This entry contains excerpts from a letter by Malaspina addressed to Antonio Valdés y Bazán, Ministro de Marina, written aboard the Descubierta in Callao, September 15, 1790. It reveals the Spanish interest in a Northwest Passage, Malaspina’s belief in the Maldonado myth, and his use of Captain Cook’s British charts.
“[E]xperience, the events of the first year [of the expedition] and constant reflection have resulted in a more detailed analysis of our future movements which, as regards the coast not yet covered by our own surveys I shall for the sake of clarity describe with reference to the chart attached to the set of plates of the third voyage of Captain Cook. …
[I]n the month of February 1791 we shall make all speed towards San Blas where, after strengthening the launches, and perhaps taking charge of a schooner, which may … reach us at the entrance of Prince William Sound, we shall try to undertake our surveys between the middle and end of May.
If the passage of Ferrer Maldonado exists (which on mature reflection I do not find wholly absurd) it must surely be precisely in Cook’s River [Cook Inlet] or in Prince William Sound. Thus our searches in both places will be so thorough as to confirm or disprove the truth of that account, and it would be no surprise if we were busy with this work until the end of May (even if it turns out to be fruitless).
If this survey is frustrated we shall immediately give up the detailed examination of the coast to proceed as soon as possible through Bering Strait to reach the high northern latitudes, steering always eastwards, not only because it would not be difficult if we meet with unexpected good fortune and reach at least the end of Hearne’s route [Samuel Hearne travelled overland to the Arctic coastline in 1771] … but also because it seems probably from Ferrer Maldonado’s information that the passage is not beyond 75º latitude, between the areas navigated by Captains Cook and Clerke, and Baffin Bay.”
