36 APPENDIX, NO. II. 



of the approach of any ships, and prevent them from pro- 

 ceeding through the strait, if they were enemies' ships, by 

 retaining continually in the harbour two ships prepared for 

 such an event ; these should cross the course of the vessel, 

 endeavouring to pass between the two bastions ; and if she 

 had to wait for the tide, they might delay and embarrass 

 her while the fortresses are cannonading and sinking her; 

 for it must be mentioned, that though many ships might 

 come together, not more than two or three at once 

 could pass through the channel : and if we should wish 

 to have a look out to the South Sea, (though I do not 

 think that necessary at present,) the strait has two high 

 mountains, one on the coast of Asia, the other on that of 

 America, which look one to another, and both of them ad- 

 joining to the fortress and watch-towers ; and these, com- 

 manding a view over the two coasts in opposite directions, 

 each might give notice of all the vessels sailing in the 

 South Sea. By which means this strait might be well 

 defended, and the Spanish alone might navigate it, and 

 enjoy all the great advantages it holds out ; for in truth I 

 know of no place yet discovered which thus holds commu- 

 nication with almost all the countries of the world ; for 

 from this strait we may sail to all of them ; and thus we 

 may presume that in course of time it would prove a most 

 powerful and rich settlement. 



The entrance to the strait on the north side is most 

 (difficult to be discovered, because its coast runs east and 

 west, and the two sides formed by the strait close one over 

 the "pther ; and as its entrance and the turns it makes are 

 described to run north-east and south-west, it cannot . be 

 seen from the open sea, and it is therefore not surprising 

 that it has escaped the notice of those who sought it. 

 When we arrived there we did not discover it for some 

 days, during which we were wandering up and down that 

 coast, under the direction of the pilot, Juan Martinez, a 

 Portugueze and a native of Algarve, an old man of gres^t 



