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THE volumes before us are an example of the rich fruits of recent research. Much has been written with regard to the rise and growth of our Asiatic power, yet it is no disparagement to past historians of the subject to say that this work of Mr. Sainsbury's will oblige them to admit the incompleteness of their labors and to revise their volumes. Without bricks it is idle to think of building; and until the Record Office, in the exercise of a wise discretion, resolved upon having the papers relating to the establishment of our Indian empire made public, no material existed from which a full and authentic account could be derived of the development of our commercial system with the East. These calendars, and those that

are to follow, will fill up a gap in the list
of our authorities which has too long been
allowed to remain blank. Thanks to Mr.

the success of our factors. We learn how false was the amity of the Dutch, and how end of their treacherous friendship. Interrible was the tragedy which was the deed, there is little connected with the tions with the East which will not be found rise and progress of our commercial relanarrated here with a breadth and a fulness the Calendar of Mr. Brewer is to Mr. that leave nothing to be desired. What Froude's "History of the Reformation," what the Calendar of Mr. Hamilton is to Mr. Rawson Gardiner's "History of the Stuarts," this Calendar of Mr. Sainsbury will be to the future historian of our Asiatic empire.

made for the exploration of a route to The volumes open with the suggestions eastern Asia. During the early part of the sixteenth century the minds of men engaged in commerce were much occupied in the discovery of a north-west or northeast passage to India or "Cathay." The Sainsbury, we have now a minute and impetus which the discovery of America detailed narrative of the voyages of dis- gave to maritime exploration had stimulated the greed of all English mariners covery which took place in the reign of and merchants to obtain a closer and Elizabeth; of the establishment of our easier connection with the fabulous treastrade with India, which was one of the results of the spirit of exploration then the task was "the Worshipful Master ures of the East. The first to attempt rife amongst Englishmen; and of the numerous obstacles which had to be sur-ceived "a vehement desire to attempt the Thorne, in anno 1527," who having conmounted before the enterprise was crowned with success. With these volumes before us we see Frobisher vainly striving, as so many have striven after him, to discover the North-West Passage, and to unite those hyperborean regions in commercial intercourse with the south. We read how our East India Company originated, the prosperity it achieved, and

the animosities it excited. We are taken

behind the scenes of Eastern courts, and
watch the intrigues of rival trading asso-
ciations for special support and patronage.
We are introduced to that mysterious
personage of the seventeenth century, the
Great Mogul, and are made acquainted
with his tastes and habits. We see the
bitter jealousy of Spain and Portugal at

* Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series, East
Indies, China, and Japan, preserved in her Majesty's
Public Record Office and elsewhere. Edited by W.
NOBL SAINSBURY, Esq. 3 vols., 1513-1616, 1617-1621,

1622-1624. London.

navigation towards the north," endeavored discovery in hand," by drawing a brilliant to persuade Henry VIII. to "take the and of the precious silks and jewels that picture of the rich countries to be found, would thus be brought into England. His was, however, not tended for the discovery of Cathay," orgratified. The result of the voyage "inganized by Sebastian Cabot, who had

"vehement desire"

obtained from Edward VI. "letters to the habiting the north-east part of the world kings, princes, and other potentates intowards the mighty empire of Cathay," is

well known.

forth the 10th day of May, 1553, under The expedition "did set the command of Sir Hugh Willoughby," but never returned home. Sir Hugh, after being tossed about by the billows of the Atlantic for seven months, perished with all his crew "in a river or haven called Arzina, in Lapland, near unto

