Part 11

These Voyages, and we have Accounts of no others, could not have furnished the Cosmographers the principal Materials for composing their Map, and it must have been agreeable to those Materials, besides the Accounts of these Voyages sent to _Old Spain_, that they set down the utmost Limits of the Western Coast to be in the Longitude of 135 Decrees from the Meridian of _Ferro_. Therefore it was their Opinion at that Time that one Hundred and thirty-five Degrees was near the Difference of Longitude of the Entrance of the Streight of _Anian_ in the _South Sea_, accounting the Longitude from the Meridian of _Ferro_. For which Reason the _Spaniards_ can never be understood to mean by the Streight of _Anian_ the Streight which separates _Asia_ and _America_, now named _Beering_'s _Streight_, and by which there is a Communication between the Sea of _Tartary_, or the _Frozen Ocean_, and the _South Sea_.

It is something remarkable, and supports what hath been before said as to Deficiency of the _Spanish_ Records, what Jesuit _Venegas_, the Author of the History of _California_, says, Vol. ii. P. 228, 'I was extremely desirous of finding Capt. _Sebastian Vizcaino_'s Narrative, and the Representations of the Council to his Majesty _Philip_ the Third, especially the Maps, Plans, Charts of his Voyage and Discoveries, in order to communicate the Whole to the Publick. Accordingly at my Request Search was made in the Secretary's Office of the Council of the _Indies_: But in this Intention of being serviceable to the Publick I have been disappointed.' And he again observes, on the Governor of _Cinaloa_ being ordered to pass over and take a Survey of the Coasts, Islands, Bays, Creeks, and the Disposition of the Ground of _California_, in the Year 1642, Vol. i. P. 188, 'There would have been little Occasion, says he, for this preparatory Survey, after so many others which had been continually making for above a Century, had the Reports, Narratives, Charts, Draughts and Maps, which were made, or should have been made, by so many Discoveries still continued in being. But these are the Effects of a Want of a proper Care in preserving Papers, a Fault to be regretted by Persons in Power, to whom they would be of Service in the Conduct of Affairs, and by private Persons, on the Account of their Interest, or as Entertainments of a commendable Curiosity.'--'But by the Loss of some Papers, either thro' a Change in the Government, or Irregularity in the Records, the whole Advantage of an Expedition is lost.'

From this Declaration by one who being a Jesuit, and of _Mexico_, composing a Work entirely for the publick Service, under the Direction of the Jesuits; by their Influence could attain the Sight of any Papers which were thought interesting as to the Work he was composing; and his last Reflection is not confined to the Records of _Old Spain_ only; it is apparent what Uncertainty there is of attaining any Evidence from such Records, as to the Discoveries made in the first Century after the Conquest of _Mexico_, and for a long Time after. The Narrative of _Vizcaino_'s Voyage, and every Thing thereto relating, as to any remaining Records might have become disputable, had not _Torquemada_ collected it, and published it amongst other Accounts; yet what _Torquemada_ hath preserved is but imperfect, as is apparent from a Journal of that Voyage, preserved in a private Hand at _Manilla_, and a Sight of large Extracts from which the Author hath been favoured by a Gentleman in _London_. It is owing to what _Torquemada_ and some others have collected of the Accounts which the Religious were the Authors of, that the Publick have the Accounts of those Parts; but such Voyages and Accounts as have not met with the same Means of being preserved, the Publick, from such Neglect, know nothing of them. It is plain from _Gomara_'s Account, also from _Acosta_'s, that great Discoveries had been made in these Parts, but as to many of such Discoveries, by whom is not known; and _Venegas_ says, Vol. i. P. 30, the River _Santo Thome_ was discovered in the Year 1684; 'And tho' I do not find, says he, in the Narratives of that Expedition (of Admiral _Otondo_) that _Otondo_ ever went ashore only to visit the Harbours of the Eastern Coast and the Gulph; yet from the ardent Curiosity of Father _Kino_, and the great Concern he had in the Affairs of _California_, I cannot think that he should be mistaken in any Particular relating to the Discovery: That Father _Kino_, both in his large Manuscript Map, and likewise in the lesser Impression, places the River of _Santo Thome_ as rising between the 26th and 27th Degrees of N. Latitude, and, after crossing the whole Peninsula, discharging itself into the _South Sea_, in the 26th Deg. and forming at its Mouth a large Harbour, which he calls _Puerto de Anno Nuevo_, being discovered in the Year 1685. On both Sides the River are Christian Villages, as is evident from their Names; _Santiago_, _Santo Innocentes_, _&c._ yet, in the Accounts of that Time, I do not meet with any Intelligence of this Discovery; to which I must add, that in the subsequent Relations no mention is made of any such River, Settlements or Harbours, though even little Brooks, are taken Notice of.' And he observes many other Difficulties occur about this Coast. This Harbour made by the River _Santo Thome_, is evidently that which _de Fonte_ and others call _Christabel_. Some Settlements had been made there, as these Names were given, but either deserted from the Barrenness of the Country, or had been only frequented by those who went out private Adventurers, in order to trade with the Natives. But as to which River, Settlements and Harbour, were not the Names preserved by Father _Kino_, it would not have been known that any Persons had been in those interior Parts of _California_, or that there were such River and Harbour. Father _Kino_ looked upon it as a Thing so well known, as he had no Occasion to defend himself, by giving the Reason of his inserting those Names to protect himself from the Reproach of Posterity. And _Venegas_ before tells us, that as to the Discoveries which had been made for a Century passed, the Papers were lost.

