Part 7

By the Name _Archipelago_, _de Fonte_, who would give the Name with Propriety, expresses it to be a Sea; and on his Return says, he sailed down the River _Los Reys_ to the North-east _Part_ of the _South Sea_; after that returned home. Where the Word _Part_, properly speaking, or to use the Word as it really imports, can be no otherwise understood than as an Arm or Branch of the _South Sea_. Had he steered eight Hundred and sixty-six Leagues North North-west, he must necessarily have traversed the Courses of those brave Discoverers Capt. _Beering_ and _Tschirikow_, which were from Lat. 45 in _Asia_, to Lat. 56 and 58 in _America_, and who were not interrupted by any such Islands. Capt. _Tschirikow_ positively says, the Coast was without Islands where he was in Lat. 56; by Capt. _Beering_'s Account in Lat. 58, the Islands lay only _along_ the Coast; and _de Fonte_ in his Account mentions, that he sailed in crooked Channels, amongst Islands. These various Descriptions shew that these Accounts relate to various Parts. As _de Fonte_ could not, in the whole Extent between _Asia_ and _America_, meet with such Islands, and yet was under a Necessity to pass up crooked Channels, with no small Hazard, as the Boats being a-head express, his Course must have been to the Eastward of where Captain _Tschirikow_ fell in with the Land, and for the Distance of the two Hundred and thirty Leagues before _de Fonte_ came to a River, to _Los Reyes_, was then passing up the North-east Part of the _South Sea_, as he terms it, and in some Part of which there were Islands, which he names the _Archipelagus of St. Lazarus_. There is a Singularity of Expression in the Letter, _where_ his Boats always sailed a-head, the Word _where_ limits the Islands to a certain Space, and that they were not extended the whole two Hundred and thirty Leagues, which is consistent with the Expedition he made, as otherwise the Ships must have often shortened sail, and it could not be avoided, and must have frequently brought up at Night.

As _de Fonte_ did neither make the South or North Shore of this Streight, the most comprehensive Way of expressing himself was to say, he passed up these Islands, by which those who had composed his Instructions well knew the Parts he meant. It must be considered _de Fonte_ was not as to this Part on Discovery, the Whole would be pointed out to him by his Instructions, which being to fall in with the Islands, or Entrance in such a Latitude, to mention either the North or South Limit of the Entrance would be improper; whereas the contrary was the Case as to Cape _St. Helena_, _Francisco_, _Passao_, and Cape _Abel_, as his Instructions were express, as to the making these Lands.

As _de Fonte_ made a true Course East 81° North, subtract the Longitude 20 Deg. 24 Min. from the Longitude 141 Deg. 12 Min. from _London_, and from the 123 Deg. 27 Min. from _Fero_. The Entrance to the River _Los Reys_ lies in Lat. 53 Deg. Long. 120 Deg. 48 Min. from _London_, and 103 Deg. 3 Min. West from _Fero_. And that his Course was now Easterly is plain from the subsequent Words of the Letter, _as they sailed more Easterly_. It was also confident with the Purpose they were sent on, to meet a Vessel from _Boston_.

'The 22d of _June_ Admiral _de 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 Perch, some of two Foot long; and with three large _Indian_ Boats, by them called _Periagos_, made of two large Trees 50 or 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 dispatched Capt. _Barnarda_ on the Discovery of the North and East Part of the _Tartarian Sea_.'

We may suppose, from the Manner in which this Part was managed, that there was a great Necessity to get the Translation finished in any Manner. As the Difficulties of the Translation increased, the Design of this Account being only Amusement, the Translator thought it would answer the Purpose to give the Account in gross.

The Date, the 22d _June_, is an apparent Error, by reason _de Fonte_ did not enter into Lake _Belle_, as will be shewn hereafter, until that Time.

Admiral _de Fonte_ dispatched one of his Captains to _Pedro de Barnarda_, to sail up a fair River, gentle Stream, and deep Water. Then the Translation breaks off abruptly, and the Translator renders the following Part as an Account of _Bernarda_'s Voyage, not observing how just a Connection there is with _de Fonte_ dispatching one of his Captains to _Bernarda_; and what follows being the Orders sent by him, and the Instructions for _Bernarda_; instead of being _Bernarda_'s Account of his Expedition, and not observing how consistent it is with being a summary Recital of those Instructions these Words are which follow, Admiral _de Fonte_, after he had dispatched Captain _Bernarda_ on the Discovery, _&c._

As to his dispatching one of his Captains, he must be supposed to have besides the Captain of the Ship he was in, also one called an Admiral's Captain. The Instructions were of such Consequence, that a less Person might not be so properly employed, nor consistent with the Respect due to _Bernarda_.

