asserting Spanish sovereignity. Yet in this village, on the wild shores of Nootka Sound, the courtly forms of Old Castile held sway.’’ This encampment existed until 1795, when by treaty, Spain relinquished her sovereignity upon the British Columbia coastline.

Let it suffice to say in reference to the Nootka Con- vention and subsequent treaties dealing with the right of sovereignity of British Columbia, that England suppressed Spain's dream of a world empire embra- cing the whole country of the Pacific North-West.

In consequence of the treaty, Captain George Vancouver was sent out by the British Government to search again for the North-West Passage. He proved himself to be a man of great capabilities as he was the first to consider a geographical survey a more pressing and important duty than the trading of furs for private gain. Having sailed up the coast of Southern America, he at length came to the mouth of the Columbia River, but owing to the heavy breakers, considered it unnavigable. It was left to an American schooner under Capt. Gray to further explore this magnificent river, and on this fact was later based the claim of the United States to the Oregon Territory. Vancouver then set upon his sur- veying, usually leaving his flagship and continuing in a small boat. In this manner he sailed up the

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