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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GO
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01145 1538
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofparisho01dixm
173
A Mistory
of the
Parish of Trinity Church
in the City of Mew Dork N.Y.
Compiled by order of the Corporation
and Edited by Morgan Dir, S.C.D., D.C.I. Aintb Rector
PT. 1
part 1!
To the close of the Rectorsbip of Dr. IInglis, A.D. 1783
new york G. P. Putnam's Sons The Anitherbocher Press 189S
193
.
1798605
of this Letter=press Edition 750 Copies bave been printed for Sale
G.PetramisSons
-
..
:
1675
HEN COMPTON
B. OF LONDON
The Rt. Ren Henry Compton, I.V. Lord Bishop of London . Hade Rector by "King William the Third ut the time of the granting of the Charter in 1697.
DEScin.SE
COPYRIGHT, 1898 BY G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
144885
.
Ebe Rnickerbecker Press, new York
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
EARLY DISCOVERIES AND RIVAL CLAIMANTS IN NORTH AMERICA . Pre-Columbian Voyages-The Cabots-Verrazano-The Discoverer of our Bay and River-Cartier and Allefonsce-First Celebration of the Holy Communion by the Anglican Rite-The Virginia Colony-Later Appearance of the Dutch-Hudson's Voyage, and Reconnaissance up the River San Antonio, now Known as the Hudson-Claim of the Dutch to Rights as Discoverers Steadily Resisted by the English-The West India Company-The North Virginia Company.
I
CHAPTER II.
DUTCH OCCUPATION OF MANHATTAN ISLAND
20
General Review of the Dutch Claim-The Walloons among the First Settlers-Cornelis Jacobson May-Peter Minuit, Director-The Patroons of New Netherlands-The Dutch Church Formally Established-Religious Intolerance and Persecution-Dissatisfaction with Dutch rule-Gradual Deterioration and Decline of the Colony-Surrender to the English in 1664.
CHAPTER III.
JAMES, DUKE OF YORK, PROPRIETOR
.
37
Appointment of the Duke of York to the Charge of Affairs in America -Surrender of New Amsterdam-Generous Treatment of the Dutch by their Conquerors-The Duke's Laws-Lovelace Succeeds Nicolls- Virtual Establishment of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York by the English Rulers-The Dutch Regain Possession-Disgrace of Love- lace and Confiscation of his Property by the Crown-Re-occupation of the Town by the English-The Bogardus Farm ; its Sale to Lovelace and Subsequent History-Governor Andros-Rev. Charles Wolley, Chap- lain to the Forces-The Labadists Witness a Church of England Service -Governor Dongan ; his Just and Impartial Administration-The Book of Common Prayer in Use on Long Island-Rev. Samuel Eburne at Brookhaven-Advances toward Civil and Religious Freedom-Death of King Charles II.
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Contents
CHAPTER IV.
PAGE
NEW YORK UNDER JAMES II. .
Accession of James II .- Governor Dongan-Episcopal Jurisdiction in America-Consolidation of Provinces-Abdication of James II. and Accession of William III .- Excitement in New York-The Leisler Re- bellion-Governor Sloughter-Charter of Liberties-Rev. John Miller, and his Scheme for the Establishment of an Episcopate in the Province- Steps toward the Full Recognition of the Church of England-Attempt to Pass a Bill for Settling the Ministry in the Province-Arrival of Gov- ernor Fletcher.
CHAPTER V.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR FLETCHER . 76
Current Misrepresentations of Fletcher- The Bill for Settling a Min- istry-Struggle between the Governor and the Assembly-Final Passage of the Act-Its Provisions-Election of the City Vestry-Their Attempt to Call a Dissenting Minister Defeated-First Mention of Mr. Vesey -- The Managers of the Affairs of the Church of England-Their Petition to Fletcher and its Result-The Call of Mr. Vesey-Grant of a Charter, and Establishment of the Parish of Trinity Church-Provisions of the Charter-Ordination of Vesey in England-His Induction, Christmas Day, 1697.
CHAPTER VI.
WILLIAM VESEY, FIRST RECTOR · .
98
Parentage and Birth-A Member of a Jacobite Family Connected with the Church of England-Graduates at Harvard College-Lay Worker at Sag, Long Island, and afterwards at Hempstead-Origin of the False- hoods about him-Refutation of the Statement that he was a Presbyte- rian-Officiates, as a Layman, at King's Chapel, Boston-Called thence to New York-Autobiographical Sketch of Early Life and Work-A Churchman from his Birth.
