126 SPAIN AT WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. [1779. 



mander, Arteaga, becoming anxious to return to Mexico, soon found 

 that the men were beginning to suffer from scurvy, that the pro- 

 visions were failing, and that there was no probability of their dis- 

 covering any passage, through which they might penetrate farther 

 north ; and he, in consequence, resolved that both vessels should 

 immediately proceed to Monterey. They accordingly sailed from 

 Port Santiago on the 7th of August ; on the 15th of October 

 they entered Port San Francisco, and on the 21st of November 

 they arrived at San Bias, " where," says Fleurieu, with more justice 

 than usually characterizes his remarks on Spanish voyages, " they 

 might have passed the whole time which they spent in their expedi- 

 tion, without our knowledge in geography having sustained any loss 

 by their inaction." The voyage was, in fact, productive of no 

 benefit whatsoever, and the Spanish government should have been 

 mortified at its results ; instead of which, however, the officers 

 engaged in it were all promoted, for their good conduct and 

 exertions. 



Of the places visited by Arteaga and Bodega, after leaving Port 

 Bucareli, the great bay, called by them Ensenada &e Regla, is now 

 generally known by the name of Prince William's Sound, and their 

 Isla de la Magdalena is the Montague's Island of the English maps. 

 It is needless to mention any other of the many appellations given 

 by the Spaniards to capes, bays, islands, and mountains, in that 

 part of America, as they have fallen into disuse. 



In 1779, Spain became involved in war with Great Britain, and 

 her flag did not again appear on the coasts north of Cape Mendo- 

 cino until 1788. Before relating the events which occurred in that 

 interval, it will be proper to present an account of the discoveries 

 effected in the North Pacific, since the commencement of the cen- 

 tury, by the Russians occupying the north-eastern extremity of 

 Asia. 



