, and by the trending of the land: Albeit he kept continually alongst the shore.

And further, it might be, that the poore fisherman through simplicitie, thought that there was nothing that way but sea,

because he saw no land: which proofe (vn∣der correction) giueth smal assurance of a Nauigable sea by the Northeast, to goe round about the worlde, For that he iudged by the eye onely, seeinge wee in this out cleare ayre doe accompt 20 myles a ken at Sea.

His second reason is, that there was a Vnicornes horne founde vpon the coaste of Tartaria, which could not come (saide he) thither, by any other meanes, then with the Tides, through some fret in the North∣east of Mare Glaciale, there being no Vni∣corne in any parte of Asia, sauing in India, & Cataia: which reason (in my simple iudge∣ment) forceth as litle.

First it is doubtful, whether those bar∣barous Tartarians doe know an Vnicorns horne, ye, or no: and if it were one, yet it is not credible, that the sea could haue driuē it so farre, being of such nature that it will not swimme.

Also the Tydes running to and froe, would haue driuen it as farre backe with the ebbe, as it brought it forwarde with the fludde.

There is also a beast called Asinus Indi∣cus (whose horne most like it was) whiche hath but one horne, like an Vnicorne, in his forehead, whereof there is great plen∣tie, in al the North parts therevnto adioy∣ning: as in Lappia, Noruegia, Finmarke, &c. as Iacobus Zeiglerus writeth, in his histo∣rie of Scondia.

And as Albertus saith, there is a fishe, which hath but one horne in his forehead like to an Vnicorne, and therfore it seemeth very doubtful, both from whence it came, and whether it were an Vnicornes horne, yea, or no.

His thirde and last reason was, that there came a continual streame, or currant through Mare Glaciale, of such swiftnesse (as a Colmax tolde him) that if you cast a∣ny thing therin, it would presently be cari∣ed out of sight, towards the VVest.

Wherunto I answered, that there doth the like from Maeotis Palus, by Pontus Eux∣inus, Sinus, Bosphorus, and along the coaste of Graecia, &c. As it is affirmed by Conta∣renus, and diuers others, that haue had ex∣perience of the same: and yet that sea, lieth

not open to any maine sea that way, but is maintained by fresshets, as by Tanijs, Danubius, &c.

In like maner is this currant in Mare Glaciale increased, and maintained, by the Volgo, the riuer Oby, &c.

Now as I haue here briefly recited the reasons alledged, to prooue a passage to Cataia, by the Northeast, with my seuerall answeres thereunto: so will I leaue it to your iudgement, to hope or dispaire of ei∣ther, at your pleasure.

¶ How that the passage by the Northvvest, is more commodious for our traffik, then the other by the East: if there were any such. Cap. 9.

1 FIRST, by the Northeaste (if your windes doe not giue you a marueylous speedie, and luckie passage) you are in daunger (being so nere the Pole) to be be∣nighted, almost the one halfe of the yeare, and what miserie and daunger that were, to liue so long comfortlesse, voyde of light, (if the colde killed you not) eche man of reason or vnderstanding may iudge.

2 Also Mangia, Quingit, and the Mollucoae, are neerer vnto vs by the North∣vvest, then by the Northeast, more then 2/5 parts which is almost by the halfe.

3 Also wee may haue by the VVest, a yerely returne, it being at al times Naui∣gable, wheras you haue but six moneths, in the whole yere, to goe by the Northeast:

the passage beinge at such eleuation, as it is formerly expressed, for it cannot be a∣ny neerer the South.

4 Furthermore, it cannot be finished without diuers wintrings by the way, hauing no hauens in any temperate Cli∣mate, to harbour in ther. For it is as much as we can well sayle, from hence to S. Ni∣cholas, in the trade of Muscouia, and return in the Nauigable season of the yeare, and frō S. Nicholas to Cerimissi Tartarij, which standeth at 80 degrees of the Septentrio∣nal latitude, it is at the least 400 Leagues, which amounteth scarce to the thirde part of the way, to the ende of your voyage by the Northeast.

