Part 12

It was this Account with some other that gained the Attention of the greatest Men of that Age to pursue the Discovery of a North-west Passage. Neither would _Dudley_, _Walsingham_, or Sir _Humphrey Gilbert_, and other honourable Persons about the Court, be deceived with fictitious Stories, and pursue a Phantom. Could the great Abilities and Penetration of a _Walsingham_ be defective in this Respect, which was so perfect in all other Respects, as to be the Admiration of the present Age. Those who condemn this Account, and some other Accounts of this Sort, have not considered, that upon a slight Surmise or Suspicion only they put their Judgments in Competition with and in Contradiction to the Judgments of those great Men, who embraced no Opinion as to any Matter but what was founded in Reason, and all the Circumstances relating to which they had first fully considered, and which Opinion they adhered to. As to a North-west Passage, making a Distinction between the Disappointments as to the effecting the Discovery of a Passage, and the Probability there was of their being such Passage. The King of _Spain_ was equally successless as to the Execution, and at the same Time as much assured of the Practicability of making it; for which Reason Secretary _Walsingham_ was concerned at his Death, as the Attention of the Publick was drawn to a _North-east_ Passage, by which nothing more was proposed than a Trade to _Cathæy_ or _China_, and that a North-west Passage was neglected on the Part of the _English_.

It was an Opinion received in _England_ in the Year 1560, or earlier, that there was such a Passage; and before the _Philippines_ were settled by the _Spaniards_. Soon after the Discovery of _Urdanietta_, _Frobisher_, who set out in 1576, is said to have projected his Design, and made an Application for fifteen Years before. Did not succeed in the City probably, as they might not see any certain Advantage; but when he applied to the Court he succeeded. On what Plan he went is also evident, to find an Entrance to Northward of the _Labrador_; for when he fell in with the South-west Part of _Greenland_, it was supposed by him to be the _Labrador_ Coast.

There is another Account on the Oath of _Thomas Cowles_ of _Bedmester_, taken the 9th of _April_ 1579, at a Time when Oaths were considered by all People as solemn and sacred Obligations to declare the Truth. He says that six Years before, he heard a _Portugueze_ read a Book which he set out six Years before in print in the _Portugal_ Tongue, declaring that he, _Martin Chacke_, had found, now twelve Years past, a Way from the _Portugal Indies_ through the Gulph of _Newfoundland_, which he thought to be in Latitude 59° of the North Pole, by Means that he being in the said _Indies_ with four Ships of great Burthen, and he himself being in a small Ship of eighty Ton, far driven from the Company of the other four Ships with a West Wind; after that he had passed along by a great Number of Islands, which were in the Gulph of the said _Newfoundland_, and after that he overshot the Gulph, he set no more Sight on any other Land, until he fell in with the North-west Part of _Ireland_; and from thence he took his Course homeward, and by that Means came to _Lisbon_ four or five Weeks before the other Ships. But the Books were afterwards called in by the King's Order.

This Passage was made about ten Years after that of _Urdanietta_; and it is probable _Chacke_ was encouraged to proceed through such Passage, from the Report or an Account which he had heard of such Passage having been before made. It is evident he met with some Difficulties in such Passage which delayed him, as the Ships were at _Lisbon_ so soon after him, and as he expresses that he was far driven from the other four Ships he left them in a low Latitude, and being got to the Northward, without any Expectation of rejoining them, proceeded intentionally to make his Voyage by the Passage; which he would not have done to the Hazard of losing his Vessel and Cargo, for he was not on Discovery, but returning to _Lisbon_ in Company with other loaden Vessels, from whom he was separated, unless he had been assured that what he undertook was practicable, and a Passage had been made by some Vessel before that Time. This Account was received as a Truth by the principal People of the Kingdom, who certainly made a due Enquiry as to the Character of the Person who made the Affidavit with respect to his Capacity, there would be a proper Precaution also, at the Time of administering such Affidavit, that it was exact and only what he knew positively as to this Matter, tho' there might be other Circumstances which he was not so positive in. And as this Account was at that Time believed, it must have been on better Reasons than can be at present urged by any one to call the Veracity of this Account in Question.