CHAPTER VII.
THE BUILDING OF TRINITY CHURCH .
108
Commencement of the Work by the " Managers of the Church of Eng- land "-Patent Granted for Wrecks and Drift Whales-Building Contract -" Managers" Become the Church Vestry-Collections and Supplies for the Work-Slaves in Sallee-Fletcher's Arms Set up-Appointment of a Sexton-William Huddleston Appointed Clerk-Opening of the Church for Divine Service, March 13, 1698-Marriage of Mr. Vesey- Subsequent History of his Wife-Farewell Address to Governor Fletcher -First Election of Parish Officers by the People.
V
Contents
CHAPTER VIII.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BELLOMONT
Sketch of Bellomont's Personal History-His Sympathy with the Leisle- rians-Dissolves Fletcher's Assembly, and Attacks the Church-Strongly Opposed to Mr. Vesey-Tries to Obtain Possession of the King's Farm -Progress of Work on Trinity Church-Death of Bellomont, March 5, 1701-Confusion and Disorder in New York-Revival of Leislerianism -Assault on Colonel Bayard and Other Churchmen-The Infamous Atwood-Narrow Escape of Bayard from Execution-Saved by the Arrival of Lord Cornbury-Atwood's Aspersions on Mr. Vesey-Letter of Vesey to the Governor of Virginia, Reviewing the State of Affairs.
CHAPTER IX.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF LORD CORNBURY . . . Relief of Churchmen on Cornbury's Arrival-Address to him by the Rector and Corporation of Trinity-His Commission and Instructions -Rev. George Keith in New York-Convention of Clergy, November, 1702-Movement in Favor of Collegiate Education-Society for the Propagation of the Gospel-Proposals to Erect an Organ-William Bradford, Printer and Vestryman of Trinity-Elias Neau; his History, Labors, and Conversion to the Church-Madam Knight's Account of the City and Vicinity-Rev. George Muirson-The Queen's Farm Be- comes the Property of the Church-Labors among the Negroes-Lady Cornbury's Death-Sermon by Rev. John Sharp-Trinity the Foster Mother of Other Churches-Disgraceful Close of Cornbury's Adminis- tration.
PAGE 118
I34
CHAPTER X.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF LORD LOVELACE . I68
Address by the Vestry-Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury on the State of the Church-Huguenot Congregation at New Rochelle Con- forms to the Church of England-Letters of Colonel Heathcote on this Subject-Early Close of this Administration-Sermon by Mr. Vesey on the Death of Governor Lovelace-Military Operations of 1709-Con- tinued Growth of the Church.
CHAPTER XI.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR HUNTER
Troublous Days for the Church-Points at Issue between the Governor and the Rector-Sacrilegious Invasion of the Parish Church-The Chapel in the Fort-Threatened Schism-Controversy about the Act for Main- taining the Ministry- Public Agitation-Projected Invasion of Canada -Intended Insurrection by the Negroes-Absurd Accusations against the Church-Plans of Mr. Vesey for Promoting Christian Education- Presentation of Plate by Queen Anne-Mr. Vesey Compelled to go to England for Relief from Assaults of his Enemies-Accomplishes his
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Contents
PAGE
Object and Returns in Triumph-Submission of the Governor-Mr. Vesey Appointed Commissary to the Bishop of London-Settlement of the Contest about the Chapel in the Fort-Story of the Indian Pow- wow at Stratford, and how it was Quelled by the Rector-Comment of the Puritan Party at his Success.
CHAPTER XII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNORS BURNET AND MONTGOMERY . Arrival of Burnet-His Marriage-His Love of Books-Vesey's Account of Church Affairs in New York-Rev. James Wetmore Appointed Catechist-Bradford's Gazette-Rev. Mr. Colgan Appointed at Trinity Church-Montgomery Succeeds Burnet, April 15, 1728-Earthquake- Map of the City Published by Bradford-Petty Theft in the Parish Church-Gift of Books-Death of Montgomery, June 30, 1731.
197
CHAPTER XIII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR COSBY . 209
Succeeds Montgomery in Office, Sept., 1732-Rev. Mr. Charlton Ap- pointed Catechist-Thomas Noxon Appointed Schoolmaster-Small-Pox in New York-Alexander Campbell Disciplined for Immorality-Mr. Vesey's Residence-The Church Farm-The Zenger Trial-Additions to the Church.
CHAPTER XIV.
