A staggering amount of scientific expeditions have crossed the Spanish Empire in the last four decades of the eighteenth century, such as the botanical expeditions to New Granada, Mexico, Peru and Chile, that collected a very complete sample of the American flora.

The Spanish government see the New World as a vast laboratory for experimentation and an unending source of samples.

The reigning Spanish king, Charles III, has already procured funds to further develop science and technology in several areas.

He promptly approves the expedition, although he can never see its results, as he will die exactly two months later.

Additionally, the Spanish government has a vested interest on all issues concerning the Pacific Ocean because a large number of her colonies are in that area, including most of the American Pacific coast, the Philippines in Asia, and several islands, such as Guam.