Source: H.P. Biggar - The Precursors of of Jacques Cartier, 1497-1534
Translated from Latin text first printed by Hakkluyt in 1582
The King, to all to whom, etc. Greeting: Be it known and made manifest that
we have given and granted as by these presents we give and grant, for us and
our heirs, to our well- beloved John Cabot, citizen of Venice, and to Lewis,
Sebastian and Sancio, sons of the said John, and to the heirs and deputies of
them, and of any one of them, full and free authority, faculty and power to
sail to all parts, regions and
coasts of the eastern, western and northern sea, under our banners, flags and
ensigns, with five ships or vessels of whatsoever burden and quality they
may be, and with so many and with such mariners and men as they may wish to
take with them in the said ships, at their own proper costs and charges, to
find,
discover and investigate whatsoever islands, countries, regions or provinces
of heathens and infidels, in whatsoever part of the world placed, which before
this time were unknown to all Christians. We have also granted to them and to
any one of them, and have given licence to set up our aforesaid banners and
ensigns in any town, city, castle, island or mainland whatsoever, newly found
by them. And that the before-mentioned John and his sons or their heirs and
deputies may conquer, occupy and possess whatsoever such towns, castles,
cities and islands by them thus discovered that they may be able to conquer,
occupy and possess, as our vassals and governors lieutenants and deputies
therein, acquiring for us the dominion, title and jurisdiction of the same
towns, castles, cities, islands and mainlands discovered; in such a way
nevertheless that of all the fruits, profits, enoluments, commodities, gains
and revenues accruing from this voyage, the said John and sons and their heirs
and deputies shall be bounden and under obligation for every their voyage, as
often as they shall arrive at our port of Bristol, at which they are bound and
holden only to arrive, all necessary charges and expenses incurred by them
having been deducted, to pay to us, either in goods or money, the fifth part
of the whole capital gained, we giving and
granting to them and their heirs and deputies, that they shall be free and
exempt from all payment of customs on all and singular the goods and
merchandise that they may bring back with them from those places newly
discovered.
And further we have given and granted to them and to their heirs and
deputies, that all mainlands, islands, towns, cities, castles and other places
whatsoever discovered by them, however numerous they may happen to be, may not
be frequented or visited by any other subjects of ours whatsoever without the
licence of the aforesaid John and his sons and of their deputies, on pain of
loss as well of the ships or vessels daring to sail to these places
discovered, as of all goods whatsoever. Willing and strictly commanding all
singular our subjects as well as by land as by sea, that they shall render
good assistance to the aforesaid John and his sons and deputies, and that they
shall give them all their favour and help as well in fitting out the ships or
vessels as in buying stores and provisions with their money and in providing
the other things which they must take with them on the said voyage.
In witness whereof, etc.
Witness ourself at Westminster on the fifth day of March.
By the King himself, etc."