ADMINISTRATION OF LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR CLARKE · Hostility to Mr. Vesey-Enlargement of the Church Edifice-Thanks- giving Day Observed in the Province-Schick Schidit-Arrangement of Pews-Smith's Description of Trinity Church-First Appearance of the Bogardus Claimants to Church Property, 1738-Parish Library- Arrears of Quit-Rents Paid to the Crown-Meeting of Clergy in Trinity Church-Organ Provided-Death of Lady Clarke-Negro Plot, 1741- Handsome Additions to Church Furniture.
215
CHAPTER XV. *
CLOSING YEARS AND DEATH OF MR. VESEY
226
Arrival of Governor Clinton-Address to him by the Vestry-Death of William Bradford, 1742-Restoration of his Tombstone in Trinity Churchyard, 1863-Proceedings of the New York Historical Society-A Richly Laden Prize in the Harbor-Mr. Vesey's Failing Strength-Re- view of his Administration-Death, July 11, 1746-Contemporaneous Records of his Character and Work.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE REV. HENRY BARCLAY, D.D.
233 North American Indians-Missions among them-The Five Nations- Rev. Thoroughgood Moor-Rev. Thomas Barclay, Missionary and Cate-
Contents
chist-Henry Barclay ; Birth, Education, Ordination, and Early Labors among the Mohawks-Called to Trinity Church-Induction-Claimants to Church Property-Rev. Richard Charlton-Samuel Auchmuty ; Birth- place, Ordination-Elected Assistant to Dr. Barclay-Erecting of New Chapel-Kalm's Description of New York-Charity School-Two Wed- dings-Schoolhouse Destroyed by Fire-Auchmuty's Sermons-Grant of Land to King's College-Organ for the Parish Church-Opening of St. George's Chapel-Description of the Edifice.
CHAPTER XVII.
DR. BARCLAY'S RECTORSHIP, CONTINUED 264
Presages of Coming Trouble in the Provinces-Sir Danvers Osborne's Short Administration -Addresses on the Occasion of his Death-The College-Appointment of Dr. Johnson as its Head-Dissatisfaction of Non-Conformists and Dissenters-Dr. Johnson's Advertisement to Par- ents-Free Masons Attend Service in Trinity on St. John's Day-Move- ments on the Frontier under Amlierst-Notable Sermons by Auchmuty.
CHAPTER XVIII.
DR. BARCLAY'S RECTORSHIP, CONTINUED . Hardy Succeeds Osborne-Operations on Lake George-Bogardus Heirs -Surrender of Louisburg-Wolfe Captures Quebec-View of the State of the Clergy-Clock Imported from Europe-Death of Mrs. Hors- manden-Death of Lieutenant-Governor De Lancey-His Obsequies- Defeat of the Brower Claimants to the Church Property-Monckton, Governor-Lieutenant-Governor Colden-Spire of Trinity Struck by Lightning-Mr. Tuckey's Musical Work and Services-Proceedings Commenced for the Erection of a Second Chapel of Ease-Purchase of Land for Site-Death of Dr. Barclay.
282
CHAPTER XIX.
THE REV. SAMUEL AUCHMUTY, D.D. . Election to the Rectorship-Rev. Charles Inglis Called as Assistant- Declines-Rev. John Ogilvie Elected-Inglis Accepts and Comes to New York-Political Excitement-Sir Henry Moore, Governor-Con- vention of Clergy, 1758-St. Paul's Chapel-Description-Opened Oct. 30, 1767-Clergy Minister to Criminals under Sentence of Death-Rec- tory Built-Mortier's Paper Mill.
3º7
CHAPTER XX.
THE RECTORSHIP OF DR. AUCHMUTY, CONTINUED . Steps Taken towards Disestablishment-Commencement of King's Col- lege, 1769-Death of Sir Henry Moore-His Funeral-Lord Dunmore -Auchmuty's Letter to Sir William Johnson on the State of the Church and Public Affairs-Efforts to Obtain an American Episcopate -Church Music.
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PAGE
325
1
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Contents
CHAPTER XXI.