_Juan de Fuca_ (the Account is from _Purchase_ and _North-west Fox_) was an ancient Pilot, who had been in the _West India_ of _Spain_ for near forty Years, and had sailed as Mariner and Pilot to many Places thereof in Service of the _Spaniards_.

He was Pilot of three small Ships which the _Viceroy_ of _Mexico_ sent from thence, armed with a hundred Soldiers, under a _Spaniard_ Captain, to discover the Streights of _Anian_ along the Coast of the _South Sea_, and to fortify in that Streight, to resist the Passage of the _English_ Nation, but by Reason of a Mutiny which happened amongst the Soldiers, for some ill Practices of the Captain, the Voyage was overset, and they returned to _New Spain_.

The Viceroy sent _de Fuca_ out again in 1592, with a small Caravel and Pinnace, armed with Mariners only, for the Discovery of the said Streights. Finding the Land to trend North and North-east, with a broad Inlet between 47 and 48, he entered it, and sailing therein more than twenty Days, found the Land trending still, sometimes North-west, sometimes North-east, and also South-eastward, far broader Sea than at the said Entrance; and passed by diverse Islands in that Entrance.

He went upon Land in several Places, and saw some People on Land, clad in Beasts Skins; and that the Land was very fruitful, and rich of Gold and Silver, and Pearls, and other Things like _Nova Hispania_.

Being entered thus far in the said Streight, and come into the _North Sea_ already, and finding the Sea wide enough every where, and to be about thirty or forty Leagues wide in the Streight where he entered; he thought he had well discharged his Office, and done the Thing he was sent to do; and that he not being armed to resist the Force of the savage People, that might happen to assault him, therefore set sail and returned to _Nova Hispania_, where he arrived at _Aquapulco, Anno 1592_, hoping to be well rewarded by the Viceroy for his Voyage so performed.

The Viceroy received him kindly, and gave him Promises; but after an Expectation of two Years the Viceroy wished him to go to _Spain_, where the King would reward him; and he accordingly went.

He was well received at Court; but after long Suit could get no Reward to his Content, so stole away and came to _Italy_, to live amongst his Kindred in his own Country, being very old, a _Greek_ by Birth, born in the Island of _Sepholonica_, and his proper Name _Apostollos Valerianos_.

_De Fuca_ went first to _Leghorn_, then to _Florence_, where he met one _John Dowlass_, an _Englishman_, a famous Mariner, ready coming for _Venice_, to be a Pilot for a _Venetian_ Ship to _England_; they went in Company to _Venice_. _Dowlass_ being acquainted with Mr. _Lock_, at least a considerable Merchant if not a Consul there; gave him an Account of this _de Fuca_, and introduced him to Mr. _Lock_, who gave Mr. _Lock_ the preceding Account; and made a Proposal, if Queen _Elizabeth_ would make up the Loss which he had sustained aboard the _Aquapulco_ Ship taken by Captain _Cavendish_, which was to the Value of sixty Thousand Ducats, he would go to _England_, and serve her Majesty to discover the _North-west Passage_ into the _South Sea_, and engage his Life for the Performance, with a Ship of forty Tons and a Pinnace. They had two several Meetings on this Occasion; and _Lock_, at _de Fuca_'s Request, wrote to the old Lord _Treasurer Cecil_, Sir _Walter Rawleigh_, and Mr. _Richard Hackluit_, the Cosmographer, desiring a Hundred Pounds for to pay his Passage to _England_. His Friends wrote _Lock_ Word, the Action was very well liked, if the Money could be procured. As no great Expectations were to be had from this Answer, _de Fuca_ left _Venice_ in a Fortnight after, pursued his Design of going to _Greece_, and there died.

