The Portuguese had
then knowledge of; and that the said cosmographers knew no cause to
the contrary, but that it might continue farther.
By whose experiences America is proved to be separate from those
parts of Asia, directly against the same. And not contented with
the judgments of these learned men only, I have searched what might
be further said for the confirmation hereof.
4. And I found that Franciscus Lopez de Gomara affirmeth America to
be an island, and likewise Greenland; and that Greenland is distant
from Lapland forty leagues, and from Terra de Labrador fifty.
5. Moreover Alvarez Nunmius, a Spaniard, and learned cosmographer,
and Jacques Cartier, who made two voyages into those parts, and
sailed five hundred miles upon the north-east coasts of America.
6. Likewise Hieronimus Fracastorius, a learned Italian, and
traveller in the north parts of the same land.
7. Also Jacques Cartier, having done the like, heard say at
Hochelaga, in Nova Francia, how that there was a great sea at
Saguinay, whereof the end was not known: which they presupposed to
be the passage to Cathay. Furthermore, Sebastian Cabot, by his
personal experience and travel, has set forth and described this
passage in his charts which are yet to be seen in the Queen's
Majesty's Privy Gallery at Whitehall, who was sent to make this
discovery by King Henry VII.
