Part 2

_De Fonte_'s Observation as to the Country altering for the worse.

A purposed Silence as to the Part come into after passing the Streight of _Ronquillo_.

De Fonte _arrives at the_ Indian _Town, and receives an Account of the Ship._

A further Instance of _Parmentiers_ having been in these Parts 64

_De Fonte_ had been on the Inquiry.

_The Proceedings of_ de Fonte _after meeting with the Ship._

The Reason of the Ship's Company retiring to the Woods 65

_De Fonte_ had particularly provided himself with some _Englishmen_.

_Shapley_, the Navigator of the Ship, first waits on the Admiral.

Particulars as to _Shapley_.

A Disappointment of the Intelligence the Author hoped to attain 66

A Tradition amongst the antient People of there having been such a Voyage.

_Major Gibbons_, an Account of him 67

_Seimar Gibbons_, a Mistake of the Translator 68

_Massachusets_, the largest Colony in _New England_ at that Time.

The Ship fitted out from _Boston_.

Remarks on _de Fonte_'s Address to _Major Gibbons_, and Conduct on this Occasion.

_De Fonte_ only mentions what is immediately necessary for the Court to know 70

The _Boston_ Ship returned before _de Fonte_ left those Parts.

A remarkable Anecdote from the Ecclesiastical History of _New England_.

The Circumstances of which Account agree with this Voyage 72

A further Tradition as to _Major Gibbons_.

That the Persons met by _Groseliers_ were not _Major Gibbons_ and his Company.

De Fonte _returns to_ Conosset.

The various Courses, Distances, _&c._ from _Rio de los Reyes_ to the Sea to the Eastward of _Ronquillo_ 73

The prudent Conduct observed in the Absence of the Admiral 74

De Fonte _receives a Letter from_ Bernarda.

The Latitude and Longitude of _Conibasset_, &c. 75

Observations as to the Messenger who carried the first Letter from _Bernarda_.

Observations as to the Messenger with the second Letter 76

The various Courses, Distances, _&c._ that _Bernarda_ went.

The Probability of sending a Seaman over Land to _Baffin_'s Bay.

Remarks on the Report made by the Seaman 77

_Bernarda_ going up the _Tartarian Sea_ is agreeable to the _Japanese_ Map.

A Parallel drawn between _Conosset_ and Port _Nelson_.

The physical Obstacles considered 78

_Bernarda_'s Observations as to the Parts he had been in.

Whether the Parts about _Baffin_'s Bay were inhabited 79

An Objection as to the Affability of the Inhabitants further considered.

As to the Dispatch used by _Indians_ in carrying Expresses.

_Bernarda_ directed by the Jesuits as to the Harbour where he meets _de Fonte_.

_De Fonte_ sent a Chart with his Letter 80

_Miguel Venegas_, a _Mexican_ Jesuit, his Observation as to the Account of _de Fonte_'s Voyage, _&c._

The Design with which his Work was published.

Arguments for putting into immediate Execution what he recommends 81

_Don Cortez_ informs the King of _Spain_ that there is a Streight on the Coast of the _Baccaloos_.

Attempts made by _Cortez_ 82

What is comprehended under the Name of _Florida_.

King of _Portugal_ sends _Gasper Corterealis_ on Discovery.

The Name _Labrador_, what it means.

_Promonterum Cortereale_, what Part so named.

_Hudson_'s Streights named the River of _Three Brothers_ or _Anian_.

When the finding a Streight to Northward became a Matter of particular Attention of the _Spaniards_ 83

Undertaken by the Emperor.

By _Philip_ the Second.

By _Philip_ the Third, and the Reasons 84

The Opinions of _Geographers_ as to the North Part of _America_. How the Maps were constructed at that Time 85

Unacquainted with what _Cortez_ knew of the Streight 86

Instanced by the Voyage of _Alarcon_ that the Land was thought to extend farther to Northward than afterwards supposed by the Voyage of _Juan Roderique de Cabrillo_ 87

_Vizcaino_, his Voyage, and the Discovery of _Aguilar_.

_Spaniards_ never meant by the Streights of _Anian_, _Beerings_ Streight 88

Remarks on the Deficiency of the _Spanish_ Records.

Uncertainty of attaining any Evidence from such Records.

Father _Kimo_'s Map of _California_ altered by Geographers 90

The Objection of _Venegas_ as to the Authenticity of _de Fonte_'s Account considered 91

Misrepresents the Title of the Letter 92

Doth not deny but that there was such a Person as _de Fonte_.

