G.] PROOFS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 417 



to which the commodore answered, he had taken possession already in the 

 name of his Catholic majesty ; on which Captain Colnett asked if he 

 would be prevented from building a house in the port. The commodore, 

 mistaking his meaning, answered him, he was at liberty to erect a tent, 

 get wood and water, &c, after which he was at liberty to depart when he 

 pleased; but Captain Colnett said that was not what he wanted, but to 

 build a block house, erect a fort, and settle a colony, for the crown of 

 Great Britain. Don Estevan Jose Martinez answered, No; that, in doing 

 that, he should violate the orders of his king, run a risk of losing his 

 commission, and not only that, but it would be relinquishing the Span- 

 iards' claim to the coast : besides, Don Martinez observed, the vessels did 

 not belong to the king, nor was he intrusted with powers to transact such 

 public business. On which Captain Colnett answered, he was a king's 

 officer; but Don Estevan replied, his being in the navy was of no conse- 

 quence in the business. *In conversing on the subject, after the arrival 

 of the vessel in port, it seems Captain Colnett insulted the commodore by 

 threatening him, and drew his sword in the Princesa's cabin; on which 

 Don Martinez ordered the vessel to be seized. We did not see him draw 

 his sword, but were informed of the circumstance by those whose veracity 

 we had no reason to doubt. After seizing the Argonaut, the sloop Prin- 

 cess Royal arrived a second time ; and, as she belonged to the same com- 

 pany, the commodore took possession of her also. With respect to the 

 treatment of the prisoners, although we have not perused Mr. Meares's 

 publication, we presume none of them will be backward in confessing 

 that Don E. J. Martinez always treated them very kindly, and all his 

 officers, consistent with the character of gentlemen. 



Having acquainted you with the principal part of the business, agree- 

 able to request, one thing remains to answer, which is, of the captain, 

 officers,, and seamen, of the North-West America. You ask if we car- 

 ried them to China. We did, and with them one hundred sea otter skins, 

 the value of which, we judge, independent of freight, was four thousand 

 eight hundred and seventy-five dollars ; these were delivered to Mr, 

 Meares, and were, we suppose, his property. We sincerely hope, sir, 

 when things are represented with truth, it will rescue our friend Don 

 Estevan J. Martinez from censure ; at least, that he may not be deemed 

 an impostor and a pirate, which many, from only hearing one part of the 

 story, supposed he was. As to the treatment of the Americans by Don 

 Estevan, we have ever testified it in terms due to such hospitality, and 

 are happy again to have it in our power to do what we deem justice to his 

 conduct. While speaking of others of your nation, we can never be un- 

 mindful of you. Your kind reception and treatment of us has made an 

 impression that will not be easily erased; and we hope you will bear in 

 mind how very sincerely we are, sir, your most humble servants, 



Robert Gray, 

 Joseph Ingraham. 



* Vancouver here writes, — using the first person, as if copying the words of the 

 American captains, — " In conversation afterwards on this subject, as we were in- 

 formed, (say these gentlemen,) — for we were not present during this transaction, — 

 some dispute arose in the Princesa's cabin ; on which Don Martinez ordered the Ar- 

 gonaut to be seized. Soon after this the Princess Royal returned," &c. ; the rumor 

 that " Colnett insulted the commodore by threatening him, and drew his sword in the 

 Princesa's cabin," being omitted. 



53 