5 And yet after you haue doubled this Cape, if then there might be found a naui∣gable sea, to cary you Southeast, according to your desire, yet can you not winter con∣ueniently, vntil you come to 60 degrees, & to take vp one degree running Southeast, you must sayle 24 leagues ¾ which amoun¦teth to 495 leagues.

6 Furthermore, you may by the North∣west, saile thither with al Easterly winds, & returne with any vvesterly windes, wher∣as

you must haue by the Northeast sundrie windes, & those proper, accordinge to the lying of the coastes and capes, you shalbe inforced to double, which windes are not alwayes to be had, when they are looked for: wherby your iourney should be greatly prolonged, and hardly endured so nere the Pole. As we are taught by Sir Hugh VVi∣loughbie, who was frosē to death far nerer the South.

7 Moreouer, it is very doubtfull, whe∣ther we should long inioy that trade by y^e Northeast, if there were any such passage that way, the cōmodities therof once kno∣wen to the Muscouite, what priuelege so∣euer he hath graunted, seeing policie with the Maze of excessiue gaine, to the enrich∣ing (so greatly) of himselfe and all his do∣minions, would persuade him to resume the same, hauing so great opportunitie, to vtter the commodities of those coun∣treys by the Narue.

But by the Northvvest, wee may safely trade without daunger, or anoyance, of a∣ny prince liuing, Christian, or heathen, it being out of al their trades.

8 Also y^e Queenes Maiesties dominions, are nerer the Northwest passage, them any

other great princes that might passe that way, and both in their going and returne, they must of necessitie succour themselues and their shippes, vpon some parte of the same, if any tempestious weather shoulde happen.

Further, no Princes Nauie of the world, is able to encounter the Queenes Maiesties Nauie, as it is at this present: and yet it should be greatly increased, by the traf∣fike ensuing vpon this discouerie, for it is the long voyages, that increase and main∣taine great shipping.

Now it seemeth necessarie, to declare what commodities would grow thereby, if al these things were, as we haue here∣tofore presupposed, & thought them to be: which next adioyning are briefly declared.

¶ VVhat commodities woulde ensue, this passage once discouered. Cap. 10.

1 FIrst, it were the onely way for our prin∣ces, to possesse y^e welth of all the East partes (as they tearme them) of the worlde, which is infinite: as appeareth by the experience of Alexander the great, in the time of his con∣quest of India, and other the East partes of the worlde, alledged by Quintus Curtius, which would be a great aduauncement to our Countrie, wonderfull inriching to our Prince, and vnspeakeable commodities to all the inhabitants of Europe.

2 For through the shortnesse of the voyage, we should be able to sell all maner of Merchandize, brought from thence, far better cheape, then either the Portingal, or Spaniarde doth, or may doe: And further, share with the Portingal in the East, & the Spaniarde in the VVest, by trading to any part of America, through Mare de Sur, wher they can no maner of way offend vs.

3 Also we may saile to diuers maruei∣lous riche Countries, both Ciuil and o∣thers, out of both their iurisdictions, trades & traffiks, where ther is to be foūd great aboundance of gold, siluer, precious stones, Cloth of golde, silkes, all maner of Spices, Grocery wares, and other kindes of Merchandize, of an inestimable price: which both the Spaniarde, and Portingal, through the length of their iourneys, can not well attaine vnto.

4 Also we might inhabite some parte of those Countreys, and settle there suche needie people of our Countrie, which now trouble the common welth, and through want here at home, are inforced to commit outragious offences, whereby they are dayly consumed with the Gallowes.

5 Moreouer, we might from all the a∣foresaid places, haue a yerely retourne, in∣habiting for our staple some conuenient place of America, about Sierra Neuada, or some other part, wheras it shal seeme best for the shortening of the voyage.

