Part 13

The Extent of _America_ to Northward and Westward, that _America_ and _Asia_ were contiguous and only separated by a Streight, that _California_ was an Island, that a _Passage_ by the _North-east_ was practicable, have been by later _Geographers_ treated as _Chimeras_, contrary to the earliest Accounts, and the Reports of the first Discoverers, and which, by later Accounts, the Consequence of actual Observations are found to be true. There was a Simplicity and Honour in the People of that Age; there was no Motive for telling the Lie, that they faithfully reported the Discoveries they made, and if a Falshood was discovered it might be dangerous in the Consequences; their Voyages were not lucrative Jobs, in Hopes of a Repetition of which they formed their Accounts accordingly. There was no particular System to support, for the Parts they went to were entirely unknown, that a Reward and Reputation should be procured through a prevailing Interest to such as spoke in Favour of the System. While those to whose Fidelity and Assiduity alone it would be owing that such Discoveries were made, though repeated Endeavours were used to render the Undertaking ineffectual; and through whose Means alone the Truth would be made known to the Publick; should be ill spoken of, accused of Bribery, discountenanced, and the whole Merit ascribed to, where it would be least deserved, and, in Truth, where there could not be the least Pretension. Nevertheless the Reward given would be an Instance of a generous Regard in those who had Power to bestow of rewarding Merit, though they were inevitably deceived as to the proper Persons to whom such Reward should have been given.

No Authorities have been produced from Tradition or History which oppose the Probability of there being a North-west Passage, or the Reality of this Account of _de Fonte_, which the more we examine the less there appears to be of a Falsity, the Circumstances of it so consistent and united, and there are so many extra Circumstances which concur with that Account, that we cannot but admit to be an incontestable Truth. We have not had a full Account of the Voyages and Expeditions of the _Spaniards_ in _New Spain_, as some of them have not been permitted to be published. _Venegas_ particularly mentions, Vol. i. P. 14, and in other Parts, There are also Accounts of Voyages made to other Parts of the World, which are only preserved in the Collections of the Curious, and it is known but to few Persons that such Voyages were ever made. There are some Voyages which are mentioned to have been made, but cannot, after the most diligent Inquiries, be procured; yet it is no just Objection to the Authenticity of such Voyages, or as to their not having been made. What the first Discoverers represented as to the Extent of _America_, its being contiguous to _Asia_, as to _California_, and as to a North-east Passage, being in all Respects found to be true, there is the greatest Reason to believe that there is a North-west Passage; and it is consistent with that Precaution which the _Spanish_ Nation have made Use of, that we should not have any authentick Accounts relating to such Passage, which they were desirous of discovering as a shorter Way to the _Spice_ Islands and the _Indies_. But when the King of _Portugal_ and _Spain_ came to an Agreement as to the _Moluccas_, the principal Reason for making such Discovery was determined, and it became their mutual Interest that it should not be known that there was such a Passage. Their continued Silence with respect to such Passage, implies they are acquainted with there being such a Passage, though not to an Exactness. It cannot imply they are dubious, when we consider the Number of Circumstances there are already mentioned, which express the contrary.

