[Sidenote] 1498. The discovery of Americus Vespuccius.

In the year following, Americus Vespuccius, a native of Florence, having
procured a commission, together with the charts of the celebrated
Columbus, sailed to the southern division of the western continent. In
this voyage he discovered a large country, and drew a kind of map of
those parts of it he visited. He also kept a journal, making several
useful remarks on the coast and inhabitants; which, on his return to
Europe, were published for general instruction. By this means he had the
good fortune to perpetuate his name, by giving it to the whole western
world. Posterior writers naturally following the same tract, and using
the same names found in the first performance, America by accident became
the denomination by which the western continent was distinguished, and
probably will be so through all succeeding ages.

[Sidenote] A.D. 1500. The discovery of Cabral.

Not long after this, Don Pedro Alvarez Cabral, admiral of the Portuguese
fleet, bound for the East Indies, was driven by a storm on the coast of
that country now called Brazil. There he found fine land, inhabited by
savages, of which he took possession in name of his king. This discovery
he deemed of great consequence, and therefore having put a native or two
of the new-found land on board, he sent Gasper Lamidas back to Portugal
with the news. He reported, at the same time, the gentle treatment he
received from the natives of the country, the excellent soil and
beautiful prospects it exhibited; and, upon his report, a settlement was
soon after made, which advanced by rapid degrees in riches and
population, and soon became the most valuable of the Portuguese
possessions.