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THE
VOYAGE
OF
JOHN DE YERAZZANO,
ALONG THE COAST OF
NORTH AMERICA,
FKOM CAEOLINA TO NEWFOUNDLAND,
A.D. 1524.
Translated from the original Italian,
BY JOSEPH G. COGSWELL, ESd.,
Member of the N. Y» Historical Society, &c.%
BY THE TRANSLATOR.
The following paper is a new translation of the letter writ-
ten by Verazzano, on his return from his first voyage to the
Western Continent, giving an account of his discoveries to
Francis I. of France, by whose orders he had undertaken it.
It is made from a copy of the original manuscript, in the Mag-
liabecchian Library at Florence, which was presented to the
New-York Historical Society, by G* W. Greene, Esq., now
Consul of the United States at Rome. A translation of part
of the same letter is printed in the first volume of the Society’s
Collections, which was taken from Hakluyt, who followed the
original as given by Ramusio ; but as that varies in substance
in some few instances from the Magliabecchian, and as Hak-
luyt’s translation is throughout obscure and antiquated in lan-
guage, it seems requisite to publish the one which has been
made from the Society’s copy. This letter is in itself highly
interesting and important, and is rendered still more so from the
fact of its being the earliest original account in existence of the
Atlantic coast of the United States, nearly the whole extent of
which was visited by Verazzano during the voyage described
in it. It is worthy of remark, that the name by wrhich the
western continent is now known, is not used by Verazzano in
the account of his visit to it, owing, probably, to •the recent
and not universal adoption of it; it is possible even that he was
ignorant of its having been applied.
With respect to the comparative authenticity of the manu-
script used by Ramusio, and that from which our copy is taken,
we have nothing conclusive to offer ; we can only say,’ that ihe
internal evidence is greatly in favour of the latter. Mr. Greene,
who took up the whole subject, in an article in the North
American Review, for October, 1837, remarks, that there are40
PRELIMINARY NOTICE*
in Ramusio such variations from the Magliabecchian manti*
script, as can only be accounted for by supposing that the edi-
tor must have worked the whole piece over anew, correcting the
errors of language upon his own authority. Something of the
kind was evidently done ; the language of the two is very dif-
ferent, and that used in the manuscript from which the present
translation is made, has strong marks of being in the very form
in which it was moulded by Verazzano. It is throughout just
as sailors of little education commonly write; little or no re-
gard is paid to grammar ; the sentences run into each other ; the
subjects are thrown together confusedly; parenthetical clauses
constantly break the thread of the narrative, and there are no
points from beginning to end. From such a labyrinth of words,
it is not easy to affirm that the precise meaning has always been
unravelled, but all possible pains have been taken to render the
Italian original as exactly and as clearly as the barbarous style
in which that is written would admit. The cosmographical
description at the close is not found in Hakluyt, and it was not
published in the volume of Collections before cited ; it is
now added, rather on account of the curious evidence it fur-
nishes of the state of nautical science at that time, than of any
valuable knowledge to be drawn from it.
j. g. c.
New-York, Jan. 9th, 1841.VOYAGE, &c.
Captain John de Verazzano to His Most Serene Majesty
the King of France, writes :
Since the tempests which we encountered on the northern
coasts, I have not written to your most Serene and Christian
Majesty concerning the four ships sent out by your orders on
the ocean to discover new lands, because I thought you must
have been before apprized of all that had happened to us—that
we had been compelled by the impetuous violence of the winds
to put into Britany in distress with only the two ships Normandy
and Dolphin ; and that after having repaired these ships, we
made a cruise in them, well armed, along the coast of Spain,
as your Majesty must have heard, and also of our new plan of
continuing our begun voyage with the Dolphin alone ; from this
voyage being now returned, I proceed to give your Majesty an
account of our discoveries.
On the 1.7th of last January we set sail from a desolate rock
near the island of Madeira, belonging to his most Serene Ma-
jesty the King of Portugal, with fifty men, having provisions
sufficient for eight months, arms and other warlike munition and
naval stores. Sailing westward with a light and pleasant east-
erly breeze, in twenty-five days we ran eight hundred leagues.
On the 24th of February we encountered as violent a hurricane
as any ship ever weathered, from which we escaped unhurt by
the divine assistance and goodness, to the praise of the glorious
and fortunate name of our good ship, that had been able to
support the violent tossing of the waves. Pursuing our voyage
towards the west, a little northwardly, in twenty-four days
more, having run four hundred leagues, we reached a new coun-
try, which had never before been seen by any one, either in
ancient or modern times. At first it appeared to be very low,
but on approaching it to within a quarter of a league from the
shore we perceived, by the great fires near the coast, that it was
inhabited. We perceived that it stretched to the south, and
coasted along in that direction in search of some port, in which
we might come to anchor, and examine into the nature of the
country, but for fifty leagues we could find none in which we
could lie securely. Seeing the coast still stretched to the south,
642
VERAZZANo’s VOYAGE*
we resolved to change our course and stand to the northward,
and as we still had the same difficulty, we drew in with the
land and sent a boat on shore. Many people who were seen
coming to the sea-side fled at our approach, but occasionally
stopping, they looked back upon us with astonishment, and
some were at length induced, by various friendly signs, to come
to us. These showed the greatest delight on beholding us,
wondering at our dress, countenances and complexion. They
then showed us by signs where we could more conveniently
secure our boat, and offered us some of their provisions. That
your Majesty may know all that we learned, while on shore, of
their manners and customs of life, I will relate what we saw as
briefly as possible. They go entirely naked, except that about
the loins they wear skins of small animals like martens fastened
by a girdle of plaited grass, to which they tie, all round the body,
the tails of other animals hanging down to the knees ; all other
parts of the body and the head are naked. Some wear gar-
lands similar to birds’ feathers.
The complexion of these people is black, not much different
from that of the Ethiopians ; their hair is black and thick, and
not very long, it is worn tied back upon the head in the form of
a little tail. In person they are of good proportions, of middle
stature, a little above our own, broad across the breast, strong
in the arms, and wTell formed in the legs and other parts of the
body; the only exception to their good looks is that they have
broad faces, but not all, however, as we saw many that had
sharp ones, with large black eyes and a fixed expression. They
are not very strong in body, but acute in mind, active and swift
of foot, as far as we could judge by observation. In these last
two particulars they resemble the people of the east, especially
those the most remote. We could not learn a great many par-
ticulars of their usages on account of our short stay among
them and the distance of our ship from the shore.
We found not far from this people another whose mode of
life we judged to be similar. The whole shore is covered with
fine sand, about fifteen feet thick, rising in the form of little hills
about fifty paces broad. Ascending farther, we found several
arms of the sea which make in through inlets, washing the
shores on both sides as the coast runs. An outstretched coun-
try appears at a little distance rising somewhat above the sandy
shore in beautiful fields and broad plains, covered with immense
forests of trees, more or less dense, too various in colours, and
too delightful and charming in appearance to be described. I
do not believe that they are like the Hercynian forest or the
rough wilds of Scythia, and the northern regions full of vines
and common trees, but adorned with palms, laurels, cypresses,
and othef varieties unknown in Europe, that send forth the sweet-VERAZZANo’s VOYAGE,
43
est fragrance to a great distance, but which we could not ex-
amine more closely for the reasons before given, and not on
account of any difficulty in traversing the w'oods, which, on the
contrary, are easily penetrated.
As the “ East” stretches around this country, I think it can-
not be devoid of the same medicinal and aromatic drugs, and
various riches of gold and the like, as is denoted by the colour
of the ground. It abounds also in animals, as deer, stags, hares,
and many other similar, and with a great variety of birds for
every kind of pleasant and delightful sport. It is plentifully sup-
plied with lakes and ponds of running w^ater, and being in the
latitude of 34. the air is salubrious, pure and temperate, and free
from the extremes of both heat and cold. There are no violent
winds in these regions, the most prevalent are the north-west
and west. In summer, the season in which we were there,
the sky is clear, with but little rain : if fogs and mists are at
any time driven in by the south wind, they are instantaneously
dissipated, and at once it becomes serene and bright again.
The sea is calm, not boisterous, and its waves are gentle. Al-
though the whole coast is low and without harbours, it is not
dangerous for navigation, being free from rocks and bold, so
that within four or five fathoms from the shore there is twenty-
four feet of water at all times of tide, and this depth constantly
increases in a uniform proportion. The holding ground is so
good that no ship can part her cable, however violent the wind,
as we proved by experience ; for while riding at anchor on the
coast, we were overtaken by a gale in the beginning of March,
when the winds are high, as is usual in all countries, we found
our anchor broken before it started from its hold or moved
at all.