Between the Year sixteen Hundred and eighty-five, and the Time of _Venegas_'s Publication, though in the Year sixteen Hundred and eighty-five, it was well known that there was such a River as _St. Thome_, this River is exploded out of the Maps by the Geographers, on Account of the Uncertainty; not duly considering that there was as full a Proof as could be required with respect to so unfrequented a Part. The Account being from a Person whose Business it was to make Observations there, who had been so laborious and accurate as to discover, what had been so long desired to be known, whether _California_ was an Island or not, as to which he was believed; and the Truth hath been confirmed by later Observations of what he had reported, That it was not an Island. Therefore there was no Foundation for any Uncertainty in this Case, the same as with respect to the Letter of _de Fonte_, owing to the Neglect of a proper Enquiry into the Circumstances relating to it, by such an Inquiry the Uncertainty would have been removed.

What hath been said is to shew that the Argument on which so great a Stress is laid, that there is no Account of this Voyage amongst the _Spanish_ Records, is an Argument of no Weight against the Authenticity of this Account; and that as a Publication of this Voyage was not permitted, an Account of such Voyage could not be perpetuated by the Religious, the only probable Means at that Time of preferring it from Oblivion. As it was intended what was the Effect of this Expedition should be kept a Secret, it is not consistent there should be many written Accounts of it; the Officers concerned would be cautious of letting Transcripts be made from their Journals; and it may be attributed to an extraordinary Accident, rather than to what could be expected, that a Copy of the Letter of _de Fonte_ should ever come into the Possession of the _English_.

These Observations being previously made, we are better enabled to consider, what we have before inserted, the Objection of _Venegas_ for not inserting this Account of _de Fonte_, as being of little Credit; but he seems rather to wish that we would be of his Opinion, than to imagine that he could convince us by any Arguments; therefore excuses himself as to the Length of the Dispute he might be engaged in. His Manner of expressing himself with respect to this Disappointment in the Secretary's Office, shews he hath a Manner of Address that his Words will admit of a further constructive Meaning than what is set down. The principal Object of his Writing is to incite the Court of _Spain_ to prepare in Time against the ill Consequences of the _English_ making a Discovery of a Passage; and he is to be understood, that it is not only his Opinion that the finding of such a Passage is practicable, but he apprehends it is of the Opinion of the Court also. Declares, that such Opinion hath prevailed from the first settling of _Mexico_, and that there really is a Passage in such a Manner as a Person who published an Account of this Sort would be permitted to express himself, to have it pass the Approbation of the Licenser; and does not desire to suppress the Account of _de Fonte_, as it is an absolute Contradiction to what he would infer, there being a Passage, and in such Letter it is declared there is no North-west Passage. For he must have had further and better Authorities for his Assertions of there being a Passage than such, as that single Assertion would prevail against. But desired to suppress this Account, as it was an Account which he knew it was more consistent with the Designs of the Court, it should be continued in Oblivion than revived. Mentions it therefore as the _Contents of a_ Paper published in _London_, which contained a Narrative of little Credit; and to give the better Authority to what he says, as he could not trust to the Opinion that might be had of such Account on a fair Representation of the Title; to support the Character he gave of it, therefore uses Art, misrepresenting such Title; says it was _by Order of the Viceroy of_ Peru, _in the Year_ 1640, and _giving an Account of the most material Transactions and Adventures in this Voyage_. Was the Letter so entituled, the _Transactions_ and _Adventures_ of a Commander in Chief of the Navy, in _New Spain_, he would not be singular in his Opinion, but it would be understood by every one as a Romance, and not deserving of Credit.