_De Fonte_ and _Bernarda_ were Strangers here; but these Parts had been already discovered, as it is expresly said that _two Pater Jesuits_ had been here two Years, and made Observations as far as the Latitude 66. From their Discoveries we may conclude, that these Instructions were formed which _Bernarda_ received, and those of the whole Course of the Voyage; and it was necessary that _de Fonte_ should not only mention that he had dispatched _Bernarda_, but should also, with the Brevity due to a Letter, mention the Orders with which he dispatched him. And further from what is expressed in those Orders, as to the River, the Course and Soundings, what Fish were in the River and Lake, the Road or Harbour which was to be found in the Lake, the Temper and Disposition of the Inhabitants, it evidently appears that there had been a prior Discovery of these Parts, and Observations made of every Thing worthy of Consideration, and necessary also at this Time to be mentioned to _Bernarda_. To let him know that his Ship could pass up the River, would find a Harbour in the Lake, he had nothing to fear from the Natives, and would meet with Provisions. There leaving his Ship he might be furnished with _Periagos_ to proceed. And I understand his Directions to steer first North and North-east, then North and North-west, that he might make no Mistake by pursuing or entering into any other Openings which might present themselves in his Course up, and which from their Appearance might perplex him, as to which of them he was to enter; no uncommon Thing, as those who have been to Northward on like Undertakings will allow.

'The Admiral sailed up a very navigable River, which he named _Rio los Reys_, that run nearest N. E. 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 flowed on both Rivers near the same Water, in the River _Los Reys_, 24 Feet Full and Change of the Moon; a S. S. E. Moon made high Water. It flowed in the River _Haro_, 22 Feet and a half Full and Change. They had two Jesuits with them, that had been on their Mission to 66 Degrees of North Latitude, and had made curious Observations.'

_De Fonte_, having dispatched _Bernarda_, sets out on his Part of the Expedition, and proceeds up the River _Los Reys_, at the Entrance of which he had arrived the fourteenth of _June_. During his Stay, until _Bernarda_ was dispatched and sailed, he seems to have taken an accurate Account of the Tides in both Rivers. The Distance up the River was more than sixty Leagues, and though a good navigable Channel, yet would require a great Precaution in his Proceeding with the two Ships; Tide Times and the Night would make it necessary for him to bring too; for had he touched the Ground with either of them, the Delay that might have followed on such Accident, might have defeated this Part of the Undertaking, and the most important, and which, therefore, was allotted to him to execute.

Their having had two Jesuits with them seems an additional Note. That two Jesuits should be sent into those Parts to make Observations, is but consistent with the general Practice of the Jesuits to go on Missions into all Parts of the Globe, engaged by a special Vow, not injoined any other Order, to be always ready to go and preach whithersoever they shall be sent.

These Jesuits are by no Means a singular Instance of the People of that Order being great Adventurers, when we consider those who ventured to the _Philippinas_ and _Japan_, enforced by the Vow, puffed up with the Vanity of popular Applause, the Favour of the President, and the Hope of being acceptable to the rest of the Order on their return from such Mission, expecting by such Mission to add to the Wealth or Reputation of the Order. The Effect of this Mission seems to have been they had acquired the Favour of the Natives. Had made some Observations of the Country, but principally to Northward, as to which they seem not to have got a perfect Account; though they did a great deal for the Time, the Unseasonableness of the Winter, and the melting Weather in the Spring considered; nor is it strange they should not get a perfect Account, in a Country so intermixed with Waters, which hide themselves in their Courses between inaccessible Mountains; and in many Places where they are to be come at, are deceitful in their Appearance, as to what they really are, whether Lakes, Gulphs of the Sea, or Inlets. As they proceeded to the Northward, they thought it the Part that principally claimed their Observation. Were of Opinion as to the Northward, that it was Part of the Continent of _New Spain_, or they would not have lead _de Fonte_ to _Los Reys_, but caused him to proceed up that Streight which separated the Part they had been in from _New Spain_. As to this Mission not being known to the Publick, these Jesuits must have been sent from _Europe_ into _New Spain_; and they would so far regard their Obedience to the Pope, as to pay due Respect to the King of _Spain_'s Authority, in observing the established Maxim of the Time, as to keep their Discoveries a Secret from the Publick or other Nations. And as to all Missionaries who went into _New Spain_, the King of _Spain_ hath a Power to call them to Account, by the Pope's Permission, though not permitted in _Old Spain_ to meddle with ecclesiastical Affairs, or ecclesiastical Men.

