330 JOHN BOIT
was much suppriz'd at our being in the Straits as soon as they was. At dark the Spanish Brig hove to under her tops'ls. We kept plying all night for our Port, and in the Morning got safe to anchor in C'o with the Sloop Adventure. Found riding here the Spanish Ship Princessa of 64 Guns, and Brig Hope, Capt. Ingrahim. This was a small, good harbour, 187 situate about 5 leagues from Cape Flattery, within the straits of De Fuca. The Spaniards had erected a Cross upon the beach, and had about 10 Houses and several good Gardens. 188 Several Natives along side, and a few prime Skins was pur- chas'd (with plenty of fine Halibut*)* I went with the Pinnace to the Assistance of the Acteva, she having been oblig'd to anchor near Cape Flattery, in a dangerous situation. When I came on board, instead of using every effort to get clear of Danger, they was performing Mass. However soon got under way and stood for Port Ne-ar. 189
25. N. Latt. 48. 35'; W. Long. 123 30'. The Acteva anchor'd in company. Saluted the Governor with 13 Guns, which was return'd. Employ'd filling up our Water, and get- ting ready for our passage across the Pacific Ocean.
26. Spanish Officers from both ships, together with 'Capt. Ingraham, dined on board the Columbia. Fired, on their coming, and going away, two Foederall salutes.
27. Saild the Princessa for Nootka sound. 190 Ships crew are all in prime health. Natives constantly visit us, but they do not like the Spaniards.
187 Ingraham had a contrary opinion. In his journal under date 28th Septem-
ber, 1792, he writes. "It is 5 points of the compass open to the sea from
WNW to NEW so that it is almost as bad as being in the centre of the straights
and I much wonder how the Princessa road out 7 months in safety in such a
place especially as the bottom is very rocky in forming a new settlement I
should suppose a good Harbour was the first and most materiall thing to be sought
for."
1 88 Ingraham describes it thus: "The settlement consisted only of a few Huts and a tollerable good garden."
189 Ingraham states that when he and Mr. Hoskins of the Columbia visited Quadra the latter was much vexed that the Americans had not sent their boats to his assistance on the preceding evening. Satisfactory explanations were, how- ever, made and, with the assistance of the Americans, the Acteva was towed into safe anchorage. He expresses in his journal great sorrow that anything having even the semblance of inattention or neglect to one who had been so kind to them should have happened.
too The Spaniards were now, on instructions from Quadra, abandoning Nunez Gaona as they called the settlement at Neah Bay. It had only been established in the preceding March. Fidalgo, who was its commandante was sailing to Nootka to take over the command at that place, superseding Camaano, who had been left in charge.