The _Jesuits_ and _Parmentiers_ having been before in these Parts not improbable 93

Master and Mariners mentioned by _de Fonte_, a probable Account.

Whence the Tide came at the Head of the Gulph of _California_ 94

_De Fonte_ retires, Command taken by Admiral _Cassanate_.

_Seyxas y Lovera_, the Authority of his Account defended 95

_Venegas_ omits some Accounts for Want of necessary Authenticity.

Most of the Discoveries are reported to be made by Ships from the _Moluccas_ 96

What Ships from the _Moluccas_ or _Philippines_ were forced to do in case of bad Weather.

The Probability of a Discovery made by a Ship from the _Philippines_ or _Moluccas_.

The People of the _Philippine_ Islands those who most talked of a Passage.

_Salvatierra_, his Account of a North-west Passage discovered 97

This Account gained Credit 98

Was the Foundation of _Frobisher_'s Expedition.

_Thomas Cowles_, his Account defended 99

_Juan de Fuca_, his Account 100

Remarks on that Account 101

Expeditions which the Court of _Spain_ order correspond in Time with the Attempts for Discovery from _England_ 103

The Discovery of the Coast of _California_ for a Harbour for the _Aquapulco_ Ship not the Sole Design 104

Reasons that induced _Aguilar_ to think the Opening where he was was the Streight of _Anian_ 105

Observation on the preceding Accounts.

Have no certain Account of what Expeditions were in those Parts 106

An exact Survey of those Coasts not known to have been made until the Year 1745.

The Streight of _Anian_ at present acknowledged 107

The first Discoverers gave faithful Accounts.

Reasons for _de Fonte_'s Account being true 108

Accounts of Voyages not being to be obtained no just Objection to their Authenticity.

As to the Inference in _de Fonte_'s Letter of there being no North-west Passage 109

The Proximity of the _Western Ocean_ supposed by all Discoverers 111

Observations on the Northern Parts of _America_ being intermixed with Waters.

The Objection as to the Distance between the _Ocean_ and the _Sea_ at the Back of _Hudson_'s Bay 112

Reasons why a Passage hath not been discovered.

A great Channel to Westward by which the Ice and Land Waters are vented.

Accounts of _de Fonte_, _de Fuca_, and _Chacke_, agree 113

_Indians_ mentioned by _de Fonte_ and those by _de Fuca_ not the same.

Why _de Fonte_ did not pass up the North-east Part of the _South Sea_ 114

The Persons who were in those Parts got no Information of a Streight 115

The Representation of the _Jesuits_ the Foundation of _de Fonte_'s Instructions.

The Court of _Spain_ not of the same Opinion with _de Fonte_ or the Jesuits on his Return 116

There is a Sea to Westward of _Hudson_'s Bay 117

_Joseph le France_, his Account considered 118

Agrees with the Account of _de Fonte_ and _de Fuca_ 119

Improbability of the _Tete Plat_ inhabiting near the Ocean 120

Which Way the _Boston_ Ship made the Passage, uncertain.

Whether through _Hudson_'s Bay 122

Observations as to _Chesterfield_'s Inlet.

As to _Pistol_ Bay and _Cumberland_ Isles 123

A Quotation from _Seyxas y Lovera_.

Observations thereon 124

Observations as to its having been the constant Opinion that there was a North-west Passage 125

The great Degree of Credibility there is from the Circumstances of _de Fonte_'s Voyage.

What Foundation those who argue against a North-west Passage have for their Argument 126

Where the Passage is supposed, and an Explanation of the Map 127

Remarks as to Expeditions to be made purposely for the Discovery.

The Inconveniencies which attended on former Expeditions.

Prevented for the future by a Discovery of the Coast of _Labrador_.

The advantageous Consequences of that Attempt 128

Method to be pursued in making the Discovery.

APPENDIX.

Fall in with the Coast of _Labrador_ 131

Stand more to Southward.

Tokens of the Land 132

Meet with the _Eskemaux_.

Enter a Harbour 133

The Country described.

People sent to the Head of the Harbour report they had seen a House 134

A more particular Account.

The Report of Persons sent to survey the Country.

Proceed on a further Discovery 136

Enter up an Inlet.

Prevented proceeding in the Schooner by Falls 137

Proceed in a Boat, meet with Falls.

Description of the Country.

Sail out of the Inlet and go to Northward 139

See Smokes and go in Pursuit of the Natives 140

Proceed up a third Inlet.

See Smokes again.

Enter a fourth Inlet.