'A Letter from Captain _Barnarda_, dated the 27th of _June_ 1740, that he had left his Ship in the Lake _Valasco_, betwixt the Islands _Barnarda_ and the Peninsula _Conibasset_, a very safe Port; it went down the River from the Lake 3 Falls, 80 Leagues, and fell into the _Tartarian_ Sea in 61 Deg. 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 Provision, the Country abounding with Venison of three Sorts, and the Sea and Rivers with excellent Fish (Bread, Salt, Oil, and Brandy they carried 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 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_.'

The Letter from _Bernarda_ being dated the 27th of _June_, it is impossible he should finish all that Business in four Days, which he gives _de Fonte_ an Account of: This also confirms its being a Mistake as to the 22d of _June_, being the Time he received his Dispatches. It might well take _Bernarda_ from the fourteenth of _June_ to the twenty-seventh to receive his Dispatches, to pass up the River, and to the Peninsula in Lake _Valasco_, procure the Natives, who were not under his Command, get all Things fitted, and set out. And what this Letter contains, makes it evident it could be no Account of his Voyage that was before-mentioned.

This Letter is apparently an Answer to the Dispatches _Bernarda_ received from _de Fonte_. He mentions, that he had left his Ship, agreeable to Orders, and in a safe Port; gives an Account how he was equipped to proceed; the Number of the Persons he had with him; that he had thirty-six of the Natives, which is conformable to the Character given of them, a friendly honest People, and shews the Influence of the Jesuits. These Natives, by joining in the Expedition, were Hostages for the good Behaviour of the others towards his People left behind, and an Assurance to _Bernarda_ for the Security of his Ship left at the Port, were of great Use as Pilots as to the Coast, and also in sailing and managing their _Periagos_. Their having these _Periagos_ implies they had a Country abounding with Waters; and it was their usual Way of passing from one Part to another, Time and Experience had made them expert in the Management of them; and by shifting from one Part to the other as the Seasons required for hunting or fishing, and by Excursions out of their own Country either for War or Curiosity, as is the Nature of _Indians_, they were become acquainted not only with the inland Waters, but also the Sea Coasts.

_De Fonte_ had ordered Captain _Bernarda_ that he should sail one Hundred and fifty Leagues West (but is rather to be believed a Mistake from not understanding the Compass, _Oeste_ and _Este_ being so similar) and then four Hundred and thirty-six Leagues East North East to 77 Degrees of Latitude. In Answer to which _Bernarda_ here mentions, that from the Lake _Valasco_ there was a River in which there was three Falls, eighty Leagues in Distance, and fell into the _Tartarian Sea_, in Latitude 61; that the Land trended away North East, and that he would do what was possible. By which Expression it is plain, that he did not pursue the exact Course that _de Fonte_ directed; probably that Course was pointed out to _Bernarda_ by which the Jesuits had travelled to Latitude 66, but pursued a Course more immediate and direct to attain to Latitude 77, the Back of _Baffin_'s Bay, as to which the Natives had informed him; and that though he did not pursue the Course directed by _de Fonte_, which he found not to be so consistent with the Design he was sent on, yet he would do all that was possible to answer that Design. And the Expression also implies, that he was sensible he should meet with Difficulties, which he might expect from the Climate, the Ice, and the Fatigue; but as to the Article of Provisions, was in no Fear on that Account. As to what is mentioned as to Venison of three Sorts, they were the small Deer, the Moose, and the Elk, all which are in the Northern Parts about _Hudson_'s Bay, and the _Labrador_ Coast.

The Name of _Haro_ given to the River is a particular Compliment to _Don Haro_, who was the Head of the Houses of _Valasco_; and the Name of _Valasco_, in Compliment to the other Houses, of that Family. Which Respect shewn by _de Fonte_ seems to indicate a particular Connection with, or his being related to that Family, as already mentioned. _Valasco_, as here wrote, with a _va_, as those Families did write it at that Time, and one of that Family, who was Constable of _Castile_, in his Titles is named _John Ferdinandes de Vallasco_, Constable of _Castilia_, &c. now Lord of the Houses of _Vallasco_, &c. and by the Orthography in the Letter being so conformable with that which was used at that Time, and not with a _ve_ as at present, we have very good Reason to suppose, that the Letter was not only wrote in _Spanish_, but also by _de Fonte_ on his return from his Voyage. Don _Ferdinandez_ was living in 1610, and succeeded by his Son, in his Title and Honour of Constable of _Castile_, _Don Bernardino_, who was living at the Time of the Voyage.

