by E., perhaps ten or twelve leagues distant.  If I am right in this estimation, its latitude will be 43 deg. 10’, and its longitude 235 deg. 55’ E., which is nearly the situation of Cape Blanco, discovered or seen by Martin d’Aguilar, on the 19th of January, 1603.  It is worth observing, that in the very latitude where we now were, geographers have been pleased to place a large entrance or strait, the discovery of which they take upon them to ascribe to the same navigator; whereas nothing more is mentioned in the account of his voyage, than his having seen, in this situation, a large river, which he would have entered, but was prevented by the currents.[4]

[Footnote 4:  See the History of California, Eng. trans. vol. ii. p. 292.—­D.]

The wind, as I have observed, had veered to S.W. in the evening; but it was very unsettled, and blew in squalls, with snow showers.  In one of these, at midnight, it shifted at once to W.N.W. and soon increased to a very hard gale, with heavy squalls, attended with sleet or snow.  There was no choice now; and we were obliged to stretch to the southward, in order to get clear of the coast.  This was done under courses and two close-reefed top-sails; being rather more sail than the ships could safely bear; but it was necessary to carry it to avoid the more pressing danger of being forced on shore.  This gale continued till eight o’clock in the morning of the 18th; when it abated, and I stood in again for the land.  We had been forced a considerable way backward; for at the time of our tacking, we were in the latitude of 42 deg. 45’, and in the longitude of 233 deg. 30’.

The wind continued at W. and N.W.; storms, moderate weather, and calms, succeeding each other by turns, till the morning of the 21st; when, after a few hours calm, a breeze sprung up at S.W.  This bringing with it fair weather, I steered north-easterly, in order to fall in with the land, beyond that part of it where we had already so unprofitable been tossed about for the last fortnight.  In the evening, the wind veered to the westward; and at eight o’clock the next morning, we saw the land, extending from N.E. to E. nine leagues distant.  At this time we were in the latitude of 47 deg. 5’ N. and in the longitude of 235 deg. 10’ E.

I continued to stand to the north, with a fine breeze at W. and W.N.W. till near seven o’clock in the evening, when I tacked to wait for day-light.  At this time we were in forty-eight fathoms water, and about four leagues from the land, which extended from N. to S.E. 1/2 E. and a small round hill, which had the appearance of being an island, bore N. 3/4 E., distant six or seven leagues, as I guessed; it appears to be of a tolerable height, and was but just to be seen from the deck.  Between this island or rock, and the northern extreme of the land, there appeared to be a small opening, which flattered us with the hopes of finding an harbour.  These hopes lessened as we drew nearer; and at last we had some