100 Mackenzie’s Voyages

Martinez was sent to occupy Nootka in 1789. Then
followed the events that led to the Nootka Convention of
1790. Certain vessels found there were seized, including
Captain Meares’ small vessel the North-West America.
Meares alleged that he was dispossessed of a plot of land given
to him by Maquinna, the Indian chief, and of some buildings
erected thereon. The large ships were taken to San Blas,
and afterwards released with their crews after being reminded
of Spain’s exclusive rights.

Captain Meares preferred a claim of $650,000 against
Spain. The British Government submitted the matter to
the nation, and the whole kingdom was thrown into a fever
of excitement.

A convention ! was finally agreed to, which restored the
“buildings and lands,” and offered to make just reparation,
and admitted Britain’s right to navigate the waters of the
Pacific and to make settlements anywhere in unoccupied
territory not nearer than ten sea-leagues from any Spanish
settlements. Britain was debarred from access to all Spanish
settlements, but Spain had equal rights in any British settle-
ments north of Nootka. In the end Spain merely abandoned
Nootka, in accordance with orders that had been sent to the
commandant to abandon the place agreeably to a royal
dictamen.”

This was the situation of affairs on the Pacific Coast when
Mackenzie was about to attempt his voyage thither.

Spain was still dominant, and was recognised as the
Power that had the right to dictate treaties and grant rights
to others.

During his residence in London, 1791-2, Mackenzie
no doubt had access to Barrington’s translation of the

1See Appendix D.
2Greenhow’s North-West Coast, p. 141, note.