Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Philosophical Magazine, Vol. 20: Comprehending the Various Branches of Science, the Liberal and Fine Arts, Agriculture, Manufactures, and Commerce
As the Spaniards had only very imperfect information in regard to the channel de Fuca, situated in about lat. 48° two frigate - s, La Sutil and La Mexicana, were fitted out, in the year 1792, for the purpose of exploring it. They sailed from Acapulco, and arrived at Nootka Sound on the 1sth of May. Macuina, the tais or chief of the Indians of that district, immediately 11 cut to meet them in a canoe and, having found three officers whom he had seen the preeedmg year, he received them with great cordiality. This pr1nce is much praised by the Spania1ds for his justice, benefi cence, and humamty. The crew of an American vessel, commanded by captan Gray, had a violent contest witli these poor Indians respecting the price of some beaver skins, exchanged for a certain quantity of copper. As se1 en of them 11 ere killed and several wounded during the atiray, Macuina came to the Spaniards to complain, protesting to them, with tears in his eyes, that his people had not me rited that act of violence. At another time he came to seek consolation for his grief I have condemned to death, said he, one of my subjects for offering violence to a girl of nine years of age; and I ha1e absented myself from the place of punishment, that I may not hear the groans of the criminal. He had, however his moments of energy. One day captain Quadra, who commanded at Nootka Ior the king of Spain, saw one of these Indians running to wards him. He was a cr1minal.11ho came to beg he 11 ould intercede in his favour. Quadra interceded, and Macuina pardoned him, but he added with firmn ess: Heai me, Quadra, this man shall never be again admitted among us.
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