Thomas Hariot, the Mathematician, the Philosopher and the ScholarStevens, Henry
Philosophy
Thomas Hariot, the Mathematician, the Philosopher and the Scholar
Stevens, Henry
Harriot, Thomas, 1560-1621; Hercules Club
Among whom, the first that adventured on the discovery of these parts,
were, Sir Hugh Willoughby, and Richard Chanceler: after them, Stephen
Borough. And farther yet then either of these, did Arthur Pet, and
Charles Lackman discover these parts. And these voyages were all
undertaken by the instigation of Sebastian Cabot: that so, if it were
possible, there might bee found out a nearer pafsage to Cathay and
China : yet all in vane ; fave only that by this meanes a course of
trafficke was confirmed betwixt us and the Mofcovite.
When their attempts fucceeded not this way ; their next designe was
then to try, what might bee done in the Northern Coasts of America :
and the first undertaker of these voyages was Mr. Martin Frobisher: who
was afterward feconded by Mr. Iohn Davis. By meanes of all which
Navigations, many errours of the Ancients, and their great ignorance
was discovered.
But now that all these their endeavours fucceeded not, our Kingdome at
that time being well furnished in fhips, and impatient of idlenefse :
they resolved at length to adventure upon other parts. And first Sir
Humphrey Gilbert with great courage and Forces attempted to make a
discovery of those parts of America, which were yet unknowne to the
Spaniard : but the successe was not answerable. Which attempt of his,
was afterward more prosperously prosecuted by that honourable Gentleman
Sir Walter Rawleigh: to whose meanes Virginia was first discovered unto
us, the Generall of his Forces being Sir Richard Greenville : which
Countrey was afterwards very exactly furveighed and described by Mr.
Thomas Harriot.
This William Sanderson, the patron of Mollineux, Hood, and Hues, was a
rich and liberal London merchant, who had married a niece of Raleigh.
He contributed largely to Sir Walter’s first reconnoitring expedition
in 1584 under Amidas and Barlow, and was afterwards a liberal
adventurer and supporter of Raleigh in all his colonial schemes. He was
fond of the science of geography, and contributed largely to the
preparation and publication of the globes of Mollineux, and the
Descriptions of them by Hood and Hues in 1592 and 1594. He was also a
good friend of all Raleigh’s friends, and acted as Sir Walter’s fiscal
agent in regard to the Wine monopoly. On being called upon for a
settlement of the large amount due, as Raleigh supposed, after his
imprisonment in the Tower, Sanderson denied his indebtedness, was sued,
cast into the debtors’ jail, and died in poverty. His son published
severe comments against Raleigh.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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