We set sail from this place, continuing to coast along the shore,
which we found stretching out to the west (east?) ; the inhabi-
tants being numerous, we saw everywhere a multitude of fires.
While at anchor on this coast, there being no harbour to enter,
we sent the boat on shore with twenty-five men to obtain water,
but it was not possible to land without endangering the boat, on
account of the immense high surf thrown up by the sea, as it
was an open roadstead. Many of the natives came to the
beach, indicating by various friendly signs that we might trust
ourselves on shore. One of their noble deeds of friendship de-
serves to be made known to your Majesty. A young sailor was
attempting to swim ashore through the surf to carry them some
knick-knacks, as little bells, looking-glasses, and other like tri-
fles ; when he came near three or four of them he tossed the
things to them, and turned about to get back to the boat, but he
was thrown over by the waves, and so dashed by them that he
lay as it were dead upon the beach. When these people saw44	VERAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
him in this situation, they ran and took him up by the head,
legs and arms, and carried him to a distance from the surf; the
young man, finding himself borne off in this way, uttered very
loud shrieks in fear and dismay, while they answered as they
could in their language, showing him that he had no cause for
fear. Afterwards they laid him down at the foot of a little hill,
when they took off his shirt and trowsers, and examined him,
expressing the greatest astonishment at the whiteness of his
skin. Our sailors in the boat seeing a great fire made up, and
their companion placed very near it, full of fear, as is usual in
all cases of novelty, imagined that the natives were about to
roast him for food. But as soon as he had recovered his strength
after a short stay with them, showing by signs that he wished
to return aboard, they hugged him with great affection, and
accompanied him to the shore, then leaving him, that he might
feel more secure, they withdrew to a little hill, from which they
watched him until he was safe in the boat. This young man
remarked that these people were black like the others, that they
had shining skins, middle stature, and sharper faces, and very
delicate bodies and limbs, and that they were inferior in strength,
but quick in their minds ; this is all that he observed of them.
Departing hence, and always following the shore, which
V stretched to the north, we came, in the space of fifty leagues,
to another land, which appeared very beautiful and full of the
largest forests. We approached it, and going ashore with
twenty men, we went back from the coast about two leagues,
and found that the people had fled and hid themselves in the
woods for fear. By searching around we discovered in the
grass a very old woman and a young girl of about eighteen or
twenty, who had concealed themselves for the same reason ; the
old woman carried two infants on her shoulders, and behind
her neck a little boy eight years of age ; when we came up to
them they began to shriek and make signs to the men who had
fled to the woods. We gave them a part of our provisions,
which they accepted with delight, but the girl would not touch
any ; every thing we offered to her being thrown down in great
anger. We took the little boy from the old woman to carry
with us to France, and would have taken the girl also, who was
very beautiful and very tall, but it was impossible because of the
loud shrieks she uttered as we attempted to lead her away;
having to pass some woods, and being far from the ship, we
determined to leave her and take the boy only. We found them
fairer than the others, and wearing a covering made of certain
plants, which hung down from the branches of the trees, tying
them together with threads of wild hemp ; their heads are with-
out covering and of the same shape as the others. Their food
is a kind of pulse which there abounds, different in colour andVERAZZANo’s VOYAGE,
45
size from ours, and of a very delicious flavour. Besides they
take birds and fish for food, using snares and bows made of hard
wood, with reeds for arrows, in the ends of which they put the
bones of fish and other animals. The animals in these regions
are wilder than in Europe from being continually molested by
the hunters. We saw many of their boats made of one tree
twenty feet long and four feet broad, without the aid of stone or
iron or other kind of metal. In the whole country, for the space
of two hundred leagues, which we visited, we saw no stone of
any sort. To hollow out their boats they burn out as much of
a log as is requisite, and also from the prow and stern to make
them float well on the sea. The land, in situation, fertility and
beauty, is like the other, abounding also in forests filled with
various kinds of trees, but not of such fragrance, as it is more
northern and colder.
We saw in this country many vines growing naturally, which
entwine about the trees, and run up upon them as they do in the
plains of Lombardy. These vines would doubtless produce ex-
cellent wine if they were properly cultivated and attended to, as
we have often seen / the grapes which they produce very sweet
and pleasant, and not unlike our own. They must be held in
estimation by them, as they carefully remove the shrubbery
from around them, wherever they grow, to allow the fruit to
ripen better. We found also wild roses, violets, lilies, and many
sorts of plants and fragrant flowers different from our own. We
cannot describe their habitations, as they are in the interior of
the country, but from various indications we conclude they must
be formed of trees and shrubs. We saw also many grounds for
conjecturing that they often sleep in the open air, without any
covering but the sky. Of their other usages we know nothing ;
we believe, however, that all the people we were among live in
the same way.
After having remained here three days, riding at anchor on
the coast, as we could find no harbour, wTe determined to de-
part, and coast along the shore to the north-east, keeping sail
on the vessel only by day, and coming to anchor by night.
After proceeding one hundred leagues, we found a very pleas-
ant situation among some steep hills, through which a very large
river, deep at its mouth, forced its way to the sea; from the
sea to the estuary of the river, any ship heavily laden might
pass, with the help of the tide, which rises eight feet. But as
we were riding at anchor in a good berth, we wTould not ven-
ture up in our vessel, without a knowledge of the mouth;
therefore we took the boat, and entering the river, we found
the country on its banks well peopled, the inhabitants not dif-
fering much from the others, being dressed out with the feath-
ers of birds of various colours.; They came towards us with46
VERAZZANq’s VOYAGE.
evident delight, raising loud shouts of admiration, and showing
us where wTe could most securely land with our boat. We
passed up this river, about half a league, when we found it
formed a most beautiful lake three leagues in circuit, upon
which they were rowing thirty or more of their small boats,
from one shore to the other, filled with multitudes who came to
see us. All of a sudden, as is wont to happen to navigators, a
violent contrary wind blew in from the sea, and forced us to
return to our ship, greatly regretting to leave this region which
seemed so commodious and delightful, and which we supposed
must also contain great riches, as the hills showed many in-
dications of minerals. Weighing ancher, we sailed fifty
leagues towards the east, as the coast stretched in that direc-
tion, and always in sight of it ; at length we discovered an
island of a triangular form, about ten leagues from the main-
land, in size about equal to the island of Rhodes, having many
hills covered with trees, and well peopled, judging from the
great number of fires which we saw all around its shores; we
gave it the name of your Majesty’s illustrious mother.
We did not land there, as the weather was unfavourable, but
proceeded to another place, fifteen leagues distant from the
island, where we found a very excellent harbour. Before en-
tering it, we saw about twenty small boats full of people, who
came about our ship, uttering many cries of astonishment, but
they would not approach nearer than within fifty paces ; stop-
ping, they looked at the structure of our ship, our persons and
dress, afterwards they all raised a loud shout together, signify-
ing that they were pleased. By imitating their signs, we in-
spired them in some measure with confidence, so that they
came near enough for us to toss to them some little bells and
glasses, and many toys, which they took and looked at, laugh-
ing, and then came on board without fear. Among them were
two kings more beautiful in form and stature than can possibly
be described ; one was about forty years old, the other about
twenty-four, and they were dressed in the following manner :
The oldest had a deer’s skin around his body, artificially
wrought in damask figures, his head was without covering,
his hair was tied back in various knots ; around his neck he wore
a large chain ornamented with many stones of different colours.
The young man was similar in his general appearance. This
is the finest looking tribe, and the handsomest in their cos-
tumes, that we have found in our voyage. They exceed us in
size, and they are of a very fair complexion (?); some of them
incline more to a white (bronze ?), and others to a tawny colour ;
their faces are sharp, their hair long and black, upon the adorning
of which they bestow great pains ; their eyes are black and sharp,YERAZZANO?S VOYAGE.
