It was the flag-ship of Don
Joseph Martinez, sent out to Bering Sea on a voyage of discovery, with
a consort, and now entering Nootka to take possession in the name of
Spain. Martinez examined Gray's passports, learned that the Americans
had no thought of laying claim to Nootka and, finding out about
Douglas's ship inside the harbor, seemed to conclude that it would be
wise to make friends of the Americans; and he presented Gray with
wines, brandy, hams, and spices.
"She will make a good prize," was his sententious remark to Gray about
the English ship.
Rounding northward, Gray met the companion ship of the Spanish
commander. It will be remembered Cook missed proving that the west
coast was a chain of islands. Since Cook's time, Barclay, an
Englishman, and Meares had been in the Straits of Fuca. Dixon had
discovered Queen Charlotte Island; but {228} the cruising of the little
sloop, _Lady Washington_, covered a greater area than Meares's,
Barclay's and Dixon's ships together. First it rounded the north end
of Vancouver, proving this was island, not continent.
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