The Nootka Sound Controversy

PRISONERS IN

the prizes sent for his adjudication. He was embarrassed by the fact that he was to retire from the viceroyalty within a few weeks, and whatever measures he might determine upon would have to be carried out by his successor. He decided to take no decisive step without the new Viceroy's concurrence. Within a day after the messenger's arrival the more important documents had been copied and Florez had written his report. They were hurried off to the Government at Madrid. In this report he told briefly of Martinez's voyage

mplete liberty within the port, but were to be closely watched to see that no one abused his privileges. A complete inventory should be made in the presence and with the help of the English captain. The latter should sign it and receive a copy for his security and protection, whatever the fate of his vessel. The perishable part of the cargo was to be sold and the rest deposited separately in the royal storehouses. The ship, after being unloaded, was to be examined, cl

ing. The idea of release stimulated us to work on the ship with great alacrity. So much so that our exertions threw several into fevers; and on the ve

governor of Juan Fernandez, on account of the latter's not having detained the American ship Columbia when he found she was bound for California.[152] This, he said, was based on the royal order of 1692, a copy of which he inclosed.[153] He added that conditions had changed in a century. However, he would not disapprove the conduct of Martinez, since, he said: "Article 11 of my instructions, 'to repel force by force and to prevent hostile ships from making establishments and trading with the Indians of our coasts,'[154] could not have been e

le as showing the divided opinion in official circles regarding the justice of the seizures, and as illustrating the evolution of the new Viceroy's final decision regarding the prizes. In the first letter Florez explained briefly that,

to surrender the government to your excellency.[347] I look upon this business as more imp

he English Admiralty office to Cook telling the latter not to touch at Spanish ports except in case of necessity and then to leave as soon as possible. He thought that that wise council would not now have sent an expedition with such contrary instructions. He believed it had come simply from Botany Bay or some establishment in India. He said that it did not appear necessary for Florez to await his coming to take steps regarding the captured ships, since Florez

your excellency that, according to the documents which Martinez[348] sent to me, these prizes have been made with good cause, and I think your excellency will indorse my opinion when you have given careful attention to their contents." He inclosed copies of them, and called attention to the positive representations of the English captain. He continued: "Whether the English Court had any part in the plan for occupying Nootka, or whether it did not, we have often seen them lay claim to ports and territories occupied by the merchants or subjects of their nation; and there is

Gigedo inclined to disavow the seizures, may have arisen from a personal relation, since, a

he factory. Had the English expedition taken any sort of possession of Nootka, he said that it would doubtless have afforded some subsequent claim. But since it had not succeeded, and since the English captain had asked permission to sail, all such fears ought to have vanished. There was the more reason[349] for this, since not only had England been prevented from taking possession, but Spain actually possessed it. Since Florez had already referred the matter to the Spanish Court, it seemed to him that they co

nces if the English ships had not been seized and had established a colony elsewhere on the coast. He gave a qualified approval of the steps taken by Florez while awaiting an answer

parations for sending supplies and re?nforcements to Nootka, since Rev

October 18.[162] A few days later he wrote to

business for me to settle. ... My verdict has always been opposed to the seizure of the vessels, but since my predecessor has seen fit to refer the matter to the home Government, I have concluded that I ought to do[350] nothing further until I have received the decision of the King. Since there were no others available a

immediately after receiving news of the arrival of the first prize. Besides this letter giving orders for the care of the prisoners, the repairing of the vessels, and making an inventory of the cargo, he seems to have given instructions

port, who has told me that it was your excellency's wish. As reflecting the treatment received at San Blas [he said], I beg permission to add that all of the bad treatment which I received at Nootka and the cr

ters was a copy of an inventory giving the original cost of each article. It was signed by Colnett and Duffin, and app

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uld consider it a great favor if you would permit us to make a journey on horseback some

igedo to answer the letters. On

e proceedings of the commandant of Nootka, Don Estevan José Martinez. My dealings shall be based on the laws of reason, equity, and justice. This is all that I can or should say at present. I ass

ndant of Nootka, and was to receive from Martinez complete instruction regarding the country and its inhabitants. This would contribute the greatest possible security to the establishment in that port. But the plan had been completely overthrown by the return of Martinez with all of his ships to San Blas December 6.[169] At first this had caused the Viceroy great inquietude, but soon he had modified his plan and was again pushing it to completion. The new commandant was to b

lved that I should arrange to transfer this official to those dominions [Spain], or that in case his continuance at San Blas was necessary to the service that I should withhold a third part of his salary, to be applied to the support of his wife and of one daughter 17 years old."[171] Thus it appears that while Martinez was getting himself and his Government into trouble in America his family in Spain was in trouble because he had neglected thei

country; here we were allowed great liberty and better treatment,"[172] and permitted to remain "the six latter months of our captivity."[173] This was at a place called Tepic. Not only was