47
their expression mild and pleasant, greatly resembling the an-
tique. I say nothing to your Majesty of the other parts of the
body, which are all in good proportion, and such as belong to
well-formed men. Their women are of the same form and
beauty, very graceful, of fine countenances and pleasing ap-
pearance in manners and modesty ; they wear no clothing ex-
cept a deer skin, ornamented like those worn by the men;
some wear very rich lynx skins upon their arms, and various
ornaments upon their heads, composed of braids of hair, which
also hang down upon their breasts on each side. Others wear
different ornaments, such as the women of Egypt and Syria
use. The older and the married people, both men and women,
wear many ornaments in their ears, hanging down in the oriental
manner. We saw upon them several pieces of wrought cop-
per, which is more esteemed by them than gold, as this is not
valued on account of its colour, but is considered by them as
the most ordinary of the metals—yellow being the colour es-
pecially disliked by them ; azure and red are those in highest
estimation with them. Of those things which we gave them, they
prized most highly the bells, azure crystals, and other toys to
hang in them ears and about their necks ; they do not value
or care to have silk or gold stuffs, or other kinds of cloth, nor
implements of steel or iron. When we showed them our arms,
they expressed no admiration, and only asked how they were
made; the same was the case with the looking-glasses, which
they returned to us, smiling, as soon as they had looked at
them. They are very generous, giving away whatever they
have. We formed a great friendship with them, and one day
we entered into the port with our ship, having before rode at
the distance of a league from the shore, as the weather was ad-
verse. They came off to the ship with a number of their little
boats, with their faces painted in divers colours, showing us
real signs of joy, bringing us of their provisions, and signifying
to us where we could best ride in safety with our ship, and
keeping with us until we had cast anchor. We remained
among them fifteen days, to provide ourselves with many things
of which we were in want, during which time they came every
day to see our ship, bringing with them their wives, of whom
they were very careful; for, although they came on board
themselves, and remained a long while, they made their wives
stay in the boats, nor could we ever get them on board by any
entreaties or any presents we could make them. One of the
two kings often came with his queen and many attendants,
to see us for his amusement; but he always stopped at the
distance of about two hundred paces, and sent a boat to inform
us of his intended visit, saying they would come and see our
ship—this was done for safety, and as soon as they had an an-48
VERAZZANO*S VOYAGE*
swer from us they came off, and remained awhile to look
around; but on hearing the annoying cries of the sailors, the
king sent the queen, with her attendants, in a very light boat,
to wait, near an island a quarter of a league distant from us,
while he remained a long time on board, talking with us by
signs, and expressing his fanciful notions about every thing in
the ship, and asking the use of all. After imitating our modes
of salutation, and tasting our food, he courteously took leave
of us. Sometimes, when our men staid two or three days on
a small island, near the ship, for their various necessities, as
sailors are wont to do, he came with seven or eight of his at-
tendants, to inquire about our movements, often asking us if we
intended to remain there long, and offering us every thing at his
command, and then he would shoot with his bow, and run up and
down wTith his people, making great sport for us. We often went
five or six leagues into the interior, and found the country as
pleasant as is possible to conceive, adapted to cultivation of every
kind, whether of corn, wine or oil; there are open plains
twenty-five or thirty leagues in extent, entirely free from trees
or other hinderances, and of so great fertility, that whatever is
sown there will yield an excellent crop. On entering the
woods, we observed that they might all be traversed by an army
ever so numerous ; the trees of which they were composed, were
oaks, cypresses, and others, unknown in Europe. We found,
also, apples, plumbs, filberts, and many other fruits, but all of
a different kind from ours. The animals, which are in great
numbers, as stags, deer, lynxes, and many other species, are
taken by snares, and by bows, the latter being their chief
implement; their arrows are wrought with great beauty, and for
the heads of them, they use emery, jasper, hard marble, and
other sharp stones, in the place of iron. They also use the
same kind of sharp stones in cutting down trees, and with
them they construct their boats of single logs, hollowed out
with admirable skill, and sufficiently commodious to contain
ten or twelve persons ; their oars axe short, and broad at the
end, and are managed in rowing by force of the arms alone,
with perfect security, and as nimbly as they choose. We saw
their dwellings, which are of a circular form, of about ten or
twelve paces in circumference, made of logs split in halves,
without any regularity of architecture, and covered with roofs
of straw, nicely put on, which protect them from wind and
rain. There is no doubt that they would build stately edifices
if they had workmen as skilful as ours, for the whole sea-
coast abounds in shining stones, crystals, and alabaster, and
for the same reason it has ports and retreats for animals.
They change their habitations from place to place as circum-
stances of situation and season may require ; this is easilyVERRAZZANCVS VOYAGE.
49
done, as they have only to take with them their mats, and they
have other houses prepared at once. The father and the
whole family dwell together in one house in great numbers ; in
some we saw twenty-five or thirty persons. Their food is pulse,
as with the other tribes, which is here better than elsewhere,
and more carefully cultivated ; in the time of sowing they are
governed by the moon, the sprouting of grain, and many other
ancient usages. They live by hunting and fishing, and they
are long-lived. If they fall sick, they cure themselves without
medicine, hy the heat of the fire, and their death at last comes
from extreme old age. We judge them to be very affectionate
and charitable towards their relatives—making loud lamenta-
tions in their adversity, and in their misery calling to mind all
their good fortune. At their departure out of life, their relations
mutually join in weeping, mingled with singing, for a long
while. This is all that we could learn of them. This region
is situated in the parallel of Rome, being 41° 40' of north/"?
latitude, but much colder from accidental circumstances, and
not by nature, as I shall hereafter explain to your Majesty, and
confine myself at present to the description of its local situa-
tion. It looks towards the south, on which side the harbour is
half a league broad ; afterwards, upon entering it, the extent
between the coast and north is twelve leagues, and then en-
larging itself it forms a very large bay, twenty leagues in cir-
cumference, in which are five small islands, of great fertility
and beauty, covered with large and lofty trees. Among these
islands any fleet, however large, might ride safely, without fear
of tempests or other dangers. Turning towards the south, at
the entrance of the harbour, on both sides, there are very pleas-
ant hills, and many streams of clear water, which flow down to
the sea. In the midst of the entrance, there is a rock of free-
stone, formed by nature, and suitable for the construction of
any kind of machine or bulwark for the defence of the harbour.*
Having supplied ourselves with every thing necessary, on
the fifth of May we departed from the port, and sailed one hun- ^
dred and fifty leagues, keeping so close to the coast as never to
lose it from our sight; the nature of the country appeared much
the same as before, but the mountains were a little higher,
* The above description applies to Narraganset bay and the harbour of New-
port in Rhode Island, although mistaken by Dr. Miller, in his Discourse before
this Society, as published in the first volume of the former series of Collections,
for the bay and harbour of New-York. The latter are briefly described in a
preceding paragraph of this translation, p. 45, with sufficient clearness to ad-
mit of their being easily recognized. The island “ of a triangular form,
resembling the island of Rhodes,” which Verrazzano mentions as fifty leagues
to the east of NeW-York, p. 46, is doubtless Block Island.—Kp.
750
VERRAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
and. all in appearance rich in minerals. We did not stop to land
as the weather was very favourable for pursuing our voyage,
and the country presented no variety. The shore stretched to
the east, and fifty leagues beyond more to the north, where we
found a more elevated country, full of very thick woods of fir
trees, cypresses and the like, indicative of a cold climate. The
people were entirely different from the others we had seen,
whom we had found kind and gentle, but these were so rude and
barbarous that we were unable by any signs we could make, to
hold communication with them. They clothe themselves in the
skins of bears, lynxes, seals and other animals. Their food, as
far as we could judge by several visits to their dwellings, is ob-
tained by hunting and fishing, and certain fruits, which are a sort
of root of spontaneous growth. They have no pulse, and we
saw no signs of cultivation ; the land appears sterile and unfit for
growing of fruit or grain of any kind. If we wished at any
time to traffick with them, they came to the sea shore and stood
upon the rocks, from which they lowered down by a cord to our
boats beneath whatever they had to barter, continually crying
out to us, not to come nearer, and instantly demanding from us
that which was to be given in exchange ; they took from us only
knives, fish hooks and sharpened steel. No regard was paid to
our courtesies ; when we had nothing left to exchange with
them, the men at our departure made the most brutal signs of
disdain and contempt possible Against their will we penetrated
two or three leagues into the interior with twenty-five men;
when we came to the shore, they shot at us with their arrows,
raising the most horrible cries and afterwards fleeing to the
woods. In this region we found nothing extraordinary except
vast forests and some metalliferous hills, as we infer from see-
ing that many of the people wore copper ear-rings. Departing
from thence, we kept along the coast, steering north-east, and
found the country more pleasant and open, free from woods,
and distant in the interior we saw lofty mountains, but none
which extended to the shore. Within fifty leagues we discovered
thirty-two islands, all near the main land, small and of pleasant
appearance, but high and so disposed as to afford excellent har-
bours and channels, as we see in the Adriatic gulph, near Illy-
ria and Dalmatia. We had no intercourse with the people, but
we judge that they were similar in nature and usages to those
we were last among. After sailing between east and north the
distance of one hundred and fifty leagues more, and finding our
provisions and naval stores nearly exhausted, we took in wood
and water and determined to return to France, having discovered
502, that is 700 (sic) leagues of unknown lands.
As to the religious faith of all these tribes, not understanding
their language, we could not discover either by sign or gesturesVERRAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
51
any thing certain. It seemed to us that they had no religion
nor laws, nor any knowledge of a First Cause or Mover, that
they worshipped, neither the heavens, stars, sun, moon nor other
planets ; nor could we learn if they were given to any kind of
idolatry, or offered any sacrifices or supplications, or if they have
temples or houses of prayer in their villages ;—our conclusion
was, that they have no religious belief whatever, but live in this
respect entirely free. All which proceeds from ignorance, as they
are very easy to be persuaded, and imitated uswith earnestness
and fervour in all which they saw us do as Christians in our acts
of worship.
