after-comers.

So that the right way may now be easily found out in short time, and that
with little jeopardy and less expenses.

For America is discovered so far towards the north as Cape Frido, which
is at 62 degrees, and that part of Greenland next adjoining is known to
stand but at 72 degrees; so that we have but 10 degrees to sail north and
south to put the world out of doubt hereof; and it is likely that the
King of Spain and the King of Portugal would not have sat out all this
while but that they are sure to possess to themselves all that trade they
now use, and fear to deal in this discovery lest the Queen's Majesty,
having so good opportunity, and finding the commodity which thereby might
ensue to the commonwealth, would cut them off and enjoy the whole traffic
to herself, and thereby the Spaniards and Portuguese with their great
charges should beat the bush and other men catch the birds; which thing
they foreseeing, have commanded that no pilot of theirs, upon pain of
death, should seek to discover to the north-west, or plat out in any
sea-card any through passage that way by the north-west.

Now, if you will impartially compare the hope that remaineth to animate
me to this enterprise with those likelihoods which Columbus alleged
before Ferdinando, the King of Castilia, to prove that there were such
islands in the West Ocean as were after by him and others discovered, to
the great commodity of Spain and all the world, you will think then that
this North-West Passage to be most worthy travel therein.

For Columbus had none of the West Islands set forth unto him either in
globe or card, neither yet once mentioned of any writer (Plato excepted,
and the commentaries upon the same) from 942 years before Christ until
that day.

Moreover, Columbus himself had neither seen America nor any other of the
islands about it, neither understood he of them by the report of any
other that had seen them, but only comforted himself with this hope, that
the land had a beginning where the sea had an ending. For as touching
that which the Spaniards do write of a Biscaine which should have taught
him the way thither, it is thought to be imagined of them to deprive
Columbus of his honour, being none of their countryman, but a stranger
born.

And if it were true of the Biscaine, yet did he but hit upon the matter,
or, at the least, gathered the knowledge of it by conjectures only.

And albeit myself have not seen this passage,