44 APPENDIX, NO. II. 



dread the sea however turbulent it may be ; but they must 

 coast along the shore for reasons mentioned elsewhere, 

 and coasting along in such a rough sea is dangerous above 

 all things, so much so, that there is no sailor whose courage 

 would not fail him at the very thought of it; I think, 

 therefore, that if there be any one willing to undertake it, 

 it is advisable not to lose sight of him, for there may be 

 found one who will do it, but I doubt whether there will be 

 two ; and let it be remembered, that such voyages cannot 

 be of the least profit to the person who performs them, 

 but on the contrary will be attended with many inconve- 

 niences and troubles to him. As to its profits, I know not 

 ■whether it will be productive of any the first time ; and we 

 have no reason to be assured that our enemies may not 

 have discovered this passage or some other which leads 

 into the South Sea, because we know they are great sea- 

 men, and as enterprising as myself, ready to rush forward 

 Avith impetuosity as I have done ; and I repeat. Sire, that 

 their desire to discover this strait is so great, (as I learn 

 from the account of Captain Balthazar de Just, residing in 

 Fontarabia, who was corresponding with me concerning 

 this affair on the 6th of July, this year, 1609,) that the 

 French have established a garrison on the banks of the 

 river hi Canada, which is three hundred leagues within 

 Newfoundland, confident of discovering from thence a 

 passage to the South Sea. I mention this, not because I 

 think it likely that they will discover a passage, (because it 

 is impossible that this river can run farther than one hun- 

 dred leagues, for I coasted along the greater part of it to 

 discover the coast of America about the South Sea, and I 

 found no strait nor entrance of a river which was of any 

 importance,) but I mention it. Sire, that your Majesty 

 may perceive with what diligence our enemies are making 

 use of every means of discovering a passage. 



Also let me advise your Majesty, that if you should send 

 an expedition on another voyage of discovery, let it be 



