A Political and Civil History of the United States of America

Origin of the English and French Claims to North America-First attempt at settlement by French Protestants-Destroyed by the Spaniards-Sir Humphry Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh attempt a settlement-Grant to South and North Virginia Companies-French grant to De Monts-First settlement of Virginia, Plymouth, and the other English Colonies-Extent of their grants-North Virginia first called New England in 1614-Grant of New England to the Plymouth Company-New York settled by the Dutch-French discoveries under de la Salle.

THE claim of Great Britain to North America, was founded on the discoveries made by John Cabot and his sons, under a commission from King Henry VII. Cabot was a native of Venice, and with his sons, had settled in England, then a place of resort for foreign merchants.

The extensive commercial intercourse between the ports of Italy and the East Indies, by the way of the Red Sea and the Persian gulf, had, at an early period, been the means of extending geographical knowledge, as well as nautical skill, among the Italians, much beyond that possessed by their more western neighbors. It led them also, to form more correct ideas of the true figure of the earth, than was then entertained by the rest of Europe. This will account for the singular fact, that the first discoverer of the new world, as well as those, who immediately after, explored different parts of it, were natives of Italy. Columbus, Americus Vesputius, Cabot and Verazzano, were all natives of the commercial cities of that country. Cabot was of opinion that a new way to India might be found, by sailing northwest. Το effect this, as well as to make further discoveries in the new world, he and his three sons, Sebastian, Lewis, and Sanctius, ob

tained a commission from Henry, dated March 5th, 1496. By this commission, which is the oldest American state paper of England, they had authority and leave to sail to all parts, countries, and seas of the east, of the west, and of the north, and upon their own proper cost and charges, to seek out and discover countries of the heathen and infidels, unknown to all christians; there to set up the king's banner; to occupy and possess, as his vassals and lieutenants, the countries they should find, on condition of paying him one fifth of all the gains obtained by them.*

Under this commission, John Cabot and his son Sebastian, sailed from England in May, 1497; and in June came in sight of land, supposed to be a part of what was afterwards called Newfoundland. From hence they sailed along the coast north and south, but to what extent seems to be uncertain. Some writers have supposed that they went north as far as latitude 67° and south to the cape of Florida. They returned without attempting a settlement, but took possession of the country in behalf of the crown of England.

The English neglected to take advantage of these discoveries, for nearly a century. In the mean time, the Court of France sent several vessels at different times, to make discoveries in the same quarter. Under the direction of Francis I. an enterprising and ambitious prince, John Verazzano, a Florentine, sailed along the American coast, from latitude 50° to 28°, and examined Florida, with some degree of accuracy.‡

A few years afterwards, the celebrated Jaques Cartier, made several voyages along the northern coast, sailed up the river St. Lawrence as far as Montreal, and took possession of the country in the name of the king of France. The discoveries made by these men in the service of France, laid the foundation of the French claim in North America. The first attempt at a settlement in that part of America, now the United States, was made by a number of French protestants. During the civil wars,

* Chalmers' Annals, p. 7. Entick's History of British Empire in America, p. 4. † See vol. 1, Holmes' Annals, p. 18.

Chalmers' Annals, p. 612.

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A Political and Civil History of the United States of America ..., Volumen1