no such Voyage is at present to be come at, _Seyxas_ publishing his
Work soon after the Publication by _Peche_, to which he particularly
refers, seems to obviate all Doubt of his Sincerity; and there are
too many Circumstances, which are collateral Evidence, mentioned,
to imagine he could be entirely deceived. He published his Work at
_Madrid_ in sixteen Hundred and eighty-eight, dedicated to the King,
as President in his Royal Council of the _Indies_, and to the Marquis
_de les Velez_; the Work intituled, _Theatro Naval Hydrographico de Los
Fluxos_, &c. This Account was received as a true and faithful Relation
of a Voyage performed, as it was published in various Languages; yet
the Want of this Account is a Particular, some Reason for Exception
with us, that we cannot receive it as a Certainty. And we are more
suspicious as to the Truth of any Accounts that we have received
relating to the North-west Part of _America_, than to any other Part
of the Globe. Our Opinion being in a great Measure influenced by the
System we embrace, as, Whether there is a North-west Passage, or not?
And for this Reason only, no Part of the Globe hath more engaged the
Attention of the Geographers, and with respect to which they had
more different Opinions. Those whose Opinion it was that _Asia_ and
_America_ were contiguous, had, for many Years, their Opinion rejected,
but now confirmed to be true by the _Russian_ Discoveries; and we may
conclude they had a good Authority for what they advanced, which was
not transmitted down to us, as they had such an Assurance of what they
had advanced, as they supposed there could never be the least Doubt of
it. Those who advanced that there was Passage between the _Atlantick_
and Southern Ocean, by a Streight in the Northern and Western Parts
of _America_, and very likely on a good Authority, have their Opinion
opposed, all Accounts of Voyagers treated as fabulous, and for the same
Reason that the Opinion of _Asia_ and _America_ being contiguous was
rejected, as they could produce nothing further for it than Tradition,
and as to which the Tradition now appears to have had its Foundation
in Truth. Soon after _America_ was discovered, and the _Spaniards_
had settled in _New Spain_, the Report of there being a Streight
prevailed, the Truth of this Report hath not been disproved, and we
have no just Reason to reject this Tradition for positive Assertions
which are produced without any Evidence, but that our Attempts have not
succeeded. Which is an Inference deduced from a false Principle, for
our not having had the expected Success hitherto, doth not imply that
we may not succeed hereafter, as we proceed in our future Attempts;
and all that hath been said, as to there being no North-west Passage,
is not adequate to the Tradition of there being such a Passage. This
Tradition is also supported by a few Accounts, which we reject too
absolutely. These Accounts are given by various Persons, at different
Times, without any Concern, Connection, or even Acquaintance the one
with the other; which Accounts shew that the Opinion of their being
such a Streight prevailed. These Accounts were given by Foreigners; we
could not receive them from any other, as we did not frequent those
Seas, and at present have no ready Access to them. And as it was but
occasionally that any Persons went into those Parts, it is but by a
few Persons only we could receive any Information respecting thereto.
Nor could we attain such Information as we have in another Manner,
than from what our own Countrymen accidentally picked up, as a regular
Publication of such Account was not permitted, and as some thought
themselves interested to keep the most material Part a Secret, in hopes
to turn it to Advantage, by being employed, or receiving a Gratuity
for their Discovery. And Allowances should be made, without declaring
a Person immediately too credulous, who reports what he hears only in
Conversation from another; he may, in such Conversation, omit many
Circumstances which it would have been necessary for him to be informed
of, in order to give that Satisfaction to others to whom he reports
this Information, which he himself received of the Truth of what was
related to him at the Time of the Conversation. And we have no Reason
to censure those as too credulous who have published these Accounts,
until we get a more perfect Information as to the North-west Parts of
_America_, which at present remain unknown. A Dispute arises as to
the Situation of such a Streight; and Accounts given by _Indians_ are
produced to prove that the Streight cannot be in such a Part, where
it is supposed to be so far to the Southward as to have its Entrance
from the South Sea, in Latitude 51; whereas, on a little Examination,
it would appear that those _Indians_, whose Accounts are produced, are
almost equal Strangers as to those Parts with the _Europeans_. They
do not seek inhospitable Countries, where there is little Produce, no
Plenty of Fuel, great and frequent Waters, Mountains and Swamps, having
no Inducement from Trade or on Account of War, as they would not go
into those Parts to seek their Enemy, whom, with less Hazard and a
greater Certainty of finding them, they could attack when returned from
their Summer hunting and fishing to their Retirements, where they live
more comfortably than in those Parts into which, by Necessity, they
are obliged to go on Account of the Chace, as they could not otherwise
subsist themselves and Families. And on due Examination it will appear
all the Accounts we have from the _Indians_ are erroneously made use
of, to evince that there is no Streight in the Part that is contended
for. Instead of too severe a Censure on the Credulity of others,
we should be cautious that our Diffidence does not lead us into an
unreasonable Incredulity, and prevent our using such Testimony as is
presented to us so candidly as we ought to do, and prevent our getting
a true Insight into an Affair of such Importance; and the utmost that
can be said of it is, that it is a Point yet undetermined, whether
there is a North-west Passage or not.
As to the original Letter of _de Fonte_, we interest ourselves in the
important Matter it contains, and therefore become more suspicious and
diffident, as to its Authenticity, than upon a due Use of our Reason it
will appear that we ought to be. As we have no Reason, as is apparent
from what hath been said, that the original Letter should ever come to
our Hands; and if it appear, as we proceed, that it is rather to be
attributed to inevitable Accidents, than there not having been such a
Letter, that we cannot attain any particular Information respecting
thereto. If it is considered that we have a Publication of such Letter,
the Deficiencies in which are not, as it will appear, any other than
the Errors of the Translator and Printer. That there are a great many
concurring Circumstances in Support of and conformable with what the
Letter contains. And the Account is composed of such Particulars as
exceed the Industry and Ingenuity of those who employ their Fancy in
composing ingenious Fictions. These various Branches of Evidence cannot
be rejected, if we make a fair Judgment in this Matter: There must be a
Prepossession from common Fame, a Prejudice from a prior Opinion, or an
Interest and Design to support a particular System, that prevents our
accepting of it, as a Probability next to a Certainty, of this being a
true Account; and there is only wanting, to our receiving it absolutely
as such, that the Copy be produced from which the Translation was made,
or a full and compleat Evidence as to what is become of such Copy.
Why we cannot obtain a particular Information as to the original Letter
of _de Fonte_, appears from the Account, which shews that the Court
of _Spain_ had a secret Intelligence of this Undertaking. And as that
Court would not openly declare that they had such an Information,
or how they intended to defeat the Design, the Orders sent, and
consequently the Account of the Execution of those Orders, and whatever
related thereto, would be _secret_ Papers, and as such kept in a Manner
that few Persons would have a free Access; and by those few who had, as
the publick Business did not require it, might never be taken in Hand,
unless they accidentally catched the Eye of some who was particularly
curious. Thus neglected, in a Century of Time it might not be known, if
the Subject was revived, where they were deposited, and being so few in
Number would take up but a small Space, which might make it difficult
to find them.
The Politeness and Civility which prevail in this Age, will not admit
of such a Complaisance to curious Inquirers as to gratify them in that,
which, in Policy, from good Reasons of State, might as well be omitted.
There are Instances of late Discoveries being made, as to the Whole of
which, from particular Views, as it is said, the Curious have not been
gratified. And if this Expedition of _de Fonte_ was remembered, and the
Papers relating thereto could be brought to light, it might immediately
encourage us to proceed on making a further Attempt for the Discovery
of a North-west Passage, therefore we can have no Reason to expect the
Court of _Spain_ would assist us with what might determine us to a
Proceeding at which they must take Umbrage, as we are now become the
only Power who share _North America_ with them, from the Advantages
that such a Discovery would give us in case of a future Rupture between
the two Crowns; though our present Intention is to increase our
Commerce, by opening a Trade to _Japan_, and carrying on a Trade in a
more advantageous Manner to _China_.
We cannot be assured, if full Permission was given to find these
Papers, and more particular Pains and Application used, than is
customary with People in publick Offices, when the Occasion of the
Search being to little other Purpose than satisfying Curiosity, whether
such Search might not be rendered unsuccessful, by such Papers being
burnt amongst many other State Papers, in the Fire in the _Escurial_,
the common Depository for State Papers at that Time.
If we consider the Changes that have happened, as to the Succession
to the Crown of _Spain_, the Changes in the Ministry, Foreigners
introduced into their Ministry, there must have been many Particulars,
not only of this but of other Kinds, which they are not at present
acquainted with, the Ministry having no Occasion to give themselves
any Concern about them. _Don Olivarez_, who was the Minister at this
Time, was known to do his Business by Juntos of particular People, as
the Resolutions of Government thereby remained an inviolable Secret,
which was not always the Case when the Business was managed by publick
Councils. They also gave their Advice in a particular Manner, by
written Billets, which were handed to the King, that every Thing was
conducted in a very mysterious Manner during the Time that he was in
the Ministry, contrary to the former Practice, and which was also
disused afterwards.
If Inquiry hath been made by the most intelligent amongst the
_Spaniards_ as to this Expedition, and the Commands of the Monarch
to make Discovery of these Papers, and the Orders relating thereto,
have been duly executed, but they cannot be found. The Reasons are
apparent, the Voyage being scarce spoke of at the Time, went soon out
of Remembrance, and whatever may be in private Hands relating thereto,
is not immediately recollected by the Possessors, and the Originals,
if not secreted or mislaid, are burnt in the _Escurial_ in the Year
1671, the usual Residence of the Court, and therefore where this Letter
may be supposed to be received and lodged. For the Evidence relative
to this Account, which the Distance of Time or other Accidents could
not deface, yet remains. If _de Fonte_ was Governor or President of
_Chili_, from the Nature of his Office it must appear, amongst some
Records or Instruments of Writing, and we accordingly are informed,
that there was a Person in that Office named _Fuente_, which is
synonymous. That we have not more minute Particulars, is by reason
that the Account is from those Parts where we have not a free and
ready Access to make our Enquiries, and from a People, excepting a few
Individuals, who are not very communicative to Foreigners. But where
we have not laboured under the like Disadvantage, we have found that
there was one _Gibbons_, also _Shapley_, Persons exactly circumstanced
as the Letter mentions, upon the Authority of Records, the Tradition
of antient Men, in those Parts where they had lived, and also other
Accounts, supporting the Authenticity of this Letter, as will be shewn
when we proceed to consider of the Subject of the Letter. There is
therefore just Reason to conclude, was it possible to have the like
Pains taken in _New Spain_ or _Peru_, we might meet with Particulars
respecting this Matter, which would put the Truth of this Account out
of all Doubt; and any Failure in the Inquiries there, may be owing to
their not having been made with an equal Industry, and which it is not
in our Power to procure in those Parts so distant and inaccessable.
The Circumstances of the Inhabitants of _Boston_, and the neighbouring
Provinces, during this Period of Time since the Expedition of _de
Fonte_, have been very different, they have not been subjected
to the like fatal Accidents with the People of _Lima_, and that
Neighbourhood, who several Times have had their City laid in Ruins, and
almost entirely depopulated by Earthquakes, particularly in _April_
1687, and in the Year 1746. The Buildings becoming an entire Heap of
Ruins, and many People perishing, must lessen the Force of Tradition,
and affect, in some sort, the publick Records; and if the Marine
Office was at the _Calloa_ of _Lima_, the _Calloa_ having been twice
overwhelmed by the Sea, then there is no Reason to expect from _New
Spain_ an authenticated Account of the Equipment of this Fleet under
the Command of Admiral _de Fonte_.
Those who argue against the Authenticity of this Account, must admit
that he was a Person of Capacity and Abilities who composed it, and
should assign us some Reason, if a Fiction, why a sensible Person
should undertake it, as there could be no Inducement either in Point
of Reputation or Profit: For, if a Fiction, it is neither entertaining
or instructive. Neither can any political Motive be urged for this
Undertaking, as the Subject must then have been treated in a Manner
entirely different; so managed as to shew that a North-west Passage
was absolutely impracticable, and to let nothing be introduced that
would afford the least Incitement to Adventurers to come into those
Parts. But it is apparent, that in this Account the Facts are related
in a plain and simple Manner, without any Violation of Truth, as they
are related without any Consideration of their Consequences. The
Representations made, as to the Tides, as to the different Sorts of
Fish that came into the Waters from Westward and Eastward, would have
been an Encouragement to a further Trial as to a North-west Passage,
had such Account been published; and if the Phænomena as to the Tides,
and the Difference as to the Fish, was not from its communicating with
the _South Sea_, and the Attempt had proved successless as to the
Discovery of a North-west Passage, yet to countervail, in some Measure,
that Disappointment, there was a Prospect of a lucrative Trade, in all
Appearance to be carried on in those Western Parts where _de Fonte_ is
represented to have been in, with greater Convenience than that which
had been carried on by the _Boston_ People from the East before and at
this Time in _Hudson_'s Bay, and the _English_ might be invited, if
successful in their Trading, to make a Settlement, an Event which the
_Spaniards_ were apprehensive of, and earnestly desirous to prevent.
These are Defects which the Capacity and Abilities of the Author would
not permit him to run into, if he was writing a fictitious Account, as
he must easily see that such Representations to destroy the Notion of
a North-west Passage, and prevent the _English_ settling there, were
absolutely contrary to his Purpose. To give a greater Plausibility to a
fictitious Tale, the Scene may be laid in distant Parts, by this Means
introducing, more securely, Names and Characters of Persons as real
who never were; and though this Account mentions Persons who lived at
a great Distance, and in an obscure Part, yet there were such Persons
as the Account mentions. Also the Period of Time when this Voyage was
performed, so corresponds with their Transactions, as the Author could
fix on no other Period so agreeing with the Circumstance of Major
_Gibbons_ being so long, and at that very Time, absent from home; and
his Absence can be attributed to no other Cause than his being out
on a Voyage. Here is more Plainness and Consistency than is usual in
Fiction, with such a Variety of Particulars, and so circumstanced, as
would perplex the most pregnant Fancy to invent, which can be no Way
so naturally accounted for as by admitting that the Letter contains a
genuine Account of a Voyage made by Admiral _de Fonte_, not a Forgery
to support political Views; or that it is the Production of a sporting
Fancy to contrast some other Performance, or in order to expose the
Credulous to publick Ridicule.
The Editors of this Letter, whose Business it was to know whether
this Account was authentick, gave an entire Credit to it as being
authentick, not only as they assured the Publick in a general Way,
and with respect to all their Pieces that they should publish, that
they would only exhibit such as were of unquestionable Authority,
but by their annexing an Advertisement to the Letter, have given
us a particular Assurance of the Account being authentick; and we
have just Reason to conclude they _could_ have given us that further
Satisfaction we now desire; but what they have done was thought by them
sufficient, as they had no Idea of the _Importance_ of the Subject.
They comprehended not further of this Account, _Than that it contained
many curious and unknown Discoveries; and they humbly presumed_, being
Strangers to any further Merit that it had, _that it would not, on
that Account, be unacceptable to the Publick_. Had this Letter been
published at a Time a North-west Passage was under Consideration of
the Publick, there might be some Suspicion that the Editors had some
further Design. But as to a North-west Passage after the Voyage of
Captain _James_, and after the Discovery was entrusted to a Company,
and no Success consequent, it was generally received, many Years before
this Letter was published, that to find such a Passage was a Thing
impracticable. The Opinion of there being such a Passage was treated
as a Chimera: And the Affair of a North-west Passage lay in a State
of Silence and Oblivion near thirty Years after the Publication was
made. We may observe, that there is no Art in the Composition of this
Advertisement; it was inserted by Men of Honour and Veracity, who had
no other Intention in publishing these Memoirs than the Advancement of
Science; who, from their general Knowledge, could not be imposed on,
and cannot, from their known Characters, be supposed to have a Design
to impose on others. And what further or other Evidence than that which
they have given could be expected from the Editors, unless they had
been acquainted with the Importance which the Letter now appears to be
of? It was all that was at that Time necessary, as they did not expect
that there would be any invidious Imputation of Forgery, for then
they would have vindicated it from all Suspicion in a more particular
Manner than they have done. They thought it a sufficient Proof of its
Authenticity their receiving it into their Collection. As to that
mean Reflection that this Account is a Forgery of some _Englishman_,
it is thoroughly obviated if we consider on what a Foundation such
a Supposition must be grounded, which is, That some _Englishman_
composed this Account, translated it into _Spanish_, though there were
but few and very indifferent Linguists at that Time in _England_, to
be again translated by the Editors, the better to impose on them and
the Publick. The Publick is a Name which comprehends many Persons of
Curiosity and Sagacity, for whom chiefly these Memoirs were published;
and by these Persons, as well as by all others, the Account was
received at that Time as genuine, without the least Suspicion of there
being any Fraud or Imposture.
