Chapter, P. 426, says, 'North-east of _America_ there is the Coast
of _Greenland_, from sixty to sixty-eight Degrees, where there is to
the East the Entrance of the Streight of _Frobisher_. North-west in
the different Islands which compose the Northern Parts of _America_,
there is the Entrance of the Streight of _Hudson_, where the _North
Sea_ communicates with the _South Sea_, passing out of the Entrance
of the Streight of _Anian_, which runs North-east and South-west to
the Northward of the Island of _California_, which Streight is hid by
great Gulphs on the Part that is North of _America_, which contain such
great Islands, as _Cumberland_ (or _Estoliland_) that are more than
one hundred Leagues in Length from North-east to South-west, and their
Extremity from East to West more than seventy Leagues.'--Page 44. 'Some
hold it for certain that you can sail from _Spain_ to _China_ through
those Streights, or to _Japan_, or to the Lands of _Eso_, in three
Months. As says also Doctor _Pedro de Syria_; but it is the Opinion of
_D. T. V. Y._ Author of the History of the _Imperial_ States of the
World, that he holds it for uncertain whether there is such Streight
by which you can pass from the _North_ to the _South Sea_.--P. 45.
There were some of the Subjects of the King of _France_, who offered
themselves, if they could get his Majesty's Licence, to perform that
Voyage in four Months; entering the _Canal de Hudson_ from out of the
Ocean, with a Course North-west or West North-west, taking always a
Sight of the Coast at Noon, they should attain to the Height of the
_Arctic_ Circle, or one Degree more, as in making that Voyage they
will be favoured in that Part by the Currents and Winds from the East
and South-east, and afterwards in their Passage by the Streight of
_Anian_, the Winds and Currents would be from the North.--It is said
that some Strangers (on what Occasion is not said) have gone that Rout;
and that there is in the Archives of the Admiralty of _Lisbon_, and
of the _Contratacion at Seville_, a Copy of such Rout; what I here
observe is the same with what _Don Francisco de San Millan_ observes,
from which or from the Copy of which Rout to be seen in various
Languages, or the Disposition of the said Streights, he holds it for
certain that there is such a Course, and relates, That a _Hollander_,
on the Evidence of a _Spaniard_ who was aboard his Ship, from the
North of _California_, forced by the Winds from South-west, attained
to sixty-six Degrees North-east, afterwards took a Course East, and
East South-east, came into fifty-eight Degrees, when he entered the
_North Sea_ to Northward of _Terra Nova_, from thence to _Scotland_,
and from _Scotland_ to _Lisbon_, in less than three Months from the
Port of _Nativadad_ to _Lisbon_, of which Voyage he makes no Doubt.'
And _Seyxas_ observes, he hath seen many other Accounts of Voyages
made from _Holland_, also from _England_, to the _South Sea_ in three
or four Months, which he much doubts, from the Shortness of the Time;
also as in the _Spanish_ Historians they have an Account of what passes
in the several Parts of the _South Sea_, in _Cathay_, and _China_, and
no such Thing is to be found in the _Bibliotheca_ of the Licentiate
_Antonio de Leon_, which sets forth all the Discoveries and Voyages
which have been made from any Region from the Year 1200 in _America_.
It is plain from the Account of _Seyxas_, he doth not determine
absolutely for a Passage, but that there is a Passage is his Opinion.
His chief Objection is to the Accounts from the Brevity of the Time in
which the Voyages were said to be performed, and there being no Account
in a careful Writer of the Discoveries made in those Parts. He doth
not confine the Passage to _Hudson_'s Bay, as I understand him, but to
the Streight and the other Openings to Northward through _Cumberland_
Isles, and that they go up into as high a Latitude as the _Arctic_
Circle. Which is agreeable to _Acosta_'s Account, and gives a further
Explanation to his Meaning than I have already done. As to which Isles,
and to the Northward and Eastward of _Cary_'s _Swans-nest_, it is
apparent, from the Perusal of the Voyages, there hath been no certain
Account on a compleat Discovery as to those Parts. What he says as
to the Voyage of the _Hollander_, it must be observed it was while
_Holland_ was under the _Spanish_ Government in the Reign of _Philip_
the Second, and seems to be the same Voyage, of which Mention hath been
made that an Account was found amongst the Papers of that Prince.
