CHAP. XXIX.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXPEDITION-PRECAUTIONS AS TO TIMBER-SHEATHING OF THE VESSELS NOW FIRST RESORTED TO IN ENGLAND-EXAMINATION OF TWO TARTARS-CHIEF COMMAND GIVEN TO SIR HUGH WILLOUGHBY -RICHARD CHANCELLOR-STEPHEN BURROUGH-WILLIAM BURROUGHARTHUR PET-THIS EXPEDITION CONFOUNDED WITH ANOTHER BY STRYPE

AND CAMPBELL.

A TRIUMPH having been obtained over the obstacles which had heretofore impeded the career of English commerce, preparations were diligently made for the Expedition.

The measures adopted for the safety of the ships indicate the presence of great skill and providence; "strong and well-seasoned planks for the building" were provided, and the historian of the expedition is struck with one novel precaution. To guard against the worms "which many times pearceth and eateth through the strongest oak," it was resolved to "cover a piece of the keel of the shippe with thinne sheets of leade."* This is the first instance in England, of the practice of sheathing, but it had long before been adopted in Spain, and had thus engaged the attention of Cabot. It may, indeed, have been originally suggested by him, as the first use of it is referred to 1514, two years before which time we find him passing into the service of Ferdinand, and advancing rapidly to posts of distinction as his value became apparent.

Information was eagerly sought in every quarter as to the countries which the Expedition might visit. There were "two Tartarians" employed about the young king's stables. These persons were hunted up and an interpreter provided, "by whom they were

Hakluyt, vol. i. p. 243.

demanded, touching their country and the manners of their nation." But the poor creatures had no story to tell, and betrayed plainly their addiction to strong drink. There was waggery in the City even at that early day. "They were able to answer nothing to the purpose, being indeed more acquainted (as one there merily and openly said) to toss pots, than to learn the states and dispositions of people."*

The command of the expedition was an object of high ambition. Amongst those who pressed "very earnestly" for the post was Sir Hugh Willoughby, "a most valiant gentleman and well borne." He came recommended by a high reputation for "skill in the services of war," and it seems to have been thought no slight recommendation that he was of tall and commanding stature. The choice finally fell on him.

In command of one of the ships, and with the title of PilotMajor, was Richard Chancellor. He had been bred up in the household of Henry Sydney, father of Sir Philip Sydney. His character and merits, coupled with his brilliant success on this occasion, and subsequent untimely fate, seem to have made a deep impression on his contemporaries. He not only proved a skilful and intrepid seamen, but his remarks on the customs, religion, laws, and manners of the countries visited, shew him to have possessed a cultivated intellect, as well as great shewdness and powers of observation. He would seem to have attracted the attention and enjoyed the friendship of Cabot; for Eden, (Decades, fol. 357,) in adverting to one of the phenomena of the ocean mentions that the fact he relates was communicated to him by Chancellor who derived it from Cabot. His was the only ship that succeeded in doubling the North Cape, and making her way to Russia.

"For the government of other ships although divers men seemed willing, and made offers of themselves thereunto, yet by a common consent one Richard Chanceler, a man of great estimation for many good parts of wit in him, was elected, in whom alone great hope for the performance of this business rested.

* Hakluyt, vol. i. p. 244.

This man was brought up by one Master Henry Sidney, a noble young gentleman and very much beloved of King Edward."

The master of Chancellor's ship was Stephen Burrough, afterwards Chief Pilot of England, and of high rank in the navy. There was, also, on board his ship, apparently as a common seaman, William Burrows,* afterwards Comptroller of the Navy, and author of a work on navigation, and who in after years conducted a squadron to the same quarter.† Arthur Pet, also, whose name is associated with a subsequent voyage, was in the same ship.

