n course of time
made known to [v.04 p.0922] the leading merchants of Bristol, from which
port an extensive trade was carried on already with Iceland. It was decided
that an attempt should be made to reach the island of Brazil or that of the
Seven Cities, placed on medieval maps to the west of Ireland, and that
these should form the first halting-places on the route to Asia by the
west.

To find these islands vessels were despatched from Bristol during several
years, but all in vain. No land of any sort could be seen. Affairs were in
this state when in the summer of 1493 news reached England that another
Genoese, Christopher Columbus, had set sail westward from Spain and had
reached the Indies. Cabot and his friends at once determined to forgo
further search for the islands and to push straight on to Asia. With this
end in view application was made to the king for formal letters patent,
which were not issued until March 5, 1496. By these Henry VII. granted to
his "well-beloved John Cabot, citizen of Venice, to Lewis, Sebastian and
Santius,[1] sonnes of the said John, full and free authority, leave and
power upon theyr own proper costs and charges, to seeke out, discover and
finde whatsoever isles, countries, regions or provinces of the heathen and
infidels, which before this time have been unknown to all Christians".
Merchandise from the countries visited was to be entered at Bristol free of
duty, but one-fifth of the net gains was to go to the king.

Armed with these powers Cabot set sail from Bristol on Tuesday the 2nd of
May 1497, on board a ship called the "Mathew" manned by eighteen men.
Rounding Ireland they headed first north and then west. During several
weeks they were forced by variable winds to keep an irregular course,
although steadily towards the west. At length, after being fifty-two days
at sea, at five o'clock on Saturday morning, June 24, they reached the
northern extremity of Cape Breton Island. The royal banner was unfurled,
and in solemn form Cabot took possession of the country in the name of King
Henry VII. The soil being found fertile and the climate temperate, Cabot
was convinced he had reached the north-eastern coast of Asia, whence came
the silks and precious stones he had seen at Mecca. Cape North was named
Cape Discovery, and as the day was the festival of St John the Baptist, St
Paul Island, which lies opposite, was called the island of St John.

Having taken on board wood and water, prepa