Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/771

Rh, for the express purpose of exploring the coast. All that is known of the result is that the San Agustin ran ashore behind the point a little later called Reyes, in the bay now bearing the name of Drake, or Jack Harbor, but then named San Francisco, probably from the day of arrival.

But the matter was not allowed to drop. The same viceroy entered into a contract with Sebastian Vizcaino to explore anew and occupy for Spain the Islas Californias. Velasco's successor, the count of Monterey, ratified the contract and despatched the expedition in 1597.

Though Vizcaino sailed from Acapulco with three vessels and a large force, the expedition again proved a failure, and those of the discomfited Spaniards who were fortunate enough to escape with their lives subsequently returned to Acapulco.

Meanwhile on the Atlantic, where the necessity for the protection of commerce from the pirates was greater than on the Pacific, more efficient measures were introduced. Commercial intercourse with the mother country must at all hazards be preserved. Hence navíos de registro were formed into fleets, and periodically despatched from Spain to Vera Cruz, convoyed by war-vessels, the first coming in 1581.