The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-18

by Fernando Cortes, in the name Of Spain, and an
establishment had been formed in 24o of north la-
iude This establishment was kept up for several
years; and the gulf Of California 10 It's northern
lremity, with the coast high as $50 north
latitude, had been explored. These explorations,
and the establishments formed in carrying them on,
were all made IN pursuance Of settled purpose on
the part OF Spain TO extend her dominion over the
uninhabiied territory on the northwestern coast Of
America. The discoveries to which these explorations
led were therefore not accidental The expeditions
were htted out for the single object referred to. 10
the prosecution Of this design il is true the most
arrogant and absurd pretensons were set up by
Spain IN respect 10 the exclusive navigation of the
Pacific but these must not be permitted TO prejudice
her Just claims 10 portions Of the continent washed
by its waters the ground of discovery and occu-
patton, and the declared purposes she had in view.
The next navigator who appeared on the north
west coast was Sir Francis Drake. He left England
in 1877, on predatory expedition against the do
minons ofSpaln in the Pacific. In 1879 after hay-
ing accomplished his object, and carried devastation
and terror into the unprotected Spanish settlements
on the coast, he landed in $50 north latitude, in
bay supposed TO be that of San Francisco and pass.
ed five weeks in repairing his vessel.
He took possession of the country and called
it New Albion. IL is pretended that Sir Francis
| Drake followed the COST as far north as $50
but the best authorities FIX the northerly limit
| of his examination, which was a mere inspection
from his vessel, at 43o, the supposed boundary Of
Ferrelo's inspection than quarter OF a century
before. As the British negOtIatOrs have abandoned
brakes expeditions part Of the basis Of their
claim, | will not dwell upon il excepting 10 add
that his examinations were accidental; they were
not made in pursuance Of any purpose of ex.
ploraIion or settlement; they led to the discoy.
| cry OF no new territory; and they were moi
followed up by an actual oeeupaon-oft the soil For
two centuries no claim whatever was set up by
Great Britain on the ground Of brakes pretended
discoveries.
The next explorer was the Greek pilot, Juan de
Fuca, who was sent TO the northwest coast in 1892
seventeen years after Drake by the yiceroy of Mex.
co, for the purpose Of discovering the imaginary
strait OF Anan, supposed at that day connect the
north Pacific with the north Atlantic ocean. In the
prosecution OF his voyage he entered an extensive
inlet from the sea, as he supposed, between the 47th
and 18th parallels OF latitude, and sailed more than
twenty days IN it, Such is his own account as de-
tailed by Michael Lock; and il aocords, az we'll as
his descriptions, so nearly with the actual nature OF
the localities, that is now generally conceded that
Il is substantially true and his name is conferred
by universal consent on the strait between the 18th
and 49th parallels Of latitude. Spain had thus made
discoveries on the northwest coast before the close
Of 10th century far north at least as the 4Sth
degree Of latitude, and the nature OF the explora.
uons from their extent and the settled purpose in
pursuance Of which they were made, excludes al
claim Of discovery by others down to that period Of
1 time.
| In 1908, Vizcaino, a distinguished naval com.
mander, under an order from the king Of Spain
made careful survey Of the coast Of California "a
Monterey, in the 9th parallel Of latitude; and hs
also explored the coast far north the 43d par.
allel giving names TO several bays and promonto.
ries us he advanced During the seventeenth eentu.
ry, at least seven different attempts were made by the
Spaniards TO form establishments in California; but
from the hostility Of the natives and other causes
these attempts failed, so far as any permanent set.
dement, is concerned, excepting the last, which was
made in 1857. But, within sixty years from this
time, sixteen principal establishments were formed
by the Jesuits on the western coast Of America be-
| tween the Gulf OF California and cape Mendocino
one Of which was in the bay OF ST. Francisco, near
80 degrees OF latitude. During the whole period
| from the landing Of Fernando Cortes in California
and the latter part Of the eighteenth century Spain
had uniformly asserted her title TO the northwest
coast Of America, and had from time to time made
efforts not only to extend her discoveries there bu
10 perfect her right Of empire and domain by per-
manent establishments.
| In IVA, Perez ordered by the yiceroy Of
Mexico to proceed to 60 degrees north latitude, and
explore the coast south 10 Monterey, and to take
possession, in the OF the king of SPAIN of the
places where he should land He succeeded in reach.
ing the 54th parallel, within two-thirds Of degree oil
the northern boundary Of the disputed territory,
whence he returned along the coast TO Washingtons
island, as it was called by Capt Gray, or Queen
Charote's island, as it was afterwards named by
the BRUSH navgators. In latitude 4yo 30 he enter
ed a capacious bay, where he remained for some
time, trading with the natives--the same bay, be
yond all question, which was four years afterwards
called King Georges sound by Capt. Cook and
| is now known as Nootka sound
The next year, 1775) Heceta sailed as far north
as the 4Sth degree of latitude, and explored the
coast south, filling up the outline which Perez had
left incomplete. He had previously landed at 4lo
! TO- and erected cross with inscription setting
he al olyo .E
the name Of his sovereign. In latitude AGO II he
discovered rapid current outward from the land,
opposite to an opening, which he considered the
mouth Of a river. From him it was first called the
Ensenada de Heceta, LITERALLY the bay Of Heceta, }
and afterwards the river st. Roc. He made repeat
ed attempts to enter it, but was constantly baffled
by the violence of the current. This is now conce-
ded to have been the mouth of the river Columbia,
which was discovered and entered by Capt Gray,
of Boston.
During the same year the coast was also explored
from the seth to the 50th degree Of latitude by
Quadra (y Bodega) and Maurelle, who erected
crosses in testimony of their discoveries, On their
return, they visited the coast at the 47th degree of
latitude, and explored it from the 45th south wardly
to the AID.
1t will he perceived by these details, which have
deemed 1t necessary to state with some PARTICULAR
ty, that previous 10 ITS, the year in which Cap
tain Cook visited the northwest coast, the Spanards
had examined it with great and perseverance
from 80 to 400 They had also examined it from
the Saith to the 59th parallels, and visited it inter
mediate points And in these explorations they
were wholly without competitors, excepting the
part of some Russian navigators, who had made dis
coveres near the seth parallel, and Drake, who had
visited the coast at the 3Sih. During the two CEN
turies which interviewed from the expedition of
Drake to the third voyage Of Cook no attempt had
been made, nor any design indicated the part Of
Great Britain to avail herself of any pretended right
by virtue Of the transient visit of the former to the
coast; while Spain constantly asserted her claim to
it by virtue of previous and subsequent discoveries.
And in California and its neghborhood she had, af-
ter repeated efforts, succeeded in effecng the per-
manent occupation of the country, which was her
earnest object-an object which no other power du-
ring that long period had even in contemplation.
The third voyage of Captain Cook, underta ken
in TIT, gave the first indication of a desire on
the part Of Great Britain to appropriate such parts
of the northwest coast of America as she consid
cred open 10 settlement, and subject them to her
dominion. He was instructed TO take possession,
in the name of the king, Of convenient situations in
the countries he might discover that had not been