There are Circumstances in _de Fonte_'s Account which shew the Inference of there being no _North-west Passage_ is not just, though just as far as it appeared to _de Fonte_, as the River _Parmentiers_ was not navigable for Shipping. One Circumstance is, that in the River _Haro_, and Lake _Velasco_, there were Salmon Trouts and large white Perch; also in _Los Reyes_ and Lake _Belle_, but in Lake _de Fonte_ excellent Cod and Ling; which are Fish that always abide in the Salt Water, the others come out of the Salt Water into the fresh Waters to spawn. Which _de Fonte_ would account for that they came into the Lake _de Fonte_ from the _North Sea_, and when he passed the Streight of _Ronquillo_, supposed himself to be in that Sea, or from the Intelligence that he obtained from _Shapley_ that he was in a Gulph or Branch of it. Another Circumstance, as it flowed in the River _Los Reyes_ twenty-two Feet, and in _Haro_ twenty-four, and but a small Tide went into Lake _Belle_, _de Fonte_ concluded that the Western Tide terminated there, and that as the Waters rose to such a Heighth at the Entrance of those Rivers, that it was a Gulph he was in which confined these Waters and occasioned their rise at such Entrances of the Rivers. That the Tides in _Parmentiers_, Lake _de Fonte_, and the Streights of _Ronquillo_, were from the _North Sea_. But by later Observations of the Rise of the Tides, a Tide cannot proceed from _Hudson_'s Bay to that Sea where _Shapley_ was met by _de Fonte_, than through the Streights of _Ronquillo_ into the great Lake of _de Fonte_, and afterwards to rise so high in the River _Parmentiers_. Neither can such a Tide proceed through the broken Land to Northwards of _Hudson_'s Streights, named _Cumberland_ Isles (formerly _Estotland_) and which extend as far as Latitude 70; for it is evident the Strength of such Tides is spent in _Hudson_'s Bay and _Baffin_'s Bay: For at the Bottom of _Hudson_'s Bay it flowed but two Feet, at the Bottom of _Fretum Davis_ or _Baffin_'s Bay, but one Foot. Which is agreeable to the Opinion of all the Discoverers of that Time, as to the Eastern Tide from the Proportion that the great Spaces or Seas which were to receive it bore to the Inlets by which it came in, that the Force of such Tide must be consumed in such Seas, and therefore expected to meet with a Tide from Westward, which counterchecked the Eastern Tide. On the other Hand, if we consider this Tide to be from the Western Ocean, such Tide forced through various Entrances up a Streight as that of _de Fuca_, must enter the Sea where _Shapley_ was met, with great Impetuosity; rise in Heighth proportionable to the Width in all Openings that there are to receive it. As it is the Tide round _Greenland_, and that which comes from the Southward along the Coast of _Labrador_, being both received in those Indraughts of _Hudson_'s Streights, and the broken Lands of _Cumberland_ Isles, which causes the Rise of the Tides there. It may be supposed that the _North-east_ Part of the _South Sea_, and the Streight of _de Fuca_, received the Tides which set to Eastward along the Western Main from _Beering_'s Streights, and the Tide which comes from the Southward along the Coast of _California_. That the Tide is not from the _Tartarian Sea_, in Lake _de Fonte_, _&c._ is evident from _Bernarda_'s Account, who shews there is no Communication with that Sea and the Sea that _Shapley_ was met in.

As to the Cod and Ling in Lake _de Fonte_, or as to Salmon, it is not known that there are either Cod, Ling or Salmon in _Hudson_'s Bay: Neither have there been found Shoals or Banks to which the Cod could repair; nor is it known that any Cod have been catched beyond Latitude 57; an Article to which _Davis_ was particularly attentive: Therefore it is not probable that they should come from the _North Sea_ through _Hudson_'s Bay to Lake _de Fonte_. _De Fonte_ mentions Shoals in the North-east Part of the _South Sea_, which he passed up. And in _Vizcaino_'s Voyage there is an Account that, off the Island _Geronymo_ on the Coast of _California_, the Ships Companies supplied themselves with Cod and Ling; which shews there are Cod and Ling in those Seas. It was reasonable for _de Fonte_ to suppose that the Cod and Ling came from the Eastward from the _Baccaloos_, neither could he otherwise suppose, as the contrary is only known from Observations made much later than that Time.

_Fox_ had advanced in 1635, when he published the Account of his Voyage, that there was a free and open Communication of the Western Ocean with _Hudson_'s Bay: Which was looked on as an incontestable Fact until the Voyage of Captain _Middleton_. What _Fox_ said was consistent with the Opinion which all the Discoverers had of the Proximity of the Western Ocean; who therefore judged of the Probability of their Success in the Parts they went into, from the Course of the Tides, which if there was no Western Tide there was no Passage. This probably prevented that Success, as to a Discovery of a Passage, which through their Assiduity might otherwise have been obtained, had they not paid such a Regard to the Tides, but made a due Survey of the Inlets and Openings of the Coast, which on their not finding that a Western Tide came from thence they deserted, which was also the Case as to Captain _Moor_ in the Search of _Pistol Bay_ as called, to Southward of Lord _Southwell_'s Isles, there was no Western Tide; therefore a compleat Discovery of that Part was not made.