It hath been shewn to have been the constant Opinion of there being a
North-west Passage, from the Time soon after which the _South Sea_ was
discovered near the Western Part of _America_, and that this Opinion
was adopted by the greatest Men not only in the Time they lived, but
whose Eminence and great Abilities are revered by the present Age.
That there is a Sea to Westward of _Hudson_'s Bay, there hath been
given the concurrent Testimony of _Indians_; and of Navigators and
_Indians_ that there is a Streight which unites such Sea with the
Western Ocean. The Voyage which lead us into these Considerations,
hath so many Circumstances relating to it, which, now they have been
considered, shew the greatest Probability of its being authentick;
which carry with them as much the Evidence of a Fact, afford as great
a Degree of Credibility as we have for any Transaction done a long
Time since, which hath not been of a publick Nature and transacted in
the Face of the World, so as to fall under the Notice of every one,
though under the Disadvantage that the Intent on one Part must have
been to have it concealed and buried in Oblivion. Transacted also by
Persons in a private Part of the World, who only spoke of it amongst
their Friends at home, being themselves Strangers to what they had
effected, and made little Account of their Voyage. Besides the Chagrin
of their Disappointment, and the illnatured Reflections it might
subject them to, they might think it also best not to communicate it
to the Publick, as it might encourage others to the like Undertaking,
and so they fall into the Hands of the _Spaniards_, not only at the
Hazard of their Ship, but their Lives, or at least subject them to many
Hardships such as they had sustained to no Purpose. Therefore they
thought proper to say little about their Discovery, as it might only be
a Means of entrapping some brave Adventurers, who might be animated by
their Example to a like Undertaking. These would be and were, by its
being so little published on their Parts, (and no Accounts of it in
_England_, which shews their Friends were under an Injunction not to
make it publick) the Resolutions of such sensible and sagacious Men as
_Gibbons_ and _Shapley_ were agreeable to which they acted. All which
Circumstances considered, what Degree of Evidence can be required more
than hath been given to authenticate this Account of _de Fonte_?
Those who argue against a North-west Passage have no better Foundation
for their Arguments, Than that there is no Tide from Westward. Which
is arguing only for the Truth of a System, and hath nothing to do
with the Reality of a Passage, and in all Probability hath been the
principal Occasion that a Passage hath not been compleated: For a
different Course of the Land, and no Tide from Westward, concluded any
further Searches in such Part, but on a due Survey made of the Map, as
the Tide will enter up the Streight of _de Fuca_, and probably other
contiguous Entrances which are not yet known, besides the North-east
Branch of the _South Sea_, which we suppose to join with such Streight;
the Tide would fill that Sea on the Back of _Hudson_'s Bay, and the
Openings but be checked to the Northward by the Current; and may be
hindered from coming into _Hudson_'s Bay through the Inlet from Causes
not known, or there being great Indraughts on the opposite Shore, which
may take off the Force of the Tide, and cause it to come but a small
Way up such Inlet. There is Reason to believe the proper Passage is
up the Streight of _de Fuca_, therefore that is the proper Streight
of _Anian_, as _de Fonte_ proceeded no further than _Los Reyes_, and
declared there was no North-west Passage; but the North-east Part of
the _South Sea_ hath a Communication, as is expressed in the Map, in
describing which a Certainty cannot be expected, or an Exactness but
what may be contradicted if a Discovery be made. The Design of the Map,
besides what relates to the Expedition of _de Fonte_, is to shew there
is a Streight, called the Streight of _de Fuca_. A Sea at the Head of
that Streight, at the Back of _Hudson_'s Bay, from which Sea there is
a Passage either by an Inlet into _Hudson_'s Bay, or by a Streight
at the Head of _Repulse_ Bay, and so to Northward of _Hudson_'s Bay;
from which Streight there is a Passage into the _North Sea_, either to
Eastward of the Land of _Cary_'s _Swans-nest_ into _Hudson_'s Streight,
or by _Cumberland_ Isles, and expressed in the Map in the Manner that
the respective Accounts represent, according to our Understanding of
them, with a Submission to Correction and superior Judgment. But an
absolute Contradiction without invalidating the Accounts on which such
Map is constructed, or to say there is no North-west Passage, which it
is impossible should be determined until a Search is made in the Parts
which remain to be searched, are no Objections, are only Opinions,
without any Authority to support them, which Time must rectify.
