But lest
these might not suffice, I have added in this chapter following some
further proof thereof, by the experience of such as have passed some
part of this discovery, and in the next adjoining to that the
authority of those which have sailed wholly through every part
thereof.
CHAPTER III. TO PROVE BY EXPERIENCE OF SUNDRY MEN'S TRAVELS THE
OPENING OF SOME PART OF THIS NORTH-WEST PASSAGE, WHEREBY GOOD HOPE
REMAINETH OF THE REST.
1. Paulus Venetus, who dwelt many years in Cathay, affirmed that he
had sailed 1,500 miles upon the coast of Mangia and Anian, towards
the north-east, always finding the seas open before him, not only as
far as he went, but also as far as he could discern.
2. Also Franciscus Vasquez de Coronado, passing from Mexico by
Cevola, through the country of Quiver to Sierra Nevada, found there
a great sea, where were certain ships laden with merchandise, the
mariners wearing on their heads the pictures of certain birds called
Alcatrarzi, part whereof were made of gold and part of silver; who
signified by signs that they were thirty days coming thither, which
likewise proveth America by experience to be disjoined from Cathay,
on that part, by a great sea, because they could not come from any
part of America as natives thereof; for that, so far as is
discovered, there hath not been found there any one ship of that
country.
3. In like manner, Johann Baros testifieth that the cosmographers
of China (where he himself had been) affirm that the sea coast
trendeth from thence north-east to fifty degrees of septentrional
latitude, being the farthest part that way, which the Portuguese had
then knowledge of; and that the said cosmographers knew no cause to
the contrary, but that it might continue farther.
By whose experiences America is proved to be separate from those
parts of Asia, directly against the same. And not contented with
the judgments of these learned men only, I have searched what might
be further said for the confirmation hereof.
4. And I found that Franciscus Lopez de Gomara affirmeth America to
be an island, and likewise Greenland; and that Greenland is distant
from Lapland forty leagues, and from Terra de Labrador fifty.
5. Moreover Alvarez Nunmius, a Spaniard, and learned cosmographer,
and Jacques Cartier, who made two voyages into those parts, and
sailed five hundred miles upon the north-east coasts of America.
6. Likewise Hieronimus Fracastorius, a learned Italian, and
traveller in the north parts of the same land.
7. Also Jacques Cartier, having done the like, heard say at
Hochelaga, in Nova Francia, how that there was a great sea at
Saguinay, whereof the end was not known:
