'793- About eleven o’clock -we pafled point Arguello, from whence the coaft
I i takes a direction s. 51 e., ten miles, to a point of but little elevated, or
rather low, land ; this, according to the Spanilh charts, is called point
Conception, forming the north-weft point of entrance into the canal of
S w Barbara. Being now favored with a frelh N.w. gale, though attended
with hazy weather, we were by noon abreaft of this point; the
obferved latitude was 34° 30', longitude 2390 52'; in this fituation the
èafternmoft part of the coaft in fight bore by compafs e. n. e.;- point
Conception being the neareft fhore, N. 32 e ., two or three miles diftant;
the northernmOft part of the coaft in fight, N. 48 w .; the wefternmoft,
or firft ifland, forming the canal of SM Barbara, called in one of the Spa-
nifh charts St. Miguel, in the other St. Barnardo, {the, former of which
I have adopted) bore s. 25 e..to s. 32 E.; the next called in one of thofe
charts S“ Rofa, in the other St. Migueh (the former of which I have
continued) bore s. 42 e ., to s. 54 e . ; and a high hill-on the third ifland,
called in the Spanilh charts S?Cruz, bore S.70E. ,
Point Conception is rendered very remarkable,. by its differing very
much in form from the points we had lately feen along the coaft. It
appeared to ftretch out into the ocean from an extenfive traft of low
land, and to terminate like a wedge, with its large end falling perpendicularly
into the fea, which broke againft it with great violence, By our
obfervations it appeared to be in latitude 34° 32', longitude 239° 54';
the former correfponding with both the Spanilh charts within two or
three miles, being there placed fo much"further to the fouthward.
Immediately to the eaftward of point Conception (the coaft from thence
taking an eaftern direction) we pafled a fmall Indian village,, the firft we
had obferved along the Ihores o f thefe fouthern parts of , New Albion.
The inhabitants made a fire the inftant we came within their view, but
no- one ventured to pay us a vifit. The prevailing ftrong gale at the
time of' our pafling probably prevented their embarking.
It is not unlikely that this village was attached to the miflion of S“ Rofa,
which I had- been informed was eftablilhed in the vicinity of this point in
the year 1788, and had the reputation o f being fituated in a very fertile
country. Another report had Hated this miflion to be near the banks
of
R O U N D T H E W O R L D . 449
o f the Rio St. Balardo; and, as it is not improbable that that ftream No(™3b'el.-
may take a fouthern courfe from its entrance, both informations may be 1-----.-----
correCt.
The coaft continued in this eafterly direction about twenty-three miles
from point Conception, to a point where it took a foutherly turn, from
whence the country gradually rofe to mountains o f different heights.
In the vicinity o f the Ihores, which are compofed o f low cliffs Or fandy
beaches, were produced fome Hunted trees and groveling lit rubs; and
notwithftanding the dreary appearance of the coaft as We pafled along,
it feemed to be well inhabited, as feveral villages were feen at no great
diftance from each other in the fmall bays or coves that form the coaft.
By four in the afternoon we had failed beyond the influence o f our
favorable N .w . gale, Vhich ftill continued to blow a -little way a-fterü
o f us, whilft we were perplexed with light variable winds from every
quarter. With thefe however, we endeavoured to approach the Ihores
o f the main land, in order to anchor for the night. About fun-fet We
were vifited by fome o f the inhabitants in a canoe from one o f the villages.
Their vifit feemed to be dictated by curiofity alone, which being
fatisfied, as they were about to depart, I gave them fome iron and beads,
with which they appeared to be highly delighted, and returned to the
fhore.
By feven in the evening it was nearly calm, and having at that time
foundings at the depth of 37 fathoms, muddy bottom, wé anchored in
company with the Chatham and Daedalus.
The furface of the Tea, which was perfectly fmooth and tranquil, was
covered with a thick flimy fubftance, which when feparated, or difturbed
by any little agitation, became very luminous, whilft the light breeze
that came principally from the fhore, brought with it a very ftrong fmell
o f burning'tar, or of fome fuch refinous fubftance. Thé next morning the Sunday 10.
Tea had the appearance of diffolved tar floating upon its furface, which
covered the ocean in all directions within the limits- of Our vièw ; and
indicated, that in this neighbourhood it was not fubjeCt to much agitation.
V o t . II. 3M Front
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