The principal Object or Design of the Publication was, that the Account
contained a Discovery made of those Parts, as to the Knowledge of which
the Geographers were at that Time very deficient; and the Editors
being satisfied as to the Authenticity, all they thought necessary was
to give a Translation of the Letter. And, from their Avocations to
their own private Affairs, did not consider it in so minute a Manner
as it required, as is plain from their Apology made as to the Stile
of the Letter, not being _altogether so polite, being wrote like a
Man whose Livelihood depended on another Way, and with an Abundance
of Experience_. Whereas the Politeness of Stile would have been an
absolute Objection as to the Authenticity of the Account. That as
it was a Letter wrote by Admiral _de Fonte_ to lay before the Court
of _Spain_, what had passed in the Course of the Voyage, though _de
Fonte_ might express himself in proper and well chosen Terms, yet he
was to use a Stile that was natural and simple. On the several Lights
in which the Editors have been considered, as to the Part which they
undertook, it must appear that they are unjustly reproached with Want
of Integrity; they acted consistently, having no Occasion to say more
with respect to this Account than they have done. Their Neglect was not
from Want of Penetration or Design. Their genuine Characters were such
as they could not suppose it would be ever suspected, that they could
have any Inducement to impose a spurious Account on the Publick.
Those who censure this Account of _de Fonte_ as a Cheat and a Forgery
imposed by some one on the World, have produced no Evidence from Facts,
or urged any Thing to shew the Improbability of this Account; as to
the Argument they so strongly insist on that the Original was never
produced, it is highly improbable that the Original ever should be
produced in these Parts; and there is a Uniformity in the Circumstance
that a Copy only came to the Hands of the Editors, which turns the
Argument against the Objectors. The Suspicion of there being any
Deceit or Forgery, hath arose from there having been different Systems
advanced by Geographers respecting these Parts: Those in whose System
this Account is not adopted have been the Occasion of such Suspicions
being raised, and have given some Countenance to such their Suspicions
from the imperfect Manner in which this Account hath been exhibited;
though that is not to be attributed to the Account in its genuine
Dress, but as broken and disfigured by the Translator and Printer.
The Glosses and Comments added by the Person who took the Copy, and
those added by the Translator in Explanation of the Text, are inserted
in the same Character, and without any Distinction from the Text,
and those by the Translator ignorantly introduced. Marginal Notes are
inserted as Part of the Narration; Courses are omitted; others mistaken
from the Translator's Inattention to the _Spanish_ Compass; Dates
misplaced by the Printer: The Translator also deviates from the Mode
of Expression, and renders, in an inaccurate, confused and obscure
Manner, a very material Part in this Account. Many of these Faults we
may attribute to Precipitation, from the Translator wanting due Time
to study the Letter, occasioned by a Persecution of the Printer, who
pressed him to finish that the Printer might compleat his monthly
Number, and, from the same Necessity, the immediate Publication, it
may be that the Faults of the Press are so many. Such numerous Defects
make it evident that this Account could never have been originally
constructed in this Manner; and it is on these Defects only that they
rely, or from which their principal Arguments are drawn to invalidate
the Authenticity of this Account. They might have perceived that a
Relation, so mutilated and impaired, must have had a more uniform or
regular Shape at one Time or other: And the Editors, in their Index,
when the Year's Numbers were compleated, stile it _an original and
very entertaining Letter of Admiral de Fonte_, by which they mean
for the Curious; and by stiling it an Original, they are not only
to be understood that it was never before published, but also that
it was wrote by _de Fonte_; which implies that they had a _Spanish_
Account, and of which, as being consistent with their Purpose, they
gave only a Translation: Also the Impression of the first Part, being
so uncorrect and full of Faults, the second Part more correct, and the
Mode of Expression resumed, shews that the first Composition is not
their own, but that it is a Translation which the Editors have given
us. The Defects and Imperfections of which being pointed out, we shall
comprehend what little Reason there is to dispute the Authenticity of
this Account, from the Disfigurements which have prevented our seeing
it in its proper Shape, and for suspecting those Persons to be Authors
of the Fiction who meant well; but their Fault consisted in their
Inattention to the Translator, who did not therefore give a successful
Conclusion to their good Design, as by rendering the Account obscure
and unintelligible, he afforded Matter for Cavil and Dispute as to
this Account of the Voyage, whether credible or not, and which a just
Translation would have confirmed to be true.
