HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.

CHAPTER I.

THE ENGLISH DISCOVERIES.

THE discovery of the New World by Columbus, gave a strong impulse to the human-mind. An eager and adventurous spirit was at once aroused, and men of different nations came forward to enter upon the new field of enterprise and effort. Amongst the foremost of these persons was John Cabot, a native of Venice, but who had been for a long time, a resident in England. He projected a voyage of discovery and made application to Henry VII. of England, for authority and aid to carry on the design. Very little aid was afforded, but the necessary authority was conferred, without much delay. A commission was issued bearing date the 5th of March, 1495. It was given to John Cabot, and his sons, Louis, Sebastian and Sanchez, committing to him, and to them, and to their heirs and deputies, full authority to sail to all countries and seas of the east, west, and north, under the banner of England. They were allowed to equip "at their own proper costs and charges," five ships of whatever burden and strength in mariners, they might choose to employ. They were empowered to set up the ensigns of England in newly discovered lands, and to possess them as lieutenants of the king. Some time elapsed before the difficulties incident to such an attempt could be wholly

1

removed, and the preparations for departure were not completed until the commencement of the year 1497. Of the

persons named in the commission two only, engaged in the voyage, John Cabot the father, and Sebastian, the second of the sons. Very little is known as to the particular occurrences of their voyage, no precise account having ever been given, either by the actors themselves, or by any cotemporary. But the enterprise itself is referred to in various authentic documents, and the final event was recorded in terms sufficiently full, and in a manner that entitles the account to perfect confidence and credit. This record was made upon an ancient map drawn by Sebastian Cabot himself, and published, as there is reason to believe, under his sanction, if not by his particular desire. Upon this map was written in Latin, the following words: "In the year of our Lord, 1497, John Cabot, a Venetian, and Sebastian his son, discovered that country which no one before his time had ventured to approach, on the 24th of June, about five o'clock in the morning."2 To commemorate the event the discoverers called the land Terra Primum Visa; it was a part of the Island now called New Foundland. It is stated by some authorities that so soon as this discovery was made, or very soon afterwards, the voyagers returned to England, making scarcely any attempt to explore the country, or to examine the adjacent coasts.3 Others suppose that Cabot continued immediately to prosecute the voyage; that he pursued a westwardly course until the continent was reached, then, sailing along the coast, advanced high up into the Northern Seas, and finally, proceeded in an opposite direction far toward the south. A careful comparison of the several accounts conducts to the belief, that the truth is between these extremes. It is beyond dispute that the Cabots were concerned in two voyages performed in immediate succession, and there are many facts tending to show, that the principal dis

'This map was in a collection in the cabinet of Edward VI. and Sebastian Cabot was in great reputation at the court of that prince, and was entertained by him with much favour.-Tytler's View.

It was also "to be seene in her Majesty's privie gallerie at Westminster, and in many other ancient merchants houses."-Hakluyt.

2

Tytler's Historical View.

• Holme's Annals, Proud's History, Grahame's Colonial History.

coveries were made in the course of the second one. Upon the first, the one now under notice, little more was effected than to determine the existence of land in this region, and to notice the insular form of some parts, and the extended appearance of others. This being done, the discoverers hastened to return, in order to announce the success of their venturous attempt. The voyage of the next year was undertaken with more favorable prospects, the king showed greater liberality in his grants, and even engaged to defray the entire expense; the same navigator also, having the advantage of former experience, was appointed to conduct the enterprize. A commission was granted on the 3d of February, 1498, N. S. It was given to John Kabatto, Venetian, and permitted him to take six ships and sail to the land and isles, of late found by the said John, in our name, and by our commandment. When on the eve of departure, John Cabot from some causes now unknown, found it necessary to relinquish the command and the attempt, and upon this occurrence, Sebastian the son, was advanced to the vacant post. Sebastian sailed from England in the month of May of the same year, and proceeded at once toward the American continent. The exact date of his arrival is not known, but he immediately engaged in exploring the coast. The discoveries he made during the course of this voyage were of great extent. The limit to the north has not been precisely determined there being a singular variance in the several statements made upon the point. This difference is the more remarkable as most of these statements seem to have been drawn from a common source, and this too, being one of the earliest and fullest works. But the writer of this work though always copious in his details, is not always sufficiently exact. On one occasion he professes to give the acount of Cabot himself upon the point in question, it is as follows: "Sailing along the coast toward the north to ascertain if I could find any gulf to run into, I could discover none, and thus having proceeded as far as fifty-six degrees under the pole, and seeing that here the coast tended toward the east, I despaired of finding any passage and so turned back."

