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Show 313 On the 27th day of June, 1542. Joan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portngn service of Spain, left the port of Navidaa, New Spain, with tw< San Salvador and La Victoria, to explore the coast of California, w the 2d of July. Proceeding along it, on the 7th of October he cai islands some distance from the mainland, which he named aftei islands, lying in Santa Barbara Channel, southwest of San Pedro, i San Clemente and Santa Catalina. On these islands, Cabrillo fouo who at first showed great fear of the Spaniards, but finally, becomin, of numerous other Indians on the mainland. Resting here but two the 9t h. Shortly afterward, reachiug a spacious bay and foliowi ng it came upon a large village of Indians close to the sea- shore. Here hi by the savages in canoes, from the great number of which he callec de las Canoas. It would appear impossible to fix the exact site of enmstances point to the city of Santa Barbara as the locality. On his voyage, he passed near two largo uninhabited islands, now kno* and San Miguel, and anchored in front of an extremely fertile vallev ited by many natives coming to sell fish, who informed him that tl densely populated as far northward as Cabo de Galera, or Po the present day. Northwest from the Pueblo de las Canoas, ] islands, which he named San Lucas, afterward known as San Bern the present day are supposed to be those of Santa Rosa and San Conoepcioh was reached by this Portuguese navigator on Novembei fering from cold, winds, and tempests. Anchoring near this place t water, he called the port de las Sardine*, from the abundance o: Here were found many natives of most friendly disposition, one of wl said to be the Queen of the Pueblos, came off to the captain's ship nights. Returning to the Island St. Lucas on account of bad wea January Cabrillo died on the island called la Posesion, believed to ' Miguel. Of the manner of his death, and his notes in regard to the 1 shall have occasion to speak hereafter. With this account of < explorers of the region to be visited by ourselves, as a proper prelii of our own operations, we now proceed to give the latter in del briefly mentioning the circumstances which led to the exploration ii It is reported that some years ago the captain of one of the small i to the Pacific coast returned from a visit to the island of San Nichoh ing seen quantities of pots, stone implements, skulls, and divers sort the surface of shell- heaps, which had been uncovered by storms, proof of his assertions a number of these articles which he had brou which he distributed among his friends. It is reported that this cap San Nicholas and its neighbor, Santa Catalina, and returned with a of relics, but this part of the tradition lacks confirmation. Little attention was paid to this most valuable arohseological die and 1873. when Mr. W. G. W. Harford, of the United States Coast I on the islands of San Miguel and Santa Rosa, lying to the northwarc the islands before mentioned. From these islands this gentleman pr< exceedingly valuable collection of interesting objects, which oame Mr. Wm. H. Dall, a most intelligent and enthusiastic collector, from the locality of sufficient importance to visit it in person. This he di 1873 and 1874. Mr. Dall visited San Miguel and Santa Catalina, bi limited, no thorough examination was made of this mine of archceoloj then temptingly open to view. He, however, procured many inter During the same season, Mr. Paul Schumacher, well known for his i ther up the coast, discovered in the vicinity of San Luis Obispo anc River, deposits similar to those found on the islands. The results of being communicated to the Smithsonian Institution, this establish ra< make a thorough and exhaustive exploration of not only the main la islands; and, in the spring of 1875, Mr. Schumacher was named to ooi behalf of the National Museum. By a fortunate coincidence, one of Expedition for Explorations west of the One hundredth Meridian ni partment, of whicn the writer was placed in oharge, was about tc • coast, and an arrangement was entered into whereby hearty co- open effort were effected. Mr. Schumacher was to explore the islands, and 1 pedition party the mainland along the coast from Santa Barbara no of 20 or 30 miles. 1/ eaving San Francisco June 4, after a pleasant sail of forty- eight at Santa Qarbara, the Pueblo de las Canoas of Cabrillo, and there fonn bers of the, party, consisting of Dr. J. T. Rothrook, botanist, and Mr ornithologist, whom you had directed to assist in the enterprise. Ai at once made to explore the neighborhood, and the day following tl we started, and under the guidance of the Rev. Stephen Bowers, * |