Meet with a _Snow_ from _England_ 143

The Captain of the _Snow_, his Account and other Particulars.

Observations as to the _Eskemaux_ 145

_Snow_ had joined Company with a _Sloop_ from _Rhode Island_.

An Account of where the _Eskemaux_ trade 147

_Eskemaux_ come along-side 147

_Schooner_ leaves the _Snow_.

_Eskemaux_ come aboard the Schooner 148

Mate of _Snow_ comes aboard the _Schooner_, and his Account 150

Why mentioned 151

The Trade in these Parts could only be established by the Regulations of the _Government_.

_Eskemaux_ coming to trade with the Schooner intercepted.

The Inlet searched 152

Pass into three other Inlets.

An Account of them and the Country.

Reasons for leaving off the Discovery 153

_Fishing Bank_ sought for and discovered.

An Island of Ice of a surprising Magnitude and Depth.

MEMOIRS for the CURIOUS. [Sidenote: April 1708.]

_A Letter from Admiral_ Bartholomew de Fonte, _then Admiral of_ New Spain _and_ Peru, _and now Prince of_ Chili; _giving an Account of the most material Transactions in a Journal of his from the Calo of_ Lima _in_ Peru, _on his Discoveries, to find out if there was any North West Passage from the_ Atlantick _Ocean into the South and Tartarian Sea._

