"When my father departed from Venice many years since to dwell in England, to follow the trade of merchandises, he took me with him to the city of London, while I was very young, yet having nevertheless some knowledge of letters of humanity, and of the Sphere. And when my father died in that time when news were brought that Don Christopher Colonus Genuese had discovered the coasts of India, whereof was great talk in all the Court of King Henry VII, who then reigned, insomuch that all men with great admiration affirmed it to be a thing more divine than human, to sail by the West into the East where spices grow, by a way that was never known before, by this fame and report there increased in my heart a great flame of desire to attempt some notable thing. And understanding by reason of the Sphere, that if I should sail by way of the North-west, I should by a shorter tract come into India, I thereupon caused the King to be advertised of my devise, who immediately commanded two Carvels to be furnished with all things appurtaining to the voyage, which was as far as I remember in the year 1496 in the beginning of summer.
"I began therefore to sail towards the North-west, not thinking to find any land than that of Cathay, and from thence to turn towards India, but after certain days I found that the land ran towards the North, which was to me a great displeasure. Nevertheless, sailing along by the coast to see if I could find any gulf that turned, I found the land still continent to the 56 degree under our Pole. And seeing that there the coast turned toward the East, despairing to find the passage, I turned back again, and sailed down by the coast of that land toward the Equinoctial (ever with intent to find the said passage to India) and came to that part of this firm land which is now called Florida, where my victuals failing, I departed from thence and returned to England, where I found great tumults among the people, and preparation for wars in Scotland: by reason whereof there was no more consideration had to this voyage.
"Whereupon I went into Spain to the Catholic king, and Queen Elizabeth, which being advertised what I had done, entertained me, and at their charges furnished certain ships, wherewith they caused me to sail to discover the coasts of Brazil, where I found an exceeding great and large river named at this present Rio de la plata, that is, the river of silver, into the which I sailed and followed it into the firm land, more than six score leagues, finding it everywhere very fair, and inhabited with infinite people, which with admiration came running daily to our ships. Into this river run so many other rivers that it is in manner incredible. After this I made many other voyages."Unfortunately this account does not correspond to information from other sources. Letters patent from Henry VII were granted to John Cabot and his three sons, including Sebastian, in 1495 for the discovery of new and unknown lands, and in 1497 John Cabot discovered Newfoundland, returning to England in 1498 and dying shortly after. Sebastian was with him on this voyage, but John was the leader.
There is not a great deal of information about the life of Sebastian. It appears he was a competent navigator, and much in demand. At various times he lived in Venice, London and Seville. It is possible that he took part in several Arctic voyages, and voyages to the West Indies, and in 1527 he led a voyage the purpose of which was to reach the Moluccas, but he spent his time exploring the River Plate to the dismay of his sponsors. In 1548, shortly before he died, he was awarded a large pension by King Edward VI.
This account was written for Discoverers Web by Gillian Lord. For which our thanks.
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