Some obscurity has been occasioned by confounding this memorable enterprise with another, entirely distinct and to a different quarter. Thus there is found in Strype§ the following passage:

"In this month of May did the King grant letters of commendation, or safe conduct, for the three ships that were enterprising that noble adventure of seeking for a passage into the Eastern parts of the world, through the unknown and dangerous seas of the North. Of this expedition Sebastian Gabato, an excellent mariner of Bristow, but of Italian parentage, was a great mover, to whom the King, as a gratuity, had given 200 pounds. For this voyage, in February last, the King lent two ships, the Primrose and the Moon, a pinnace, to Barns, Lord Maior of London, Garret, one of the Sheriffs, York, and Windham, adventurers, binding themselves to deliver to the King two ships of the like burden, and good condition, in Midsummer, anno 1554. Sir Hugh Willoughby, a brave knight, was the chief Captain in this enterprise : to whom the King granted a passport to go beyond the seas, with four servants, forty pounds in money, his chain, &c."

Campbell (Lives of the Admirals, vol. i. p. 319) says,

"The accounts we have of this matter differ widely; but as I observe there is a variation in the dates of a whole year; so I am apt to believe, that there must have been two distinct undertakings; one under the immediate protection of the court which did not take effect; and the other by a joint stock of the merchants which did. Of the first, because it is little taken notice of, I will speak particularly here; for the other will come in properly in my account of Sir Hugh Willoughby. When, therefore, this matter was first proposed, the King lent two ships, the Primrose and the Moon, to Barnes, Lord Mayor of London, Mr. Garret, one of the Sheriffs, and Mr. York, and Mr. Wyndham,

* Hakluyt, vol. i. p. 233. Ibid. vol. i. p. 233.

+ Ibid. vol. i. p. 401.

§ Historical Memorials, vol. ii. p. 402.

two of the adventurers, giving bond to the King to deliver two ships of like burden, and in as good condition, at Midsommer, 1554."

Thus has the Maritime History of England been written! The vessels in question made part of the Expedition to Guinea, of which an account is given, at length, by Richard Eden, (Decades, fol. 345.)

"In the yeare of oure Lorde MLIII the XII day of August sayled from Porchemouth two goodly shyppes the Primrose and the Lion, with a Pynnesse cauled the Moon, being all well furnysshed,” &c.

It seems that the enterprise was frustrated by the misconduct of "Captayne Wyndham." The persons spoken of as having given bond to the King, were members of the company of merchant adventurers.* The expedition to Guinea, thus obscured by Strype, Campbell, and succeeding writers, is that of which Eden, against the remonstrances of his Publishers, inserted an account, consenting to swell his volume "that sum memorie thereof might remayne to our posteritie, if eyther iniquitie of tyme, consumynge all things, or ignorance creepyng in by barbarousness and contempte of knowledge should hereafter bury in oblivion so worthy attempts!" (fol. 343.)

* Hakluyt, vol. i. p. 269.

CHAP. XXX.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIR HUGH WILLOUGHBY.

THE Instructions prepared by Cabot for the government of this Expedition, have been justly regarded as a model, and as reflecting the highest credit on his sagacity, good sense, and comprehensive knowledge. They relate not only to the conduct to be observed in reference to the great object in view, but descend to minute suggestions, drawn from his long experience, for the interior arrangements and discipline. They are called "Ordinances, Instructions, and Advertisements of, and for the direction of the intended voyage for Cathay, compiled, made, and delivered by the right worshipful M. Sebastian Cabota, Esq. Governour of the Mysterie and Companie of the Merchants Adventurers for the discoverie of Regions, Dominions, Islands, and places unknowen, the 9th day of May, in the yere of our Lord God 1553, and in the 7th yeere of the reigne of our most dread sovereigne Lord, Edward VI., by the grace of God, King of England, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith and of the Church of England and Ireland, in earth supreme head."*

They were made up in the form of a Book which was ordered to be publicly read once every week, "to the intent that every man may the better remember his oath, conscience, duty, and charge." These instructions are too voluminous to be here introduced, but a few extracts, while they indicate the cast of Cabot's mind, must fill us with renewed regret that all the records of such a man's own labours should have been unfortunately lost to us :

* Hakluyt, vol. i. p. 226.