Order being great Adventurers, when we consider those who ventured to
the _Philippinas_ and _Japan_, enforced by the Vow, puffed up with
the Vanity of popular Applause, the Favour of the President, and the
Hope of being acceptable to the rest of the Order on their return
from such Mission, expecting by such Mission to add to the Wealth or
Reputation of the Order. The Effect of this Mission seems to have
been they had acquired the Favour of the Natives. Had made some
Observations of the Country, but principally to Northward, as to which
they seem not to have got a perfect Account; though they did a great
deal for the Time, the Unseasonableness of the Winter, and the melting
Weather in the Spring considered; nor is it strange they should not
get a perfect Account, in a Country so intermixed with Waters, which
hide themselves in their Courses between inaccessible Mountains; and
in many Places where they are to be come at, are deceitful in their
Appearance, as to what they really are, whether Lakes, Gulphs of the
Sea, or Inlets. As they proceeded to the Northward, they thought it the
Part that principally claimed their Observation. Were of Opinion as to
the Northward, that it was Part of the Continent of _New Spain_, or
they would not have lead _de Fonte_ to _Los Reys_, but caused him to
proceed up that Streight which separated the Part they had been in from
_New Spain_. As to this Mission not being known to the Publick, these
Jesuits must have been sent from _Europe_ into _New Spain_; and they
would so far regard their Obedience to the Pope, as to pay due Respect
to the King of _Spain_'s Authority, in observing the established Maxim
of the Time, as to keep their Discoveries a Secret from the Publick or
other Nations. And as to all Missionaries who went into _New Spain_,
the King of _Spain_ hath a Power to call them to Account, by the
Pope's Permission, though not permitted in _Old Spain_ to meddle with
ecclesiastical Affairs, or ecclesiastical Men.
'A Letter from Captain _Barnarda_, dated the 27th of _June_ 1740,
that he had left his Ship in the Lake _Valasco_, betwixt the Islands
_Barnarda_ and the Peninsula _Conibasset_, a very safe Port; it went
down the River from the Lake 3 Falls, 80 Leagues, and fell into the
_Tartarian_ Sea in 61 Deg. with the Pater Jesuits, and 36 Natives,
in three of their Boats, and 20 of his _Spanish_ Seamen; that the
Land trended away North East; that they should want no Provision,
the Country abounding with Venison of three Sorts, and the Sea and
Rivers with excellent Fish (Bread, Salt, Oil, and Brandy they carried
with them) that he should do what was possible. The Admiral, when he
received the Letter from Captain _Barnarda_, was arrived at an _Indian_
Town called _Conosset_, on the South Side Lake _Belle_, where the two
Pater Jesuits on their Mission had been two Years; a pleasant Place.
The Admiral, with his two Ships, enter'd the Lake the 22d of _June_.'
The Letter from _Bernarda_ being dated the 27th of _June_, it is
impossible he should finish all that Business in four Days, which he
gives _de Fonte_ an Account of: This also confirms its being a Mistake
as to the 22d of _June_, being the Time he received his Dispatches.
It might well take _Bernarda_ from the fourteenth of _June_ to the
twenty-seventh to receive his Dispatches, to pass up the River, and
to the Peninsula in Lake _Valasco_, procure the Natives, who were not
under his Command, get all Things fitted, and set out. And what this
Letter contains, makes it evident it could be no Account of his Voyage
that was before-mentioned.
This Letter is apparently an Answer to the Dispatches _Bernarda_
received from _de Fonte_. He mentions, that he had left his Ship,
agreeable to Orders, and in a safe Port; gives an Account how he was
equipped to proceed; the Number of the Persons he had with him; that he
had thirty-six of the Natives, which is conformable to the Character
given of them, a friendly honest People, and shews the Influence of the
Jesuits. These Natives, by joining in the Expedition, were Hostages for
the good Behaviour of the others towards his People left behind, and
an Assurance to _Bernarda_ for the Security of his Ship left at the
Port, were of great Use as Pilots as to the Coast, and also in sailing
and managing their _Periagos_. Their having these _Periagos_ implies
they had a Country abounding with Waters; and it was their usual Way
of passing from one Part to another, Time and Experience had made them
expert in the Management of them; and by shifting from one Part to the
other as the Seasons required for hunting or fishing, and by Excursions
out of their own Country either for War or Curiosity, as is the Nature
of _Indians_, they were become acquainted not only with the inland
Waters, but also the Sea Coasts.