There is nothing in this Relation but what is very natural and simple. _De Fuca_'s Demand was excessive, for which Reason, probably, as a Man who over-rated his Services, he was not rewarded by the _Viceroy_ or the _King_; yet the _Viceroy_ availed himself of him, by sending him to Court to give an Account of his Voyage, which he might be ordered to do, as another Expedition was desired, and a Representation for that Purpose made by the Viceroy _Luis Velasco_, as is mentioned in the Schedule of the King. History of _California_, P. 173.

It did not appear that he could certainly perform what he undertook, concluding he was in the _North Sea_, from such Sea returned back to _New Spain_, therefore had not acquired a Knowledge of the Entrance into the Streights from the Eastward; which was the Difficulty that obstructed this Discovery on the Part of the _English_, and had been so much sought after, but unsuccessfully. His Age was also a very material Objection, that he would scarce be able to bear the Fatigue of such a Voyage, his Desire to undertake which immediately proceeded from his Avarice: Nor was it confident that the Hundred Pounds should be sent over to bring him to _England_, if the other Part of the Terms could not be complied with; which seems to be the Meaning of the Expression, the Action is well liked of if the Money could be procured. And _de Fuca_, whose Motive for proposing this Undertaking, was to be satisfied for his Loss by Captain _Cavendish_, would not have altered his Design of going into his own Country, and proceeded to _England_, unless he was assured of his being so gratified on a Performance of what he undertook.

_Dowlass_, who was a good Mariner, as he travelled with him, and kept his Company, would have had particular and frequent Conversation with _de Fuca_, and who, as a Mariner, was more capable of finding out if his Account was true, and was thoroughly satisfied it was so, as he spoke to Mr. _Lock_ about him. Neither _Lock_ nor _Dowlass_ could have any sinister Views, but only animated by a publick Spirit to do their Country so acceptable a Service, which it was thought to be in _England_, as it is said the Action is well liked of.

As to _de Fuca_ being taken Prisoner by Captain _Cavendish_, and how did he escape out of the Hands of the _English_? When the Ship was taken all the People were put ashore on the Coast of _California_, the Goods were taken out, and then the Ship was set a Fire, which burnt to the Water Mark, the Wreck floated ashore, they erected Jury-masts in her, and fortunately got to _Aquapulco_.

_De Fuca_ says, the Cause he thought of the ill Reward he had of the _Spaniards_ was, that they understood very well the _English_ Nation had now given over all their Voyages for the Discovery of a _North-west Passage_, wherefore they feared not them to come any more that Way into the _South Sea_; and therefore they needed not his Service therein any more: Which is so far agreeable to the Accounts of those Times, that, after the Death of Sir _Francis Walsingham_, the Discovery of a North-west Passage had no Patron at Court; and Sir _Francis_ had particularly interested himself in procuring _Davis_ to go on his last Expedition. The Discovery was not re-assumed until the Year 1602, by the _Muscovy_ Company, who had never engaged as a Company in this Discovery; but having made some successless Attempts, as to the North-east Passage, fitted out Capt. _George Weymouth_ for the Discovery of a North-west Passage, which it is observable was the same Year with _Vizcaino_'s Expedition. And it is observable the next Expedition for the Discovery of a North-west Passage, was not until the Year 1606, when Mr. _John Knight_ was fitted out; and the same Year the King of _Spain_ orders _Vizcaino_ on a third Expedition, but _Vizcaino_ died, though in the interim _Vizcaino_ had been to _Old Spain_, to make Application to make a fresh Attempt, at his own Expence, and he could not obtain Permission of his Majesty. As the Expeditions which the Court of _Spain_ order peremptorily to be undertaken, correspond as to the Time with those from _England_, shews a Jealousy on the Part of the King of _Spain_ that the _English_ might succeed as to a Passage through the Streights. And though it is mentioned as the principal Design in the Expeditions by Order of the King of _Spain_, is the Discovery of a Harbour for the _Aquapulco_ Ship, the Publick understood there was yet a farther Design, and as much may be collected from the King of _Spain_'s Schedule in 1606. Count _de Monterey_, 'by pursuing the Discovery intended by _Don Luis de Velasco_, wrote to me concerning, and was of Opinion that small Vessels from the Harbour of _Aquapulco_ were the fittest; and that in the Discovery might be included the Coasts and Bays of the Gulph of _California_, and of the Fishery, to which, in my Letter of the 27th of _September_ 1599, I ordered to be answered, that the Discovery, and making Draughts, with Observations of that Coast, and the Bays along it, having appeared to me _highly convenient_, it was my Will he should immediately put it in Execution, without troubling himself about _California_, unless occasionally--And _Sebastian Vizcaino_ carefully informed himself of these _Indians_, and many others, whom he discovered along the Coast for above eight Hundred Leagues; and they all told him, that up the Country there were large Towns, Silver, and Gold; whence he is inclined to believe that great Riches may be discovered, especially as, in some Parts of the Land, Veins of Metal are to be seen; and that the Time of their Summer being known, a farther Discovery might be made of them by _going within_ the Country, and that the Remainder of it may be discovered along the Coast, as it reaches beyond 42 Degrees, the Limits specified to the said _Sebastian Vizcaino_ in his Instructions.' Though these Orders were received in _Mexico_ in 1599, no Voyage was set out on until 1602, the Time that _Weymouth_ sailed, then probably enforced by additional Orders from the Court of _Spain_. The Expedition which was overturned by the Mutiny of the Soldiers, seems to have been about the Time of Captain _Davis_'s Expedition; for _de Fuca_ says, after the Voyage was so ill ended, the Viceroy set him out again in 1592, which implies a Distance of Time between the first and second Voyage.