As to the Name _Bartholomew de Fonte_, we may observe that when the
Translator can render the Names in the _Spanish_ by _English_ Names
which are answerable thereto, he doth not insert the _Spanish_ Names,
but the _English_. Thus, as to the Ships, he calls one the King
_Philip_; but when they cannot be rendered by a resembling Denomination
in the _English_, and the Name hath its Original from the _Latin_,
he passes by the new Name, or as it is wrote in the _Spanish_, and
gives us the antient Name, or according to the Latin _St. Spiritus_,
_St. Lucia_, _Rosaria_, for _de Espiritu Santo_, _Santa Lucia_,
_del Rosaria_. Hath rendered _Bartholomew de Fonte_, _Philip de
Ronquillo_ both in _English_ and _Latin_. From which Management of the
Translator, in giving the Name according to the _Latin_ and not giving
it as it hath been transformed or changed agreeable to the _Spanish_
Orthography, there is just Reason to conclude the Name which is here
rendered _Fonte_, was _Fuente_ or _Fuentes_ in the Original. But if
it was wrote _Fonte_, it was in the provincial Dialect, different
from the Manner of writing the good Writers introduced, which did not
immediately prevail in all Parts alike, but was gradually received. For
Instance, they wrote _Fuenterabia_ in _Castile_, when the _Biscayners_
continued to write _Fonterabia_; and it is as often spelt the one Way
as the other in our Books and Maps.
_Fuente_ and _Fuentes_ are not of one Termination. _Fonte_ or _Fuente_,
in the Titles of the _Marquis Aguila de Fuente_, so in _de Fuente
de Almexi_, is of the singular Number, or the Title is taken from
the Water of _Almexi_. But _Fuentes_, in the Titles of the _Marquis
de Fuentes_, and in _Conde Fuentes de Valde Pero_, or of _Don Pedro
Enriques Conde de Fuentes_, expresses a plural Number, which the
Translator, through his Indifference as to the Subject which he was
employed to translate, might not observe.
_Don Pedro Enriques Conde de Fuentes_ was raised to the Honour of
being a Grandee by _Philip_ the Third, in the Year 1615, in respect
to his great Services in the Wars; was descended from a Branch of
that illustrious Family the _Enriques_. Nine of which Family were
successively Admirals of _Castile_; and the ninth, _Don Joan Alonso
Enriques_, was in that high Post at the Time of this Expedition. There
were Intermarriages between the Families of _Enriques_ and _Valasco_;
and _Don Pedro_ was succeeded in his Estate and Title by _Don Luis
de Haro_, of the principal House of _Valasco_, and Son-in-Law to
_Don Olivarez_. These Circumstances considered, we have a further
Reason to suspect that the Name _de Fonte_ is not duly rendered by
the Translator, as there is a Consistency in a Relation of the _Conde
de Fuentes_ being advanced to be Admiral of _New Spain_ and _Peru_,
which coincides with what is reported from _New Spain_, of the Name
being _Fuentes_ of the Person who was President of _Chili_. It was
also apparent that _de Fonte_ was a Man of Family, from those who
took the respective Commands under him. _Pennelossa_, of whom more
particular mention is made in the Letter: _Philip de Ronquillo_,
seemingly allied to _John de Ronquillo_, who did considerable Service
in the Year 1617, and was Governor of the _Philippine_ Islands. There
was also _Ronquillo_ a Judge, sent to reduce the Insurgents at the
City of _Segovia_, in the Time of the Civil Wars in _Spain_. _Pedro
de Bonardæ_, who is afterwards called Captain _Barnarda_: Of him we
must have the least to say; and we could not expect to be any Way
successful in our Inquiries from this Inaccuracy. He seems not to have
had so distinguished an Alliance as the others, and employed on this
Expedition on the Account of his Abilities, being allotted to a Service
not like that of _Pennelossa_, or _Ronquillo_, disagreeable in respect
to the Climate, fatiguing and hazardous. That he was a Gentleman by his
Descent, is evident from his being named _de Bonardæ_.