I20 Menzies' Journal. 



Nootka. 



1792. 

 Sept. 5th. 



Sept. 6tli. 



Sept. 8th. 

 Aranzazu, 

 Lieut. 

 Caamano. 



Clarence Strait 

 of Vancouver 

 (III., 419) who 



not only his Steward Cooks & Culinary Utensils but even 

 his Plate, so that our dinner was served up in a manner that 

 made us forget we were in such a remote corner, under the 

 humble roof of a Nootka Chief. — Maquinna his Wives & 

 Daughter, together with other Chiefs sat at the head of the 

 Table, partook / of the Entertainment & joind us in drinking 

 a convivial glass of wine after dinner, while the rest of the 

 Natives entertaind themselves at a Mess not less gratefuU to 

 their palate. It consisted of a large Tunny & a Porpus cut 

 up in small pieces entrails & all into a large Trough with a 

 mixture of Water blood & fish Oil, & the whole stewed by 

 throwing heated Stones into it. When thus cooked they 

 seated themselves round the Trough, some with Spoons, 

 other with large Shells, scooping it up & devouring it with 

 relishing appetites. 



After this we took a walk in a rich Meadow at the head 

 of the Arm, & in the afternoon took leave of our friends & 

 embarking in our Boats, rowed about two Miles back the 

 Arm to a point on the opposite side, where we pitched our 

 Tents & encampd for the night. 



Next day returnd to Friendly Cove where the whole 

 party din'd on shore with S'' Quadra. 



Maquinna & a large concourse of the Natives having 

 arrivd in the Cove on the 6th Cap* Vancouver orderd a 

 display of Fireworks to be exhibited on shore in the even- 

 ing before the Governor's house, which highly entertaind 

 both the Spaniards & Natives, but of all that were exhibited 

 the Water Rockets excited most admiration. The Natives 

 afterwards amused us in the Governor's house with a Speci- 

 men of their singing dancing & capering till they were per- 

 fectly tired, consisting of such uncouth attitudes & gestures 

 as are not easily described / but which they performed with 

 great glee & good humour till late in the evening & then 

 retired very orderly to rest. 



On the 8th a Spanish Frigate named Aransasa Com- 

 manded by L* Comano arrivd in the Cove from the North- 

 ward where she had been on a surveying expedition, examin- 

 ing the Coast on the inside of Queen Charlotte's Isles, & 

 opposite the North End of these Isles they enterd a large 

 Inlet going to the North East Ward which they conceivd to 

 be the Straits of Admiral de Fonte, & traced it as far as 

 55/^° North Latitude, where its capaciousness had so little 



