**• A* t «• ' • • <^ CV 6 * • * "^O A-v jl*^ . »^ ' • • ^ cr fl • • • R' JK ''9s . ^^% '°^J JK Itt* . /% '• o > • "'•tu.o^" ; •^ ' n^ • ♦ - ^ - ' " - Of' , . „ "^i^ " n^ • • - '^ ' • • • - »^' 6"^^ r^ •\.^^ •i' o » » • A ^^ <> *'T7 CT ♦♦ '^o^ .Q^. NEW YORK STATE LOCAL HISTORY SOURCE LEAFLETS PREPARED BY THE DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY VERRAZANO'S VOYAGE ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST OF NORTH AMERICA 1524 Reprinted from the annual report of the State Historian ALBANY THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK I916 Y8r-0i6-sooo NOTE These leaflets are intended for the boys and girls in our New York schools so that they may come to know something of the sources of the history which they study. It is hoped that the teachers, their pupils and others into whose hands they come will feel encouraged to make suggestions for similar selections, or even them- selves prepare material and present it to the Division of Archives and History for editing and publication. d; of d; JAf: 12 13f7 Jl CUUL^ \erra?7a.ncc^ At one time a painting in oil of Verrazano was in the possession of his family. This portrait was engraved for a book entitled " Uomini Illustri Toscani " pub- lished in Florence in 1 768. The above is from the engraving. The signature is from a letter signed by him. See De Costa, Verrazano the Explorer, p. 44. Extract of a Letter from Joao da Silveira, Portuguese Ambassa- dor in France, to John III, King of Portugal ^ Sire : [The letter first speaks of other matters and then goes on] By what I hear, Maestro Joao Verazano, who is going on the discovery of Cathay, has not left up to this date, for want of opportunity and because of differences, I understand between him- self and his men; and on this topic, though knowing of nothing positively, I have written my doubts in accompanying letters. I shall continue to doubt unless he take his departure. ... May our Lord prolong the life of your Highness many days and prosper the royal estate. From Poessi the XXV of April 1523. Joao da[_Silveira Letter of Bernardo Carli to his Father about Verrazano's Voyage In the name of God. 4 August, 1524. Honorable Father : Considering that when I was in the armada in Barbary at Garbich the news were advised you daily from the illustrious Sig. Don Hugo de Moncada, Captain General of the Caesarean Majesty in those barbarous parts, [of what] happened in contending with the Moors of that island ; by which it appears you caused pleasure to many of our patrons and friends and congratulated yourselves on. the victory achieved : so there being here news recently of the arrival of Captain Giovanni da Verrazzano, our Florentine, at the port of Dieppe, in Normandy, with his ship, the Dauphiny, with which he sailed from the Canary islands the end of last January, to go in search of new lands for this most serene crown of France, in which he displayed very noble and great courage in undertaking such an unknown voyage with only one ship, which was a caravel of hardly tons, with only fifty men, with the intention, if possible, of discovering Cathay, taking a course through other climates than those the Portuguese use in reaching it by the way of Calicut, but going towards the northwest and north, entirely believing that, although Ptolemy, Aristotle and other cosmographers affirm that no land is to be found towards such climates, he would find it there 1 The headings used throughout this leaflet are put in by the editor. They do not appear in the manuscripts. nevertheless. And so God has vouchsafed him as he distinctly describes in a letter of his to this S. M. ; of which, in this, there is a copy. And for want of provisions, after many months spent in navigating, he asserts he was forced to return from that hemi- sphere into this, and having been seven months on the voyage, to show a very great and rapid passage, and to have achieved a wonder- ful and most extraordinary feat according to those who under- stand the seamanship of the world. Of which at the commence- ment of his said voyage there was an unfavorable opinion formed, and many thought there would be no more news either of him or of his vessel, but that he might be lost on that side of Norway, in consequence of the great ice which is in that northern ocean; but the Great God, as the Moor said, in order to give us every day proofs of his infinite power and show us how admirable is this worldly machine, has disclosed to him a breadth of land, as you will perceive, of such extent that according to good reasons, and the degrees of latitude and longitude, he alleges and shows it greater than Europe, Africa and a part of Asia ; ergo mundus novus : ^ and this exclusive of what the Spaniards have discovered in several years in the west. [Here follow some remarks on Magellan.] What this our captain has brought he does not state in this letter, except a very young man taken from those countries ; but it is supposed he has brought a sample of gold which they do not value in those parts, and of drugs and other aromatic liquors for the purpose of conferring here with several merchants after he shall have been in the presence of the Most Serene Majesty. And at this hour he ought to be there, and from choice to come