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THE ROMANCE OF MONTEREY

17 venturous piratical craft, the great ocean never bore a sail.

These galleons, on their homeward journey from the Philippines, because of prevailing winds and the ocean current now known

as the Japan current, sailed some-

what northerly from the Philippines and reached the American

coast far north of their Mexican port, some-

times as far as our present Cape Mendocino, which is ‘some distance above San Francisco Bay. The Spanish authorities wanted to find a safe and suitable harbor of refuge for these galleons in this northern latitude. Still another, and by no means minor, consideration

that moved Spain to renewed California activity was her desire to find the elusive Strait of Anian. Spain knew of England’s energetic search for a northwest passage across

the American continent, and feared the Pacific

rivalry that might ensue from its discovery. Hence her desire to anticipate such a discovery by herself finding a