This Misrepresentation is intentionally done; for if he never saw the Letter, or had not a right Account of it, on what Authority could he assert it was of little Credit; and that it would engage him in a long Dispute, a Dispute which his Sagacity would point out to him how to determine in a very few Lines, by proving that there was no such Person as _de Fonte_, Admiral of _New Spain_; which it was in his Power to do had it been the Case. But what he mentions is so far from a Denial of there being such a Person Admiral of _New Spain_, that he gives us the Name, and sets forth the Character _de Fonte_ was in, in a more proper Manner than we have it expressed in the Title of the Letter. _Bartholomew de Fuentes, Commander in Chief of the Navy in New Spain and Peru, and President of Chili_; and he is to be understood not to mean that there was no such Person, but that the Narrative is not credible as to any such Voyage having been made by Admiral _de Fonte_.

By a Schedule of the King of _Spain_ in 1606 to the Governor of the _Philippines_, _Vizcaino_ was to be again fitted out to discover a Harbour on the Western Coast of _California_, for the Reception of the _Aquapulco_ Ship; but the Death of _Vizcaino_ prevented that Design being carried into Execution; as the Court had found so many Disappointments, and such ill Success in these Undertakings, they did not think proper to entrust it to any other Person in the _Philippines_ or _New Spain_. And _Venegas_ says, Hist of _Cal._ Vol. i. P. 180. 'During the succeeding nine Years inconsiderable Voyages only were made to _California_, and these rather to fish for Pearls, or procure them by Barter, than to make any Settlement, and therefore they have been thought below any separate Account, especially as in the subsequent Royal Commissions they are only mentioned in general without any Circumstances.' Though Commissions were given to go into these Parts, without any Account remaining to whom, and on what particular Occasion; it is not to be doubted as in all Commissions of this Nature they would be under an Obligation to make a Report to the Court, and it is not to be understood that these Commissions were continued for nine Years only; and therefore what hath been said as to _Parmentiers_ and the Jesuits, their having been in these Parts, is not the least improbable. By these Commissions they were not confined to the Gulph of _California_, is evident from Father _Kino_, as already mentioned, giving Names in his Map to Villages, or occasional Settlements rather, on the River _Santo Thome_: And he says, P. 299, what made Father _Kino_ desirous of discovering whether _California_ was an Island or not, 'That all the Moderns had placed it as an Island, there being extant also some Journals of Mariners, according to which they went round _California_ through a Streight, and gave the Parts and Places through which they passed their own Names.' It appears from this Account they were permitted, by these Commissions, to rove about, though not to make Settlements, induced by their private Advantage, and the Advantage to the Government was from their Discoveries. Also Vol. i. P. 182, he mentions, 'That a great many private Persons, from the Coast of _Culiacan_ and _Chametla_, made Trips in small Boats to the Coast of _California_, either to fish for Pearls, or purchase them of the _Indians_;' which is agreeable to _de Fonte_'s Account of the Master and Mariners he procured at _Zalagua_ and _Compostilo_. We may also observe what the Missionaries say, as to the Tides at the Head of the Bay, which still adds to the Authenticity of this Account. 'In those Parts the Tide shifts every six Hours; the Flood, with a frightful Impetuosity, rises from three to seven Fathoms, overflowing the flat Country for some Leagues, and the Ebb necessarily returns with the same dangerous Violence.--However the Pilot went on Shore in the Pinnace, at several Parts, in order to make a complete Drawing of it for his Chart; was equally convinced that this Cape was the Extremity of the Gulph of _California_, and that the Waters beyond it were those of the River _Colorado_.' Therefore it was, from the exact Observation of the Tide which this Pilot took so much Pains to make, an unsettled Point from whence the Tide proceeded. Which, at the Time of _de Fonte_'s Expedition, was said to come from the Northward, agreeable to the then prevailing Opinion of _California_ being an Island. According to the usual Practice, though the true Cause of a Phænomena is unknown, to quote that Phænomena that favours a System which there is a Desire to establish as a Truth, not only in support of but to confirm such System, as to render the Truth of it unquestionable.

