And so also from the Arecifes to the Sarcales, from Cape Sable to Cape Canso, it is one hundred and thirty-five leagues on the map, or twice the actual distance.  These great errors show how impossible it was at that time to calculate longitudinal distances correctly.  But two navigators, sailing independently as mentioned, could not have fallen into these errors exactly to the same extent, exaggerated in the two cases by the same excessive length, and in the other by the same extraordinary diminution.  Yet in the particulars just described the map and the letter correspond precisely.  Such a coincidence of mistakes, could not have been accidental.

One of these documents must, therefore, have been the source of the other.  In determining between them, there can be no mistake in adopting as the original, that one which has a certain and indisputable authenticity, and rejecting that which is unsupported by any other testimony.  The voyage of Gomez was long the subject of consideration and preparation, and was heralded to the world for months before it was undertaken.  The order of the king of Spain under which it was made, still exists in the archives of that kingdom.  The results of the expedition were announced by credible historians of the country, immediately after its return; and the nautical information which it brought back, and in regard to which alone it possessed any interest at the time, was transferred at once to the marine charts of the nation, imperfectly it is true, and spread before the world.  These charts still remain in their original form, as they were then prepared.  With these incontrovertible facts to sustain it, the discovery of Gomez must stand as established in history and, consequently, the claim of Verrazzano must fall. [Footnote:  The map of Ribero is not a faithful representation of the exploration of Gomez, in many respects.  The tierra de Ayllon is made to embrace a large portion of the country the coast of which was discovered by Gomez.  The bay of Santa Maria, or the Chesapeake, is placed two degrees further south than it should he, that is, in latitude 35 degrees, instead of 37 degrees N. The R. de los Gamos, or Penobscot, mentioned by Cespedes, is not named at all.  The question, however, of its greater or less correctness is of no importance on the present occasion; it is sufficient that it was followed by the writer of the letter, erroneous as it was.]

X.

The career of Verrazzano.  An adventurous life and an ignominious death.  Conclusion.