6 Beside the vttering of our Countrie commodities, which the Indians, &c. much

esteeme: as appeareth in Hester where the pompe is expressed, of the great King of India, Assuerus, who matched the coloured clothes, wherewith his houses and tents, were apparelled, with golde and siluer, as part of his greatest treasure: not mencio∣ning either veluets, silkes, cloth of golde, cloth of siluer, or suche like, being in those countreys most plentiful: wherby it plain∣ly appeareth, in what great estimation, they woulde haue the clothes of this our countrey, so that there would be founde a farre better vent for them, by this means, then yet this realme euer had: and that without depending, either vpon Fraunce, Spaine, Flaunders, Portingal, Hamborovve, Emdem, or any other part of Europe.

7 Also, hereby we shall increase, both our shippes, and mariners, without bur∣dening of the state.

8 And also haue occasion, to set poore mens children, to learne handie craftes, & therby to make trifles and such like, which the Indians and those people doe muche e∣steeme: By reason whereof, there should be none occasion, to haue our countrey com∣bred with loyterers, vagabonds, and such like idle persons.

All these commodities would growe, by following this our Discouerie, without iniurie done to any Christian prince, by crossing them in any of their vsed trades, whereby they might take any iust occasi∣on of offence.

Thus haue I briefly shewed you, some part of the groundes of mine opinion, tru∣sting that you wil no longer iudge me fan¦tastike in this matter: seeing I haue con∣ceiued no hope of this voyage, but am per∣suaded thereunto, by the best Cosmogra∣phers of our age, the same being confirmed, both by reason and certaine experiences.

Also this discouerie, hath bene diuers times heretofore by others, both offered attempted, and perfourmed.

It hath bene offred by Stephen Gomes vn∣to Carolus the fifth Emperour, in the yere of our Lord God 1527. as Alphōso Vlloa testi∣fieth, in y^e story of Carolus life: who would haue set him forth in it (as the storie men∣cioneth) if y^e great want of money, by reasō of his long warres, had not caused him to surcesse the same.

And the King of Portingal, fearing lest the Emperour woulde haue perseuered in this his enterprise, gaue him, to leaue the matter vnattempted, the sum of 350000 Crownes: and it is to be intended that the King of Portingal, would not haue gi∣uen to the Emperour, such summes of mo∣ney for egges in mooneshine.

It hath bene attempted by Corterialis the Portingal, Scolmus the Dane, and by Se∣bastian Gabota, in the time of King Henry the seuenth.

And it hath beene perfourmed, by the three brethren, the Indians aforesaide, and by Vrdaneta, the Frier of Mexico.

Also diuers haue offered the like, vnto the Frenche King, who hath sent two or three times to haue discouered the same. The discouerers, spending & consuming their victuals, in searching the gulfes, & bayes, betweene Florida, and Terra de La∣brador, whereby the Ise is broken to the after commers.

So that the right way, may now easi∣ly be founde out, in short time: and that

with litle ioperdie and lesse expences.

For America is discouered, so farre to∣wards the North as Cape Fredo, which is at 62 degrees, and that part of Grondland next adioyning, is knowen to stand but at 72. So that we haue but 10 degrees, to sayle North and South, to put the worlde out of doubt hereof: and it is likely, that the King of Spaine, and the King of Portin∣gal, would not haue sate out al this while, but that they are sure to possesse to them∣selues, all that trade they now vse, and feare to deale in this Discouerie, least the Queenes Maiestie, hauing so good op∣portunitie, and finding the commoditie, which thereby might ensue to the com∣mon welth: woulde cutte them of, and enioye the whole traffique to her selfe, and thereby the Spaniardes and Portingals, with their great charges, should but beate the bushe, and other men catche the birds: which thinge they foreseeing, haue com∣maunded, that no Pylate of theirs, vpon payne of death, shoulde seeke to dis∣couer to the Northvvest, or platte out in any sea carde, any thorowe passage that way, by the Northvvest.