After _Vizcaino_'s Death, and though the Court of _Spain_ was disappointed as to finding able and sufficient Persons in _New Spain_ whom they could intrust, yet Adventures were made by private Persons, at their own Expence, both for Discovery and Settlements; yet these could not be undertaken without the Permission of his Majesty, who had taken it into his own Hand to grant such Commissions, and mostly required a Voyage to _Old Spain_ to attain them; and the next Expedition that was made, at the Crown's Expence, was conducted by an Admiral from _Old Spain_, who arrived in _New Spain_ in 1643, Admiral _Cassanate_, with full Power and Necessaries to equip a Fleet, and make Settlements in _California_; and he sailed on such Expedition in 1644. By which it is apparent that there were Ships at that Time in _New Spain_ proper for such Expeditions. As he came into these Parts within three Years after _de Fonte_'s Expedition, and took the Command as Admiral of _New Spain_ when he arrived, it is to be supposed the Expedition _Cassanate_ was sent on was too fatiguing for _de Fonte_, who was therefore retired to his Government of _Chili_. In the Year 1649 Admiral _Cassanate_, in Reward for his Services, being after the same Manner promoted to the Government of _Chili_, _de Fonte_ must be dead at that Time. This Circumstance fixes the Period in which the Copy of this Letter was taken.

As what _Venegas_ says as to the Account (which Account hath been before mentioned) given by _Seyxas y Lovera_, as to its wanting the necessary Authenticity. Besides the usual Licences, wherein the Licencers declare there is nothing contrary to good Manners, and besides being dedicated to the King in his Royal and Supreme Council of the _Indies_, _Seyxas_'s Book hath the Licence and Approbation of the Professor of Divinity in the University of _Alcara_, Preacher to the King, and Principal of a College of Jesuits in _Madrid_. Hath also the Approbation and Licence of the Professor of Erudition and Mathematicks in the Imperial College of the Company of the Jesuits at _Madrid_. What unfavourable Opinion soever we may entertain of the Principles of these Persons, we must have such an Opinion of their Prudence, that they would not sign their Approbation to a Book while it contained an unnecessary Lie, which could be easily expunged, or until they were satisfied as to the Authenticity of this Account which _Seyxas_ gives of _Peche_'s Voyage, having been published in various Places. And it is indisputable from the Countenance his Book received, he was looked on at that Time as a deserving honest Man.

_Venegas_ designedly omits other Accounts dispersed in various Books for Want of necessary Authenticity; but it is not to be understood that he absolutely denies that such Accounts are true. Neither is there so great an Improbability in such Discoveries having been made, as some of these Accounts mention, as is imagined, when such Accounts are duly considered.

We have already mentioned one Account which engaged the Attention of the King of _Spain_, therefore must have been of some Authority. There is another Account (unless it be the same Account differently represented) of a Ship that, to the Northward of Cape _Blanco_, on the Coast of _California_, passed through the Streight into the _North Sea_, and to _Old Spain_, which was also made known to the King of _Spain_, mentioned by _Torquemada_, Vol. i. P. 725.

