96 LESTER BURRELL SHIPPEE and other temporary buildings serving only for these pur- poses." The fact of the collision between the Spanish and the Eng- lish is evidence of the value attached to the growing fur trade, a trade which consisted in obtaining various peltries from In- dians by barter, and then selling the same at high prices in China. Spanish and British alike had their interest in the Northwest increased by the Nootka affair, and both govern- ments renewed their exploring ardor, while citizens of other lands also sought those waters. Among the earliest American adventurers were Kendrick, captain of the Columbia, and Robert Gray of the Washington, who reached the Northwest coast late in 1788. In 1789 Gray explored the east coast of Queen Charlotte's Island and later entered the opening between 48 and 49, sailing therein for some distance. Subsequently Kendrick and Gray exchanged commands, the former remaining in Pacific waters, where he may have sailed quite through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Gray proceeding to China with furs and thence to Boston. Captain George Vancouver was appointed British commis- sioner to adjust the claims at Nootka. His instructions directed him to survey the coast between 35 and 60 N. L., and to seek a waterway between the Atlantic and Pacific, especially "to ex- amine the supposed Strait of Juan de Fuca, said to be situ- ated between the 48th and 49th degrees of north latitude, and to lead to an opening through which the sloop Washington is reported to have passed in 1789, and to have come out again to the northward of Nootka. "s Vancouver left England early in 1791 and reached the Northwest Coast in March, 1792. While the Vancouver expedition was preparing and during the time it was on the way to the Northern Pacific, both Span- ish and Russians renewed their explorations. The Spanish Captain Eliza, who replaced Martinez, sent a vessel under Lieutenant Quimper, who noted a number of islands and passages in the region about Nootka. Alexandra Malaspina ex- 5 Quoted by Greenhow (216) from the instructions to Vancouver.