here shortly, as he is much desired in order to converse with him ; the more so that he will find here the Majesty, the King, our Lord, who is expected here in three or four days. And we hope that S. M. will entrust him again with half a dozen good vessels and that he will return to the voyage. And if our Francisco Carli be returned from Cairo, advise him to go, at a venture, on the said voyage with him; and I beheve they were acquainted at Cairo where he has been several years; and not only in Egypt and Syria, but almost through all the known world, and thence by reason of his merit is esteemed another Amerigo Vespucci; another Fernando Magellan and even more; and we hope that being provided with other good ships and vessels, well built and properly victualled,. he may discover some profitable traffic and matter; and will, our ^ Translation : " therefore a new world." Ed. ViGNtTTE Map made by La Cosa 1 500 t OCEANUS 0GCIDENTALI5 HAS ANTILHAS Cantino map made in 1502 ' Q Map printed in 151 3, called the Admiral's or Ptolemy's map Maps made before the time of Verrazano, but showing no knowledge _ of the coast in the vicinity of New York. [From Winsor's Narrative and Critical History, II, p. 106, 108, 112.] Only sections are given here. I 5 Lord God granting him life, do honor to our country, in acquiring immortal fame and memory. And Alderotto Brunelleschi who started with him and by chance turning back was not willing to accompany him further, will, when he hears of this, be discon- tented. Nothing else now occurs to me, as I have advised you by others of what is necessary. I commend myself constantly to you, praying you to impart this to our friends, not forgetting Pier- francesco Dagaghiano who in consequence of being an experienced person will take much pleasure in it, and commend me to him. Likewise to Rustichi, who will not be displeased, if he delight, as usual, in learning matters of cosmography. God guard you from all evil. Your son. Bernardo Carli, in Lyons The History of the " Dauphine " and Its Voyage 1524 Selections from a Letter of the Navigator Giovanni da Ver- razano to the King of France, Francis I, Patron and Director of the Exploration, about the Voyage which He Made along the Eastern Coast of the Present United States and during which He Entered the Harbor of the Present City of New York ^ To King Francis I of France After the tempest suffered in the northern parts, Most Serene King, I have not written to Your Majesty that which was experi- .enced by the four ships which thou hadst sent by the Ocean to dis- cover new lands, thinking that thou hadst been certified of every- thing — how we were compelled by the impetuous force of the winds to return to Brittany with only the distressed Normanda and Dauphine; where having made repairs. Your Majesty will have learned the voyage we made with them, armed for war, along the coasts of Spain ; later, the new disposition with the Dauphine alone to continue the first navigation; having leturned from which. I will tell Your Majesty what we have found. From Madeira to the New World. Tempest in the Ocean From the deserted rock near to the island of Madeira of the Most Serene King of Portgual " with the said Dauphine, on the XVII of ^ Headings are put in by the editor. « commencing 1524. [Lettered notes are the annotations found in the manuscript. Ed.\ the month of January past, with fifty men, furnished with victuals, arms and other instruments of war and naval munitions for eight months, we departed, sailing westward by an east-south-east wind blowing with sweet and gentle lenity. In XXV days we sailed eight hundred leagues. The XXIIII day of February" we suffered a tempest as severe as ever a man who has navigated suffered. From which, with the divine aid and the goodness of the ship, adapted by its glorious name and fortunate destiny to support the violent waves of the sea, we were delivered. We pursued our navigation continuously toward the west, holding somewhat to the north. In XXV more days we sailed more than 400 leagues where there appeared to us a new land never before seen by anyone, ancient or modern. The Land First Seen in 34° North Latitude At first it appeared rather low ; having approached to within a quarter of a league, we perceived it, by the great fires built on the shore of the sea, to be inhabited. We saw that it ran toward the south ; following it, to find some port where we could anchor with the ship and investigate its nature, in the space of fifty leagues we did not find a port or any place where it was possible to stay with the ship. And having seen that it trended continually to the south, ^ we decided to turn about to coast it toward the north, where we found the same place. ^ We anchored by the coast, sending the small boat to land. We had seen many people who came to the shore of the sea and seeing us approach fied, sometimes halting, turning back, looking with great admiration. Reassuring them by various signs, some of them approached, showing great delight at seeing us, marvelling at our clothes, figures and whiteness, making to us various signs where we could land more conveniently with the small boat, offering to us of their foods. The First Landing and the First Indigenes We were on land, and that which we were able to learn of their life and customs I will tell Your Majesty briefly : They go nude of everything except that . . . they wear some skins of little animals like martens, a girdle of fine grass woven with » pel haps 16 hours. ^ in order not to meet with the Spaniards. 