It is to be considered that the Northern and Eastern Parts of _America_, are more intermixed with Waters than the Parts to Southward are, being a high mountainous Country. The Mountains chiefly consisting of a brown rocky Substance, not penetrable by the melting Snows or Spring Rains, which therefore run off into the Levels and Valleys, and form inland Seas, great Lakes, and Inlets, which vent their Waters into the Ocean, necessary for carrying off that great Quantity and vast Bodies of Ice which are formed in the Winter in those Parts, not to be dissolved, as the greater Part is which is formed to the Southward, by the Influence of the Sun. The Northern and Westward Part of _America_ is also mountainous, and high Ridges of Mountains were seen from the Head of _Wager_ Bay on the opposite Shore of what appeared to be a Lake; therefore there must be Lakes and Seas to Westward, Reservoirs for the melting Snows and Rains, also some Outlet or Channel to carry off the great Quantities of Ice also formed in those Parts; and with which _Barnarda_'s Account is consistent, and the greatest Reservoir and Discharge seems to be to the Northward by that North-east Part of the _Tartarian Sea_. The Lake _Velasco_, Lake _Belle_, Lake _de Fonte_, may be all supposed to proceed from the same Cause, the melting Snows and Rains, receive the Ice from the Waters which run into them, which, from the Strength of the Currents and Tides, is soon shot from the Shores of such Lakes, broken to Pieces and carried off into some Passage or Inlet into the _South Sea_; and such a Vent or Channel to carry off such Bodies of Ice must necessarily be, agreeable to what is known by Observation in other Parts. The Objection of the great Distance it is between the Ocean and the Sea at the Back of _Hudson_'s Bay, and where _Shapley_ was met, will appear of no Validity when we consider the Distance between the Streights of _Gibraltar_ and the Northern Part of the _Black Sea_. Between the Entrance of the _Sound_ to the Entrance of the _White Sea_, between which there is Communication of Waters, or very nearly so. And from Point _Comfort_ in _Hudson_'s Bay to Alderman _Smith_'s Sound in _Baffin_'s Bay, between which there is a Communication of Waters without entering into the _Ocean_ or _Davis_ Streights. From Lake _Superior_ to the Streights of _Belle Isle_ at the Back of _Newfoundland_, or to _Cape Breton_, is near forty Degrees of Longitude, or equal to 390 Leagues. And Lake _Superior_ hath a Communication with _Hudson_'s Bay.

This great Afflux of Waters form such Meanders and Labyrinths, as it is impossible to say whether there is a Communication of Waters, or whether the Waters are divided by smaller or larger Tracts or Slips of Land, without an absolute Survey. The Lands so double or fold one within the other, that unless you get a proper Sight of such Lands so as to distinguish this, to discover the Opening that is between them, there is an Appearance of a Continuance of the Land, and consequently of a Termination of the Waters. So long as the Tide Argument prevailed it was not thought necessary to be so accurate in the Searches. A Sight of the Land trending a Course contrary to that Course which the Discoverers were to pursue to make a Passage, and the Tide coming from the Eastward, rendered a Search any further in those Parts unnecessary: and it may be owing to the great Impropriety of adopting a particular System, more than to any other Cause, that the Discovery of a North-west Passage was not made by those brave industrious Discoverers, who in a Series succeeded each other from _Frobisher_ to _James_ and _Fox_.

This seems to be certain, that there must be one great Channel, as _Hudson_'s Streights are to Eastward, also to Westward though intricate by which the Waters to Westward pass into the _South Sea_, and as that to Northward, the North-east Part of the _Tartarian Sea_. We already know there is not a Communication by _Hudson_'s Bay, thro' any Inlet by which the Waters do come in there or sufficient for that Purpose; neither round the Head of _Repulse_ Bay, for then the Current would have been met coming from Westward. Therefore such Channel must be to Southward and Westward, consistent with _de Fuca_'s Account of a Streight, in some such Manner as is represented in the Map annexed. Which Account also agreeable to that of _Peche_.

