CABOT, JOHN (1•50-9S). An Italian navi gator sailing under the English flag. His na tive name was Giovanni Cabot°, and he was born in Genoa. He removed to Venice at an early age, acquired citizenship there, and traded thence to all the important Mediterranean ports. About 1490 lie removed to England, and settled in Bristol. lf, as has been stated without any convincing historical authority, he was engaged by King henry V11. to settle certain difficulties between the Danish Government and the English merchant-factors resident in that country, lie must have acquired a position of some conse quence. On March 5, 1400, lie secured from King lien•y VII. letters patent authorizing him to take possession of any lands lie might dis cover. He sailed in May, 1497, and on dune 24, after a rough passage, landed on the North American coast, probably near Cape Breton. Ile returned to England, where be landed on August 10. and was rewarded by the King with the post of Great Admiral. Ile began imme
diately to prepare for a second voyage, with the purpose of exploring and colonizing the new found land. Several Bristol merchants co6per ;tied to fit out a fleet, equipped with every thing needed for the complete exploitation of a new country. Cabot set sail with five vessels in the spring of 149S. One of the ships put back and landed on the Irish coast, whence the crew returned to England with the news that the fleet had run into a severe storm, wh ieh had forced them to make for land. No further news was ever received of the fate of the discoverer or of his expedition. A number of early narratives. which are sometimes said .to refer to this 1498 voyage, and speak of Cabot as sailing along the whole North American coast, from Florida to New foundland, probably describe a voyage made by Cabot.