Page 264
An. 1686
Pearl fifhery at California.
Seas. For the Fifh on this fandy Coaft lye moft in the Lagunes or Salt-lakes, and mouths of Rivers; but the Seals come not fo much there, as I judge: for this being no rocky Coaft, where Fifh refort moft, there feems to be but little food for the Seals, unlefs they will venture upon Cat fifh.
Captain Swan went away from hence with 100 Men, in our Canoas, to the Northward, to feek for the River Coolecan, poffibly the fame with the River of Paftla, which fome Maps lay down in the Province or Region of Cullacan. This River lieth in about 24 d. N. lat. We were informed, that there is a fair and rich Spanifh Town feated on the Eaft fide of it, with Savannahs about it, full of Bulls and Cows; and that the Inhabitants of this Town pafs over in Boats to the Ifland California, where they fifh for Pearl. I have been told fince by a Spaniard, that faid he had been at the Ifland California, that there are great plenty of Pearl-Oyfters there, and that the Native Indians of California, near the Pearl. fifhery, are mortal Enemies to the Spaniards. Our Canoas were abfent 3 or 4 days, and faid they had been above 30 leagues but found no River: that the Land by the Sea was low, and all fandy Bay; but fuch a great Sea, that there was no landing They met us in their return in the lat. 23 d. 30 m. coaft- ing along fhore after them towards Cullacan; fo we returned again to the Eaftward. This was the far- theft that I was to the North, on this Coaft.
6 or 7 leagues N. N. W. from the Ifles of Cha- metly there is a fmall narrow entrance into a Lake, which runs about 12 leagues Eafterly, parallel with the fhore, making many fmall low Mangrove Iflands. The mouth of this Lake is in lat. about 23 d. 30 m. It is called by the Spaniards Rio de Sal; for it is a Salt Lake. There is Water enough for Boats and Canoas to enter, and fmooth landing af- ter you are in. On the Weft fide of it there is an House,