Most of the Discoveries are reported to have been made by Ships coming from the _Moluccas_, or from the _Philippine_ Islands to the Eastward, and which have met with bad Weather. And what, in those Times, Ships were necessitated to do, if there was a Continuance of hard Gales of Wind, we may learn from the Schedule of _Philip_ the Third, History of _California_, Vol. i. P. 175, after mentioning a Harbour found by _Vizcaino_, on the Western Coast of _California_, adds, 'And lies very convenient for Ships returning from the _Philippine_ Islands to put into, and thus, in case of Storms, avoid the Necessity of making for _Japan_, as they have several Times done, and expended great Sums of Money. Besides, they usually have Sight of the Coast of _China_, which is an additional Benefit, as knowing where they are, they will not as formerly, in case of bad Weather, make for _Japan_, or those Islands, as the same Winds which would carry them thither, bring them into this Harbour. Again, P. 177, considering how much it concerns the Security of Ships coming from those Islands, in a Voyage of no less than 2000 Leagues, on a wide and tempestuous Sea, that they should be provided with a Port where they might put in and furnish themselves with Water, Wood, and Provisions: That the said Port of _Monterey_ lies in 37 Degrees, nearly about half Way the Voyage.'

A Ship flying before the Wind, and the People steering her towards the Coast of _America_, to avoid _Japan_ and the Islands, making a Cape Land on the Coast of _California_, would run for what they supposed a Harbour, and the bad Weather continuing might proceed up the Bay or Opening they were then in, to meet with the Inhabitants, in order to obtain Refreshments, and to learn where they were, by which Means find a Passage. As Ships were distressed in hard Gales of Wind, in the Manner the Schedule mentions, there is no Improbability of a Passage being first accidentally discovered by a single Ship coming from Sea with a leading Wind into a large Opening, in Expectation of a Harbour, though such Discovery hath not been made by Ships intentionally sent along Shore for that Purpose.

It is to be observed, the People of the _Philippine_ Islands are those who most talked of a Passage: They informed _Peche_ and others; and it is easily accounted for why they should do so: For if the _Portugueze_ made the Discovery in a Ship from the _Moluccas_, there was a constant Intercourse between them and the People of the _Philippines_; and whether the Discovery was made by the _Spaniards_ or _Portugueze_, some of the Company who were aboard such Ship as had passed through the Streight from the _South_ to the _North Sea_, would return to the _Moluccas_ or the _Philippines_; and others would meet their Acquaintance from thence in _Portugal_ or _Old Spain_; who would take Pleasure in relating to them the Accounts of their Voyage, and which they who heard those Accounts would be equally fond of communicating to others, especially when they returned back to the _Indies_. By which Means it would be known that there had been such a Discovery; and it would be out of the Power of the King of _Spain_ or _Portugal_ to prevent its being so far known, but could prevent the Account of such Discovery being published, or the Particulars communicated to Foreigners.

In the Year 1568 _Salvatierra_, a Gentleman of _Spain_, who had accidentally landed in _Ireland_ from the _West Indies_, gave an Account of a Passage having been made by one _Andrew Urdanietta_, and by the Circumstances of that Account it was about the Year 1556 or 1557. This _Urdanietta_ was a Friar, was with and greatly assisted _Andrew Miguel Lopez de Legaspi_ in the Expedition to the _Philippine_ Islands in the Year 1564, and was called the celebrated Religious _Andrew de Urdanietta_. His being thus employed, and so serviceable in this Expedition to the _Philippine_ Islands, as he is said to have been, implies, that he had a prior Knowledge of those Parts, and must have been there before; and the Character that _Salvatierra_ gave of him to Sir _Hugh Sydney_, then Lord Deputy of _Ireland_, and Sir _Humphrey Gilbert_, was, that he was the greatest Discoverer by Sea that was in that Age.

_Salvatierra_ said that _a North-west Passage_ was constantly believed to be in _America_ navigable; and that _Urdanietta_ had shewed him at _Mexico_ eight Years before _Salvatierra_ arrived in _Ireland_, a Chart made from his own Observations in a Voyage in which he came from _Mare del Zur_ into _Germany_, through this North-west Passage, wherein such Passage was expressed, agreeing with _Ortelius_'s Map: That _Urdanietta_ had told the King of _Portugal_ of it as he came there from _Germany_ in his return home; but the King earnestly intreated him not to discover this Secret to any Nation: _For that_ (said he) _if_ England _had once a Knowledge and Experience of it, it would greatly hinder the King of_ Spain _and me_. And _Salvatierra_ was himself persuaded of a Passage by the Friar _Urdanietta_, and by the common Opinion of the _Spaniards_ inhabiting _America_.