[ *472 ] 



It appears, by Venegas's Hiftory of California, publifhed in 

 1 747 b , that great jealoufy was then entertained of our difcoverr 

 ing a N. W. paffage 0 , becaufe they apprehended we fhould annoy 

 the coafts of Mexico and Peru. 



Nothing however can be more groundlefs than thefe fufpicions,. 

 for whenever a N. W. or any other Northern communication is 

 found between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, it may be boldly 

 pronounced that fueh paffage will be fo very precarious, as never 

 to anfwer the purpofe of expeditions in time of war, orcommerce- 

 during peace. 



The Spaniards mould, after our late voyages of difcovery 

 (which refleit fo much honour tipon his Majefty's reign), be con- 

 vinced that the Englifh Nation is actuated merely by defiring to 

 know as much as poffible with regard to the planet which we 

 inhabit, and to which our geographical inquiries are neceflarily 

 bounded. 



This diftrufb on the part of Spain would more wifely be di- 

 rected againll: the Ruffians, who from Camfkatfka might eafily 

 eftabiifh themfelves on the W. coaft of America, and from thence 

 perhaps in time make their unwieldy, and already tottering em- 

 pire d . 



From thefe ill-founded apprehenfions of what the Englifti 

 may meditate again ft their American Dominions on the Weftern 

 coaft of that vaft continent, they will not permit an individual^ 



b Madrid, 3 vol. Quarto. 



c Igualmente notorias fon las ruidofas, j porfiadas tentativas de los 

 Inglefes, para hallar un paffage al mar del Sur, por el Norte de America. 

 Ibid. T> III. p. 225. 



d I am accordingly informed, that the Emprefs means to fit out four 

 veffels on the coaft of Camikatika, which are to be employed in dif- 

 co.veries, during the proper feafon of 178 1. 



even. 