It remains for me to lay before your Majesty a Cosmogra-
phical exposition of our voyage.* Taking our departure, as
I before observed, from the above mentioned desert rocks, which
lie on the extreme verge of the west, as known to the ancients,
in the meridian of the Fortunate Islands, and in the latitude of
32 degrees north from the equator, and steering a westward
* In the remainder of this letter, which is chiefly cosmographical, Ver-
razzano shows how many degrees farther westward he had sailed, than the
knowledge of the ancients extended, and how erroneous were their notions
about the relative proportions of land and water on the earth’s surface.
As to the first point, the whole calculation it will be observed is based upon
an error in estimating his meridional distance, which is too large by nearly
one half, and of course his difference of longitude in the same proportion ; but
this is no disparagement to his nautical skill, for navigation was in its infancy
at the time of his voyage, and he had not the aid of a lunar observation
or a chronometer to correct his dead reckoning. Nor does it appear from
the letter precisely in what way he determined his ship’s progress; he says
only that he took observations of the sun, (probably with an astrolabe as
the quadrant had not then been invented,) and that he kept notes of his
daily run ; but the whole account, and particularly his deductions respecting
the relative proportion of land and water, prove how very imperfect all
such knowledge then was. This part of the letter is noy^we believe, for
the first time, translated into English; in giving it this new dress, we have
endeavoured to keep as close as possible to the original, but such is its ob-
scurity and confusedness of expression, that we do not venture to assert we
have derived the exact meaning of every passage, still we are confident
that no essential idea has been omitted or mistranslated. In the numerical
computations the fractional parts are neglected, as they were found to be
often wrong, owing most likely to the copyist’s carelessness, and as they are
not important to the right understanding of the statements.52
VERRAZZANO*S VOYAGE.
course, we had run, when we first made land, a distance of 1200
leagues or 4800 miles, reckoning, according to nautical usage,
four miles to a league. This distance calculated geometrically,
upon the usual ratio of the diameter to the circumference of the
circle, gives 92 degrees ; for if we take 114 degrees as the chord
of an arc of a great circle, we have by the same ratio 95 deg.,
as the chord of an arc on the parallel of 34 degrees, being that
on which we first made land, and 300 degrees as the circum-
ference of the whole circle, passing through this plane. Allowing
then, as actual observations show, that 621 terrestrial miles cor-
respond to a celestial degree, we find the whole circumference of
300 deg., as just given, to be 18,759 miles, which divided by 360,
makes the length of a degree of longitude in the parallel of 34
degrees to be 52 miles, and that is the true measure. Upon this
basis, 1200 leagues, or 4800 miles meridional distance, on the
parallel of 34, give 92 degrees, and so many therefore have we
sailed farther to the west than was known to the ancients.
During our voyage we had no lunar eclipses or like celestial
phenomenas, we therefore determined our progress from the
difference of longitude, which we ascertained by various instru-
ments, by taking the sun’s altitude from day to day, and by cal-
culating geometrically the distance run by the ship from one
horizon to another ; all these observations, as also the ebb and
flow of the sea in all places, were noted in a little book, which
may prove serviceable to navigators ; they are communicated to
your Majesty in the hope of promoting science.
My intention in this voyage was to reach Cathay, on the ex-
treme coast of Asia, expecting however, to find in the newly dis-
covered land some such an obstacle, as they have proved to be,
yet I did not doubt that I should penetrate by some passage to
the eastern ocean. It was the opinion of the ancients, that our
oriental Indian ocean is one and without any interposing land ;
Aristotle supports it by arguments founded on various probabili-
ties ; but it is contrary to that of the moderns and shown to be
erroneous by experience ; the country which has been discover-
ed, and which was unknown to the ancients, is another world
compared with that before known, being manifestly larger than
our Europe, together with Africa and perhaps Asia, if we right-
ly estimate its extent, as shall now be briefly explained to your
Majesty. The Spaniards have sailed south beyond the equator
on a meridian 20 degrees west of the Fortunate Islands to the
latitude of 54, and there still found land ; turning about they
steered northward on the same meridian and along the coast to
the eighth degree of latitude near the equator, and thence along
the coast more to the west and north-west, to the latitude of 21°,
without finding a termination to the continent; they estimated
the distance run, as 89 degrees, which, added to the 20 first runVERRAZZANO*S VOYAGE.
53
west of the Canaries, make 109 degrees and so far west; they
sailed from the meridian of these islands, but this may vary
somewhat from truth ; we did not make this voyage and there-
fore cannot speak from experience ; we calculated it geometri-
cally from the observations furnished by many navigators, who
have made the voyage and affirm the distance to be 1600 leagues,
due allowance being made for the deviations of the ship from a
straight course, by reason of contrary winds. I hope that we
shall now obtain certain information on these points, by new
voyages to be made on the same coasts. But to return to our-
selves ; in the voyage which we have made by order of your
Majesty, in addition to the 92 degrees we run towards the west
from our point of departure, before we reached land in the lati-
tude of 34, we have to count 300 leagues which we ran north-
eastwardly, and 400 nearly east along the coast before we
reached the 50th parallel of north latitude, the point where we
turned our course from the shore towards home. Beyond this
point the Portuguese had already sailed as far north as the Arctic
circle, without coming to the termination of the land. Thus
adding the degrees of south latitude explored, which are 54, to
those of the north, which are 66, the sum is 120, and therefore
more than are embraced in the latitude of Africa and Europe,
for the north point of Norway, which is the extremity of Europe,
is in 71 north, and the Cape of Good Hope, which is the south-
ern extremity of Africa, is in 35 south, and their sum is only
106, and if the breadth of this newly discovered country corre-
sponds to its extent of sea coast, it doubtless exceeds Asia in
size. In this way we find that the land forms a much larger
portion of our globe than the ancients supposed, who maintain-
ed, contrary to mathematical reasoning, that it was less than the
water, whereas actual experience proves the reverse, so that we
judge in respect to extent of surface.the land covers as much
space as the water ; and I hope more clearly and more satisfac-
torily to point out and explain to your Majesty the great extent
of that new land, or new world, of which I have been speaking.
The continent of Asia and Africa, we know for certain is joined
to Europe at the north in Norway and Russia, which disproves
the idea of the ancients that all this part had been navigated
from the Cimbric Chersonesus, eastward as far as the Caspian
Sea. They also maintained that the whole continent was sur-
rounded by two seas situate to the east and west of it, which
seas in fact do not surround either of the two continents, for as
we have seen above, the land of the southern hemisphere at the
latitude of 54 extends eastwardly an unknown distance, and that
of the northern passing the 66th parallel turns to the east, and
has no termination as high as the 70th. In a short time, I hope,
we shall have more certain knowledge of these things, by the aid54
VERRAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
of your Majesty, whom I pray Almighty God to prosper in last-
ing glory, that we may see the most important results of this
our cosmography in the fulfilment of the holy words of the
Gospel.
On board the ship Dolphin, in the port of Dieppe in Normandy,
the 8th of July, 1524.
Your humble servitor,
Jantjs Verrazzanus.NOTE-
The foregoing account of the celebrated voyage of the Floreii*
tine navigator Yerrazzano, is fairly entitled to a place in this vol-
ume, from the circumstance of its containing the earliest notice of
the bay and harbour of New-York that has come to our knowledge.
It was originally published about forty years after the completion of
the voyage, in the third volume of Ramusio’s Collection of Voy-
ages and Travels, in the Italian language,at Venice. An English
translation of it first appeared in the year 1600, published by Hak-
luyt in his well-known Collection. The discovery by our country-
man, George W. Greene, Esq., at Florence, of what appears to be
a genuine manuscript copy of the original letter, as written by
Verrazzano, differing in several respects from the one in Ramusio,
forms an interesting event in the history of American discovery.
For the purpose of enabling the critical reader to compare the
two texts in the original language, the manuscript copy furnished
to the Society by the attentions of Mr. Greene, is now published.
This is believed to be its first appearance in print.* Editor.
II Capitano Giovanni da Verrazzano, fiorentino di Nor-
mandia alia Serenissima corona di Francia dice :
Da poi la fortuna passata nelle spiagge settentrionali, Ser1??