To make an Expedition to discover whether there is a Passage by those
Parts which remain unsearched, purposely from _England_, is what I
think an honest, disinterested, or impartial Person cannot recommend,
as such Expeditions might be repeated with great Expence, and the Event
uncertain. The Government gave their Assistance, and the Generosity of
the Merchants hath been sufficiently experienced, both in _England_ and
_America_: Therefore it becomes every one whose Intention it is solely
that such a beneficial Service should be done to avoid proposing what,
might, in the Consequence, be an unnecessary Expence to Government, and
abuse the Generosity of the Merchants.
The Ships which went on these Expeditions, after they left the
_Orkneys_, had no Place to put into, neither could they there Wood or
Water, or conveniently repair a Damage. If they met with a Delay in
passing _Hudson_'s Streights, they were obliged, from the small Part of
the Season that was remaining, to go to the _Hudson_'s Bay Factories to
winter; that they might have the more Time the next Year; were obliged
to go to the Factories earlier than they were necessitated on Account
of the Weather, in order to get their Ships laid up, and every other
Convenience for wintering prepared before that the Winter set in. The
_Hudson_'s Bay Company, jealous of a Design to interfere with their
Trade, probably their Fears not ill grounded, the Consequence was,
there was no Cordiality between the Factors and the Captains. The Ships
People, by wintering, suffered in their Health, great Wages going on,
a Consumption of Provisions, a Spirit of Discontent and Opposition
amongst the inferior Officers, which obstructed the Success of the next
Summer. To obviate all which in any future Proceedings, a Discovery
was undertaken on the Coast of _Labrador_, to find Harbours on that
Coast which Ships; could repair to if necessary on their Voyage out, or
to repair to on their return, which they could be at sooner than at
the Factories, stay longer on Discovery, and return the same Year to
_England_. How well this Attempt answered the Design, may be collected
from the Extract from a Journal of a Voyage hereunto annexed, performed
in the Year 1753, giving an Account of the Coast of _Labrador_. As
what is now to be done in the Discovery of a Passage in _Hudson_'s
Bay may be effected in a Summer, and if there is the desired Success,
an Inlet found by which there is a Passage into the Sea adjacent out
of that Bay, the Vessel which makes such Discovery, and all Ships at
their return by such Inlet, will have no Occasion to go to the Southern
Part of the Bay, it will be out of their Course, but proceed through
the Streights to _Labrador_, there Wood and Water, get fresh Fish, and
other Refreshments; can repair any Damage either as to their Masts, or
their Hull, and return the same Year to _England_ by the common Tract
of the _Newfoundland_ Ships, and not to go to the _Orkneys_.
That there was a good fishing Bank, a Coast convenient for carrying
on a Fishery, a Fur Trade, also for Whalebone and Oil with the
_Eskemaux Indians_, was a Discovery the Consequence of that Attempt
from _America_. To take the Benefit of which Discovery seems now to
be the Intention of the Publick. And a Survey of such Coast being
ordered to be made by the Government, if such Survey is extended so
far as to those Parts, in which as already mentioned such Passage
must be, and without it is so far extended, the Design of attaining a
true Geographical Account of the Northern Coasts of _America_ would
be incompleat. By this Means it must be known whether there is such
a Passage, the Probability of which is unquestionable. Also by such
Survey a better Account will be got which Way the Whales take their
Courses, and consequently where it is best to go in Pursuit of them.
Also as to those _Eskemaux_ who frequent to Northward of _Hudson_'s
Streights, where they retire to, and a proper Place be found to keep
a Fair with them. As these _Eskemaux_ as well as those on _Greenland_
Side, who have not come into those Parts any long Duration of Time,
being the same Kind of _Indians_ with those in the _South Sea_, and
as they transport themselves and Families from one Part to another
by Water, it seems highly probable that it is by such a Passage or
Streight that they have got so far to Eastward. This Discovery of a
Passage can be made without any additional Expence, wove in with other
Services, as was in the Discoveries which were ordered to be made by
the King of _Spain_ on the Coasts of _California_. The Propriety of a
Vessel to make such a Survey, and the Abilities and Fidelity of the
Persons will be undoubtedly taken Care for. The Run from _Labrador_,
let it be from any Harbour, will be but small to any where, where it
is necessary to make the Survey. The Persons sent will go fresh out
of Harbour, whereas, with a Run from the _Orkneys_, the People are
fatigued; will now be refreshed as if they had not come from _Europe_.