Memoir of Sebastian Cabot.

Viaggi del Ramusio.

1

Ramusio, tom. 1st.

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Yet in another part of his work this author declares, that it was written to him by Sebastian Cabot, that he sailed to the latitude of sixty-seven and-a-half degrees under the north pole. Both these accounts have been followed by succeeding writers. But this difficulty may be solved. Although the distinction is not fully or properly marked, there is yet sufficient reason to believe, that the statements just given do not relate to the same time, or the same voyage. It is known that many years subsequent to the period now under notice, Sebastian Cabot conducted an expedition to this very coast, under the direction of Henry Eighth of England, for the purpose of discovering a passage to the Indies. On this later voyage he proceeded farther to the north than he had done before, and then it was he sailed to the latitude of sixty-seven and-a-half degrees under the north pole. It may therefore be concluded that the former statement which gives the latitude of fifty-six degrees as the limit of the present voyage, may be relied on as correct.9 Authorities differ also in regard to the southern limit. The writer already quoted gives, as a part of the statement of Cabot, an express declaration that "he reached the country at present called Florida." But this account is not at all precise, as the country to which the name Florida had been given, was, at that time of undetermined extent. But another author who wrote nearly at the same time, being a cotemporary with Cabot, and also one of his intimate friends, gives an additional account. In this, it is said that the discoverer "coasting still by the shore was brought so far to the south by reason of the land bending much to the southward that it was there almost equal in latitude with the straits of Herculus and that he [then] sailed to the west until he had the Island of Cuba on his left hand, and nearly in the same longitude. This narration is not perfectly determinate and clear,

10

Ramusio, tom. 2d.

According to some authorities, Cabot arrived upon the coast in this voyage in the latitude of fifty-eight degrees, but it may be doubted whether this was not in the later voyage performed in the next reign.

10 Peter Martyr de Orbe Novo. A single glance at the North American continent will serve to illustrate the meaning of a part of the passage here cited. The "bending of the land" is southward to the thirty-fifth degree, which is almost the latitude of the straits of Herculus or Gibralter, from that point it tends westwardly.

but it imports, that the navigator had arrived near the Island of Cuba, and it is obvious, that with this Island on the left hand, the nearest part of the continent, almost in the same longitude, on his right hand, would be that portion of country to which the name Florida has now come to be confined. The southern point of this portion of land is nearly in the latitude of twenty-five degrees. Cabot did not attempt to establish a settlement within the country he discovered, but he took possession thereof, on behalf of the crown of England.

In the two voyages just noticed the foundation of the English claim to countries in North America was laid. It is of some importance that the origin and character of this claim should be fully understood, and hence it may be proper, before any further advancement is made, to pay closer attention to this primary movement. "The particular right we have to a thing," says a writer of authority, "is either by original or derivative acquisition. It is called original acquisition when a thing which before belonged to no man, begins to be the property of some particular person; it is derivative, when a right of property already established, passes from one to another." In its inception the claim of the English nation to land in America was considered as original in its character; in other words, the territory was regarded, and entered upon, as belonging to no one. It was looked upon as entirely new; the inhabitants, which at subsequent periods, were found there, were subdued or conciliated, but a right to the country was supposed to have been acquired, anterior to the conclusion of any treaty, or any attempt at conquest. Discovery, simply considered was made the foundation of title. Whether such a claim could be sanctioned as just, whether it was consistent with humanity and the soundest policy, are questions which it is not necessary just now, to discuss. It is sufficient for our present purpose to determine, whether such a right was acquired as might be maintained in accordance with the usages of civilized countries, and the principles of national law. That according to these usages and laws, discovery, or finding, by an European nation, even where there was pre-occupation by savages, is capable of confer

11 Grotius.