30 SARMIENTO’'S COLONY. 1584. 
the neighbourhood, and to the northward of Cape Virgins.* 
After much opposition from the Dukeof Alva and other power- 
ful people, he succeeded in convincing the King of the expedi- 
ency of fortifying the shores of the First Narrow, and forming 
several establishments within the Strait, to prevent the passage 
of strange ships, to the prejudice of the King’s colonies in Chile 
and Peru ; for at that time the passage round Cape Horn was 
not known. Accordingly, an Expedition was prepared, con- 
sisting of twenty-three vessels, under the joint command of 
Diego Florez de Valdez and Sarmiento; the former being 
appointed Captain-general of the fleet, and of the coast of 
Brazil ; and the latter, Captain-general of the Strait of Magal- 
haens, and Governor of all the Establishments that should be 
formed within it. 
Of the twenty-three ships which sailed from Spain, five only 
reached the entrance of the Strait; and these, after experienc- 
ing many difficulties from bad weather and foul winds, returned 
to Rio de Janeiro to refit, where Sarmiento met four vessels 
which had been sent from Spain to his succour. His colleague 
and General in chief, Florez, who had deserted the Expedition, 
did all in his power to impede Sarmiento, to the latest moment 
of his stay at the Brazils. At last, however, five ships, com- 
manded by Ribera, and manned by five hundred and thirty 
men,{ sailed ; and, without encountering further loss or deten- 
tion, arrived off the Strait in December (1584), and soon 
after reached an anchorage, between the First and Second 
Narrows. 
Ribera would go no further; but landed about three hun- 
dred men, under Sarmiento. A city was marked out, and 
named Jesus,§ in a valley well provided with water. The 
* See Burney, ii. p. 45, for a fuller account; also id. 71]. 
+ Who made a remark on the occasion, which became proverbial, 
“that if a ship carried out only anchors and cables, sufficient for her 
security against the storms in that part of the world, she would go well 
laden.” Burney Coll. vol. ii. 45. 
+ Burney, ii. 51. 
§ The situation of “Jesus” must have been about half-way between 
the First and Second Narrow, near the point named in the chart N.S. de 
Valle, 