Signore, non scrissi a vostra serenissima et cristianissima
Maesta quello che era seguito delli quattro leghi che quella
mando per lo oceano ad iscoprir nuove terre, penSando di tutto
sia stata certificata come dalle impetuose forze de’ ventifummo
costretti con sola la nave Normanda e Dalfina afflitti ricorrere
in brettagna dove restaurati avra V. S. M. inteso il discorso
facemmo con quelle armate in guerra per li lidi di Spagfta, di
* For a full account of the researches of Mr. Greene, in reference to this
subject, and their valuable results, see the North American Review, for Octo-
ber, 1837 : Article—“ The Life and Voyages of Verrazzano.”56
VERRAZZANO*S VOYAGE.
poi la nuova disposizione con sola la dalfina in seguire la prima
navigazione, dalla quale essendo ritornato daro adviso a V. S.
M. di quello abbiamo trovato.
Dallo deserto scopulo propinquo alia isola di Madera del
Ser™.° re di Portogallo con la detta dalfina alii 17. del passato
mese di gennajo con cinquanta uomini forniti di vettovaglie,
arme et altri strumenti bellici e munizione navale per otto
mesi partimmo navigando per zeffiro spirando subsolano con
dolce e soave levita, in venticinque giorni corremmo leghe
800, e il di 14 di Febbrajo passammo una tormenta tanto
aspera quanto mai alcuno che navigasse passasse. Della quale
con lo divino ajuto e bontade e laude, del glorioso nome e
fortunato fatti atti a sopportare la violenta onda del mare,
fummo liberi, e seguimmo nostra navigazione continuando
verso l’occidente pigliando alquanto del settentrione, e in venti
cinque altri giorni corremmo piu oltre leghe 400, dove ci
apparse una nuova terra mai da alcuno antico o moderno vista.
Mostravasi alquanto bassa al principio, ma approssimatici a un
quarto di lega conoscemmo quella per li grandissimi fuochi
facevano al lito del mare essere abitata: vedemmo correva
verso 1’Austro, lustrandola per trovar alcuno porto dove potes-
simo con la nave sorgere per investigare la natura di quella in
spazio di leghe 50 non trovammo porto prossimo alcuno dove
sicuri potessimo posare, e visto che continuo scendeva verso
1’Austro deliberammo tornare a rigarla verso il settentrione
donde il medesimo trovammo sorgendo alia costa, mandando il
battello a terra avemmo vista di molta gente che venivano al
lido del mare et vedendo approssimarci fuggirono, alcuna volta
fermandosi si voltavano addietro con grande ammirazione ris-
guardando, ma assicurandoli noi con vary segni, venivano
alcuni di quegli, mostrando grande allegrezza, a vederci mara-
vigliandosi di nostri abiti e figure e bianchezza facendone varj
segni dove col battello dovessimo piu commodamente scendere
offerendone di loro vivande : fummo alia terra e quello potes-
simo di loro vita e costumi conoscere con brevita dird a V.
S. M. Vanno del tuto nudi salvoche alle parti pudibunde
portano alcune pelli di piccoli animali simili a martori, con una
cintura d’erbe tessute con code d’altri animali che pendono cir-
cuendo il corpo sino alle ginocchia, il resto nudo, il capo
simile. Alcuni di loro portano certe ghirlande simili di penne
d’uccelli. Son di colore neri non molto dagli Etiopi difformi i
capelli neri e folti non molto lunghi, i quali legano insieme
dietro alia testa in forma d’una piccola coda. Quanto alia
similitudine dell’ uomo sono bene proporzionati di mezza sta-
tura e piu presto a noi eccedono in nel petto ampli, nelle
braccia disposte le gambe e l’altro’del corpo bene composti: non
hanno altro salvo alquanto nel viso tendono in larghezza, nonYerrazzano’s voyage.
57
pero tutti che a molti vedemmo il viso profilato, gli occhi lieri e
grandi la guardatura hssa, non sono di molta forza ma di
ingenio acuti agili e grandissimi corridori per quello potemmo
per esperienza conoscere. Somigliano per due estremi agl’
orientali massime a quegli delle ultime regioni. Non po-
temmo di loro costumi molto in particulare comprendere per la
poca stanza facemmo alia terra, per essere suso l’onde alia
piaggia. Trovammo non lungi di quegli altri populi de quali
pensiamo il vivere sia conforme, e il lito e coperto tutto di una
minuta rena alto piedi quindici, estendendosi in forma di piccoli
colli largo passi cinquanta. Poi ascendendo si trovano alcuni
bracci di mare che entrano per alcune foci rigando il lito dall’
una all’ altra parte come corre il lito di quello. A presso si
mostra la terra lata tanto eminente che eccede il lito arenoso,
con belle campagne e province piene di grandissime selve,
parte rare e parte dense, vestite di varj colori di arbori di tanta
vaghezza e dilettevole guardatura quanto esprimere sia pos-
sible, ne credo quelle sieno come la ercinea selva o le aspre
solitudini di scitia o piaggie settentrionali piene di viti e arbori,
ma ornate di palme, lauri, e cipressi e altre varieta d’ arbori
incogniti alia nostra Europa quali da lungo spazio spirano
suavissimi odori i quali non possemmo conoscere per la causa
sopra narrata non che a noi fosse difficile per le selve dis-
correre che tutte sono penetrabili, ne pensiamo participando
dello oriente per la circumferenza sieno senza qualche drog-
heria o liquore aromatico et altre divitie oro ed altro del quale
colore la terra tutta tende, e copiosa di molti animali daini,
cervi, lepre, e simili. Di laghi e stagni di viva acqua copiosa
con varj numeri d’ uccelli atti e commodi a ogni dilettevole pia-
cere di venagione. Sta questa terra gradi 34, l’aria salubre
pura e temperate, dal ealdo e dal freddo. Venti non impetuosi
in quella regione spirano, e quelli che piu continui regnano
sono coro e zeffiro. A1 tempo estivo del quale noi fummo il
ciclo e sereno con rara pluvia, e se alcuna volta da venti
australi l’aria incorre in qualche pruina o caliggine in uno
stante non durando e disfatta tornando pura e chiara, il mare
tranquillo e non fluttuoso le onde del quale sono placide ancora
che il lito tutto renda in bassezza, e nudo di porti non pero e
infesto a naviganti essendo tutto netto e senza alcuno scopulo e
profondo che per insino a 4 o 5 passi si trova presso alia terra
senza flusso o riflusso piedi venti d’acqua crescendo tal pro-
porzione uniforme alia profondita nel pelago con tanto buono
tenitorio che qualsivoglia nave da tempesta afflitta mai in
quelle parti non rompendo le funi potra perire, e questo abbi-
amo provato per esperienza. Imperocche per valere nel
principio di Marzo come sempre ogni regione essere suole le
forze de venti sendo noi in alto mare surti da procella oppressi
858
VERRAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
prima trovammo la ancora rotta che nel fondo arasse o facesse
movimento alcuno.
Partimmo di questo luogo continuo scorrendo la costa qual
trovammo tornava alio occidente veggendo per tutta quella
grandissimi fuochi per la moltitudine delli abitatori. Surgendo
in quella alia piaggia per non tenere porto alcuno, per neces-
sity d’acqua mandammo il battello a terra con 25 uomini, per
le grandissime onde gittava il mare al lito per essere la piaggia
aperta non fu possibile senza pericolo di perdere il battello che
alcuno potesse in terra scendere, vedemmo molta gente veni-
vano al lito facendo varj segni d’amista mostrando fussimo a
terra, fra quali vidi uno atto magnifico come intendera V. S. M.
Mandando noi a nuoto uno giovane de’ nostri marinari a terra
portando a quegli alcune fantasie come sonagli specchi ed altre
gentilezze, ed essendo 3 o 4 giunti prossimo a quegli gittando
loro le merce e volendo adietro tornarsi fu tanto dalle onde
rimosso che quasi morto cadde trasportato alia riva del lito
quale visto la gente della terra. Subito corsono pigliandolo
per la testa e gambe e braccia lo portarono alquanto lontano,
onde veggendo il giovane in tal forma portarsi da terrora spa-
ventato metteva grandissimi gridi—il che loro in loro lingua
simile facevano dimostrando non temesse—di poi quello in terra
a pie d’uno colletto posto facevano grandissimi atti di ammi-
razione guardando la bianchezza delle sue carni per tutto lin-
eandolo e spogliandogli la camicia ed i calzamonti e restato
nudo fec-iono appresso di quello uno grandissimo fuoco appros-
simandolo al calore. Il che visto i marinari che erano al bat-
tello restati pieni di spavento come in ogni caso nuovo e co-
stume di quelli pensavano che per cibo lo volessero. arrostire,
riavuto lui le forze, con quelli alquanto dimorato per segni
dimostro volersi tornare alia nave e quelli con grandissimo
amore tenendolo sempre stretto, con varj abbracciamenti Y ac-
compagniorno fino al mare e per piu assicurarlo allargandosi
in uno colie eminente stettero a riguardarlo fino che quello fu al
battello. Il giovane di queste gente conobbe che tali sono di
colore nero come gli altri e le carne molto lustre, di mediana
statura, il viso piu profilato, il corpo e V altre membra assai
piu dilicati di molta poca forza e piu presto d’ ingegno altro
non vide.