1 That is, to the place where he first came in sight of land — about 34 degrees north latitude. See later in this leaflet, p. 14. VERRAZANO MONUMENT, NEW YORK Battery Park, New York City various tails of other animals which hang around the body as far as the knees; the rest nude; the head likewise. Some wear certain garlands of feathers of birds. They are of dark color not much unlike the Ethiopians, and hair black and thick, and not very long, which they tie together back on the head in the shape of a little tail. As for the symmetry of the man, they are well proportioned, of medium stature, and rather exceed us. In the breast they are broad, their arms well built, the legs and other parts of the body well put together. There is nothing else, except that they incline somewhat to broadness in the face; but not all, for in more we saw the face clear-cut. The eyes black and large, the glance intent and quick. They are not of much strength, in craftiness acute, agile and the greatest runners. From what we were able to learn by experience, they resemble in the last two respects the Orientals, and mostly those of the farthest Sinarian regions.^ We were not able to learn with particularity of the life and customs of these people because of the shortness of the stay we made on land, on account there being few people and the ship anchored in the high sea. [Here follows a description of the country and the climate in the vicinity of the Carolinas.] A Sailor Among the Indigenes We left this place continually skirting the coast, which we found turned to the east. Seeing everywhere great fires on account of the multitude of the inhabitants, anchoring there ofif the shore because it did not contain any port, on account of the need of water we sent the little boat to land with XXV men. Because of the very large waves which the sea cast up on the shore on account of the strand being open, it was not possible without danger of losing the boat for any one to land. We saw many people on shore making us various signs of friendship, motioning us ashore ; among whom I saw a magnificent deed, as Your Majesty will hear. Sending ashore by swimming one of our young sailors carrying to them some trinkets, such as little bells, mirrors, and other favors, and being approached within 4 fathoms of them, throwing the goods to them and wishing to turn back he was so tossed by the waves that almost half dead he was carried to the edge of the shore. Which having been seen, the people of the land ran immediately to him; taking him by the head, legs and arms, they carried him some ^ Ramusio's text has the " regions of China." 8 distance away. Where, the youth, seeing himself carried in such way, stricken with terror, uttered very loud cries, which they did similarly in their language, showing him that he should not fear. After that, having placed him on the ground in the sun at the foot of a little hill, they performed great acts of admiration, regarding the whiteness of his flesh, examining him from head to foot. Tak- ing off his shirt and hose, leaving him nude, they made a very large fire near him, placing him near the heat. Which having been seen, the sailors who had remained in the small boat, full of fear, as is their custom in every new case, thought that they wanted to roast him for food. His strength recovered, having remained with them awhile, he showed by signs that he desired to return to the ship; who, with the greatest kindness, holding him always close with various embraces, accompanied him as far as the sea, and in order to assure him more, extending themselves on a high hill, stood to watch him until he was in the boat. Which young man learned of this people that they are thus: of dark color like the others, the flesh more lustrous, of medium stature, the face more clear-cut, much more delicate of body and other members, of much less strength and even of intelligence. He saw nothing else. [Here follows an annotation on the names which Verrazano gave to various places in this locality.] Three Days in "Arcadia " ^ : a Boy Stolen Having departed thence, following always the shore which turned somewhat toward the north, we came in the space of fifty leagues to another land which appeared much more beautiful and full of the largest forests. Anchoring at which, XX men going about two leagues inland, we found the people through fear had fled to the woods. Seeking everywhere, we met with a very old woman and a damsel of from XVHI to XX years, who through fear had hidden themselves in the grass. The old one had two little girls whom she carried on the shoulders, and back on the neck a boy, all of eight years of age. The young woman had as many of the same, but all girls. Having approached toward whom, they began to cry out, [and] the old woman to make signs to us that the men had fled to the woods. We gave them to eat of our viands, which she accepted with great gusto ; the young woman refused everything and with anger threw it to the