An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, vol 1 | Page 9

oppression at home.
Instead of improving the discoveries made in America during the reign
of his father, Henry the eighth was busily engaged in gratifying the
cravings of licentious appetites, or in opposing by writings the progress
of the reformation. In his reign Sebastian Cabot, that eminent mariner,
finding himself shamefully neglected by the capricious and voluptuous
monarch, went over to Spain. There he got employment for several
years, and made some new and useful discoveries in America for the
Spanish nation. After the young Prince Edward ascended the English
throne, the enterprising merchants of Bristol invited Cabot to return to
Britain; and he, having a natural fondness for that city in which he was
born, the more readily accepted their invitation. King Edward, having
heard of the fame of this bold navigator, expressed a desire of seeing

him; and accordingly Cabot was sent for and introduced to the king by
the Duke of Somerset, at that time Lord protector of England. The king
being highly pleased with his conversation, kept him about court, and
from him received much instruction, both with respect to foreign parts,
and the ports and havens within his own dominions. In all affairs
relating to trade and navigation Cabot was consulted, and his judgment
and skill procured him general respect. A trade with Russia was
projected, and a company of merchants being incorporated for carrying
it on, Sebastian Cabot was made the first governor of the company. In
1549, being advanced in years, the king, as a reward for his services,
made him Grand Pilot of England, to which office he annexed a
pension of L. 166: 13: 4 per annum, which Cabot held during his life,
together with the favour of his prince, and the friendship of the trading
part of the nation.
When Mary, that cruel and inflexible bigot, succeeded to the throne,
domestic troubles and ecclesiastical persecution were so prevalent in
England, that commerce sunk into decay, and navigation was despised
and neglected. The spirit of murmur and discontent pervaded the
country, and multitudes wished for some foreign settlement, as an
asylum against domestic trouble and persecution; and, had they been
sufficiently acquainted with the western territories, would certainly
have emigrated to that quarter. After Elizabeth ascended the throne, the
bloody scene of violence closed, and national affairs took a more
successful turn. During her reign the reformation advanced to a
peaceable establishment in England, and commerce was encouraged
and protected.
[Sidenote] Coligni's settlement in Florida.
In France the reformation met with greater obstacles, and was
productive of more serious and fatal consequences. It occasioned a civil
war between the Protestant and Catholic parties of that kingdom, which
raged for several years with great violence. During these domestic
troubles, Jasper de Coligni, one of the chief leaders of the Protestant
army, formed a project for carrying a colony to America. Forseeing the
dangers to which he and his followers would be exposed, should the
cause in which they were engaged prove unsuccessful, it is probable he
intended this foreign settlement as a retreat. Accordingly, having fitted
out two ships, he gave the command of them to Jean Ribaud, and sent

him with a colony of Protestants to America. Ribaud landed at the
mouth of the river now called Albemarle, which was then considered as
part of Florida, where he built a fort, for the security of himself and
followers, and called the country Carolina. By this time the Spaniards
had incurred the irreconcilable hatred and resentment of the Indian
nations by their cruelty and treachery in the heart of the continent.
Ribaud found means of acquainting the Indians that he was an enemy
to the Spaniards, and of consequence he was the more kindly received
by them. He had the address to engage their affections, insomuch that
in a little time they became fond of his alliance. But while the flames of
war continued in France, Coligni could find no leisure to send supplies
to his infant colony, and Ribaud was obliged to abandon the settlement.
Great were the extremities to which he was reduced in returning to
Europe: one of his crew was killed for subsistence to the rest, who had
scarcely done eating him, when an English vessel providentially
appeared, took the emaciated crew on board, and carried them to
England.
[Sidenote] Extirpated by Spaniard.
Mean while, a peace being patched up between the Papists and
Protestants in France, Admiral Coligni, who was seemingly received
into favour by that political court, fitted out three ships, loaded them
with provisions and arms, and sent them to Carolina. Rene Laudoner to
whom he had given the command, embarked with a number of
adventurers. On his arrival he found the spot Ribaud had relinquished;
but despaired of being able to keep possession of it without