32
179». believe that our refpeftive fovereigns had adjufted, and finally con-
,!\ovcmber., eveiy arrangement with refpeft to the territories at Nootka.
This information appeared to me of a very important nature, and
in the event of my being able to procure a paffage to England for an
officer through New Spain, would induce me to relinquiffi the defign I
had meditated of fending the Chatham home this feafon for the purpofe
o f conveying fuch intelligence as I had now the power o f communicating.
Although I might have been materially incommoded by the
abfence o f our little confort in the further profecution of my voyage,
yet the informing of Government how far I had been able at this time
to carry His Majefty's commands into execution, appeared to me fo ab-
folutely indifpenfable, that I had determined to fubmit to any inconvenience
rather than omit fo elfential apar t of my duty ; efpecially, as in
addition to our own exertions during the preceding fummer, I had obtained
the pofieffion iof all the charts of the Spanift difcoveries to the
northward o f our own rcfearehcs-.
Thefe furveys, together with an account of our tranfaaions at Noot>
ka, and other information I had acquired refpeaing thefe countries, I
conlxdered o f a nature too important to withhold MJS* it was only b y
fuch a communication that any juft or reafomble condition could be
drawn, either in refpeH of the national advantages which were likely to
reftilt from a further profecution of commercial purfuits in thefe regions,
or of the moft proper fituations for the: purpofe of forming permanent
eftablilhments oh the coaft, to proteH and facilitate the trade if carried
further into execution. This intelligence on which the accomplifhment
o f one of the principal objeSs of our voyage might depend, together
with my other difpatches, I pfopofed to intruffi to the care of Lieutenant
Broughton the commander of. the Chatham, who had been privy to- the
whole o f my tranfaffions with Sen'- Quadra at Nootka 5 and whofe abilities
and obfervations would enable him, on his arrival in England, to
fatisfy the Board of Admiralty on many points of inquiry, for which it
was impoffible I could provide in my difpatches. On this occafion I
requefted o f Serf- Ouadra, if it were compatible with his inclination
and the difpofition of the Spaniffi court, that Mr. Broughton ffiould be
permitted
permitted to take his paffage by the way of New Spain to England. T o No'vJ.^ cr
this Serf- Quadra, without the leaft helitation, and in the moft friendly -__,__ 1
manner replied, that Mr. Broughton might accompany him to St. Bias,
where .he would fupply him with money, and every other requifite in his
power, which could contribute to render his laborious journey acrofs the
continent of America as pleafant as could be expefted from the nature
o f the undertaking. A t fo obliging and generous an offer I teftified
every fentiment I was capable of expreffing; and ufed my utmoft endeavors,
that no time ffiould be loft in preparing for Mr. Broughton’s
departure, fence on that depended not only the failing o f ourfelves,
but the departure o f Serf-Ouadra and the Veftefc under his orders.
After having obtained permiffion, the obfervatories and tents were
fent on f t or eand on wednefday I began to make the obfervations which Wcdncf. 28.
were neceffarily required.
• The decks o f the Difcovery, in eonfequence of the late inclement weather,
Were found to be exceffively leaky, and to require caulking-; many of
the fails wanted material repair: thefe, with various other fervices, were put
in a train o f execution. On board the Chatham all were bufely employed,
particularly in recruiting their flock o f provifions ; as, in eonfequence of
my former intention, no more had been received on board than would
be abfolutely neceffary for her paffage home; it now however became
requifite that both veffels ffiould receive from the Daedalus as large a
proportion o f (lores, provifions, See. as each was capable of flowing.
Having given proper direftions for carrying thefe feveral fervices in- I^remlicr. -
to effeft, on funday die 2d o f December, in eonfequence of a very polite Sunday 2.
invitation, I paid my refpe'Hs to the miffion of St. Carlos, accompanied
by Serf- Quadra, Serf- Arguella, Serf- Caamano, Mr. Broughton, and
feveral other Engliffi and Spaniffi officers.
This eftabliffiment is. fituated about a league to the fouth-eaftward of
the prefidio of Monterrey. The road between them lies over fome
fteep hills and hollow vallies, interfperfed with many trees ; ‘ the furface
was covered over with an agreeable verdure; the general charafier of
the country was lively, and our journey altogether was very pleafant.
Vo-L.II. F Our