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attention and obtaining permission for me to go to

t it would be impossible to do this without giving Martinez a hearing at the same time.[175] When writing this he supposed that Martinez was at Nootka and would remain until relieved of his command. But although Martinez returne

to this capital. They produced their complaints against Martinez and I ordered the case to be drawn up. But it could not be continued, because the

stay at the capi

ed by the Viceroy, Don Revilla-Gigedo, with greater politeness an

to the first account of the seizures which Florez had written the previous August. This account had not reached the Government until December 30.[177] Florez's second account was received three days later.[178] Thus by the second day of[354] the new year the Government had a full account of

ok the responsibility upon himself. In answer to the request fr

the commandant, Don Francisco Eliza, the sloop Princess Royal, which will be turned over to her master, Thomas Hudson. These foreigners are warned not to delay, trade, nor establish themselves on our Spanish coasts under threat of punishment for violation. I have felt compelled to release them, considering that I ought not to hold as good prize a few little vessels found on

sistent with the position taken by him as soon as he heard of the affair, namely, that the vessels ou

ted in the royal storehouses were to be given back, an equivalent was to be given for everything applied to the royal service, and whatever had been lost was to be paid for. All this was to be done in such a manner as to avoid complaint.[182] Besides having all of their belongings restored, the commissary was to pay wages to all, extending from the day of their capture until they were released. Colnett was to be paid as a lieutenant of the navy, and all others according to their rank as regulated by the scale of wages

the British ambassador at Madrid, presenting his complaints against Martinez.[185] T

s much. He demanded the return of the schooner which he had brought in the Argonaut, but which Martinez had taken. He was to have pay for it. He wished the Princess Royal to return to San Blas for her crew, but he was compelled to wait until he should get to Nootka for her. He demanded a money payment of not more than ￡3,000 to reimburse himself for personal valuables and nautical instruments lost. The Viceroy refused this, since he had ordered that all of these should be returned or paid for at San Blas. He asked for a special interpreter to be appointed for him, but this was refused as unnecessary. His request for the r

to form an establishment for that purpose. The Viceroy's instructions had ordered him to sail directly to Macao, without stopping on the coast. He pointed out the inconsistent position in which he was placed. The right of Spain to the coast was a point to be settled-he[357] hoped, in a friendly manner[187]-between the Cabinets of Madrid and St. James. It was clear that the right was not recognized by the English,

ating that he might carry on his operations in places not actually under Spanish dominion.[189] In the letter inclosing the passport

eign nations on the American coasts of the South Sea, but ordered them to be looked upon and treated as enemies. His reason for freeing the English ships, he now said, was to preserve harmony and a good understanding between the subjects of His Catholic Majesty and the King of Grea

py, and according to the treaty, to which it refers, of 1670, ratified and confirmed by article 2 of that of 1783, all of the vessels which Don Estevan José Martinez, ensign

ears later the Viceroy cited in addition as grounds for his decision an article of the orders of the royal navy, and also a roya

s. In a letter of June 26 Revilla-Gigedo said that the royal order of March 23 had been completely satisfied by

eroy's liberality in allowing wages was counterbalanced by the charges for maintenance, traveling expenses, medical assistance, and an allowance of eight months' provisions. He says al

from San Blas; and I also have the satisfaction of adding that I have reason to b

vidual loss, and is not the fifth part of the damages by the most moderate calculation. Since I shall have to[359] turn matters over to the company which

ka the Princess Royal was not there. June 11 of the next year she was dispatched from San Blas to be surrendered to Colnett or som

erate the prisoners, the matter had been taken up by the home Governments, and all Europe was ablaze with excitement over an expected

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hat the land was contiguous to her settled Mexican dominions; but the English were the first to attempt to develop the country by exploiting the fur trade. The first actual establishment was made by the English, and, although it was temporarily abandoned in the autumn, it was with the evident intention of renewing, enlarging, and making it permanent in the spring; but unfortunately for what was, in the autumn of 1789, an unquestionabl

s based on a mistake made by the Spaniard in translating the ship's instructions. Having seized her on the ground of this double suspicion, for the sake of consistency and to hide his blunder, Martinez justified his rash act on a totally different ground, but one which was plausible from the Spanish view. When the Argonaut arrived her captain made the mistake of rashly declaring his purpos

uccessor. The failure of the two to agree led to an awkward delay of several months. Then after the new Viceroy finally declared that the vessels were not good prize, a quarr

unders, and would not merit careful consideration had not the con