The Viceroys of _New Spain_ and _Peru_, having advice from the Court of _Spain_, that the several Attempts of the _English_, both in the Reigns of Queen _Elizabeth_, King _James_, and of Capt. _Hudson_ and Capt. _James_, in the 2d, 3d and 4th Years of King _Charles_, was in the 14th Year of the said King _Charles_, A. D. 1639, undertaken from some Industrious Navigators from _Boston_ in _New England_, upon which I Admiral _de Fonte_ received Orders from _Spain_ and the Viceroys to Equip four Ships of Force, and being ready we put to Sea the 3d of _April_ 1640, from the Calo of _Lima_, I Admiral _Bartholomew de Fonte_ in the Ship _St Spiritus_, the Vice-Admiral _Don Diego Pennelossa_, in the Ship _St Lucia_, _Pedro de Bonardæ_, in the Ship _Rosaria_, _Philip de Ronquillo_ in the _King Philip_. The 7th of _April_ at 5 in the Afternoon, we had the length of _St Helen_, two hundred Leagues on the _North_ side of the Bay of _Guajaquil_, in 2 Degrees of _South_ Lat. and anchored in the Port _St Helena_, within the Cape, where each Ship's Company took in a quantity of _Betumen_, called vulgarly _Tar_, of a dark colour with a cast of Green, an excellent Remedy against the Scurvy and Dropsie, and is used as Tar for Shipping, but we took it in for Medicine; it Boils out of the Earth, and is there plenty. The _10th_ we pass'd the Equinoctial by Cape _del Passao_, the _11th_ Cape _St Francisco_, in one Degree and seven Minutes of Latitude North from the Equator, and anchor'd in the Mouth of the [1]River _St Jago_, where with a Sea-Net we catch'd abundance of good Fish; and several of each Ship's Company went ashoar, and kill'd some Goats and Swine, which are there wild and in plenty; and others bought of some Natives, 20 dozen of _Turkey_ Cocks and Hens, Ducks, and much excellent Fruit, at a Village two _Spanish_ Leagues, six Mile and a half, up the River _St Jago_, on the Larboard side or the Left hand. The River is Navigable for small Vessels from the Sea, about 14 _Spanish_ Leagues _South East_, about half way to the fair City of _Quita_, in 22 Minutes of _South_ Latitude, a City that is very Rich. The _16th_ of _April_ we sailed from the River _St Jago_ to the Port and Town _Raleo_, 320 Leagues W. N. W. a little Westerly, in about 11 Degrees 14 Min. of N. Latitude, leaving Mount _St Miguel_ on the Larboard side, and Point _Cazamina_ on the Starboard side. The Port of _Raleo_ is a safe Port, is covered from the Sea by the Islands _Ampallo_ and _Mangreza_, both well inhabited with Native _Indians_, and 3 other small Islands. [2]_Raleo_ is but 4 Miles over Land from the head of the Lake _Nigaragua_, that falls into the North Sea in 12 Degrees of North Latitude, near the Corn or Pearl Islands. Here at the Town of _Raleo_, where is abundance of excellent close grain'd Timber, a reddish Cedar, and all Materials for building Shipping; we bought 4 long well sail'd Shallops, built express for sailing and riding at Anchor and rowing, about 12 Tuns each, of 32 foot Keel. The _26th_, we sailed from _Raleo_ for the Port of _Saragua_, or rather of _Salagua_, within the Islands and Shoals of _Chamily_, and the Port is often call'd by the _Spaniards_ after that Name; in 17 Degrees 31 Minutes of North Latitude, 480 Leagues North West and by West, a little Westerly from _Raleo_. From the Town of _Saragua_, a little East of _Chamily_ at _Saragua_, and from _Compostilo_ in the Neighbourhood of this Port, we took in a Master and six Mariners accustomed to Trade with the Natives on the East side of _California_ for Pearl; the Natives catch'd on a Bank in 19 Degrees of Latitude North from the _Baxos St Juan_, in 24 Degrees of North Latitude 20 Leagues N. N. E. from Cape St _Lucas_, the South East point of _California_. The Master Admiral _de Fonte_ had hir'd, with his Vessel and Mariners, who had informed the Admiral, that 200 Leagues North from Cape St _Lucas_, a Flood from the North, met the South Flood, and that he was sure it must be an Island, and _Don Diego Pennelossa_ (Sisters Son of [3]_Don Lewis de Haro_) a young Nobleman of great Knowledge and Address in Cosmography and Navigation, and undertook to discover whether _California_ was an Island or not; for before it was not known whether it was an Island or a _Peninsula_; with his Ship and the 4 Shallops they brought at _Raleo_, and the Master and Mariners they hir'd at _Salagua_, but Admiral _de Fonte_ with the other 3 Ships sailed from them within the Islands _Chamily_ the _10th_ of _May_ 1640. and having the length of Cape _Abel_, on the W. S. W. side of _California_ in 26 Degrees of N. Latitude, 160 Leagues N. W. and W. from the Isles _Chamily_; the Wind sprung up at S. S. E. a steady Gale, that from the _26th_ of _May_ to the _14th_ of _June_, he had sail'd to the River _los Reyes_ in 53 Degrees of N. Latitude, not having occasion to lower a Topsail, in sailing 866 Leagues N. N. W. 410 Leagues from Port _Abel_ to Cape Blanco, 456 Leagues to _Rio los Reyes_, all the time most pleasant Weather, and sailed about 260 Leagues in crooked Channels, amongst Islands named the [4]_Archipelagus de St Lazarus_; where his Ships Boats sail'd a mile a head, sounding to see what Water, Rocks and Sands there was. The 22d of _June_, Admiral _Fonte_ dispatched one of his Captains to _Pedro de Barnarda_, to sail up a fair River, a gentle Stream and deep Water, went first N. and N. E. N. and N. W. into a large Lake full of Islands, and one very large _Peninsula_ full of Inhabitants, a Friendly honest People in this Lake; he named Lake _Valasco_, where Captain _Barnarda_ left his Ship; nor all up the River was less than 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 Fathom Water, both the Rivers and Lakes abounding with Salmon Trouts, and very large white Pearch, some of two foot long; and with 3 large _Indian_ Boats, by them called _Periagos_, made of two large Trees 50 and 60 foot long. Capt. _Barnarda_ first sailed from his Ships in the Lake _Valasco_, one hundred and forty Leagues West, and then 436 E. N. E. to 77 Degrees of Latitude. Admiral _de Fonte_, after he had dispatch'd Captain _Barnarda_ on the Discovery of the North and East part of the _Tartarian_ Sea, the Admiral sail'd up a very Navigable River, which he named _Rio los Reyes_, that run nearest North East, but on several Points of the Compass 60 Leagues at low Water, in a fair Navigable Channel, not less than 4 or 5 Fathom Water. It flow'd in both Rivers near the same Water, in the River _los Reyes_, 24 foot Full and Change of the Moon; a S. S. E. Moon made high Water. It flow'd in the River _de Haro_ 22 foot and a half Full and Change. They had two [5]Jesuits with them that had been on their Mission to the 66 Degrees of North Latitude, and had made curious Observations. The Admiral _de Fonte_ received a Letter from Captain _Barnarda_, dated the 27th of _June_, 1640. that he had left his Ship in the Lake _Valasco_, betwixt the Island _Barnarda_ and the Peninsula _Conibasset_, a very safe Port; it went down a River from the Lake, 3 falls, 80 Leagues, and fell into the _Tartarian_ Sea in 61 Degrees, with the Pater Jesuits and 36 Natives in three of their Boats, and 20 of his _Spanish_ Seamen; that the Land trended away North East; that they should want no Provisions, the Country abounding with Venison of 3 sorts, and the Sea and Rivers with excellent Fish (Bread, Salt, Oyl and Brandy they carry'd with them) that he should do what was possible. The Admiral, when he received the Letter from Captain _Barnarda_, was arrived at an _Indian_ Town called _Conosset_, on the South-side the Lake _Belle_, where the two Pater Jesuits on their Mission had been two Years; a pleasant Place. The Admiral with his two Ships, enter'd the Lake the 22d of _June_, an Hour before high Water, and there was no Fall or Catract, and 4 or 5 Fathom Water, and 6 and 7 generally in the Lake _Belle_, there is a little fall of Water till half Flood, and an Hour and quarter before high Water the Flood begins to set gently into the Lake _Belle_; the River is fresh at 20 Leagues distance from the Mouth, or Entrance of the River _los Reyes_. The River and Lake abounds with Salmon, Salmon-Trouts, Pikes, Perch and Mullets, and two other sorts of Fish peculiar to that River, admirable good, and Lake _Belle_; also abounds with all those sorts of Fish large and delicate: And Admiral _de Fonte_ says, the Mullets catch'd in _Rios Reyes_ and Lake _Belle_, are much delicater than are to be found, he believes, in any part of the World.