_De Fonte_ had ordered Captain _Bernarda_ that he should sail one
Hundred and fifty Leagues West (but is rather to be believed a Mistake
from not understanding the Compass, _Oeste_ and _Este_ being so
similar) and then four Hundred and thirty-six Leagues East North East
to 77 Degrees of Latitude. In Answer to which _Bernarda_ here mentions,
that from the Lake _Valasco_ there was a River in which there was three
Falls, eighty Leagues in Distance, and fell into the _Tartarian Sea_,
in Latitude 61; that the Land trended away North East, and that he
would do what was possible. By which Expression it is plain, that he
did not pursue the exact Course that _de Fonte_ directed; probably that
Course was pointed out to _Bernarda_ by which the Jesuits had travelled
to Latitude 66, but pursued a Course more immediate and direct to
attain to Latitude 77, the Back of _Baffin_'s Bay, as to which the
Natives had informed him; and that though he did not pursue the Course
directed by _de Fonte_, which he found not to be so consistent with the
Design he was sent on, yet he would do all that was possible to answer
that Design. And the Expression also implies, that he was sensible he
should meet with Difficulties, which he might expect from the Climate,
the Ice, and the Fatigue; but as to the Article of Provisions, was in
no Fear on that Account. As to what is mentioned as to Venison of three
Sorts, they were the small Deer, the Moose, and the Elk, all which are
in the Northern Parts about _Hudson_'s Bay, and the _Labrador_ Coast.
The Name of _Haro_ given to the River is a particular Compliment to
_Don Haro_, who was the Head of the Houses of _Valasco_; and the Name
of _Valasco_, in Compliment to the other Houses, of that Family. Which
Respect shewn by _de Fonte_ seems to indicate a particular Connection
with, or his being related to that Family, as already mentioned.
_Valasco_, as here wrote, with a _va_, as those Families did write it
at that Time, and one of that Family, who was Constable of _Castile_,
in his Titles is named _John Ferdinandes de Vallasco_, Constable of
_Castilia_, &c. now Lord of the Houses of _Vallasco_, &c. and by the
Orthography in the Letter being so conformable with that which was used
at that Time, and not with a _ve_ as at present, we have very good
Reason to suppose, that the Letter was not only wrote in _Spanish_, but
also by _de Fonte_ on his return from his Voyage. Don _Ferdinandez_ was
living in 1610, and succeeded by his Son, in his Title and Honour of
Constable of _Castile_, _Don Bernardino_, who was living at the Time of
the Voyage.
'The Admiral entered the Lake an Hour before high Water, and there
was no Fall or Cataract, and 4 and 5 Fathom Water, and 6 and 7 Fathom
Water generally in the Lake _Belle_. There is a little Fall of Water
half Flood, and an Hour and Quarter before high Water the Flood begins
to set gently into Lake _Belle_: The River is fresh at 20 Leagues
Distance from the Mouth or Entrance of the River _Los Reyes_. The River
and Lake abounds with Salmon, Salmon Trouts, Pikes, Perch and Mullets,
and two other Sorts of Fish peculiar to that River, admirable good;
and Lake _Belle_ also abounds with all those Sorts of Fish large and
delicate: And Admiral _de Fonte_ also says, the Mullets catched in
_Rios Reyes_ and Lake _Belle_, are much delicater than are to be found,
he believes, in any Part of the World.'
_De Fonte_ was not inactive from the 14th to the 22d of _June_. Various
Courses, contrary Winds, waiting for the Tides at times; from the
Circumstance of the Tide as to Lake _Belle_, that there is a Fall until
half Flood, and it is an Hour and Quarter only before high Water that
the Flood makes in, evidences that there was a Current against him; and
it is further evident, as on his return he was but two Days running
from _Conosset_ to the Entrance of the River _Los Reyes_.
_De Fonte_ is very particular in his Account, being now to take a
Survey of the Parts through which a Passage was expected, and in which
Parts he now was. He mentions the Trial of the Tides at _Los Reyes_ and
_Haro_; gives a particular Account of the Navigation up _Los Reyes_,
and to Lake _Belle_; that it was fresh Water after they were sixty
Miles up the River; and what is no immaterial Circumstance in this
Affair, shews how far the Waters from Westward flowed up, which he
instances in the Account of the Fish. That such as came out of the Sea
into the Land or fresh Waters to spawn at those Seasons, and afterwards
return to the Sea, went no further than Lake _Belle_; for here he found
the Mother Fish, as he describes them, large and delicate, superior
to those in the River, and indulges his Fancy, so delicate as, he
believes, they are not to be exceeded in any other Part of the World.
_De Fonte_, in his Orders to _Bernarda_, shewed it was fresh Water
in Part of _Haro_, and in the Lake _Conibasset_, from the Salmon and
Perch, in which he means Sea Perch, which come into fresh Waters at
this Season of the Year.
