ABSTRACT
Since the other day one Don Hierolamo di Marin de Bucignolo, a Ragusan, who came before the presence of the Chiefs of our Council of Ten, said that he was sent by one Sebastian Cabotto, who declares that he belongs to this our city, and now resides in Seville, where he has the appointment, from that c~sarean and Catholic Majesty, of his Chief Pilot for the discovery and navigation of new lands. And in his name he referred to an accompanying deposition as his credential, touching which, although we do not see that we can place much trust in it, yet, as there may be some importance in it, \\'e have not thought fit to reject the offer of the same Sebastian to come to our presence, to say what he has in his mind respecting this matter. Hence we are content that the said Hierolamo should write to him according to the tenor of what you will see in the enclosed. We therefore desire, and we, the said Heads of our Council of Ten, instruct you that, with all diligence but with due caution, you shall take means to find out if the aforesaid Sebastian is in the court or about to come there shortly, in which case you are to procure that he shall come to you, and you are to deliver to him the said letter which we have arranged to send by another way to your very faithful servant, that it may reach you presently. You should endeavour to find out something of
the matter in hand in the event of his being disposed to be open with you, in which case we are well content to leave it to you to ascertain his sentiments. \Vhen you see him you should move him "·ith sound reasoning, and encourage him to come here, for we are not only desirous but anxious that he should come to us securely. If he should not be at court, nor about to come, but returned to Seville, take care to send all letters by a safe channel, so that they may reach him. Let him know by whom they arc sent, that they come from his own friends here, and under any circumstances report everything to the said Heads of our Council of Ten. Having just received letters from the Captain-General of Candia, with news touching the affairs of Rhodes, we send you a summary, that you may communicate it to that c~sarean and Catholic Majesty, to the magnificent Grand Chancellor, to the reverend Bishop of Yalencia, and to others in your discretion.