'The Admiral entered the Lake an Hour before high Water, and there was no Fall or Cataract, and 4 and 5 Fathom Water, and 6 and 7 Fathom Water generally in the Lake _Belle_. There is a little Fall of Water half Flood, and an Hour and Quarter before high Water the Flood begins to set gently into 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_ also says, the Mullets catched in _Rios Reyes_ and Lake _Belle_, are much delicater than are to be found, he believes, in any Part of the World.'

_De Fonte_ was not inactive from the 14th to the 22d of _June_. Various Courses, contrary Winds, waiting for the Tides at times; from the Circumstance of the Tide as to Lake _Belle_, that there is a Fall until half Flood, and it is an Hour and Quarter only before high Water that the Flood makes in, evidences that there was a Current against him; and it is further evident, as on his return he was but two Days running from _Conosset_ to the Entrance of the River _Los Reyes_.

_De Fonte_ is very particular in his Account, being now to take a Survey of the Parts through which a Passage was expected, and in which Parts he now was. He mentions the Trial of the Tides at _Los Reyes_ and _Haro_; gives a particular Account of the Navigation up _Los Reyes_, and to Lake _Belle_; that it was fresh Water after they were sixty Miles up the River; and what is no immaterial Circumstance in this Affair, shews how far the Waters from Westward flowed up, which he instances in the Account of the Fish. That such as came out of the Sea into the Land or fresh Waters to spawn at those Seasons, and afterwards return to the Sea, went no further than Lake _Belle_; for here he found the Mother Fish, as he describes them, large and delicate, superior to those in the River, and indulges his Fancy, so delicate as, he believes, they are not to be exceeded in any other Part of the World. _De Fonte_, in his Orders to _Bernarda_, shewed it was fresh Water in Part of _Haro_, and in the Lake _Conibasset_, from the Salmon and Perch, in which he means Sea Perch, which come into fresh Waters at this Season of the Year.

'The first of _July_ 1640, Admiral _de Fonte_ sailed from the rest of his Ships in the Lake _Belle_, in a good Port, covered by a fine Island, before the Town of _Conosset_, from thence to a River I named _Parmentiers_, in Honour of my industrious judicious Comrade Mr. _Parmentiers_, who had most exactly marked every Thing in and about that River.'

We now proceed to consider the Remainder of Admiral _de Fonte_'s Letter, which was published in _June_ 1708.

Admiral _de Fonte_, when he received the Letter from Capt. _Bernarda_, was arrived at an _Indian_ Town called _Conosset_, in the Lake _Belle_; and as he entered such Lake the twenty-second, probably arrived at the Town the same Day; staid eight Days, and then sailed the first of _July_. That _Bernarda_ should write, as to the Situation of his Affairs, must have been before concerted between them, they having been informed by the Jesuits or _Parmentiers_, that it was practicable for _Bernarda_ to send such Message, that the Admiral might know whether _Bernarda_ had met with any Accident as to his Ship, or any other Obstacle to his Proceeding, as he might assist him from those Ships Companies then with the Admiral. How the Letter was conveyed is not expressed; probably by a Seaman with an _Indian_ Guide (the Distance between the Admiral and _Bernarda_, at this Time, will be considered hereafter) who would use all possible Expedition both by Land and Water: Had the Advantage of very short Nights. _De Fonte_ would not proceed until he received this Account, though ready as soon as he received it. As _de Fonte_ sailed on the first of _July_, that Account must have come to his Hand the thirtieth of _June_.

The Ships being secure in a good Harbour, and the Command left with _Ronquillo_, the Admiral proceeds to the River _Parmentiers_, so named in Honour of Mons. _Parmentiers_, whom he stiles his Comrade, and commends his Industry and Judgment in the Survey of such River, and the Parts adjacent. From his being stiled his Comrade, he was in no Command, as he could not have a Commission without having been bred in the Service, and a Native of _Spain_. Therefore being a Person immediately necessary for to have on this Occasion, he is introduced under the Character of a Friend and Companion. Mr. _Gage_ mentions, Chap. xv. of his new Survey of the _West Indies_, one _Thomas Rocalono_, a _Frenchman_, a Prior of the Cloister of _Cemitlan_, who, with himself, was the only Stranger in that Country, by which he means in that Part where he was; and it implies there being others in other Parts, which falsifies the Assertion that no _Frenchman_ was ever admitted in _Peru_.