The rest shall be incerted in our next.

[1] _Eighty Leagues N. N. W. and 25 Leagues E. and by S._

[2] _The great Ships that are built in_ New Spain _are built in_ Raleo.

[3] Don Lewis de Haro _was great Minister of_ Spain.

[4] _So named by_ de Fonte, _he being the first that made that Discovery._

[5] _One of those that went with Capt._ Barnarda _on his Discovery._

MEMOIRS for the CURIOUS. [Sidenote: June 1708.]

_The Remainder of Admiral_ Bartholomew de Fonte'_s Letter; giving an Account of the most material Transactions in a Journal of his from the Calo of_ Lima _in_ Peru, _on his Discoveries to find out if there was any North West Passage from the_ Atlantick _Ocean into the South and Tartarian Sea; which for want of Room we could not possibly avoid postponing._

[Sidenote: _See the Memoirs for April 1708, and you'll find the beginning of this Curious Discovery._]

We concluded with giving an Account of a Letter from Capt. _Barnarda_, dated the 27th of _June_, 1640. on his Discovery in the Lake _Valasco_. The first of _July_ 1640, Admiral _de Fonte_ sailed from the rest of his Ships in the Lake _Belle_, in a good Port cover'd by a fine Island, before the Town _Conosset_ from thence to a River I named _Parmentiers_, in honour of my Industrious Judicious Comrade, Mr _Parmentiers_, who had most exactly mark'd every thing in and about that River; we pass'd 8 Falls, in all 32 foot, perpendicular from its Sourse out of _Belle_; it falls into the large Lake I named Lake _de Fonte_, at which place we arrived the 6th of _July_. This Lake is 160 Leagues long and 60 broad, the length is E. N. E. and W. S. W. to 20 or 30, in some places 60 Fathom deep; the Lake abounds with excellent Cod and Ling, very large and well fed, there are several very large Islands and 10 small ones; they are covered with shrubby Woods, the Moss grows 6 or 7 foot long, with which the Moose, a very large sort of Deer, are fat with in the Winter, and other lesser Deer, as Fallow, _&c._ There are abundance of wild Cherries, Strawberries, Hurtleberries, and wild Currants, and also of wild Fowl Heath Cocks and Hens, likewise Partridges and Turkeys, and Sea Fowl in great plenty on the South side: The Lake is a very large fruitful Island, had a great many Inhabitants, and very excellent Timber, as Oaks, Ashes, Elm and Fur-Trees, very large and tall.

The 14th of _July_ we sailed out of the E. N. E. end of the Lake _de Fonte_, and pass'd a Lake I named _Estricho de Ronquillo_, 34 Leagues long, 2 or 3 Leagues broad, 20, 26, and 28 Fathom of Water; we pass'd this strait in 10 hours, having a stout Gale of Wind and whole Ebb. As we sailed more Easterly, the Country grew very sensibly worse, as it is in the North and South parts of _America_, from 36 to the extream Parts North or South, the West differs not only in Fertility but in Temperature of Air, at least 10 Degrees, and it is warmer on the West side than on the East, as the best _Spanish_ Discoverers found it, whose business it was in the time of the Emperor _Charles_ the V. to _Philip_ the III. as is noted by _Aloares_ and a _Costa_ and _Mariana_, &c.