Will be out from such Harbour but a few Weeks, in a fine Season of the
Year, no Way debilitated by the Scurvy, and in a few Summers will be
enabled to compleat their Survey of that Coast; using such an Assiduity
as they proceed as not to leave any Part on Supposition or Trust, but
being assured where any Inlet or Opening determines. A Person who
understands _Eskemaux_, and one or more _Eskemaux_ to be procured,
would be of Service as Pilots, and to give an Account of the adjacent
Country. And there is no Vessel (it is mentioned as perhaps it is not
so very well known) so proper and serviceable for this long-shore
Work as a Marble-head Schooner, about sixty Tons, fortified as to the
Ice, and would be at all Times a useful Tender, and a proper Boat if
necessary to be left at the _Labrador_. What would give due Force to
such Expeditions, would be the Commodore of the Man of War being so
near, under whose Eye the Whole would be done, who would direct their
fitting out, receive their Report on their return, order a Review if
necessary, and be the Occasion of that due Subordination and Obedience
both of Officers and Men, which it is often very difficult to effect
on such Voyages. Merit will then be distinguished, and the Credulity
of the Persons at home will not be imposed on, and no Discouragement
of those who distinguish themselves in the Execution of such laudable
Attempts. Such a Passage being discovered, and the Sea entered to
Westward of _Hudson_'s Bay, the Manner of proceeding afterwards must be
left to superior Judgment.
APPENDIX.
AN
ACCOUNT
Of Part of the Coast and Inland Part of
THE LABRADOR:
BEING
An EXTRACT from a Journal of a Voyage made
from _Philadelphia_ in 1753.
The Coast of _Labrador_ to Northward of the Latitude of 57 Deg. 30
Min. is represented by Captain _Benjamin Gillam_ (an Extract of whose
Journal the Author had) as a perilous Coast, and without any Inlets;
therefore the Design was to fall in with the Land to Southward of
that Latitude, which was attempted _August_ the 2d; a thick Fog, but
expected when more in with the Land to have clear Weather. They saw Ice
at times the whole Day, and in the Evening found themselves imbayed
in a Body of Ice, and plainly perceiving Points of Rocks amongst the
Ice, stood out again during the whole Night for a clear Sea, which they
fortunately obtained the next Morning.
It was then proposed to stand yet more Southward, to make the Land in
Latitude 56°, and search the Inlet of _Davis_. From the 3d to the 9th
had various Weather, the Air temperate, Calms and light Winds, thick
Fogs for some Days, the latter Part of the Time haizey, with Rain,
which was succeeded the 10th of _August_ with a hard Gale of Wind that
moderated on the 11th, and clear Weather: Saw Rockweed, some Kelp, Land
Birds, a Number of large Islands of Ice, but no flat Ice; concluded in
the Afternoon that they saw the Looming of the Land in Lat. 56 Deg. 2
Min. Long. 56 Deg. 42 Min. at Eight at Night had Soundings 95 Fathom,
at Ten at Night 80 Fathom.
_August_ the 12th, fine pleasant Weather; at Eight o'Clock had 40
Fathom Soundings, and at Ten made the Land, bearing W. by S. ten
Leagues. Many Islands of Ice, but the Wind contrary for _Davis_'s
Inlet, stood towards another Opening which promised a good Harbour; but
not being able to attain it before Night, stood on and off until the
next Morning, fine pleasant Weather; and _August_ the 13th, by Four in
the Morning, were in with the Land. A Whaleboat, with proper Hands,
was sent to sound a-head, and find a Harbour. Soon after a Cry was
heard from an Island to Northward; there appeared to be five Persons.