PAGE
THE RECTORSHIP OF DR. AUCHMUTY, CONTINUED . 341
Sir William Tryon, Governor-View of the Policy of the Home Govern- ment towards the Gentry and the Church in the Provinces-Founding of the New York Hospital-Clergy Present an Address to Governor Tryon-Death of George Harison-Marriage of the Rev. Mr. Inglis- Address to General Gage-Marriage of Stephen De Lancey and Miss Barclay-Death of Mrs. Mary Goelet-Anneke Jans Heirs-Robert Leake-Schismatical Attempt to Organize a New Congregation-Bo- gardus Claimants-Lieut .- Gov. Colden-Death of Dr. Ogilvie-Rev. Benjamin Moore and Rev. John Bowden Elected-Rev. John Vardill.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE RECTORSHIP OF DR. AUCHMUTY, CONTINUED · 366
The Revolutionary War Begins-Anneke Jans's Heirs Troublesome- Gov. Tryon and Genl. Washington in New York-Assault on Dr. Cooper -Rev. Benjamin Moore in Temporary Charge of the College-Mr. Andrew Barclay-Capt. Michael Cresap-New York Occupied by the American Forces-Rev. Charles Inglis in Charge -- Sufferings of the Royalist Clergy -- Affair in St. Paul's Chapel-Ebenezer Hazard's Ac- count of it-Churches Closed-Inglis Withdraws to Flushing, L. I .-- Battle of Long Island-Royal Forces Occupy New York-Great Fire- Destruction of Trinity Church-Narrow Escape of St. Paul's Chapel- O'Beirne's Sermon in St. Paul's-Return of Dr. Auchmuty-Desecration of Churches in New York-Convention of Clergy in New York-Death of Dr. Auchmuty.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE RECTORSHIP OF DR. INGLIS : 1777-1783 · Election and Induction-Death of Hildreth, Head Master of the Charity School-Financial Difficulties of the Corporation-Insecurity of Prop- erty and Life in the City-Inglis Preaches to the "Loyal American " Corps-Marriage of Beverley Robinson and Nancy Barclay-Death of Elias Desbrosses-Kindly Relations between the Dutch and English Churches-Letters of Papinian-Baroness Riedesel's Account of Affairs in the City-Proposal to Rebuild Trinity Church-Surrender of Lord Cornwallis-Death of Dr. Inglis's Son-Death of Mrs. Inglis-Dr. Inglis under Attainder-Resigns his Office as Rector-Election of Rev. Benjamin Moore as his Successor-Farewell Sermon-Removal to Hali- fax-Subsequent History-Consecrated the First Colonial Bishop of the Church of England-Dies at Halifax, February 24, 1810.
411
APPENDIX.
I .- THE CHARTER OF TRINITY CHURCH . 455 II .- ACT OF COLONIAL LEGISLATURE OF JUNE 27, 1704 467
i
1
Contents ix
PAGE III .- QUEEN ANNE'S GRANT 472 IV .- CONFIRMATION OF QUEEN ANNE'S GRANT 475 V .- SECTION 36 OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION OF 1777 476
VI .- ACT OF APRIL 17, 1784
. 476
VII .-- DOCUMENTS CONNECTED WITH THE INSTITUTION OF THE REVEREND WILLIAM VESEY 481
VIII .- TABLE OF CLERICAL INCOMES .
. 484
IX .- A LIST OF THE POST CHAPLAINS, 1678-1723 . 485
X .- DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON'S ADVERTISEMENT .
486
XI .- LIST OF WORKS REFERRED TO IN PART I.
488
INDEX
. 499
-
,
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
THE RT. REV. HENRY COMPTON, D.D.
Frontispiece
THE REV. WILLIAM VESEY, D.D.
·
98
LADY CORNBURY'S COFFIN-PLATE
.
164
* THE REV. WILLIAM VESEY'S APPOINTMENT AS COMMISSARY BY
THE BISHOP OF LONDON
.
.
192
* REQUEST FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. COLGAN 204
TRINITY CHURCH AS ENLARGED IN 1737 .
218
.
THE REV. HENRY BARCLAY, D.D.
240
ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL
260
.
THE REV. SAMUEL AUCHMUTY, D.D.
.
308
ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL
316
·
THE REV. JOHN OGILVIE, D.D.
362
·
THE RUINS OF TRINITY CHURCH AFTER THE FIRE IN 1776 .
392
THE RT. REV. CHARLES INGLIS, D.D.
.
412
* LICENSE FROM THE BISHOP OF LONDON TO THE REV. WILLIAM
VESEY
482
* The Editor is indebted to the New York Historical Society for their courteous permission to reproduce these documents, the originals of which are in their possession.
xi
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INTRODUCTORY.