'The first of _July_ 1640, Admiral _de Fonte_ sailed from the rest
of his Ships in the Lake _Belle_, in a good Port, covered by a fine
Island, before the Town of _Conosset_, from thence to a River I named
_Parmentiers_, in Honour of my industrious judicious Comrade Mr.
_Parmentiers_, who had most exactly marked every Thing in and about
that River.'
We now proceed to consider the Remainder of Admiral _de Fonte_'s
Letter, which was published in _June_ 1708.
Admiral _de Fonte_, when he received the Letter from Capt. _Bernarda_,
was arrived at an _Indian_ Town called _Conosset_, in the Lake _Belle_;
and as he entered such Lake the twenty-second, probably arrived at
the Town the same Day; staid eight Days, and then sailed the first
of _July_. That _Bernarda_ should write, as to the Situation of his
Affairs, must have been before concerted between them, they having been
informed by the Jesuits or _Parmentiers_, that it was practicable for
_Bernarda_ to send such Message, that the Admiral might know whether
_Bernarda_ had met with any Accident as to his Ship, or any other
Obstacle to his Proceeding, as he might assist him from those Ships
Companies then with the Admiral. How the Letter was conveyed is not
expressed; probably by a Seaman with an _Indian_ Guide (the Distance
between the Admiral and _Bernarda_, at this Time, will be considered
hereafter) who would use all possible Expedition both by Land and
Water: Had the Advantage of very short Nights. _De Fonte_ would not
proceed until he received this Account, though ready as soon as he
received it. As _de Fonte_ sailed on the first of _July_, that Account
must have come to his Hand the thirtieth of _June_.
The Ships being secure in a good Harbour, and the Command left with
_Ronquillo_, the Admiral proceeds to the River _Parmentiers_, so
named in Honour of Mons. _Parmentiers_, whom he stiles his Comrade,
and commends his Industry and Judgment in the Survey of such River,
and the Parts adjacent. From his being stiled his Comrade, he was
in no Command, as he could not have a Commission without having
been bred in the Service, and a Native of _Spain_. Therefore being
a Person immediately necessary for to have on this Occasion, he is
introduced under the Character of a Friend and Companion. Mr. _Gage_
mentions, Chap. xv. of his new Survey of the _West Indies_, one _Thomas
Rocalono_, a _Frenchman_, a Prior of the Cloister of _Cemitlan_, who,
with himself, was the only Stranger in that Country, by which he means
in that Part where he was; and it implies there being others in other
Parts, which falsifies the Assertion that no _Frenchman_ was ever
admitted in _Peru_.
The Countries of _Quivira_ and _Anian_ were represented, at that Time,
to be barren or desolate; as is also evident from the Description of
the Inhabitants eating raw Flesh, drinking Blood, and in all Respects
suitable to the Character of the _Eskemaux Indians_, who by Choice,
not Necessity, make Use of such Diet when out a hunting or travelling,
which expresses those Parts to be very inhospitable, and where the
_Indians_ only frequent at certain Seasons, in Pursuit of the wild
Game, and for fishing. And _Cibola_ is represented as a Country
which hath a Cultivation, where the _Indians_ constantly live, and
seem a different People from those of _Quivira_ and _Anian_. This is
agreeable to the Accounts given at that Time, which is sufficient
to shew that the Jesuits could not expect that they should be able,
or would undertake to pass through such a Country as _Quivira_ and
_Anian_ in Pursuit of their Discoveries to Northward; therefore must
have taken some Opportunity of being conveyed there, which could only
be by some Persons who had been on these Coasts, and had, through
Necessity, Interest, or Curiosity, passed up these Waters, and surveyed
the adjacent Country in Pursuit of something which might turn out to
their private Emolument: Nor were such Attempts unprecedented, even
on our Parts, though the Hazards were much greater. The private Trade
carried on by the People from _Boston_, in _Hudson_'s Bay, before there
was a Grant to the Company; which Trading might not have come to the
Knowledge of the People in _England_, or been known to the Publick for
a Series of Years, had it not been for an Accident which happened to
Captain _Gillam_, who thereupon made a Discovery of this Trade. Nor
is there the least Improbability but that _Parmentiers_ had, on some
Occasion, introduced himself into these Parts, had invited the Jesuits
to a Mission there, who, on other Missions, had undertaken what hath
been much more hazardous, and succeeded. There were sufficient Motives
for that Undertaking; the Northern Bounds were then unknown, so that
they could not affirm _America_ to be Continent, nor certainly to be an
Island distinguished from the old World. This is the Account Mr. _Gage_
gives us, Chap. xiii. and mentioning that he will not write, as many
do, by Relation and Hearsay, but by more sure Intelligence, Insight
and Experience. He says _Quivira_ is seated on the most Western Part
of _America_, just over against _Tartary_; from whence, being not much
distant, some suppose that the Inhabitants came into this new World.
