Meaning: The quote refers to the period of exploration and discovery during the Age of Discovery, specifically the voyages of John Cabot and the subsequent response from the King of Portugal. This period, which spanned from the 15th to the 17th centuries, was characterized by extensive exploration, colonization, and trade expansion. The quote highlights the swift response of the King of Portugal to the news of Cabot's voyages, indicating a keen interest in further exploration and the search for new trade routes.

John Cabot, also known as Giovanni Caboto, was an Italian explorer who sailed under the English flag. In 1497, he embarked on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean and reached the coast of North America, making landfall somewhere in present-day Canada. His voyage was significant as it marked the first recorded European exploration of the North American mainland since the Norse expeditions led by Leif Erikson around the year 1000.

The quote suggests that the news of Cabot's voyages quickly reached the King of Portugal, prompting him to organize an expedition of discovery to the far north-west. This response underscores the intense competition among European powers to establish control over newly discovered territories and trade routes. The King of Portugal's decision to send an expedition to the far north-west was likely motivated by the desire to find a northern sea route to Eastern Asia, which was a primary objective of many European explorers at the time.

The quest for a sea route to Eastern Asia was driven by the lucrative trade in spices, silk, and other valuable goods that were in high demand in Europe. The existing overland trade routes, which passed through the Middle East and were controlled by Islamic empires, were both costly and fraught with political and logistical challenges. European powers sought alternative sea routes that would bypass these obstacles and provide direct access to the riches of the East.

The far north-west referred to in the quote likely alludes to the possibility of discovering a navigable passage through the northern waters of North America that could connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Such a route, if found, would offer a shortcut to Asia and the lucrative trade opportunities it held. This notion of a northwest passage captured the imagination of explorers and navigators for centuries, leading to numerous expeditions aimed at discovering this elusive sea route.

The response of the King of Portugal to the news of Cabot's voyages reflects the spirit of competition and exploration that defined the Age of Discovery. The rapid mobilization of resources for an expedition to the far north-west underscores the strategic importance placed on discovering new trade routes and territories. It also highlights the interconnected nature of European exploration, as news of significant discoveries quickly spread across the continent, prompting reactions and initiatives from other powers.

In conclusion, the quote by Harry Johnston sheds light on the immediate response of the King of Portugal to the news of Cabot's voyages and the subsequent organization of an expedition to the far north-west. This response exemplifies the intense competition and strategic significance attached to exploration and the search for new trade routes during the Age of Discovery. It also underscores the interconnected nature of European exploration and the widespread impact of significant discoveries on the actions and initiatives of other powers.