Kegor." The fierce religious war then | feared to be tedious; and he concluded waged at home prevented Queen Mary with the hope that he might be employed from occupying herself with the hopes and in the enterprise, and "to venture my suggestions of her seafaring subjects; life as fervent zeal moveth me, which but on the accession of her sister, who if I may live to accomplish, I shall atwas known to be interested in all geo-tain to the sum of my desire." No defi graphical questions, a host of adventurers nite answer being returned to this peticame into the field. From the petitions tion, Jenkynson associated himself with and memorials among the State papers Sir Humphrey Gylberte, and determined of this time we see how keenly the nation to undertake an expedition at his own desired to attempt the discovery, and how cost and independent of all State aid, lightly the dangers attendant upon the provided the queen would grant him the effort were regarded. Among the mass following privileges: that no one was to of documents upon this subject, the peti- go to any part of the world through the tion of one Anthony Jenkynson occupies passage to be discovered by him, "upon a conspicuous place. This man had pain of confiscation of body, goods, and already made several voyages to Russia lands," and that he and his heirs were to and Persia, and he now implored her trade custom free forever. These condiMajesty that he might venture his life in tions were well received, Secretary Cecil the attempt "to prove a passage by the commented favorably upon them, and the north-east to Cathay and the East Indies." request of Jenkynson would undoubtedly He urged the queen "to set forward this have been answered in the affirmative had famous discovery of that renowned Ca- it not been opposed by the Muscovy thay," and doubted not "that by the traffic Company, which considered its interests her Majesty will grow to infinite riches, affected by the proposed undertaking. and be accounted the famous princess of This hostility was fatal to the "sum" of the world." He enumerated the advan-Jenkynson's desire, and the matter tages that would accrue to English commerce "if this region of Cathay might be discovered and passage found thither by the north." In his opinion the "speculations of cosmographers " on the dangers of the navigation of the northerly seas and of the intensity of the cold that had to be endured were much exaggerated. He made no doubt, "from his experience in these northerly regions," that the seas and lands were as temperate when the sun was in the north tropic as at home; "the travels of the Portugals and Spaniards upon unknown coasts should encour age us to travel and search for this passage." He did not wholly dissent, he said, from those who held that there was a passage by the north-west, but he had no fear of finding one by the north-east, for "he has conferred with divers Cathay-rative, wanting on the present occasion. ens and the inhabitants of other countries Thanks to the friendly guidance of Mr. very far north, near whereunto he guesses Sainsbury, we see Frobisher busy amongst the passage to be." From the current of the adventurers who crowded the antethe tide and the remains of animal life to rooms of Whitehall to obtain State help be found in those regions he was perfectly for their private enterprises; we learn assured of the existence of this passage. what were the inducements which promptOther reasons he could allege, only he led him to court the perils of Arctic navi.

dropped until it was again vigorously taken up by one of the most active of that little band of navigators whose exploits have shed an additional lustre upon the brilliant reign of Elizabeth.

Of the details of Martin Frobisher's voyages the volumes before us afford in. formation not to be obtained from the accounts either of Christopher Hall or Captain Best, printed by Hakluyt. It is one of the special charms of State paper evidence to take us behind the scenes of history, and show us, if not a new reading of the play, at least how the actors dress for their respective parts, what are the feuds and jealousies of the company, and how painstaking is the art by which the public is to be deceived. Nor are these disclosures, which add a piquancy to nar

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gation, who were his chief opponents, and | natives; but, "perceiving these strange
the names of all who freely subscribed to people to be of a nature given to fierce-
his ventures; we listen to the carping ness and rapine, and not himself prepared
criticisms and malicious constructions of for defence," he returned to his ship and
those whose designs he had defeated; steered to another island off the main-
we read the log book of the voyage, and land, on the north side. Here two head-
we watch with amusement the growth and lands at the farthest end of the strait
development of the quarrel that soon were discovered. By reason there was
sprang up between himself and his former no likelihood of land to the northward,
champion, Michael Lok. After months the great broad open between, and the
of anxious preparation and frequent de- great flood tides they judged to be the
lays "for lack of money," the little expe- West Sea whereby to pass to Cathay and
dition in quest of "the strait to be discov- to the East Indies." Having reached
ered towards the north-west," set sail from these high latitudes, Frobisher now en-
Gravesend June 12, 1576. It consisted of deavored to derive some practical benefit
two barques of twenty-five tons each, the from the voyage. He was anxious to be
"Gabriel" and the "Michael," a pinnace piloted through the strait into the West
of ten tons, of which Frobisher was cap- Sea, but, unlike his successors in the field
tain and pilot," and a crew of thirty-four of Arctic exploration, found the Esqui-
persons. The amount of the total stock maux not only "very beastly in their
subscribed for was 8757., and among the manner of life and food," but treacherous
names of the different "adventurers in and hostile. He therefore came to the
Martin Frobisher's first voyage for dis- conclusion that no confidence could be
covery of the North-West Passage," we "given to such a pilot nor to any of the
find Sir Thomas Gresham, who sub- people." Further stay being useless in
scribed 100l.; the Earls of Sussex, War- these parts, Frobisher was on the eve of
wick, and Leicester, who subscribed each turning the bows of his vessel towards
50%.; and Secretary Walsingham and England, when he was subjected to many
Philip Sydney, who each subscribed 257. days' delay owing to the rash conduct of
Shortly after quitting the Channel the certain of his crew. With the reckless
expedition encountered "a great storm, curiosity of English seamen, five of the
in which they lost sight of their pinnace, sailors of the "Gabriel," contrary to the
with three men, which they could never express orders of their captain, had rowed
since hear of." Off the "great island of out of sight of the ship to traffic with the
Friezland" the two ships parted com- natives on the mainland, and "after that
pany. The "Michael," commanded by a hour they were never seen nor heard of."
Welshman, Owen Gryffyn, steered her Frobisher used every effort to recover his
course for Labrador, "but found it so men, but without success, and after a
compassed with monstrous high islands fruitless search orders were given to
of ice that they durst not approach." Ac weigh anchor and return homewards. As
cordingly she turned back, and arrived in the "Gabriel" was beating down Fro-
the Thames early in September. The bisher's Strait, "all oppressed with sor-
"Gabriel," on board of which was Fro-row that their captain should return home
bisher, whose
"valiant courage" had without an evidence or token of any place
averted many dangers, displayed greater where he had been," a fleet of canoes
fortitude and perseverance. Keeping due crowded with natives approached the ves-
north, she reached Labrador on July 29, sel. Signs of friendship were made to
"the headland whereof Frobisher named the Esquimaux by the English sailors,
Elizabeth Foreland." Passing through and one canoe bolder than its fellows.
the strait which now bears the name of touched the ship's side. Presents were
the navigator, the "Gabriel" cast anchor
off one of the neighboring islands. Fro-
bisher and six of his men landed and
attempted to have intercourse with the