The West Side of _America_, if it be not Continent with _Tartary_, it
yet disjoined by a small Streight. Here then was a sufficient Matter
to encourage a Mission of this Sort, and to keep a Progress to the
Eastward, or in _America_, with the Discoveries that were going on by
the Missionars sent to _Japan_; and there was a Propriety in this being
done, as the Coasts of both were supposed to be at no great Distance
from each other: And this was expresly the Purpose of their Mission, as
it is said they had been to Latitude 66, and made curious Observations,
on which Account they were with _Bernarda_. As _Parmentiers_ went to
the Eastward with _de Fonte_, who must have had a different Motive
from them for coming into those Parts, he must have had his own
private Emolument in view, his better Success in which depended on
his Secrecy, as he thereby prevented others from interfering; which
Consideration would prevail with him, as with all Traders, superior to
any Satisfaction the Publick might have from his Informations; and as
Trade would be carried on most successfully where the Inhabitants were
more numerous, we find he had found his Way to Eastward, apparently the
most populous, as the Jesuits had gone to the Northward and Westward,
principally as most consistent with their Plan; tho' _Conosset_ was
where the Jesuits had been first introduced, where their courteous
Behaviour and Management of the Natives, would be of Advantage to
_Parmentiers_. In searching for the most popular and inhabited Part of
the Country, he would become acquainted with the Geography of those
Parts necessarily, Depths of Water, Shoals, Tides, which his own
Preservation, and the better conducting of himself would naturally
lead him to observe; but there might be a more particular Reason for
his Observation of the River _Parmentiers_, and of all the Parts about
it; and therefore he had been so exact as to the Falls, which were the
Obstruction of the Ship Navigation through to the Eastern Sea, that lay
beyond the Streights of _Ronquillo_, for his own private Advantage; by
opening a new and extensive Trade, he would have greatly promoted it if
he had found this Communication practicable for Ships of Burthen.
The People that Captain _Tchirikow_ met with on the Coast is no
Objection to the Character given of those within Land in this Letter,
as it is from Experience known that the _Eskemaux_, who are along the
Coast of the _Labrador_, are cruel and thievish; but that _Indians_ of
a different Disposition live within Land.
As to _Parmentiers_ being the general Interpreter for all, he is not
said to be so. He would, for the Benefit it would be to him in his
Trade, endeavour to learn the Language, and would of course acquire
something of it unavoidably, as he frequented amongst the _Indians_:
And it must be observed, though there are many different Nations, and
there is a Difference in Dialect, yet there is a Language which all
those Nations will understand, called the Council Language.
That Voyages had been made to these Parts more than once is evident,
as the Jesuits staid there two Years, therefore did not return with
the same Opportunity by which they came there, but another; and it
is probable that there had been a Voyage prior to that, which had
encouraged them to undertake this Mission.
In what Manner _de Fonte_ proceeded, the Boats and Number of Persons
he had with him, the Translator hath omitted. It is mentioned, that
_de Fonte_ sailed from the rest of his Ships; the River _Parmentiers_
hath Falls of thirty-two Feet perpendicular Height from its Source
to where it issues into Lake _de Fonte_; so again, on the South Side
Lake _Belle_ on board our Ships; and had it been with his Ship, his
Inference that there was no North-west Passage would have been unjust,
as his meeting with this Ship the Vessel from _Boston_, would have
effectually proved the contrary.
'We passed eight Falls, in all 32 Foot, perpendicular from its Source
out of Lake _Belle_; it falls into the large Lake I named Lake _de
Fonte_, at which Place we arrived the 6th of _July_. This Lake is 160
Leagues long, and 60 broad; the Length is East North East, and West
South West, to twenty or thirty, in some Places sixty Fathom deep; the
Lake abounds with excellent Cod and Ling, very large and well fed;
there are several very large Islands, and ten small ones; they are
covered with shrubby Woods; the Moss grows six or seven Foot long,
with which the Moose, a very large Sort of Deer, are fat with in the
Winter, and other lesser Deer, as Fallow, _&c._ There are Abundance of
wild Cherries, Strawberries, Hurtleberries, and wild Currants; and also
of wild Fowls, Heath Cocks and Hens; likewise Partridges and Turkeys;
and Sea Fowl in great Plenty. On the South Side the Lake is a very
large fruitful Island, had a great many Inhabitants, and very excellent
Timber, as Oaks, Ashes, Elm and Fir Trees, very large and tall.'
