CABOT. SEBASTIAN, was the son of John Cabot or Osbotto, native of Venice, who resided oocasiooally in England, and of whom little more is known than that he was a wealthy, intelligent merchant, and fond of maritime discovery. Sebastian was born at Bristol about 1477, and was early instructed in geography, navigation, and matics When only 19 years of age, ho was Included with his two brother" in patent, dated 5th of March, 1496, granted by Henry VII. to Johu Cabot his father, for the discovery and conquest of unknown lands About a year after the data of the patent, Sebastian Cabot sailed (apparently) with his father) in a ship equipped at Bristol, meted the Matthew, and on the 24th of June he fire. saw North America, probably the coast of Labrador, about lat. 56'. It has generally been stated that this first-discovered land was Newfound land, and that it was named by Cabot, Prima Vista; but it appears that the cause of the error was a mistranslation by liakluyt of document in Latin appended to a map of America drawn by Cabot himself. The description given in that document cannot pouibly refer to Newfoundland, but may apply very well to the coast of Labrador. We have no account of this voyage further than the discovery itself, but it appears probable that Cabot returned to England immediately; an opinion which receives some support from an entry in the privy purse expenses of Henry VIL," 10th August 1497 To hym that found the new Isle HIV This is still further confirmed by the patent of 3rd of February 1493, granting to John Kabotto permission to take six ships in any haven of the realm, of the burden of 200 tons and under, "to convey and lode to the Londe and lslos of late founde by the end John in ours name and by our commauudemente," It is difficult to assign to each of the Cabot (a father and three rena) his exact part in these discoveries, but Sebastian seems always to have been considered the most scientific navigator of the family. Another voyage was made by Cabot, according to the terms of this patent, but wo have no details as to its resulte ; and third voyage appears to have been made to the Golf of Mexico il4 1499. About this time it is supposed that John Cabot died, but there is no record of his death, nor is anything whatever known of Sebastian Cabot for the next twelve years. Soon after the death of Henry VII. Cabot was sent for by Ferdinand king of Spain, in which country he arrived is September 1512, and immediately received the title of Captain, with liberal salary. It appears from Spanish authorities, that Cabot was disgusted with the want of consideration shown him in England. No specific dnties appear to have been at first assigned to Cabot in Spain ; but we and him in 1515 connected with general revision of maps and charts, and holding the dignified station of member of the council of the Indies. lie was also appointed to conduct an important expedition foe new dis coveries lowatdr the wait ; but the death of Ferdinand, in the beginning of 1516, prevented the accomplishment of the plan. The new king of
Spain, Charles V., was occupied elsewhere, and did not reach Spain for some time, during which the court was a scene of shameless in trigue. Fonseca, the enemy of Columbus, was in authority, and the slights he and his creatures put upon Cabot caused the latter to return to England. In 1517 Cabot was employed by Ilenry VIII., in connection with Sir Thome* Porte, to make another attempt at a north-west passage. On this voyage ho reached lat. 674', and it mutt have been on this occasion that he entered Hudson'. Bay, "and gave English names to sundry places therein." Bat of this, like all the rest of Cabot's discoveries, no detail. have been preserved, and even the whole voyage has been referred to the sleuth instead of the north. It is only known that the malice or timidity of Sir Thomas Parte, and the tnutinoua conduct of his crew, compelled him to return. After this voyage Cabot again visited Spain, whore he was named by Charles V. Pilot Major of the kingdom, and intrusted with the duty of critically examining all projects of voyages of discovery. At this time the views of adventurer' wore chiefly directed to the south, and the Moluocia Islands were !voluted out as valuable field for enterprise. Portugal Wiring earnestly represented that the limits assigned to her by the pope in his division of the Now World would include the Moluocas, it was resolved that a solemn conference should take place, in which all parties should state their claims, and experienced men should attend fur the purpose of reference. Cabot is at the head of this hat, in which wo also find Ferdinand Columbus, son of the great Columbus. The conference was held at Badejoe. in April 1524, and by the end of May sentence was pronounced that the Moluccas were within the Spanish division of the world. The Portuguese retired in disgust, talking of preparing an expedition to destroy any Spanish or other vessel which should venture to trade within the disputed territory. Immediately after the decision, company was formed at Seville to prosecute the trade to the Moluccas, and Cabot was solicited to take the command. By an unfortunate selection, the persons who were put in command immediately under Cabot were personally hostile to Wm. The expedition sailed in April 1526, and proceeded to cross the Atlantic. On the Brazilian coast a daring mutiny, excited by his of5cers, compelled him to resort to the extremity of putting on shore the three ringleaders, who were actually the persons named to succeed him in command in case of his death. Cabot explored the river La Plata and some of its tributaries, erected forts in the most favourable positions, and endeavoured to colonise the country. He despatched persous to Spain to solicit the permission of the Emperor,Charles, and a supply of ammunition, provisions, &c. ; and as the merchants declined to co-operate in the new undertaking, Charles took the whole expense upon himself.