New-York tribune., 1891-08-29
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
THE DISCOVERIES OF CABOT.
A PLACE FOR THE GREAT ENGLISH EXPLORER
AT THE WORLDS FAIR.

AT THE WORLDS FAIR.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. II would have been extraordinary. indeed II IN
the approaching celebration OF the discovery OF amer
ica by Columbus, the two natonanues that conlu
have so we'll contested the claim OF Spain and ltaly
had neglected to do So Scandinavia can BOAST on a
dseoyerer who crossed the Atlantic, in finer craft
and with better crew. 800 years before Columbus ven
tnred the undertaking; and England has one that
at,ed ont much more effective expedition and ac-
enmpl,shed far more than the muche1tolled Geneese
both Left Enkson and Sebastian Cabot dld what
Columbus utterly failed 30 do They both discovered
the mainland OF North America, both explored the
coast and led directly TO the establishing OF colonies
The claims of England and the Scandinavian nations
barnonlze and need induce no rivalry nor envy on
either SIDE for Il was the knowledge Of the Morse
voyapers current In England In the fifteenth century
that induced the several expeditions from Bristol IN
ouest of the Western lands. But the strange SILENCE
~ all these Northern countries Of Europe until quite
recently almost seemed TO indicate that they would
allow Spain to usurp all the glory Of finding America
and yield to the most arrogant Of Roman Cathohc
claims with meekness for which Queen Eiizapeth
ana Gustaf Adolf did not afford them precedent
Nav Il almost seemed as II neither England nor Scan
dinavia cared 10 revive the memory of these great
soveregns rs this could not be done without calling
attention TO the destruction Of the ARMADA ana the
Protestant Victories on the battlehelds OF Germany,
both Of which formed the prelude TO the colonization ol
the Atlantic coast by the English. SwedeS and Duch'
all freedom-loving Protestant natonaities, whose aim
was 10 form in this country refuge for tho oppressed
and prosecuted Of Europe.
But this too derect and Irrational 10 Do
pursued TO the end There are floating rumors that
sweden, Norway and Denmark are to send fine eNhlbS
10 the Worlds Fair in Chicago, that VIII embrace
collection of scandinavian antiquities and objects thas
will illustrate the Morse discovery. This naturally
ffaa a
programme as published extensively through the press
during my Left Erikson campaign, in 1883, in Wash
ingtOn and again incorporated in the plan Tor an
historical exhibition submitted by my husband and
myself TO the Worlds Fair directory last Wlnter-l
have no idea Of having any part OF tas progiamhe,
tho Viking Hall and its appointments ngues OF
Morse warriors etc, carried on without our paru-
clpation. Having presented the Left Erkson claim
before Congress- written strong book on the subject
lectured on ii from Boston 10 Winnipeg, and written
lnnumerabe articles on 1t for the American and Eng
llsb press feel myself entitled to very different
treatment from that Therefore, have renewed our
application TO the Worlds Fair directory, and 1t Is 10
be hoped that they will allow u.s. as the orsinators OF
the only exhibition plan that woulc adequately Illus
trate all the discoveries and colonizatons Of this coun
try 10 carry out our own IDEAS, ana not nave thcso
piratcd from Us. We were promised by PreSdehu
Palmer and Director General Davis that We could carry
it. provided Professor Putnam approved OF IT, as IL
voud form historical section in his chronological dc
partmept Professor Putnam does approve of II ana
would like to It carried out as he has several ues
assured rs personally and by letter, and got the
directory have left us for months In suspense Without
an answer either one way or the other.
What suddenly prompted 10 renew onr application
to the directory with strong plea for justice was inc
news that Bristol had woke up at last and intended 10
mt the Cabot claim into objective shape at the Expo
sItien Behold this An official letter has Just been
received from Bristol which indicates one sort OF work
that may be begun. 1t is written by Mr. Louis A. Latin
rop the American Consul, who has been especially alert
lie calls attention To the fact that the CabOls Were ue
dlscoverers of the American mainland, and for that
reason their achievements ought to be ranked side by
side with those Of Columbus. Their heroic voyage far
TO the northward of the Italian navgators course was
into reeion quite as unknown as his. They were
true pioneers AS Bristol was for years tho home OF
John Cabot and his famous son sebastian was Dorh
there 1t is proposed that this city which was theh
second only TO London commercially, shall have sep
arate space in the Exposition Bristol seat her smp9
into every known pO in the world, even 70 Tchangel
and the Iceland port Of Thule Sa6ots yO!ages VIZ @
made in Bristol ships fitted with Bristol money ana
manned by Bristol men. IL was the adventurous ap-
petite Of this city that enabled the Cabots 70 take their
daring VOYAGES into the unknown seas ana al asJ set
foot on the soil of America. After tnat came lne
stories of other almost pirates
at was from Blistol that William Penn went ioftl
TO establish his 'SylNana on utc busqieldIlHh' "a
great body of Quakers stil in the city doing honor
to his memory. The long chain Of connection with
the colonies is brought almost 10 close by an ant0-
graph letter now owned by q Bristol firm Of t0bac-
Gonists the Messrs wills. I'm which George Washington
advises them the shipment from Virginia OF sew
eral hoesheads of tobacco.
@The ancient navigation guild Of Merchant Ven
turers stil exists IN BIstO. Its first governor was
Sebastian Cabot. who raversed an unknown ocean IN
search Of unknown land In his little vessel ne
Matthew The proposal q Consul Lathop is that the
Merchant Venturers should be represented at Chcago
and that in a special room there should DO exhibited
ancient charters, memorials OF antiquity, municipal
regaias and everything that illustrates the time OF the
CabOts and their surroundings. 1t Is also proposed
that the Mayor Of Bristol should attend the opening
ceremonies of the Exposition Who in Great Britain is
ready 10 make another suggestion ~
Pending the decision Of the Worlds Fair directory
we viii consult tire Bristol authorities n person, the
American Consul, Merchant Ventures, Antiquarian 80
ciety, editors, all Of them And In London We viii
with the commission composed OF the society OF
Arts to whom our plan has already been submitted.
In the course Of few weeks will report progress
In Bristol and whether We are 70 work under American
ausplces or English MARIE A. SIIIPLEI.
esewT0rt, Aug. IT, 1891