We here again see the Form of the Letter, _de Fonte_ expressing
himself, as in the first Part of the Letter, _I named Parmentiers_, _my
industrious_; and there are other Instances.
The River _Parmentiers_, which is the Communication by which the Waters
of Lake _Belle_ are conveyed into the Lake _de Fonte_, so named we
may suppose not in Compliment to himself, which would be absurd, but
of his Family, as the Expression is, _I named Lake de Fonte_, though
it almost deserves the Name of a Mediterranean Sea; but from having a
superior Water near it, with which it communicated, _de Fonte_ calls it
a Lake. It is not a casual naming of Places, or Waters, as _Hudson_'s
Bay, given to that great Mediterranean Sea, and continued, but the
Names of the Waters he passed through, would be given with Exactness
and Propriety. In the Lake _de Fonte_ there was a great Depth of Water,
also Banks, as there is said to be in some Parts twenty or thirty
Fathom Water, as is also evident from the Cod and Ling there, and which
instance it to be a Salt Water Lake. It was the Season when these Fish
come to the Northward to spawn. The shrubby Wood on the Islands, the
Moss for the Subsistence of the Deer hanging on the Trees, the wild
Cherries and other Fruits ripening at that Season of the Year, are
all corresponding Tokens of his being advanced to the North-east Part
of _America_, is agreeable in all the above Respects to the Country
Northward and Westward in _Canada_, about the River _St. Lawrence_, to
the interior Parts of the Country of _Labrador_, in Lat. 56; but as you
proceed further to Northward, the high rocky Mountains, which in this
Part are only confined to the Coast, then extend more inland, increase
in their Height, and in Lat. 59° and 60°, the whole Country, as far as
_Baffin_'s Bay, seems to consist only of Ridges of barren Mountains,
interspersed with Waters; and the Progress of the Productions, as to
Trees and Plants, gradually decreases from a more flourishing to an
inferior Sort, as you proceed to Northward; in Lat. 59, on the Western
Side of _Hudson_'s Bay to the Northward of _Seal_ River, there is no
Wood, only Grass and a small Shrub of about a Foot in Heighth, which
continues, as far as it is known to Westward, and a thin Soil, with a
hard rocky Stone just below the Surface, and very frequently there are
large Ponds of standing Water.
_De Fonte_ seems to have made a Stop at the Island at the South of Lake
_de Fonte_, to take Refreshment, and make Inquiry as to the _Boston_
Ship, it being out of his Course, or on any other Account to go there.
'The 14th of _July_ we sailed out of the East North-east End of the
Lake _de Fonte_, and passed a Lake I named the _Estricho de Ronquillo_,
thirty-four Leagues long, two or three Leagues broad, twenty,
twenty-six and twenty-eight Fathom of Water; we passed this Streight in
ten Hours, having a stout Gale of Wind, and a whole Ebb. As we sailed
more Easterly the Country grew very sensibly worse.'
What follows, 'as it is in the North and South Parts of _America_,'
appears to me an additional Comment.
_De Fonte_ mentions, as he went more Easterly the Country grew worse;
from which it may be supposed he found the Alteration to begin when he
was come to the Eastern Part of the Lake, and more so, as he passed the
Streights of _Ronquillo_.
Where the Streight of _Ronquillo_ terminated _de Fonte_ makes no
mention; gives us no Account of the Soundings or Tides; but his Silence
here, and the preceding Circumstances, sufficiently prove that he
thought himself then in some Branch of the _Atlantick Ocean_. And it is
to be observed there is the same affected Silence here as to the Part
he was come into, as when he had left the Western Ocean and entered the
North-east Part of the _South Sea_ to pass up to _Los Reys_.
'The 17th we came to an _Indian_ Town, and the _Indians_ told our
Interpreter Mons. _Parmentiers_, that a little Way from us lay a great
Ship, where there never had been one before.'
The _Indian_ telling the Interpreter _Parmentiers_, which expresses a
Kind of Acquaintance made between them, and _de Fonte_'s passing out
of the Lake into the Sea, coming to a Town, and _Parmentiers_ knowing
the Language, is an Evidence of _Parmentiers_' having been there
before. And we may suppose, that from the Time they left the River
_Parmentiers_, _de Fonte_ had been on the Inquiry, it being now Time to
expect the People from _Boston_; and what the _Indian_ told him was in
pursuance of such Inquiry.