Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Lives of Eminent and Illustrious Englishmen, From Alfred the Great to the Latest Times, on an Original Plan, Vol. 2
But even in the 15th century, the foreign enterprise of England, corresponding to the parallel cases of Spain and Portugal, assumes the aspect rather of geographical discovery or commercial enterprise than of political hostility. The laws respecting trade, indeed, which were passed during this period, partook of that restrictive character to which, in later times, political economists have furnished formidable objections; but the commercial spirit was abroad, and to this period belong some memorable facts in the history of our mercantile and maritime affairs. It was in 1487, that the cape of Good Hope was discovered by Bar tholomew Diaz, and in 1492, that America was first explored by Chris topher Columbus. Following in the train of these great events was a voyage of discovery which the English navigator Sebastian Cabot, undertook in 1495, by letters patent from Henry VII. Who, by the erection of the celebrated ship, the Great Harry, may be said, accord ing to Mr Hume, to have begun the English navy. This is not the place for a minute detail of the discoveries of Cabot, or the voyages of Drake, or other remarkable incidents in the naval or commercial his tory of England: but as symptomatic of the times, and as presenting important points in that history, it may here be noticed, that in the brilliant reign of Queen Elizabeth - the last in the period under review we find established a trade with Muscovy and Turkey, - the Royal Ex change was built, -interest was legalized, - a charter was granted to the East India company, - and, in the year 1582, there were upwards of English ships, of which, however, only 217 were of more than 80 tons burden.
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