[32] The capture of the "Santa Ana" by Cavendish in 1588, and the difficulties and risks of the long Pacific voyage for the richly-laden galleons from Manila, made it evident that some halting-place for them should be provided on the California coast. The vessel "San Agustin" was despatched from Manila in 1595 to search for such a place, but was wrecked in the present Drake Bay. In the preceding year Velasco had made a contract with Sebastian Vizcaino for the exploration and occupation for Spain of California; but he did not begin his task until 1597, when he was sent out by Monterey. This expedition accomplished little; but Vizcaino was selected to command the one mentioned in our text, which had the same object as that for which the "San Agustin" was sent, and the pilot of that vessel accompanied Vizcaino. There appear to have been four vessels in this expedition, which carried nearly two hundred men: there were also three Carmelite friars, one of whom, Antonio de la Ascension, kept a diary of the voyage, and assisted the cosmographer, Geronimo Martin Palacios. They returned to Acapulco in March, 1603, having explored and mapped the coast of California beyond Cape Mendocino, and discovered the bays of Todos Santos, San Diego, and Monterey. Vizcaino made another voyage (1611-14), which was originally intended for the establishment and equipment of the port of Monterey as a station for the Philippine vessels, but was diverted to the Pacific Ocean and Japan. See Bancroft's account of these explorations--with abundant citations of sources, and reduced copy of Vizcaino's map--in his _History of North Mexican States_ (San Francisco, 1886), i, pp. 147-163. [33] See _Vol_. XIII, p. 228, note 31. [34] This admiral was Toribio Gomez de Corvan. [35] The route of vessels to and from the Philippines is described by Morga at the end of his _Sucesos_ (_Vols_. XV and XVI of this series). [36] This total is as found in the MS., but is inaccurate. The correct total is 6,533. [37] Also written "pederero"--from Old Spanish _pedra_, "a stone;" so named because of the use of stone for balls, before iron balls were invented; a swivel-gun. For descriptions and illustrations of various kinds of artillery, see Demmin's _Arms and Armor_ (London, 1877). [38] Cf. "Foundation of the Audiencia," _Vol_. VI, p. 37, sec. 295.