The Instructions _Vizcaino_ had in the first Voyage were given by the Viceroy, for it was the Viceroy who appointed him, and were formed according to the Opinion that the Land beyond forty-two Degrees took a Course to Westward and Southward of West. And the Maps were constructed agreeable thereto, therefore the King says, '_Vizcaino_ had represented to him that the Coast, as far as 40 Degrees, lies North-west and South-east, and that in the two other Degrees, which makes up the 42 Degrees, it lies North and South,' and, as before mentioned, says, 'and that the Remainder of it may be discovered along the Coasts, as it reaches beyond 42 Degrees, the Limits specified to the said _Sebastian Vizcaino_ in his Instructions.' Therefore when _Martin Aguilar_ got to 43 Degrees and found an Opening, he concluded, as the Coast was represented to be terminated to the Northward, by the Maps and Charts in Use, that this must be the desired Streights; and therefore said on their Return, 'they should have performed a great deal more, had their Health not failed them; for it is certain that only fourteen Persons enjoyed it at _Cape Blanco_. The General and those that were with him had a mind to go through the Streight, which they call of _Anian_, and is said to be thereabouts. It had been entered by the foreign Ship, who gave Intelligence of it to the King, describing its Situation, and how through that Passage one might reach the _North Sea_, and then sail back to _Spain_, along _Newfoundland_ and the Islands of _Baccalaos_, to bring an Account of the Whole to his Majesty.' _Torquemada_, Vol. i. P. 725. But it is very plain the King had another Information of this Matter, and as to the Extent of the Land to Northward. _Luis de Velasco_ was the Viceroy in whose Time the Expedition of _de Fuca_ was; and the Expedition of _Vizcaino_ was under the Direction of the Count _de Monterey_, who was either not informed of what had been done by _de Fuca_, or might not think _de Fuca_'s Account of sufficient Authority to justify him, the Viceroy, in drawing his Instructions agreeable thereto; contrary to the general Opinion of the Cosmographers at that Time, and the Description they gave of the Coasts in their Maps.