T HE corporation now known by the legal title of " The Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity Church in the City of New York" is one of the oldest in this place. The Dongan Charter dates from April 27, 1686 ; the Charter of the Reformed Protestant Dutch · Church from May, 1696, and the Charter of Trinity Par- ish from May 6, 1697. Notwithstanding this, we are still without a history which deserves that name. It is true that in 1847 a volume was published bearing the title, " An Historical Sketch of Trinity Church, New- York, by the Rev. William Berrian, D.D., the Rector of the same," but it was what the venerable author described it to be, a mere sketch, written in haste, under the pressure of a serious assault on the corporation in the State Legis- lature, and designed in the main for apologetic and defen- sive use ; it did not profess to give a full account of the parish, and leaves much to be desired by the student.
That no history of the parish has been written thus far is the more remarkable, because our annals are so intimately connected with those of the city. Trinity Church was the most prominent religious foundation in the Province of New York. Its rectors and clergy were among the conspicuous figures of the period. The streets of this
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xiv
Introductory
city were named after persons or objects connected with the parish ; there were Church street and Chapel street ; Vesey street was so called from the first Rector of Trinity, and Barclay from the second ; in Varick, Clarkson, Des- brosses, Morris, Ludlow, Willett, Bayard, Lispenard, Lodge, White, Reade, Howard, Chambers, Delancy, Duane, Harrison, Charlton, and many other streets we recognize the names of wardens and vestrymen of Trinity Church. The controversies of earlier days affected the fortunes of the parish, and the leaders of factions which en- acted on a small scale the part of Guelph and Ghibelline of old, battling vehemently within the metropolitan limits, might generally be found as siding with or against the Church. In the burial-ground of Old Trinity were laid to rest, after life's fitful fever, the magnates of the day, whose stately and imposing funerals are described with characteristic details in the journals of the time. This parish was the cradle of Christianity in its Anglo-Catholic type ; from its prolific womb sprang congregations which became in after time independent parishes. By the Char- ter of the parish the Lord Bishop of London was named its first Rector ; the last Rector of the Colonial period, after vicissitudes of fortune, became the first Bishop of Nova Scotia. Great was the influence and high the dig- nity of that corporation, whose constitution and statutes were framed after those of the Church of St. Mary-le-Bow, in the City of London, where of old the Archbishops of Canterbury were consecrated, and of which the traditions and customs were preserved in this distant land beyond the sea. Long after the Revolution the influence of the parish was still felt ; while, notwithstanding the complete transformation of the city, in population, manners, and customs, the present generation admit our claim to atten- tion and respect. The office of Rector of Trinity Church
XV
Introductory
used to be considered as naturally including that of Bishop of the Diocese of New York. Provoost, the first to hold the latter office, was eminent among the clergy of the par- ish ; Moore, his successor in the Episcopate, was Rector as well as Bishop, and so was Hobart ; Onderdonk and Wainwright once were assistant ministers. So many and so striking are the particulars worthy of notice in the annals of the parish that it is a subject of amazement that up to this time, nearly two hundred years since its foundation, nothing deserving the name of a history of it exists. To supply this need has been, for many years, a strong desire of the present Rector, and now, though not till after our bi-centenary, he sees the way to presenting the public with a first instalment, at least, of the work. The Vestry, with commendable interest in the design, have supplied him with the means of carrying it into effect by liberal appropriations for the collection of material here and abroad. In the office of the corporation in the city, in the rooms of the Historical Society, and in the Guild Hall in London, where are preserved the records of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, with re- ports and correspondence relating to religious work in the North American colonies, search has been diligently made for information bearing on the subject. In work of this kind, in the slow and laborious process of reading the huge volumes of our parish records, and in ransacking the treasures stacked up abroad, I have taken little or no part ; the credit of collecting the materials for this history be- longs to others. To the Rev. Benjamin F. DeCosta, D.D., the Rev. Newton Perkins, Mr. Stephen P. Nash, the Rev. Joseph Hooper, and others who might be mentioned, I am indebted for assistance without which it would have been impossible to accomplish what has been done ; my own share has been merely that of editor.
xvi
Introductory
The present volume, the first of several to which the history must inevitably extend, is now offered to the reader, with the hope that it may prove of value as a record of the most important, if not the oldest, ecclesiastical founda- tion of our Church in this land.
TRINITY RECTORY, Fune 3, 1898.
A HISTORY OF THE PARISH OF TRINITY CHURCH
CHAPTER I.
EARLY DISCOVERIES AND RIVAL CLAIMANTS IN NORTH AMERICA.