_De Fuca_ says, he sailed twenty-six Days up such Streight before he entered the Sea; that the Streight grew wider before he entered the Sea. If we allow him fifteen Leagues a Day, from the Entrance of such Streights out of the _South Sea_ to where he entered the Sea, by him supposed the _North Sea_, the Distance is 390 Leagues. As he mentions that he found it wide enough every where, this Expression shews that he did not suppose himself in the Ocean, but in a Gulph of the Ocean. And _Martin Chacke_ expresses himself, that after he overshot the _Gulph_, he set no more Sight on any other Land. Therefore the Distance is agreeable to that Distance which _de Fuca_ must have gone to come into that Sea where _de Fonte_ met _Shapley_; the Description that he saw both Shores, makes a Consistency also in those Accounts. Before _de Fonte_'s Expedition, _Hudson_'s Bay had been discovered, yet that Discovery made no Alteration as to the Accounts of _de Fuca_ and _Chacke_, as _Fox_ said beyond Lat. 64, round that Land there was incontestably a Communication with the Western Ocean. Here is an Agreement in three Accounts, by separate Persons at a Distance of Time, who had no Intelligence of what had been done by each other; for _Chacke_ was a _Portugueze_; and as _de Fuca_ had made his Report to the Viceroy of _New Spain_ of what he had done, and what he had done seems to be mostly accounted of by himself, therefore no Regard might be had to it in drawing _de Fonte_'s Instructions: All which three Accounts agree in there being a Sea to Westward of _Hudson_'s Bay.

_De Fuca_ mentions he was ashore; saw Marks of Gold and Silver; Marquisates the same which was made such an Account of after _Frobisher_'s return from his first Voyage, and from which it may be inferred it was a barren mountainous Country which _de Fuca_ passed through. He was afraid of the Natives, who were clad in Beast Skins; and from whose Behaviour he must have had some Apprehension that they would cut him off, as he mentions that he was not armed against them. _De Fonte_ is very express as to the civil Behaviour of those _Indians_ he met with, so contrary to the Character of those whom _de Fuca_ saw. Therefore those whom _de Fuca_ saw were the _Eskemaux_, who frequent the mountainous and desolate Parts, and near to the Salt Waters where they can catch Fish, also the Seal and the Whale, from which they get many Conveniencies besides what is necessary for their Subsistance; who are mentioned to be also on other Parts of the Coast of _California_; are represented as a fierce and barbarous People, who hold no Treaty or Amity with their Neighbours, who are always in Fear of them.

That _de Fonte_ should not pass up the North-east Part of the _South Sea_, but go through Land, must have been, that the North-east Part of the _South Sea_ was represented as a Gulph, not a Streight, from some Observations made prior to that Expedition, as to which the Observers might be deceived, by its taking a Southerly Course through some Inlet or Opening obscured by Islands, or the Entrance narrow, that they concluded it only to be some small Branch which soon terminated; having, at the same Time, a large open Channel before them, which they finding afterwards surrounded with Land, concluded there was no Communication with any other Waters, but that they had seen the Extremity of these Waters to Eastward. That these Waters took a Course through that desert mountainous Country, until they joined with the Waters of the Streights that _de Fuca_ came up, the People of _Conosset_ might not be able to give a just Account of, as they lived so far to Northward and Eastward. Though they, as the Natives of _Conibasset_ also came occasionally into the North-east Part of the _South Sea_; the one mostly frequented to Northward and Eastward, the other to Northward and Westward, as is apparent from _de Fonte_'s Account; where they had level and fruitful Tracts, as they produced so much Maiz; a hunting Country, as there were three Sorts of Deer; also Fish in their Waters. Whereas the Country on the opposite Shore of the North-east Part of the _South Sea_, as is apparent from being the Resort of the _Eskemaux_, would be rugged, rocky, and remarkably barren, with little Intermixtures of level and fruitful Spots. Therefore the People of _Conosset_, or _Conibasset_, would have no Inducements to go into those Parts. May be supposed the opposite Coast was the Limits of their Enemy's Country, with whom if they went to War, and knew that the Waters of the North-east Part of the _South Sea_ did communicate to Southward with other Waters; yet it cannot be imagined that they went up those Waters so far in their Enemy's Country of so wild a Disposition, where they were always in Danger of being surprized, as to know whether those Waters joined with the Sea in which _Shapley_ was met. Might also be jealous if the Jesuits, or _Parmentiers_, or others who came there, were very particular in their Enquiries, that they intended to go and reside amongst their Enemies, which, as the Nature of _Indians_ is, would cause them to be on the Reserve, and slack in their Informations, as to those Parts.

