t 



INTRODUCTION. 



It feems, indeed, to have become a very early obje^ of 

 policy in the Spanilh councils, to difcontinue and to dif- 

 courage any farther refearches in that quarter. Already 

 mafters of a larger empire on the continent of America 

 than they could conveniently govern, and of richer mines 

 of the precious metals on that continent than they could 

 convert into ufe, neither avarice nor ambition furnifhed rea- 

 fons for aiming at a frefli acceflion of dominions. And thus, 

 though fettled all along the Ihores of this Ocean, in a fitua- 

 tion fo commodious for profecuting difcoveries throughout 

 its wide extent, the Spaniards remained fatisfied with a 

 coafting intercourfe between their own ports ; never ftretch- 

 ing acrofs the vaft gulph that feparates that part of America 

 from Afia, but in an unvarying line of navigation j perhaps 

 in a fingle annual ftiip, between Acapulco and Manilla. 



The tracks of other European navigators of the South 

 Pacific Ocean, were, in a great meafure, regulated by thofe 

 of the Spaniards ; and confequently limited within the fame 

 narrow bounds. With the exception, perhaps, of two in- 

 flances only, thofe of Le Maire and Roggewein, no fhips of 

 another nation had entered this fea, through the Strait of Ma- 

 galhaens, or round Cape Horn, but for the purpofes of clan- 

 deftine trade with the Spaniards, or of open hoflility againll 

 them : purpofes which could not be anfwered, without pre- 

 cluding any probable chance of adding much to our ftock 

 of difcovery. For it was obviouily incumbent on all fuch 

 adventurers, to confine their cruifes within a moderate 

 diftance of the Spanifli fettlements ; in the vicinity of 

 which alone they could hope to exercife their commerce,, 

 or to execute their predatory and military operations. Ac- 

 cordingly, foon after emerging from the Strait, or com- 

 pleting 



