i'792'- moderate height, though to the fouth-eaftward it foon becomes very
■ — ■ mountainous, and at the diftance of 3 or 4 leagues appeared to be much
broken and to form many inlets, coves, and harbours, all the way to
Woody point, which we palled in the afternoon within the diftance of
about 2 miles ; it is fituatedin latitude 50° 6', longitude 232“ 17'. Weft
from it lies a fmall rocky iflet about half a .league diftant, and another
larger one lying N. 28 w . about a league from the north part of the
point, which is an extenfive and projefting promontory.
From Woody point as we failed along the ftiore to the eaftward, we
faw feveral openings in the land, which was about three or four miles
from us, that appeared like coves and harbours. Innumerable rocky
iflets and rocks lined the fhores, which as we advanced became low, but
the country behind fwelled into hills of confiderable height divided by
many valleys ; beyond thefe it rofe to mountains fo elevated, that at this
feafon of the year many patches o f fnow were yet undifFolved.
As I intended to afcertain the outline o f the coaft from hence down
to Nootka; at dark we brought to, about 6 leagues to the eaftward of
Woody point, in expeftation o f accomplilhing this defign the following
day, but in this I was difappointed ; the n.w . wind was fucceeded by
Tuefday 28. light winds, which continued until the afternoon of the 28th, and prevented
in the prefent inftance my acquiring fuch authority as I deemed
neceflary for delineating this part o f the coaft.
Foggy weather during the forenoon precluded us the advantage of
fleering for Nootka with the favorable wind that prevailed from the
n.w ., but on its clearing away about two we fteered for that port. On
reaching its entrance we were vilited by a Spamlh officer, who brought
a pilot to conduft the velfel to anchorage in Friendly cove, where we
found riding his Catholic Majefty’s brig the Aftive, bearing the broad
pendant of Serf- Don Juan Francifco de la Bodega y Quadra, commandant
o f the marine eftablifhment of St. Bias and California.
The Chatham, by the partial clearing of the fog, had found her way
in fome time before u s : the Daedalus ftore ffiip, and a fmall merchant
brig called the Three Brothers of London, commanded by Lieutenant
Alder of the navy, were alfo there at anchor.
As
>7 9 t-
Auguft. As Serf- Quadra refided on fhore, I feat Mr. Puget to acquaint him
with our arrival, and to fay, that I would falute the Spanifh flag, i f he
would return an equal number of guns. On receiving a very polite
anfwer in the affirmative, we faluted with thirteen guns, which were returned,
and on my going on Ihore accompanied by fome of the officers,
we had the honor of being received with the greateft cordiality and attention
from the commandant, who informed me he would return our
vilit the next morning.
Agreeably to his engagement, Sen'- Quadra with feveral of his officers
came on board the Difcovery, where they breakfafted, and were faluted with Wednef. 29.
thirteen guns on their arrival and departure: the day was. after wards fpent
in ceremonious offices of civility, with much harmony and feftiyity. As
many officers as could :he dip aired from the veflejs with myfielf dined with
Sen'- Quadra, .and were gratified with a rep.aft we had lately been little
accuftomed to, or had the moft diftant idea of meeting with at this place.
A dinner of five courfes, confifting of a fuperfluity of the heft provi-
fions, was ferved with great elegance ; a royal falute was fired .on drinking
health -to the fovereigns of England and Spain, and a falute of
feventeen guns to the fuccefs of the fervjce in which, the Difcovery
and .Chatham were engaged.
Maquinna, who was. prefent on this occafion, had early in-the morning,
from being unknown to us, been prevented coming on board , the
Difcovery by the centinels and the officer on deck, as therewas not in his
appearance the fmalleft.indication of his fuperior rank. O f this indignity
he had complained in a moft angry manner to Sen'- Quadra, who very
obligingly found means.to footh him; and after receiving feme prefents of
blue cloth, copper,- &c. at breakfaft time he appeared to be fatisfiedof .
our friendly intentions : but no fooner had he drank a few glaffes of wine,
than he renewed thefubjeft, regretted the Spaniards were about to.quit
the place, and aflbrted that we fhould prefently give it up to fome
other nation; by which means himfelf, and his. people would be con-
ftantly difturbed and harrafted by. new mafters. Senr" Quadra took much
pains to explain that it was our ignorance of his perfon which had oc-
cafioned the miftake, and that himfelf and fubje&s would be as kindly
V ol. I. 3 f t treated .
i t