20 
It is most probable, however, that the Spaniards are not such eager traders nor 
have formed such extensive connexions with the tribes north of Mexico, as to supply them 
with quantities of iron, from which they can spare so much to the people here.* 
* (Cook’s footnote) — Though the two silver tablespoons found at Nootka sound most 
probably came from the Spaniards in the south, there seems to be sufficient grounds for 
believing that the regular supply of iron comes from a different quarter. It is remark- 
able, that the Spaniards in 1775 found at Puerto de la Trinidad, in latitude 41° 7', arrows 
pointed with copper or iron, which they understood were procured from the north. 
For although the Russians live amongst them, we found much less of this metal in 
their possession, then we had met with in the possession of other tribes on the American 
continent, who had never seen, nor perhaps had any intercourse with the Russians.” 
Captain George Dixon (1785-1787)^ also discusses the presence of 
metal and the problem of early foreign influences on the coast: 
‘‘.\mongst the people who came to trade with us, was an old man, who seemed re- 
markably intelligent. He gave us to understand that a good while ago there had been two 
vessels at anchor near this place, one of which was considerably larger than ours; that 
they carried a great number of guns, and that the people resembled us in colour and dress. 
He showed us a white shirt they had given him, and which he seemed to regard as a great 
curiosity; on e.xamining it, we found it made after the Spanish fashion, and immediately 
judged these vessels descrilied by this Indian to be the Spaniards who (as I have already 
related) were on this coast in the year 1775.” 
A white man was left with the natives at King George sound, and 
seen the following year. 
“Before Captain Cook's last voyage to the Pacific ocean, this part of the coast was 
little known. The celebrated Russian navigator. Beering, in the year 1741, fell in with 
the land in the latitude 5S deg, 28 min. north, and anchored in 59 deg. 18 min. But 
the account w’hich is published of his voyage is very imperfect and inaccurate. 
The Spaniards too, are probably w'ell acquaninted with the coast a little to the south- 
w'ard of King George’s sound, and about cape Edgcombe, at both which places they anchored 
in 1775; and I have reason to think that their knowiedge of this part of the continent is 
confined to those particular situations. 
Beads are held in much greater estimation in the harbours first mentioned than any- 
w'here else within our observation. These ornaments w'cre undoubtedly introduced 
here by the Russians, who have constantly traded with these people for many years past, 
and beads have been generally used in barter, so that if we make this a rule for judging 
how far the Russians have had a direct intercourse on the coast, it will appear that they 
have not been to the eastward of cape Hinchinbrook: and I think this conjecture far from 
improbable. 
We must consider that this art is far from being in its infancy; a fondness for carving 
and sculpture was discovered amongst these people by Captain Cook: iron implements 
were then niso in use; and their knives are so very thin that they bend them into a variety 
of forms, which answer their every purpose nearly as w'ell as if they had recourse to a car- 
penter’s tool chest. At what period iron was introduced on this coast is very uncertain, 
t)ut it must doubtless be a considerable time ago; and I may venture to assert that their 
implements are not of English manufacture, so that there is little doubt of their being 
obtained from the Russians. The only implement I saw (iron excepted) was a toe made 
of jasper, the same as those u.sed by the New Zealanders.” 
Similar observations are also found in Captain Vancouver’s narrative 
(1790-1795) 
“The chief, for so we must distinguish him, had two hangers, one of Spanish, the other 
of English, manufacture, on which he seemed to set a very high value. 
From these circumstances, and the general tenor of their behaviour, Mr. Whidbey 
concluded they had not before seen any Europeans, though, from the different articles 
they possessed, it was evident a communication had taken place; probably, by the means 
of distinct trading tribes. 
^Appendix, No. S. 
^.Appendix, No. 4, 
