168 CAVENDISH DRAKE CAPTURES A GALEON. 



were probably regarded more as privateering than as the bandit 

 expeditions they have since been considered not only in morals 

 but in law. In the year before, Cavendish had taken in the 

 Pacific, a Spanish ship, which was bound from Manilla to Aca- 

 pulco, with a rich cargo of wares from China; and, in this year, it 

 was known that Drake^ another noted adventurer, after making 

 himself celebrated by the capture of San Agustin, in Florida, had 

 sailed for the Pacific ocean, whose rich coasts, as well as the 

 oriental traders, formed a tempting booty for the bucanier. 



As soon as the viceroy heard of this piratical sailor's approach 

 to the western boundary of his colony, he commanded the troops 

 in Guadalajara to embark at Acapulco, under the orders of Doctor 

 Palacios, in all the vessels which were then in port, and to scour 

 the shores of America until the British marauder was captured. 

 But, upon the commander's arrival at Acapulco, he was informed 

 that the freebooter had already abandoned the west coast after 

 sacking several towns, and that he had not been seen or heard of 

 any where for a long period. Drake, meanwhile, was in con- 

 cealment among the distant and unfrequented coves of California, 

 in such a situation, however, that he could easily intercept the 

 galeon, which passed every year from the Philipines to Mexico, 

 laden with goods and metals of considerable value. In due time 

 he pounced upon his unsuspecting prey ; and, carrying her into a 

 bay near the Cape of San Lucas, plundered her valuable cargo, and 

 set fire to the deserted hull. The news of this mishap soon reached 

 the ears of Palacios, who, of course, immediately set sail after the 

 corsair. But Drake w T as already far on his way to a spot of safety 

 in which he and his companions might enjoy the fruits of their 

 piratical adventure. 



This successful attack upon a vessel of so much importance to 

 the colony, — for only one was annually permitted to cross the 

 Pacific, — greatly troubled the people who depended upon its 

 arrival for their yearly supply of oriental wares. But as soon as 

 the general calm was gradually restored, an internal trouble arose 

 which was well nigh proving of serious import to the viceroyalty. 

 Zuniga does not seem to have been contented with the jurisdiction 

 which had hitherto been conceded to the viceroy, but, being 

 anxious to extend his authority over certain towns and villages, 

 under the control of the Audiencia of Guadalajara, he demanded of 

 that body the surrender of their dominion. The Audiencia, how- 

 ever, was jealous of its rights, and would not yield to the viceroy 

 who was equally pertinacious. The dispute ran high between the 



