As to the authenticity of this globe there is no other evidence than that it has the appearance of an old instrument, and its representations generally correspond with the state of geographical knowledge of the period of its date. [Footnote:  It measures forty-two inches in circumference.  Hist.  Mag. (New York) 1862, p. 202.  A map showing so much of it as relates to North America, was lithographed for the dissertation of Mr. Smith, and is here reproduced.] Adopting its own story of its construction, it proves the existence of the Verrazano map, with the Verrazzano discoveries upon it, and consequently the existence of the claim as early as the year 1542.

The other references to a Verrazzano map, prove nothing on the subject of the discoveries, unless the letter of Annibal Caro, which alludes to discoveries by the brothers Verrazzani, in connection with a map, he deemed as referring to them.  In that case, 1537 would be the earliest mention of them, in any known publication.  Lok and Hakluyt, as has been already seen, clearly do not refer to any map showing the Verrazzano discoveries.  The period of the fabrication of the letter may therefore, possibly, be fixed between 1536 and 1542.  But whether this period be properly deduced or not, is immaterial; since in no event can an earlier date than 1529 be assigned by any evidence outside of the letter, for the existence of the Verrazzano claim; which year, as is now to be shown, was long after the coast had been discovered and made known to the world by another.

IX.

The letter to the king founded on the discoveries of Estevan Gomez. 
The history of Gomez and his voyage.  The publication of his
discoveries in Spain and Italy before the Verrazzano claim.  The
voyage described in the letter traced to RIBERO’s map of the
discoveries of Gomez.

In the proofs adduced, outside of the letter addressed to the king, no direct evidence appears in regard to the discovery.  There is no testimony to be found of any one who took part in the setting forth or equipment of the expedition, or in the prosecution of the voyage, or who was personally cognizant of the return of the Dauphiny.  No chart or private letter, no declaration or statement of the navigator, in regard to the extraordinary discovery achieved by him, is produced or mentioned, although he belonged to a family of some note in Tuscany, which still existed in the present century.  In this respect, Italy, the birth place and home of Verrazzano, is as blank and barren as France.  All that is really shown of any pertinency is the single circumstance, that