Now, and if you wil indifferently, com∣pare the hope that remaineth, to animate me to this enterprise, with those likeli∣hoodes which Columbus alledged before Ferdinando, the King of Castilia, to prooue that there were such Ilands in the vvest O∣cean, as were after, by him and others dis∣couered, to the great commoditie of Spaine and all the worlde: you will thinke then this Northwest passage, to be most worthy trauell therein.

For Columbus had none of the west Ilāds set forth vnto him, either in globe, or card, neither yet once mencioned of any writer, (Plato excepted, and the commentaries vp∣on the same) from 942 yeres before Christ, vntil that day.

Moreouer, Columbus himself, had neither seene America or any other of the Ilands a∣bout it, neither vnderstoode he of them, by the report of any other that had seene thē, but onely cōforted himself with this hope, that the land had a beginninge, where the sea had an ending: For as touching that, which the Spaniards doe write of a Biscaine, which shuld haue taught hiī y^e way thither, it is thought to be imagined of thē, to de∣priue

Columbus of his honour, beeing none of their countrey men, but a stranger borne.

And if it were true of the Biscaine, yet did he but roue at the matter, or (at the least) gathered the knowledge of it, by con∣iectures onely.

And albeit, my selfe haue not seene this passage, or any part thereof, but am igno∣rant of it as touching experience, (as Co∣lumbus was before his attempt made) yet haue I, both the report, relation, and au∣thoritie, of diuers most credible mē, which haue both seene and passed through some, and euerie part of this discouerie: besides sundrie reasons, for my assurance thereof: all which Columbus wanted.

These things considered, and indiffe∣rently wayed together, with the wonder∣ful cōmodities which this discouerie may bring, especially to this realme of England: I must needes conclude with Hieronimus Fracastori{us}, & diuers other learned mē, who said, that this discouerie hath beene reser∣ued, for some noble Prince, or worthy mā, therby to make himselfe rich, & the world happie: desiringe you to accept in good

part, this briefe and simple discourse, writ∣ten in hast, which if I may perceiue, that it shal not sufficiently satisfie you in this behalfe, I will then imparte vnto you a large discourse, which I haue written on∣ly of this discouerie.

And further, because it sufficeth not, onely to know that such a thing there is, without abilitie to perfourme the same, I wil at more leasure make you partaker, of another simple discourse of Nauigati∣on, wherein I haue not a litle trauelled, to make my selfe as sufficient, to bring these things to effect, as I haue bene rea∣die to offer my selfe therein.

And therein I haue deuised to amende the errours of vsuall sea cardes, whose cō∣mō fault is, to make the degrees of longi∣tude, in euerie latitude, of one like bignes.

And haue also deuised therein, a Sphe∣rical instrument, with a compasse of varia∣tion, for the perfect knowing of the longi∣tude.

And a precise order to prick the sea carde, together with certaine infallible rules for

the shortening of any discouerie, to know at the first entring of any fret, whether it lye open to the Ocean, more wayes then one, how farre soeuer the sea stretcheth it selfe, into the land.

Desiring you hereafter, neuer to mis∣like with me, for the taking in hand of a∣ny laudable and honest enterprise, for if through pleasure or idlenes we purchase shame, y^e pleasure vanisheth, but the shame remaineth for euer.

And therefore to giue me leaue with∣out offence, alwayes to liue and die in this minde, That he is not vvorthie to liue at all, that for feare, or daunger of death, shunneth his countrey seruice, and his ovvne honour. seeing death is ineuitable, and the fame of vertue immortall. Wherfore in this behalfe, Mutare vel timere sperno.

FINIS.