That those Persons who were in those Parts before this Expedition of _de Fonte_, got no Information of this Streight, or of the Waters, as to the Course of them to Southward, there must be a considerable main Land to Southward of Lake _Belle_ and Lake _de Fonte_, as is expressed in the Map, and as to the Sea to Eastward, that Part of it which was to Southward of _Ronquillo_, no more would be apprehended of it, being unacquainted as to the Streight, than that it was a Part of that Sea contiguous to _Hudson_'s Bay; and it not being known at that Time but the Tides came from the Eastward, would have no Reason to infer, from the Sea running to Southward, that it communicated with a Streight there.

To take away the Improbability of what is here advanced, we should reflect what Assurances former Discoverers gave, that had but the Season permitted to proceed, they should certainly have made a Passage; though when an Attempt was again made they found their Mistake; and from Observations then made, they saw good Reason to have a different Opinion as to the Nature of the Passage from what they had before, and very reasonable, as their Searches were made in Parts entirely unknown; and as to the Appearance of the Land, the Course of the Waters, and the Set of the Tides, the most judicious might be deceived.

The _Spanish_ Nation had not been able to make out a Passage by their various Attempts, agreeable to the Accounts of private Persons, which probably might give an Opportunity for the Representations of the Jesuits to be attended to, who would urge every Argument in Behalf of their Discovery, and endeavour to invalidate the former Accounts as to a Passage; which by that Time, from the ill Success as to discovering a Passage, might not be at that Time so much thought of; and as Difference in Time produces a Change in Opinions, whatever makes for the reigning Opinion is adopted, as every Thing that is contradictory is depreciated. The Arguments for the Opinion which prevailed before for a navigable Passage might be treated as fallacious and insignificant, and the Instructions for the Expedition of _de Fonte_ might be drawn agreeable to the Jesuits Plan, whom it is evident knew nothing of a Streight, but considered the Land of _America_ as one continued Continent to Latitude 66. And whatever Weight this Conjecture may have, it is apparent from the Consideration of _de Fonte_'s Letter, that the Instructions were drawn from the Information of some who had been before in those Parts: And by whom can it be supposed more properly that the Court received the Information which they had than from the Jesuits, whose Understanding and Character would admit them to a free Converse with the Minister on a less Occasion than they would now have, to give an Account of those Parts they had been in.

The _Court_ of _Spain_ does not seem, from the Proceedings, to be of the same Opinion with the _Jesuits_, or _de Fonte_ after his return. As the Governor of _Cinoloa_ is immediately ordered to take a Survey of the Coasts and Harbours of _California_. And the next Year Admiral _Cassanate_ is sent from _Old Spain_; and it is probable the Court was not of the Opinion of the _Jesuits_ when they gave this Information, but formed the Instructions for _de Fonte_ agreeable thereto. As the most expedient Method, at that Time, for intercepting the People from _Boston_, was to go the Way they gave an Account of with the Boats through Land, as the Ships might meet with Difficulties and Delays in passing up the Streights, also ran great Hazard; the _Boston_ Ship might pass them unperceived. Whereas, on the Plan which was pursued, if they heard by the Natives that the _Boston_ Ship had passed, and taken her Course further to Southward or Westward, _de Fonte_ would have repaired aboard his Ship, proceeded down _Los Reyes_, and with the Diligence which he would have made Use of, fell in with the _Boston_ Ship either in such _North-east_ Part of the _South Sea_, or on the Coast of _California_, leaving Orders for _Barnardo_ how to act in this Respect on his return. From which Conduct, and the Look-out that was kept on the Coast of _Mexico_ and _Peru_, it would have been also impossible for the _Boston_ People, unacquainted with these Parts, and not expecting such a Diligence was used to intercept them, to have made a successful Voyage.

That there is a Sea to the Westward of _Hudson_'s Bay is reported by the _Indians_, and is represented to have Ice in it like _Hudson_'s Bay.

Governor _Dobbs_, in his Account of the Countries adjoining to _Hudson_'s Bay (P. 19.) mentions from _Joseph le France_, that their Savages reported that in the Bottom of the Northern Bay there is a Streight, they can easily discover Land on the other Side: They had never gone to the End of that Streight. They say there is Ice there all the Year, which is drove by the Wind, sometimes one Way sometimes another.