handed down, and whilst one of the natives was in the act of receiving a bell he was suddenly seized by Frobisher and lifted over the gunwale on deck amid the

howls of his countrymen. He was now | begged that the matter might be pretold "by signs" that if he gave informa- served a solemn secret. The discovery tion as to the existence of the five En- was laid before the Council, and that body glishmen he would be set at liberty; "but gave it as its opinion that a second voy. he would not seem to understand, and age was "a thing worthy to be followed." therefore was still kept in the ship with Frobisher was asked to take the comsure guard." All this, we are informed, mand, and readily assented. On this was done within arrow-shot of his fellows, occasion the interests of geography were who departed in great haste, "howling lost in the race after wealth. Men were like wolves or other beasts." Two days' utterly indifferent to the discovery of the grace was given to the Esquimaux to North-West Passage, and were now only redeem their comrade and restore the intent upon embarking in a venture which missing Englishmen, and on the expira- might result in the acquisition of a large tion of that time, without there being any fortune. The charges were estimated at signs of the natives returning with their 4,500/., and the subscription list was soon prisoners, the "Gabriel" steered her filled with eager applicants. The queen course south with her strange hostage on subscribed 1,000l., and many of the leading board. We are favored with a brief de- officials 1,000l. each. On May 26, 1577, scription of this the first Arctic inhabitant Frobisher started on his second voyage. who had ever sailed under the English Amongst his crew were ten convicts, who flag-"very broad face, and very fat and had been released from prison to work full in body; legs short and small, and the ore which it was hoped would be out of proportion; long hanging coalblack found. The instructions of the comhair tied above his forehead; little eyes mander were very brief and simple. He and a little black beard; skin of a dark was "to defend the mines and possess sallow, much like the tawny Moors, or the country." Into the details of this rather to the Tartar nation, whereof I voyage we need not enter. After an think he was; countenance sullen or absence of four months Frobisher rechurlish, but sharp." As on her outward- turned home and cast anchor off Bristol. bound cruise, so on her return homeward, It was at once concluded by those who the "Gabriel" had to weather a terrible had taken shares in the enterprise that storm in the Atlantic. She quitted Lab- the quest had been successful, and that rador August 25, sighted the Orkney the holds of the two barques, the " Ayde Islands September 25, reached Harwich and the "Gabriel," were heavily ballasted October 2, and arrived in the port of Lon- with precious ore. A suggestion was don October 9, 1576, where she was "joy-made to the Privy Council that the cargo fully received with the great admiration should be unladen in the port of Bristol, of the people, bringing with her her strange man and his boat, which was such a wonder unto the whole city and to the rest of the realm that heard of it, as seemed never to have happened the like great matter to any man's knowledge."

The bold captain of the “Gabriel" was, however, not to remain long in idleness. A report had been spread throughout the town that in these ice-bound regions from which Frobisher had just returned the soil was deeply impregnated with gold, and that the land had only to be worked to yield untold wealth. The greed of the court and of the nation was at once aroused. Frobisher had presented to his friend and then staunch ally, Michael Lok, a piece of stone, "the first thing he found in the new land." This stone had been handed over to Williams, the assay-master of the Tower, and to other refiners, and the result of their examination had been to extract from the flint a grain of gold. This important fact Lok at once communicated to the queen, but

and confined for better security within the walls of the castle under four locks, the keys to be left with the mayor of Bristol, Sir Richard Berkeley, Frobisher, and Michael Lok. It was also desired by the eager and credulous adventurers that means should speedily be adopted for the melting of the ore. From the papers before us we do not hear that on this occasion a single enquiry was raised as to the discovery of the North-West Passage. "It is somewhat remarkable," writes Mr. Sainsbury, "that throughout the corre spondence relating to Frobisher's second and third voyages, the original intention of the first voyage, that is, the discovery of the North-West Passage, is almost wholly lost sight of gold is the pith, heart, and core of most of the correspondence."

The suggestions offered to the Council were at once acted upon. Frobisher was directed to discharge his cargo at Bristol, and the officers of the mint were instructed to receive into the Tower “

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