[ *476 ] 



that they proceded to N. Lat. 55. Don Juan Peres, who was 

 enjign h on board the Frigate in the prefent voyage, had fome 

 ftation in the former, and carried with him a chart of the coaft, 

 m many of the parts which were then explored. 



I am forry not to be able to ftate any farther particulars; but 

 think it right to mention thus much, in hopes that it may pro- 

 duce fome account of this former voyage. 



I mould conceive, that both the one and the other were pro- 

 duced by our attempts to difcover a N. W. Paflage •; becaufe it 

 will be found, that wherever the Spaniards landed they were in- 

 ftrucled to take pofTefTion (though not to keep it) with every poffi- 

 ble formality, which undoubtedly was to be fet up as a complete 

 title againfl future claimants, by right of difcovery. 



The compiler of the prefent journal, D. Antonio Maurelle, 

 ferved on board the fchooner employed on this voyage (together 

 with a frigate) under the title of Second Pilot of the Fleet 



In one of the written opinions which he gave whilft thus 

 employed, he flares, that he had ferved ten years in the Bay of 

 Bifcay k , and feems to have been a moil: diligent navigator ; whilfr, 

 to his honour, he always advifes the proceeding to as high a 

 Northern Latitude aspoffible, though fome of his brother officers 

 almoft defpair. 



At the clofe of the journal a very accurate table is given of 

 the fhip's courfe for each day, with no lefs than nine columns. 



Having however confulted fome moll: experienced and able 

 fea-officers on this occafion, they have advifed me only to print 



h Alferez. 



' I underftand that we have no rank in our marine fervice which an- 

 fwers at all to this. 



k The expreffion in the original is Golfo de las Teguds, or the Gulf qf 

 Mares. The Spaniards alio call the gulf of Mexico Golfo dc las £iervas, 

 ©r Gulf of Does. 



5 a few 



