14 



the disappointments I had undergone, I did not 

 hesitate a moment to adopt this idea. 



I was presented to the court of Aranjuez in 

 March, 1 799. The king received me graciously. 

 I explained to him the motives, which led me to 

 undertake a voyage to the new continent, and 

 the Philippine islands, and I presented a memoir 

 on this subject to the secretary of state. Mr. 

 d'Urquijo supported my demand, and overcame 

 every obstacle. The conduct of this minister 

 was so much the more generous, as I had no per- 

 sonal connection with him, and the zeal which 

 he constantly showed for the execution of my 

 projects had no other motive than his love for 

 the sciences. I feel that it is no less a duty than 

 a pleasure, to record in this work the services 

 which he rendered me. 



I obtained two passports, one from the first 

 secretary of state, the other from the council of 

 the Indies. Never had so extensive a permission 

 been granted to any traveller, and never had any 

 foreigner been honoured with more confidence 

 on the part of the Spanish government. To dis- 

 sipate every doubt, which the viceroys or cap- 

 tains general, representing the royal authority in 

 America, might entertain with respect to the na- 

 ture of my labors, the passport of the primera 

 secretariat de estado stated, that I was authorized 

 to make free use of my instruments of physic 

 and geodesy, that I might make astronomical 



