ns for facilitating the Passage of future
Navigators round Cape Horn._

The improper season of the year in which we attempted to double Cape
Horn, and to which is to be imputed the before-recited disappointment,
in falling in with Terra del Fuego, when we reckoned ourselves above
an hundred leagues to the westward of that coast, and consequently
well advanced into the Pacific Ocean, to which we were necessitated by
our too late departure from England, was the fatal source of all the
misfortunes we afterwards experienced. For, from hence proceeded the
separation of our ships, the destruction of so many of our people, the
ruin of our project against Baldivia, and of all our other views on
the Spanish settlements, and the reduction of our squadron, from the
formidable condition in which it passed the Straits of Le Maire, to a
couple of shattered half-manned cruizers and a sloop, so exceedingly
disabled that, in many climates, they scarcely durst have put to
sea. To prevent, therefore, as much as in me lies, the recurrence of
similar calamities to all ships bound hereafter to the South Seas,
I think it my duty to insert in this place such observations and
directions, as either my own experience and reflection, or the
conversation of the most skilful navigators on board the squadron,
could furnish me with, as to the most eligible manner of doubling Cape
Horn, whether in regard to the season of the year, the course proper
to be steered, or the places of refreshment both on the eastern and
western sides of South America.

To begin with the proper place for refreshment on the eastern side of
South America. For this purpose the island of St Catharines has been
usually recommended by former writers, and on their authority we put
in there; but the treatment we experienced, and the small store of
refreshments we could procure their are sufficient reasons to render
all ships very cautious in future how they trust to the government of
Don Jose Sylva de Paz; for they may assuredly depend on having their
strength, condition, and designs betrayed to the Spaniards, as far as
the knowledge the governor can procure of these particulars may enable
him. As this treacherous conduct was inspired by the views of private
gain, in the illicit commerce carried on to the river Plate, rather
than by any natural affection between the Portuguese and Spaniards,
the same perfidy may perhaps be expected from most of the governors on
the coast of Brazil