Di qui partiti seguendo sempre il lito che tornava verso set-
tentrione pervenimmo in spazio di leghe 50 a un’ altra terra
che molto si mostrava bella e piena di grandissime selve.
Guignemmo a quella andando 20 uomini cirea due leghe fra
terra e trovammo le genti che per paura s'erano fuggite alle
selve, cercando per tutto scontrammo una femina molto vec-
chia ed una giovane d’ anni 18 in 20, le quali per timore si
erano ascose fra 1’ erbe, Aveva la vecchia due fanc-iulletteVERRAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
59
quale portava sopra le spalle e dietro al collo uno fanciullo
tutti d’ eta d’ anni VIII in circa, giunti noi a quelli cominciorno
a gridare e fame segni agli uomini che s’erano fuggiti alle
selve. Donammoli noi a mangiare delle nostre vivande quale
con gran gusto accettorno, la giovane tutto rinunziava e con ira
a terra gittava e pigliammo.il fanciullo alia vecchia per menare
in Francia, e volendo prendere la giovane quale era di molta
bellezza, e d’ alta statura, non fu mai possibile per i grandis-
simi gridi spandeva la potessimo condurre al mare avendo a
passare per alcune selve ed essendo dalla nave lungi deliberammo
lasciarla portando solo il fanciullo. Trovammo costoro piu
bianchi che i passati, vestiti di certe erbe che stavano pendenti a’
rami degli alberi quale tessono con varie corde di canape silves-
tra, il capo nudo nella medesima forma degli altri, il vivere loro in
genere e di legumi de quali abondano differenti nel colore a
grandezze de’ nostri di ottimo e dilettevole sapore. In oltre di
venazione pesci ed ucelli quali pigliano con lacci ed archi fanno
di duro legno, le freccie di calamo e nella estremita mettono
ossi di pesci, e d* altri animali. Sono in questa parte le here
piu salvattiche che non sono in la nostra Europa per la continua
molesta hanno dei venatori. Vedemmo molte delle loro bar-
chette construtte d’ un solo albero lunghe piedi 20 larghe piedi
4 non con ferro o pietra o altro genere di metallo sono fabbricate
imperocche tutta quella terra in spazio di leghe dugento che vi
corremmo alcuna pietra d’ alcuna sorta mai da noi fu vista.
Auitansi del quarto elemento del legno tale parte quanto basti
alia concavita dela barca ed il simile della prora e poppa tanto
che navigando possa solcare le onde del mare. La terra del
sito, bonta e bellezza e come 1’ altre selve vare di vario genere
d’ alberi piene ma non di tanto odore per essere piu settentri-
onale e fredda. Vedemmo in quello molte vite dalla natura
produtte, quali alzandosi avvoltano agli alberi come nella cisal-
pina Gallia costumano, le quali se dagli agricoltori avessino il
perfetto ordine di cultura senza dubbio produrrebbono ottimi
vini, perche piu volte il frutto di quello beendo, veggendo suave
e dolce non dal nostro differente sono da loro tenuti in estima-
zione imperocche per tutto dove nascono levano gli arbuscoli
circustanti ad causa il frutto possa germinare. Trovammo rose
silvestre e viole gigli e molte sorte di erbe e fiori odoriferi da nostri
differenti. Le abitazioni loro non conoscemmo per essere dentro
infra terra, estimiamo per molti segni vedemmo sieno di legno e
di erbe composte, credendo ancora per varie congetture e vestigii
molti di quegli dormire alia campagne ed altra che il cielo non
abbiano per copertura. Altro di costoro non conoscemmo, pensia-
mo tutti gli altri della passata terra vivino nel medesimo modo.
Essendo in questa terra dimorati tre giorni, surti alia costa per
la rarita de’ porti deliberammo partire scorrendo sempre al lito60
VERRAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
infra settentrione ed oriente, il di solamente navigando e la
notte posando la ancora in termini di leghe cento trovammo un
sito molto ameno posto infra piccoli colli eminenti nel mezzo
de’ quali coxreva al mare una grandissima riviera, la quale
dentro alia foce era profonda e dal mare all’ eminenza di quella
col ricrescimento delle acque quali trovammo piedi otto e vi
saria passala ogni oneraria nave e per essere surti nella costa in
buono obbligo non volemmo senza intelligenza della foce av-
venturarci fummo col battello ed entrando nella riviera alia ter-
ra quale trovammo molto populata e le genti quasi conforme all’
altre vestiti di penne d’ uccelli di varj colori venivano verso di
noi allegramente mettendo grandissimi gridi di ammirazione
mostrandone dove col battello avessimo piu sicuramente a
posare, entrammo in detta riviera dentro alia terra circa mezza
lega dove vedemmo faceva un bellissimo lago di circuito di leghe
tre in circa, per lo quale andavano discorrendo dall’ una all' altra
parte al numero di trenta di loro barchette con infinite genti che
passavano dall' una all’ altra terra per vederci. In uno stante
come advenire suole nel navicare movendosi impetuoso contra-
rio vento dal mare fummo forzati tornarci alia nave lasciando
la detta terra con molto dispiacere per la commodita e vaghezza
di quella pensando non fosse senza qualche facolta di prezzo
mostrandosi tutti li colli di quella minerali. Levata Y ancora
navieammo verso 1’ oriente che cosi la terra tornava, discorse
leghe ottanta. Sempre a vista di quella discoprimmo una isola
in forma triangolare lontano dal continente leghe X di gran-
dezza simile alia 'isola di rodi piena di colli, coperta d’ alberi, e
molto populata per li continui fuochi, per tutto intorno al lito
vedemmo che facevano. Battezzammolo in nome della vostra
clarissima genitrice. Non surgendo a quella per la opposizione
del tempo venimmo a un’ altra terra distante dalla isola leghe
XV trovammo uno bellissimo porto e prima in quello entrassi-
mo vedemmo circa XX barchette di genti che venivano con
varj gridi e maraviglie intorno alia nave non approssimandosi
piu che cinquanta passi fermavansi vedendo lo edifizio nos-
tro effigie ed abiti: di poi tutti insieme spandevano un altro
grido, significando rallegrarsi, assicuratigli alquanto imitando
loro gesti si approssimorno tanto che gittammo loro alcuni so-
nagli e specchj e molte fantasie quale prese con riso e riguar-
dandole sicuramente nella nave entrorno. Erano infra quelli
duo re de tanta bella statura e forma quanto narrare sia pos-
sible il primo d’ anni 40 in circa P altro d’ anni 24 P abito de’
quali tale era—il piu vecchio sopra il corpo nudo aveva una
pelle di cervo lavorata artifiziosamente alia damaschina con
varj ricami, la testa nuda, li capelli aditro avolti con varie
legature, al collo una catena larga ornata di molte pietre di di-
versi colori. Il giovane quasi nella medesima forma. Era ques-VERRAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
61
ta la piu bella gente e la piu gentile di costumi abbiamo
trovata in questa navigazione, eccedono noi di grandezza, sono
di colore bianchissimo, alcuni pendono piu in bianchezza ma
altri in colore flavo, il viso profilato, i capegli lunghi e neri nei
quali pongono grandissimo studio in adornargli, gli occhi neri e
pronti, la aria dolce e soave imitando molto P antico. Delle altre
parti del corpo non dir6 a V. S. M. tenendo tutte le propor-
zione del corpo 1’ appartiene a uno bene composto. Le donne
loro sono della medesima forma e belleza molto graziose e di ve-
nusta aira e grato aspetto di costumi e continentia, nude con solo
una pelle di cervo ricamata come gli uomini alcune alle braccia
portano pelle di lupi cervieri molto ricche, il capo con varj orna-
menti di treccie composte de’ medesimi capegli che pendono dalP
uno e 1’ altro lato del petto. Alcune hanno altre acconciature
come le donne d’ Egitto e di soria usano, e queste sono quelle
che eccedono alia eta e giunte in sposalizio agli orecchi tengono
varie fantasie pendenti come gli orientali costumano cosi gli
uomini come le donne a quali vedemmo molte lamine di rame
lavorate da quelli tenute in pregio piu che l’oro ; il quale per il
colore non stimano : imperocche fra tutti i metalli da loro per
il piu vile e tenuto per il giallo colore che aborrono, lo azzurro
ed il rosso sopra ogni altro esaltando. Quello che da noi gli
fu donato che piu tenessino in prezzo erano sonagli, cristal-
lini azzurri ed altre fantasie da tenere agli orecchj ed al collo,
non prezzano drappi di seta o di’oro o di’oltri generi di drappi,
ne si curano quelli avere, simile de’ metalli come acciajo
ferro, perche piu volte mostrandoli delle nostre armi non ne
pigliavano ammirazione e di quelle domandavano solo lo arti
fizio risguardando—delli specchj il simile facevano subito
quelli guardando, ridendo renunziavano. Sono molto liberali
che tutto quello hanno donato. Facemmo con loro grande
amista ed uno giorno avanti entrassimo con la nave nel porto
stando per li tempe adversi una lega nel mare surti venivano
con un numero di loro barchette alia nave puntata ed acconci
