On the 6th at noon, being in the latitude of 44 deg. 10’ N., and the longitude of 234-1/2 deg.  E., we saw two seals and several whales; and at day-break the next morning, the long-looked-for coast of New Albion[2] was seen, extending from N.E. to S.E., distant ten or twelve leagues.  At noon our latitude was 44 deg. 33’ N., and our longitude 235 deg. 20’ E.; and the land extended from N.E. 1/2 N. to S.E. by S. about eight leagues distant.  In this situation we had seventy-three fathoms water, over a muddy bottom, and about a league farther off found ninety fathoms.  The land appeared to be of a moderate height, diversified with hills and valleys, and almost every where covered with wood.  There was, however, no very striking object on any part of it, except one hill, whose elevated summit was flat.  This bore E. from us at noon.  At the northern extreme the land formed a point, which I called Cape Foulweather, from the very bad weather that we soon after met with.  I judge it to lie in the latitude of 44 deg. 55’ N., and in the longitude of 235 deg. 54’ E.

[Footnote 2:  This part of the west side of North America was so named by Sir Francis Drake.—­D.]

We had variable light airs and calms till eight o’clock in the evening, when a breeze sprung up at S.W.  With it I stood to the N.W., under an easy sail, waiting for day-light, to range along the coast.  But at four, next morning, the wind shifted to N.W., and blew in squalls, with rain.  Our course was N.E. till near ten o’clock, when, finding that I could make no progress on this tack, and seeing nothing like a harbour, I tacked, and stood off S.W.  At this time Cape Foulweather bore N.E. by N. about eight leagues distant.  Toward noon the wind veered more to the westward, and the weather became fair and clear; so that we were enabled to make lunar observations.  Having reduced all those that we had made since the 19th of last month to the present ones, by the time-keeper, amounting in the whole to seventy-two sets, their mean result determined the longitude to be 235 deg. 15’ 26” E., which was 14’ 11” less than what the time-keeper gave.  This longitude is made use of for settling that of the coast; and I have not a doubt of its being within a very few miles of the truth.

Our difficulties now began to increase.  In the evening the wind came to the N.W., blowing in squalls, with hail and sleet; and the weather being thick and hazy, I stood out to sea till near noon the next day, when I tacked, and stood in again for the land, which made its appearance at two in the afternoon, bearing E.N.E.  The wind and weather continued the same; but, in the evening, the former veered more to the W. and the latter grew worse, which made it necessary to tack and stand off till four the next morning, when I ventured to stand in again.