Notes

• Proclus pag. 24.
• Iustine Lib. 4.
• Plinie.
• A minore ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Strabo. lib. 15
• Valerius Ansel∣mus in Catalogo annorum et prin¦cipum, fol. 6.
• Genesis the 9. and 10.
• We ought by reasons right to haue a re∣uerent opini∣on of worthy men.
• Now Lord Burleighe & highe Trea∣surer of Eng∣land.
• A Nauigation, of one Ochther made in king Alfreds tyme.
• A perfect De∣scription of our Muscouia voyage.
• By Sir HVGH WYLLOWBE, Knight, Chaun¦cellor and bo∣rough.
• Experimented by our english fishers.
• Neede makes the olde wife to trotte.
• The Sea hath three motions

  • ...1 Motum ab o∣riente in occi∣dentem.
  • ...2 Motom fluxus et refluxus.
  • ...3 Motum circu∣larem.

  Ad caeli mo•••••• elementa omnia (exceptae terra) mouentur.
• P••••••••a causa, po∣nitur effectus.
• Conterenus.
• An Obiection answered.
• The Sea doth euermore per¦forme this cir¦cular motion, either in Su∣prema, or con∣caua superficiae aquae.
• Ex Nihilo, ni∣hil sit.
• One. and the self same place in the earth, may be both East and West in sundry re∣spects: so that this Oriental motion of the water, is brought to be circular (with∣out repugnan¦cie) by the re∣gular course of Primum Mobile.
• The flowing is occasioned by reason that the heate of the moone boyleth, and maketh the water thinne by way of ra∣refaction.

  And the eb∣bing cōmeth for want of that heate, which maketh the water to fal againe by way of con∣densation.

  An experience to prooue the falling of this Currant, into Mare del Sur.
• Baros lib. 9. Of his first De∣ca••. cap. 1.
• Lopes in his hystorie of India.
• Writen in the discourses of Nauigation.
• Quinque sin∣sus.

  • ...1 Visus.
  • ...2 Auditus.
  • ...3 Olfactus.
  • ...4 Gustus.
  • ...5 Tactus.

  Singularia sesu, vniuersalia ve∣romente perci∣pi••••••••ur.
• lib. 2. cap. 66.
• Pag. 590.
• Auouched by Franciscus Lo∣pes de Gomar•• in his historie of India.
• Why the In∣dians coulde not come by the Southwest
• That the In∣dians coulde not be natiues either of A∣frica, or of A∣merica.
• Quic apùd ram∣rali loco priua∣••ur, quam citis∣••••••è corr••mpi∣••ur.
• Qualis 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 effectus••
• 〈…〉〈…〉.
• It may per∣haps be found otherwise in some one ry∣uer, by reason of a bare in the entrance or some other like accident.
• Quic quid cor∣rumpitur a con∣trario corrum∣pitur.
• Omne ••••mile gignis sui ••imi∣le.
• True, both in ventis obliquè flantibus as al∣so, in ventis ex diametro spiran¦tibus.
• The wordes of the King of Portingal, to Andro Vrda¦neta a Frier, touchinge the concealing of this North∣west passage From Englād to Cataia.
• An Obiection
• Aristotle. lib. de mundo, cap. se∣cund.
• Berosus lib. 5.
• The North∣west Passage assented vnto.
• The first reason.
• The Morce, is a kinde of fish which the Tartarians do often hunt by water & great¦ly seeke to kil
• The answere, or resolution.
• Visus no••••m∣quam 〈…〉〈…〉 obiecio.
• The second reason or al∣legation.
• The answere, or resolution.
• Omne 〈…〉〈…〉 est idem.
• Nulla ratio, ab Ambiguo ceri•• sed 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• The thirde and last reason or Assertion. Colmaxes are a people inha∣biting the North part of Asia.
• The answere, or resolution.
• Hester. cap. 1.
• This discoue∣rie offered.
• This discoue∣rie attempted.
• This discoue∣rie perfour∣med.
• The labour of this disco∣uerie shorte∣ned by other mens trauel.
• Why the king of Spaine and Portingal would not per¦seuer in this discouerie.
• 〈…〉〈…〉.