il viso con varj colori mostrandoci vero segno di allegrezza, por-
tandone delle loro vivande, facendoci segno dove per salva-
zione della nave nel porto avessimo a surgere di continuo ac-
compagnandone perfino a quello posammo la ancora, pel quale
posamma giorni quindici restaurandone di molta opportunity,
dove ogni giorno veniva gente a vedere alia nave menando le
loro donne delle quali sono molto curiosi imperocche entrando
loro in quella dimorando lungo spazio facevano le loro donne
aspettare nelle barchette e con quanti pri’eghi li facessimo of-
ferendo donare loro varie cose non era possibile che laciassino
quelle in nave entrare e molte volte venendo uno delli duo re
con la regina e molti gentili uomini per suo piacere a vedere,62
VERRAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
in prima si fermava sempre a una terra distante da noi 200
passi, mandando una barchetta, ad avisarne della sua venuta,
dicendo volare venire a vedere la nave, questo facendo in spe-
zie di sicurta, e come da noi avevano la risposta subito venivano
e stati alquanto a risguardare sentendo il nojoso clamore della
turba marittima mandava la regina con le sue damigelle in una
barchetta molto leggiera a riposare ad una isola distante da
noi un quarto di lega restando in grandissimo spazio ragio-
nando per segni e questi di varie fantasie riguardando tutte le
sostanze della nave domandando in particolare la proprieta di
quelle, imitando i nostri saluti, gustando i nostri cibi, di poi
benignamente da noi si partiva ed alcuna volta due e tre
giorni stando le nostre genti ad una isola piccola vicina alia
nave per varie necessita come e costume de’ Marinaj veniva
con 7 o 8 de suoi gentili uomini in quella guardando nostre
operazioni, domandandone piu volte se volevamo restar quivi
per lungo tempo offerendone ogni sua faculta, di poi tirando
con 1’ arco correndo faceva can li suoi gentili uomini varj giuo-
chi per darne piacere fummo piu volte in fra terra V o VI
leghe quale trovammo tanto amena quanto narrare sia possibile,
atta a ogni genere di cultura, frumento, vino, olio imperocche
in quella sono campagne larghe XXV in XXX leghe aperte
e nude d’ ogni impedimento d’ arbori, di tanta fertilita che
qualsivoglia seme in quella produrebbe ottimo frutto. Entrando
poi nelle selve tutte a ogni numeroso esercito in qual modo
sia sono penetrabili, delle quali gli arbori sono quercie, cipressi,
ed altri incogniti nella Europa. Trovammo pomi luculliane
prune, avellane e molte altre frutte. II genere di esse e differ-
ente dalle nostre. Animali vi sono di grandissimo numero,
cervi, daini lupi cervieri, e di altre spezie quali nel modo degli
altre pigliano can lacci, archi, che sono per loro principale arme,
le freice de quali sono con molta pulchritudine lavorate po-
nendo nella estremita per ferro smeriglio, diaspro e duro mar-
more ed altre taglienti pietre, delle quali si servono per ferro
nel tagliare alberi e fabricare le loro barchette di un solo fusto
di legno con mirabile artifizio concavo, nella quale commoda-
mente andra X o XII uomini, ed il remo corto nella estremita
larga operando quel solo con forza di braccia in pelago senza
alcuno pericolo, con tanta velocita quanto a loro piace e sten-
dendoci vedemmo loro abitazione in forma circolare di X in
XII passi di ambito fabricate di semicircoli di legno sepa-
rate l’una dall altra sensa ordine d’ architectura, coperte di
tele di paglia sottilmente lavorate che da vento e pioggia li di-
fendono, non e dubbio se avessimo la perfezione degli artifizj,
noi abiamo che conducessino magni edifizj, imperocche tutto
il lito marittimo di vive pietre d’ auralee’e cristalline e di ala-
bastro e pieno e per tale causa e copioso di porti e ricettacoliverrazzaWs voyage.
63
di animali. Permutano le dette cose di uno in altro luogo se-
condo la esperienza del cito ed il tempo in quello dimorati—
levano solo le tele, in uno stante hanno altre abitazioni fabri-
cate, e dimora in ciascheduna padre e famiglia in grandissimo
numero e in qualche una vedemmo XXY o XXX anime ed
il vivere loro e come gli altri di legumi i quali producono con
piu ordine di cultura, degli altri asservando nelle semenze lo
influsso lunare il nascimento delle biade e molti modi dall an-
tichi dati—in oltre di venagione e pesci—vivono lungo tempo.
In egritudine incorrono se da *	*	#	*	#	*
sono oppressi senza flemito col fuoc-o da loro medesimi si
sanano ed il fine loro e della ultima vecchiezza giudichiamo
sieno di loro prossimi molto pietosi e caritativi, facendo nelle
adversita gran lamenti, nelle miserie ricordando tutte le loro
felicita ed i parenti 1’ uno con 1’ altro nel fine di loro vita
usano il pianto siciliano misto con canto per lungo tempo
durando. E questo e quanto di loro potessimo conoscere.
Questa terra e situata nel paralello di Roma in gradi 4If ma
alquanto piu fredda per accidente, non per natura, come in altra
parte narrero a V. S. M. descrivendo al presente il sito di detto
posto guarda verso lo austro angusta mezza lega dipoi entran-
do in quello infra oriente e settentrione s’estende leghe XII
dove allargandosi causa uno amplissimo seno di circuito di
leghe XX in circa nel quale sono V isolette di molta fertilita
e vaghezza piene di alti e spatioso alberi infra le quali isole
ogni numero di classe senza timore di tempesta o di altro im-
pedimenta di fortuna sicura pud quiescere. Tornando por
verso meridio alia entrata del porto all’ uno e 1’ altro lato sono
amenissimi colli con molti rivi che dalla eminenza al mare
scaturiscono chiare acque. Nel mezzo della bocca si trova
uno scoglio di viva pietra dalla natura prodotto atto a fabbri-
carvi qual si vuole macchina o propugnacolo per custodia di
quello.
Essendo di ogni nostra opportunity restaurati il giorno sei
di maggio partimmo dal detto porto continuando il lito non
perdendo mai la vista della terra navigammo leghe 150, trovan-
dola di una medesima natura ed alquanto piu alta con alcune
montagne che tutte si mostravano minerali, non posammo a
quella per la prosperity del tempo ne serviva in rigare la costa
pensammo fosse all’ altra conforme—correva il lito alio oriente,
in spazio di leghe 50 tenando piu al settentrione trovammo
una terra alta piena di selve molto folte delle quali li alberi fu-
rono abeti, cipressi, e simili che si generano in regione fredda,
le gente tutte dalle altre difforme e quanto i passati erano d’
ogni gesto gentili, questi erano di ruvidezza e visi tanto bar-
bari, che mai potemmo con quanti segnali li facessimo avere
con loro conversazione alcuna. Vestono di pelle di orsi, di64
VERRAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
lupi, cervieri marinie d’ altri animali. Ilvivere loro per quello
potemmo consocere, andando piu volte dove avevano la abita-
tazione stimiamo le piu volte sia di venagione e pesci e di alcu-
ni frutti che sono spezie di radici quale la terra per se medesi-
ma produce. Non hanno legumi ne vedemmo segno alcuno
di cultura nemmeno farebbe la terra per la sterilita non atta a
producere frutto o seme alcuno. Se da quegli alcuna volta re-
nunziando volevamo delle loro cose ne venivano al lito del
mare sopra alcune pietre dove, piu frangeva e stando noi nel
batello con una corda, quello che volevan dare ci mandevano,
continuo gridando alia terra non ci approssimassimo, doman-
dando subito il cambio alio incontro,*non pigliando se non col-
telli, lami da pescare e metallo tagliente, ne stimavano gentili-
ezza alcuna, e quando non avevamo piu che permutare da loro
partendo gli uomini ne facevano tutti gli atti di dispregio e vere
condia che pud fare ogni brutta creatura. Fummo contra loro
volonta dentro fra terra due o tre leghe XXV uomini e quando
scendevano al lito ci tiravano con loro archi mettando gridi
grandissimi, poi si fuggivano nelle selve. Non connoscemmo
in questa terra facolta di momento alcuno se non grandissime
selve con alcuni colli possono avere qualche metallo che a molti
vedemmo pater nostri di rame alii orecchi. Partimmo scor-
rendo la costa infra oriente e settentrione quale trovammo piu
bella, aperta e nuda di selve con alte montagne dentro infra
terra diminuendo verso il lito del mare—in leghe cinquanta dis-
coprimmo XXXII isole tutte propinque al continente, piccole
e di grata prospettiva, alte tenendo la verzura della terra fra le
quali si causava bellissimi porti e canali come nel seno adriat-
ico, nella Illirede e Dalmazia fanno. Non avemma con la gente
conoscenza e stimiamo come le altre lasciate di costumi e natu-
ra siano. Navigando infra ’1 subsolano ed acquilone in spazio
di leghe 150 e di gia avendo consumato tutte le nostre sostanze
navali e vettovaglie, avendo discoperto leghe 502 cioe leghe
700 piu di nuova terra fornendoci di acque e legne deliberammo
di tornare in Francia.
