The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918 Page: 119
434 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The Manila Galleon and California
century. It was 1611 before Vizcaino went to the westward in,
quest of the two islands, and though they were of course never
found, the alternative project of Monterey was not resumed.
In the interval between the suspension of the California de--
sign and its resumption 160 years later the interest shifted to
Lower California, in which may be included the harbour of San
Diego.48 This region had been better known from early times
than was the northwest coast. Attention was again drawn to it
by Fray Antonio de la Ascension, who had accompanied Vizcaino
on his northern expedition. In June, 1609, he recommended to,
the king.the establishment of a settlement on the Bay of San
Bernab6 by Cape San LTucas, where the galleons could put in,-
"leaving Monterey, which is to be populated." The proposal was
reviewed by the Council of the Indies, and then submitted to the
examination of Viceroy Velasco.44 HIowever, this project bore no
immediate fruit, though it probably furnished the initial impulse
for the numerous expeditions which were despatched to, the region
of Lower California during the seventeeth century. Other mo-
tives were at work in these movements, too, than the need for a
way-station for the galleons. There were lucrative pearl fishing
grounds in those waters. The gathering of the picilingues, or
foreign privateers and pirates, in that vicinity from Cavendish
and Spilbergen to the later irruptions of the buccaneers ex-
posed a very vulnerable outwork of New Spain to occupation and
the Philippine commerce to attacks. In 1712 Woo-des Rogers
said of the Spanish policy towards Lower California: "They
are jealous to, keep what they have; and though they make no
Use of their Land, might be afraid of Rivals."145 Also there was
a geographical interest in the question as to whether California
'aSee Venegas, Noticia de la California, II, passim; and Bancroft, North
Mexican States, I, passim.
"The King to Velasco, April 14, 1609, Archivo de Indias, 87-5-2. "Fray
Antonio de la Ascension, descaleo de la orden de Nuestra Sefiora del Car-
men, me escrivio por carta de 18 de Junio del afio pasado las conveniencins
que seguirfan de hazerse una poblacion en el Cavo de San Lucas .
en el puerto 6 'baya de San Bernab- dexando al de Monterey que a en-
tendido esta mandado poblar pues por estar Raquel puerto de San Bernab6 en
altura de veinte y tres grades y en sitio mejor sera mucho mas a proposition
que el de Monterey para hazer escala las naos de la contratacion de las
Filipinas."
"A Cruising Voyage Round the World, 286.119,
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918, periodical, 1918; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101073/m1/125/: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.