Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/44

 

1553—1606

enterprising spirit of Englishmen led them, from the earliest period, to enter earnestly and vigorously into the work of discovery, and to engage with equal zeal and energy in attempts at settlement and colonization. The fame of Sebastian Cabot's efforts, and his undoubted skill and sagacity in respect to naval affairs, were very influential during the reigns of Henry VIII. and Edward VI. Although the attempt to find a north-west passage to the Indies had failed, still the idea of there being such a passage yet to be discovered was ever uppermost in the minds of navigators of that age. By Cabot's advice and urgency a new path was sought. He presented various reasons for thinking it probable that there was a passage to the eagerly sought Cathay by the north-east accordingly a company of merchants was formed, at the head of which Cabot was placed, and an expedition was fitted out with special instructions and directions drawn up by the celebrated navigator himself. The command of the expedition was entrusted to Sir Hugh Willoughby. "At the first setting forth of these northeastern discoverers," observes the excellent Hakluyt, "they were almost altogether destitute of clear lights and inducements, or. if they had an inkling at all, it was misty as they found the northern seas, and so obscure and ambiguous, that it was meet rather to deter than to give them encouragement. Into what dangers and difficulties they plunged themselves, 'animus meminisse horret,' I tremble to relate. For, first they were to expose themselves unto the rigor of the stern and uncouth northern seas, and to make trial of the swelling waves and boisterous winds which there commonly do surge and blow." The "driftes of snow and mountains of ice, even in the summer, the hideous overfalls, uncertaine currents, darke mistes and fogs, and other fearful inconveniences," which the expedition had to encounter, he contrasts with "the milde, lightsome, and temperate Atlantick Ocean, over which the Spaniards and Portuguese have made so many pleasant, prosperous, and golden voyages, to the satisfaction of their fame-thirsty and gold-thirsty minds, 