THE 



PHILOSOPHICAL MAGAZINE. 



I. Acco2int of the Voyage 7/jider taken Inj the Spaiuards to 

 the Nortk-Lvest Coast cif America in the Year 1792*. 



j\s the Spaniards had only very imperfect information iu 

 regard to the channel deFuca, situated in about lat. 48° 30', 

 two I'rigatt s, La Sutil and La Mcxicana, were fitted out, in 

 the year 1 792, for the purpose of exploring it. 'I'hey sailed 

 from Acapulco, and arrived at Nootka Sound on the 13tli 

 of May. Macuina, the tais or chief of the Indians of that 

 district, immediately went to meet them in a canoe; and, 

 bavins; found three officers whom he had seen the preceding 

 year, he received them v. ith sreat cordiality. This .prince 

 is much praised by the Spaniards for his justice, benefi- 

 cence, and humanity. Tlie crew of an American vessel, 

 commanded bv capia n Gray, had a violent contest with 

 these poor Indians respecting the price of some beaver skins, 

 exchanged for a certain quantity of copper. As seven of 

 them were killed and several wounded during the affray, 

 Macuina came to the Spaniards to complain, protecting to 

 them, with tears in his eyes, that his people had not me- 

 rited that act of violence. At another time he came to seek 

 consolation for his grief: — " I have condenmed to death," 

 said he, " one of my subjects for offerino: violence to a girl 

 of nine years of age ; and I have absented m^yself from the 

 place of piinishnient, that I may not hear the groans of the 

 priminal." He had, however, his n)omcnts of encniv. 

 One day captain Quadra, who commanded at Nootka for 

 the king of Spain, saw one of these Indians running to- 

 wards him. He was a criminal, who came to beg he would 

 intercede in his favour. Quadra interceded, and Macuina 

 pardoned him ; but he added with firmness : " Hear me. 

 Quadra; this man shall never be again admitted among us, 



• From the Anrialis LiUsrahcs. 



Vol. 20. No. 77- Oct. 1804. A 3 Let 



