Chapter IX

France emulates Portugal, Spain, and England. Discoveries of
the Bretons and the Normans. Exploration of the St. Lawrence
River. Giovanni da Verrazzano put in command of a fleet to
sail to Cathay by Francis I. The king of Portugal attempts
to prevent the sailing of the vessels. Storm in the North
Sea. Departure of the Dauphine. Verrazzano reaches the coast
of North America. Designates his first landing-place Diepa.
Fruitless search for a harbor. Friendly savages. Description
of the country. Palmetto trees. Sails northward. Explorations
of the peninsula of Virginia. The Dauphine’s anchorage at
Sandy Hook. Verrazzano explores the bays of New York. The
Grande River. Block Island. The Dauphine in Narragansett Bay.
Description of the natives. Exploration of the coast of Maine.
Five hundred and two leagues of land inspected. Francesca.
Verrazzano’s geographical explanation of his voyage. Arrival
of the Dauphine at Dieppe 297-334

CHAPTER X.

(_Addenda._)

Circulation of the news of Verrazzano’s remarkable discoveries.
Fernando Carli’s letter to his father. The adverse opinion of
the people concerning Verrazzano’s undertaking. The navigator
regarded as another Amerigo Vespucci, another Magellan. Three
ships equipped to sail to the Indies under the command of
Verrazzano. His third voyage to the New Land. The indomitable
Florentine falls a victim to savage cruelty. His body roasted
and eaten. Ramusio’s worthy tribute. The navigator’s great
parchment map. The Maiollo map. Hieronymus da Verrazzano’s
chart 335-343