ground. We took the boy from the old 1 Maryland or Delaware. woman to carry to France, and wishing to take the young woman, who was of much beauty and of tall stature, it was not however possible, on account of the very great cries which she uttered, for us to conduct her to the sea. And having to pass through some woods, being far from the ship, we decided to release her, carrying only the boy. The Textile Plants and the Grape: the Offering of Fire [Here is given a description of the products found in the vicinity of Maryland and Delaware.] Having remained in this place three days, anchored ofif the coast, we decided on account of the scarcity of ports to depart, always skirting the shore "• toward the north and east, navigating by day- light and casting anchor at night. ^ Land of Angouleme, Bay Saint Margherita (New York), River Vendome (Hudson), Island of Queen Luisa (Block Island?) At the end of a hundred leagues we found a very agreeable situation located within two small prominent hills, in the midst of which flowed to the sea a very great river, which was deep within the mouth ; and from the sea to the hills of that [place] with the rising of the tides, which we found eight feet, any laden ship might have passed. On account of being anchored off the coast in good shelter, we did not wish to adventure in without knowledge of the entrances. We were with the small boat, entering the said river to ''which we baptized Arcadia on account of the beauty of the trees. In Arcadia we found a man who came to the shore to see what people we were; who stood hesitating and ready for flight. Watching us, he did not permit himself to be approached. He was handsome, nude, with hair fastened back in a knot, of olive color. We were, about XX [in number,] ashore and coaxing him he approached to within about two fathoms, showing a burning stick as if to offer us fire. And we made fire with powder and flint-and-steel and he trembled all over with terror and we fired a shot. He stopped as if astonished and prayed, worshipping like a monk, lifting his finger toward the sky, and pointing to the ship and the sea he appeared to bless us. ^ we followed a coast very green with forests but without ports, and with some charming promontories and small rivers. We baptized the coast " di Lorenna"^ on account of the Cardinal; the first promontory " Lanzone," the second " Bonivetto," ^ the largest river " Vandoma," " and a small moun- tain which stands bv the sea " di C. Polo " i on account of the Count. 1 See the map of Maillo in this leaflet. 2 See the map by Verrazano's brother in this leaflet. lO the land, which we found much populated. The people, almost like the others, clothed with the feathers of birds of various colors, came toward us joyfully, uttering very great exclamations of admiration, showing us where we could land with the boat more safely. We entered said river, within the land, about half a league, where we saw it made a very beautiful lake with a circuit of about three leagues ; Through which they [the Indians] went, going from one and another part to the number of XXX of their little barges, with innumerable people, who passed from one shore and the other in order to see us. In an instant, as is wont to happen in naviga- tion, a gale of unfavorable wind blowing in from the sea, we were forced to return to the ship, leaving the said land with much regret because of its commodiousness and beauty, thinking it was not without some properties of value, all of its hills showing indications of minerals.* The anchor raised, sailing toward the east, as thus the land turned, having traveled LXXX leagues always in sight of it, we discovered an island triangular in form, distant ten leagues from the continent, in size like the island of Rhodes, full of hills, covered with trees, much populated [judging] by the continuous fires along all the surrounding shore which we saw they made. We baptized it in the name of your most illustrious mother ^ ; not anchoring there on account of the unfavorableness of the weather. " Refugio," the Very Beautiful Port (Newport), and Its Two Kings We came to another land, distant from the island XV leagues, where we found a very beautiful port, and before we entered it, we saw about XX barges of the people who came with various cries of wonder round about the ship. Not approaching nearer than fifty paces, they halted, looking at the edifice [that is, the ship] , our figures and clothes ; then altogether they uttered a loud shout, signifying that they were glad. Having reassured them some- what, imitating their gestures, they came so near that we threw them some little bells and mirrors and many trinkets, having taken which, regarding them with laughter, they entered the ship con- fidently. There were among them two Kings, of as good stature o Called Angoleme from the principality which thou attainedst in lesser fortune, and the bay which that land makes Santa Margarita from the name of the sister who vainquishes the other matrons of modesty and art. b Aloysia. '6jn3iQi'»£ ?^v6v / ^C ^^ ^:7U Map made by Maiollo in 1527, showing the use of names given by Verrazano in his letter. [From Winsor's Narrative and Critical History, IV, p. 39.] Only a section is given here. cvaO i^^ ■.'•- i