It must appear from what hath been said that there are no such great Improbabilities in the Accounts of _Salvatierre_, _Chacke_, or _de Fuca_, as hath been represented. It is also evident that the _English_ had great Expectations of succeeding; and the Court of _Spain_ had great Apprehensions we should meet with Success, and be enabled to attain a Passage by the Streight of _Anian_ into the _South Sea_; for which there must have been some reasonable Foundation both on the Part of the one and the other. The _English_ were first induced to attempt the Discovery of such a Passage, from the Accounts which they had from _Spain_ of there being such a Passage. The Court of _Spain_ entertained, as hath been shewn, an Opinion of there being such a Passage from the Time they conquered _Mexico_; and, agreeable to what _Torquemada_ says, had a certain Account of it, or at least an Account which appeared to the King to be authentick. What that Account really contained we do not know, nor was it consistent that it should be made publick; therefore what is said as to the Particulars of it are but Conjecture, and Representations upon Reports, for which the Reporters could have no real Authority. As _Vizcaino_ regretted being prevented, by the Sickness of his People that he could not go round the World, and have carried home to _Old Spain_ his Account of his Expedition. This firm Persuasion that he should have accomplished his Passage to _Old Spain_, by the Streight of _Anian_, must have been from some Information which he had received before he set out, that such Passage was practicable: Neither is it mentioned as if he proposed making a Discovery of it, but as of a Thing before done. It was the Opinion of all those who were with him, that it was practicable; which is agreeable to what _Salvatierra_ informed Sir _Hugh Sydney_, and Sir _Humphrey Gilbert_, That a _North-west Passage from us to_ Cathay _was constantly believed in_ America _navigable_. _Vizcaino_, who is represented as a Commander of great Conduct and Discretion (and which the Account of his Voyage expresses him to have been) would not have attempted to make a Passage thro' such Streights, to the Hazard, perhaps entire Loss, of the King's Ships, and what he had before done rendered of no Effect, unless he had a discretionary Power either to pass to _Old Spain_ by these Streights, or return to _Aquapulco_.

After the Expedition of _Knight_ failed, and _Vizcaino_ died, we hear of no other Expeditions at the Expence of or by the positive Order of the Court of _Spain_ until that of Admiral _Cassanate_, who went the third Year after the Expedition of _de Fonte_, to make a Survey of the Coast of _California_; yet we have no Reason to conclude there were no other Expeditions, but it is rather to be supposed that, after the _English_ had proceeded in their Discoveries as far as _Hudson_'s Bay, the Court of _Spain_ thought it necessary, and found an effectual Way of keeping their Expeditions, both in respect to their Equipment and what was done on such Expeditions a Secret, by sending Officers from _Old Spain_ to conduct them, and as to which the Religious would not think themselves at Liberty to make any Publication without the Permission of the Court.

Having no Intercourse by Trade with those Parts, we cannot be acquainted with what is transacted in those Parts, any further than what the _Spanish_ Writers are permitted to inform us, and the imperfect and uncertain Intelligence of those who have been cruizing in those Seas. The _Spanish_ Nation have been particularly cautious of keeping the Knowledge of their Coast secret: Neither was it known, in the Year 1745, that an exact Survey was made of those Coasts until _Pasco Thomas_ annexed to his Account of Lord _Anson_'s Expedition, published in 1745, a Copy of a Manuscript, which Manuscript contained an Account of the Latitudes and Longitudes of all the most noted Places in the _South Sea_, corrected from the latest Observations by _Manuel Monz Prieto_, Professor of Arts in _Peru_, and are composed with as much Precision and Exactness, as Tables of that Sort are usually made; but when these Coasts were surveyed to the Northward, to attain a Knowledge of which was formerly attended with such immense Difficulty; and to what Purpose and what Trade is carried on there, we are at present entire Strangers to. It is by Accident only that we have this Account; and if the _Spanish_ Nation have used this Precaution, with respect to the Knowledge of their Coasts, undoubtedly they would use the same Caution with respect to giving us any Insight as to how we might find a more ready Access to such Coasts by a _North-west_ Passage.

The Point of _Sueste del Estrech d'Anian_, inserted in such Tables, shews the Opinion of the Streights is far from being exploded; but it is acknowledged by the Geographers of _Peru_ and _New Spain_, at the present Time, that there are such Streights. The naming the _South Point_ of the _Streight_ implies there is Land to the Northward, as to which it doth not seem to be consistent with the Purpose of the Person who composed this Table to take any Notice, but that there is such Land is confirmed by the _Russian_ Discoveries.