Quanto alia fede tengono tutti questi popoli abbiamo trovati
per mancamento di lingue non possemmo conoscere ne per
segni o gesti alcuni. Consideriamo tenessino legge o fede
alcuna, ne conoscono una per una causa e motore ne venera-
sino cielo o stelle, sole luna o altri pianeti, ne manco tenessino
spezie di idolatria ne conoscemmo facessino sagrificio o altre
preci ne in la loro populazione hanno tempj o case di orazione.
Stimiamo non tenghino fede alcuna ma vivino in questa liberta,
e tutto dalla ignoranza procede perche sono molti facili a
persuadere tutto quello hanno i cristiani circa il culto divino
vedevano fare e facevano con quello stimolo e fervore che noi
facciamo.VERRAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
65
Restami a narrare a V. S. M. Pordine di detta navigazione
circa la cosmografia. Come di sopra dissi partendo dalli prefati
scoperti che son situati nel fine dello occidente alii antichi noto,
e nel meridiano descritto per le insule fortunate in latitudine
gradi 32 dallo equatore del nostro emisperio navigando alio
occidente perfino alia prima terra trovammo leghe 1200, che
contengono miglia 4800, computando miglia quattro perlega
secondo lo uso marittimo degli navilerii geometrice giusta la
proporzione tripla settima del diametro alia circonferenza
gradi 92^f |;-f f 3 con cid sia che essendo la corda del arco del
massimo circolo gradi 114g6T e la corda del paralello gradi 34,
della prima terra da noi trovata alia medesima proporzione gradi
95f |f, essere si mostra Pam'bito di tutto il circolo gradi 300T3jT35
che dando per ogni grado come confermano la maggiore parte di
quelli che hanno sperimentato rispondere in terra alia propor-
zione del cielo, miglia 62| fariano miglia 18759 quale
ripartite in 360 perveneria per ciascheduno miglio 52^11 e
tanto vale uno grado di longitudine in detto paralello di gradi
34. Sopra il quale per la retta del meridiano di detti scoperti
che stanno in gradi 32 abbiamo calculata la ragione in questo
che le dette leghe 1200 per retta linea in gradi 34 da occidente
in oriente abbiamo trovato, perverria adunque per quella gradi
92T-f|-ff^e tanto abbiamo navigato piu alio occidente e non fu
cognito alii antiche, nel detto paralello di gradi 34, questa dis-
tanza a noi fu nota per la longitudine con varj strumenti na-
vigando senza eclissi lunari o altro aspetto per al moto solare
pigliando sempre la elevazione a qual si voglia ora per la dif-
ferenza faceva dall uno all’ altro orizzonte correndo la nave
geometrice, ne era noto lo intervallo dall uno meridiano all’ altro
come in un libretto tutto amplamente notato insieme col cresci-
mento del mare in qualsivoglia clima ad ogni tempo ed ora il
quale non inutile stimo abbia a essere anaviganti, spero meglio
per la teorica conferirlo a V. S. M. Mia intenzione era di
pervenire in questa navigazione al Cathaj alio estremo oriente
dell Asia pensando trovare tale impedimento di nuova terra
quale ho trovata, e se per qualche ragione pensava quella trovare
non senza qualche futo di penetrare alio oceano orientale essere
stimava questa opinione di tutti gli antichi e stata credendo cer-
tamente il nostro oceano orientale di India uno essere senza
interposizione di terra questo afferma Aristotile argomentando
per varie similitudini la quale opinione e molto contraria
a moderni e la esperienza falsa imperocclie la terra e stata
trovata da quegli antichi incognita un altro mondo a rispetto di
quella a loro fu noto—manifestamente essere si mostra e di
maggiore della nostra Europa, della Africa e quasi della Asia
se rettamente speculiamo la grandezza di quella come sotto
brevita ne faro un poco di discorso a Y. S* M. Oltre lo
966
VERRAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
equatore distante dal meridiano dalle inside fortunate verso lo
occidente gradi 20ff gli spani verso lo austro gradi 54,
hanno navigato dove hanno trovato terra senza fine tornando
poi al settentrione giusta la detta linea meridionale correndo
il lito perfino in 8 gradi propinqui alio equatore piu alio occi-
dente partecipando piu al settentrione giusta la detta linea
meridionale continuando il lito perfino in gradi 21, non trovando
termine gradi	hanno navigato quali giunti con gradi
20f|fanno gradi llOff-ff! e tanto hanno navigato del
detto meridiano dalle isole fortunate piu alio occidente nel
paralello gradi 21 della altitudine, questa distanza da noi non e
stata sperimentata per non avere fatta detta navigazione potria
variare poco piu o manco abbiamo quella calcolata geometrice
per la notizia di molti navicalieri che la hanno frequentata
quali affermano essere leghe 1600 giudicando per lo arbitrio il
discorso della nave secondo la qualita del vento per la continua
navigazione spero in breve ne avremo ottima certitudine dall’
altra parte noi in questa nostra navigazione fatta per ordine di
V. S. M. oltra i gradi 92 che dal detto meridiano verso lo occi-
dente dalla prima terra trovammo gradi 34 navigando leghe 300
infra oriente e settentrione leghe 400 quasi alio oriente continuo
il lito della terra siamo pervenuti per infino a gradi 50, lasciando
la terra che piu tempo fa trovorno li Lusitani quali seguirno piu
al settentrione pervenendo sino al circulo artico il fine lasciendc
incognito. Giunta adunque la latitudine settentrionale con la
meridionale videlicet i gradi 54 con li gradi 66 fanno gradi 120
che tanto contiene di latitudine la Africa con la Europa perche
giungendo lo estremo della Europa che sono i limiti di Norvegia
che stanno in gradi 71 con lo estremo dell’ Africa che e il pro-
montorio di capo di Buona Speranza in gradi 35, faranno solo
gradi 106 e se lo equestre di detta terra in parte corresponde
al lito marittimo non e dubbio di grandezza la Asia ecceda in
tal forma troviamo il globo della terra molto maggiore non
hanno tenuto gli antichi a ripugnanza matematici quelle rispetto
alia acqua sia minima il che per esperienza lo opposito veggiamo
e quanto alio aree corporale, di spazio non meno la terra che la
acqua possedere giudichiamo come alia presenza meglio spero
e con pui ragione esperimentare e mostrare a V. S. M. tutta
quella nuova terra o nuovo mondo che disopra abbiamo narrato
contiene. Insieme congiungendo alia Asia ed Africa et che
sappiamo certo porria giungere alia Europa con la Norvegia e
Russia che sarebbe falso secondo gli antichi quali dal promon-
torio de cimbri quasi tutto il settentrionale dicono essere stato
navigato alio oriente circuendo circa il mare caspio il medesimo
affermano resterebbe adunque solo interclusa da due mari
situati dallo orientale ed occidentale, e equelle due ne chiude l’uno
e l’altro perche oltre a’ gradi 54 della equinoziale verso lo austroVERRAZZANo’s VOYAGE.
67
s^estende alio oriente per lungo spazio e dal settentrionale pas-
sando i gradi 66. Segue tornando in verso lo oriente giun-
gendo perfino a gradi 70. Spero con lo ajuto di V. S. M. ne
avremo in breve migliore certitudine, la quale Dio omnipossente
prosperi in diuturna fama ad causa veggiamo ottime fine di
questa nostra cosmografia che si adempie la sacra voce dello
evangelio—nella nave Delphina in Normandia in porto di Diepa,
a di 8 Luglio, 1524.
Humilis Servitor,
Janus Verazzanus.