Some Rings, Knives, Scissors, and Iron Hoop, being taken by the People
into the Boat, after rowing about a League they entered into a small
Harbour, near the Place where the five Persons were first seen, but
who had retired. Entering the Harbour they saw Shallops built after
the _Newfoundland_ Manner, at Anchor, with Buoys and Cables, a Mast, a
square Yard athwart, with a Sail bent, a Tilt made of Seal Skins abaft.
These Boats were tarred, that Summer's Work. Upon the Sight of these
Boats a Doubt arose whether they were _Indians_ whom they had seen, or
some unfortunate Shipwrecked People.
When the Boat got further into the Harbour two _Eskemaux Indians_ came
off, the one a Man in Years, the other a young Man. The elder Man
had a small black Beard. The elder Man being presented with a Ring,
immediately put it on his Finger; the young Man did the same when one
was presented him. Both declined accepting Pieces of Iron Hoop, a very
agreeable Present to the _Eskemaux_ on the Western Side _Hudson_'s
Bay. They knew what Fire-arms were, which they saw in the Boat: Also
asked for some Pork, which they saw, and had been taken into the Boat
for Fear the Schooner and the Boat should be separated; and, on the
Boatsmen not having a Knife immediately ready, they produced a Knife
apiece; and the elder Man used the Word _Capitaine_ in his Address; had
a Complaisance in his Behaviour. From these Circumstances it was plain
they carried on a Trade with the _French_; tho' the latest _French_
Authors represented them as a savage People, who would never have any
Commerce with them. And a Motive for this Undertaking was from an
Opinion, that no Trade had been carried on in these Parts, either by
_Europeans_ or _Americans_, the printed Accounts and common Report both
agreed in this. It was apparent to whom these Boats belonged; and there
were more than twenty _Eskemaux_ ashore, of various Sexes and Ages, who
kept shaking of old Cloaths for Sale; and the elder Man pressed the
People in the Boat very much to come ashore, also to bring the Schooner
to an Anchor, which was standing on and off; but as the Day advanced,
the Situation the Schooner was in, being many small Islands about, and
a fine Opening which promised a good Harbour in the main Land, they
declined the Invitation; and there was an _Eskemaux_ ready with a large
Coil of Whalebone, seemingly for the Boat to warp in to a small Cove
and make fast with. These Civilities were acknowledged by a Present
being sent to those ashore, and after shewing where they intended for,
the Boat returned aboard the Schooner.
The People on board the Schooner, as they advanced towards the Inlet
where they expected a Harbour, hoisted their Ensign, which was
very large, and fired two Swivels by way of Salute; soon after the
_Eskemaux_ displayed on the Rocks a large white Ensign, on a high
Pole; and when there was Occasion to lower the Schooner's Colours, the
_Eskemaux_ lowered theirs; the Schooner's Colours being again hoisted,
they hoisted theirs; but a Squall of Sleet and Rain came on, which
prevented their having a further Sight of each other. At Six in the
Evening the Schooner was anchored in a convenient Harbour, a level
Shore, with high rocky Land, bare in Spots, the other Parts covered
with a good Herbage and large Groves of Trees, Firs, Spruce, and Pine.
An Evening Gun was fired to give the Natives Notice where the Schooner
was, and also a good Watch was set.
_August_ the 14th, at Day, they fired a Swivel aboard the Schooner,
and displayed their Colours as a Signal for Trade; and a Party went
ashore to ascend the Heighths. The largest Trees did not exceed ten
Inches Diameter, and fifty Feet in Heighth; many Runs of excellent
Water, Ponds in level Spots; the Country had an agreeable Aspect, a
plentiful Herbage, the Flowers were now blown, the Berries not ripened,
and the _Angelica_, of which there was great Quantity, not seeded. They
had a very laborious Walk before they attained the desired Summit; the
Musquetoes very troublesome. Being on an extraordinary Eminence they
saw the North and South Point of the main Land, or two Capes which form
a Bay, the Northermost was computed to be something to the Northward
of Latitude 56, and the Southermost in Latitude 55. The Shore high
and bold, to Northward a Number of Reefs of Rocks lying out a great
Way into the Sea, in the Southern Part of the Bay many Islands and
two Inlets. Sixty Islands of Ice of large Dimensions in Sight. In the
ascending this Heighth, saw many Moose Deer Paths, Tracts of other
Animals; and in the Ponds Trouts of about ten Inches in Length. On the
Shores few Fowl but Ducks, and a Plenty of Muscles. The Weather very
warm and pleasant. The Schooner's People found a Barrel, a Hogshead
Stave, and a Piece of hewed Wood, on which it was conjectured that this
was no unfrequented Harbour.