Pre-Columbian Voyages-The Cabots-Verrazano-The Discoverer of our Bay and River-Cartier and Allefonsce-First Celebration of the Holy Communion by the Anglican Rite-The Virginia Colony-Later Appearance of the Dutch-Hudson's Voyage, and Reconnaissance up the River San Antonio, now known as the Hudson- Claim of the Dutch to Rights as Discoverers steadily resisted by the English-The West India Company-The North Virginia Company.
T HE chroniclers of old time in beginning their narra- tives were wont to take a departure from the epoch of the creation of the world. Of the class of annals referred to are the Nuremberg Chronicle; the Historia Ecclesi- astica of Petrus Comestorius ; the Chronicles of Orosius ; the bulky Chronycke Van Hollandt, which commences "Van't beginne des werelts," and runs on, " tot op Keyser Karel den vijfden "; not to mention the History of New York, by our own learned and veracious countryman, Die- drich Knickerbocker. It is not proposed to start so far back in the present history ; on the contrary, mention shall be omitted of many things which have some claim, if not a strong one, to attention. Thus, for instance, no special reference shall be made to the voyages referred to by Pliny, nor to the acts of the pre-Columbian navigators ;
I
1
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2
History of Trinity Church
[1524-
as to which matters the reader may find elsewhere as much information as can be had. The consecration of the North American continent to the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as early as the beginning of the 11th century ; the bear- ing of the banner of the Cross from Norway and the Ork- neys to Iceland, and thence, A.D. 983, to Greenland, where the Episcopate was established and maintained for some three hundred years1; the memorable voyage of Eric, in the year 1000, from Greenland down the coast of North America in search of land previously seen by one Biarne,2 who had been driven on that continent ; the visit of Columbus to Iceland in 1470, and his oblique voyage in 1492, which brought him to the West Indies instead of the coasts of North Carolina ; the expeditions of the Coorte- vals to the northern part of the continent in 1500-33; these and other like proceedings shall be passed by, that we be not unduly retarded in the work in hand.
But when we come to the end of the 15th and the be- ginning of the 16th century, events have definite relation
1 The principal authorities are the following :
Antiquitates Americana sive Scriptores Septentrionales rerum Ante-Columbia- narum in America. Edidit Societas Regia Antiquariorum Septentrionalium. Hafnia Typis Officina Schultziance, 1837.
Grönland's Historiske Mindesmærker, udgivne af det Kongelige Nordiske Ola skrift-Selskab. 3 vols. Kjobenhavn, 1838.
Memoires de la Société Royale des Antiquaires du Nord : Copenhague, Au Secre- tariat de la Société, 1836-9, 1840-4, 1845-9, etc.
The Pre-Columbian Discovery of America by the Northmen, etc., by B. F. De Costa ; Albany, 1868. Also Beamish's work on the Northmen, which gives a par- tial bibliography, and Anderson's translation of Horn's History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North, Chicago, IS84.
? With Biarne was a Christian from the Hebrides, who composed the following prayer during the voyage (986), and which is probably the oldest liturgical fragment now known in connection with America :
" I to the monk's protector pray That He will give my voyage luck ! The Heaven's great Ruler Save me from danger."
Pre-Columbian Discovery of America by the Northmen, p 25.
3 See Les Corte-Real et leurs voyages, etc., by Henry Harrisse, Paris, 1883, with the Modena map of 1503.
3
John and Sebastian Cabot
1624]
to our present history. The question of the right of divers European powers to the land in North America about the 40th parallel of latitude, by virtue of first dis- covery, was hotly discussed by the representatives of sev- eral courts, with results of a very practical character. The figures of John and Sebastian Cabot1 now confront us. To John Cabot belongs the honor of the discovery of North America. He made two voyages, sailing from Bristol, about the middle of May, 1497, under the English flag. He sighted the coast of Labrador, and returned to England in August of the same year, the voyage having lasted about three months. His second voyage was in 1498. There is no clear account of that voyage, nor is it known where he went, when the expedition returned to England, or whether John Cabot came back. There is no evidence that Sebastian accompanied his father on either voyage. Mr. Harrisse conjectures that John Cabot, on his second voyage, may have ranged down the North American coast, in which case it may be further conjec- tured that he looked in at the Hudson, Delaware, and Potomac rivers ; but of this there is no proof, the English and other chronicles being totally silent on the subject. The first European navigator known to have visited this particular part of the New World was a Florentine, Gio- vanni da Verrazano by name .? Sailing from the vicinity
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