The next Morning, the 15th of _August_, the Boat was sent to carry
two Persons to the Head of the Harbour, that they might travel to a
Mountain about ten Miles off, to take a View of the inland Part of the
Country. When the Boat returned, the People brought Word they had seen
the Ruins of a Timber House. The Boat was again manned to go and take
a Survey of it; and it appeared to have been a House built for some
Persons to winter in, of Logs joined together, part standing, with a
Chimney of Brick and Stone entire. The House consisted of three Rooms,
a Log Tent near, and a Pit dug in which they seemed to have buried
their Beer. The Ground cleared at a Distance round: The Woods burnt,
several Hogsheads and Barrels, and seemingly a great Waste of Biscuit,
Pork, Salt Fish, and other Provisions, which seemed as if those who
had been here had retired with great Precipitation; neither had been
long gone, as there were fresh Feet Marks on the Strand, and some Trees
lately hewn. The Marks on the Cask shewed that the People were from
_London_; and it was supposed that as the _Eskemaux_ had not come to
trade, there had been a Fray between the _Eskemaux_ and these People;
and when they considered the compleat Manner in which the Boats were
equipped and rigged, doubted whether the _Eskemaux_ had not overpowered
them, and had some of the People with them. The great Earnestness with
which the elder of the _Eskemaux_ made Signs for the People in the Boat
to go ashore, seemed to be with a particular Design: Therefore it was
thought prudent to be very careful in the Watch at Night, to strike
the Bell every half Hour, to keep a continual Walk on Deck, and call
_All is well_, that the _Eskemaux_ might hear, if they should intend a
Surprize, that the People aboard were on their Guard.
The Morning of the 16th they run up to the Head of the Harbour with the
Schooner, to Wood and Water, there being Plenty of Wood ready cut, and
a Place conveniently dammed up to confine a fine Stream of excellent
Water which came from the Heighths. There was then found several Pieces
of printed Books, in _German_ and _English_, the _English Moravian_
Hymns. Peas, Beans, Turnips, and Radishes planted, which seemed as if
they would come to no great Perfection, and judged to have been sowed
about three Weeks. The wooding and watering was finished by Ten at
Night, but with no small Trouble on Account of the Musquetoes, though
great Smoaks made to keep them off.
The two Persons who had been sent to view the inland Country returned
in the Morning, after having spent a rainy Night in the Woods; gave
an Account that they had been forced to go round several small Lakes,
which made the Way longer than expected; and the Mountain was very
steep and rugged: Saw several large Spots of excellent Meadow: The
Timber much the same as that on the Shores of the Harbour: That they
saw two Inlets to Northward, extending a great Way into the Land: That
it was only the Branch of an Inlet that the Vessel was at Anchor in;
but they saw the Termination of the Inlet to be in large Ponds.
The 17th of _August_ the Schooner was to return to her first Anchorage,
with an Intention to search the Inlets to Northward; but the Wind
proved contrary, and a hard Gale, though the Weather pleasant. The 18th
the Wind moderated, and the Schooner returned to her former Anchorage;
but the Wind did not serve to quit the Harbour until the 19th in the
Afternoon; the Interval of Time had been filled up in brewing Spruce
Beer, and doing other necessary Work with respect to the Sails and
Rigging. At Six in the Evening was close in with the Island, where
they had seen the _Eskemaux_, but now gone. It was not until the 21st,
by reason of Calms and Currents, that they attained to the Inlet to
Northward. Those who had been sent out with the Boat to sound a-head,
had seen on the Shore an _Eskemaux_ Encampment, from which they were
but very lately retired, and brought from thence a Piece of a Jawbone
of a Spermaceti Whale, which was cut with a Hatchet. It was plain from
that the _Eskemaux_ were supplied with Iron Tools: They also found a
Piece of an Earthen Jar. They judged there had been about eleven Tents.