The Spanish royal authorities have ordered an…

The Spanish royal authorities have ordered an exploration of the north coast of California, "to Ascertain if there were any Russian Settlements on the Coast of California, and to Examine the Port of San Francisco".

Don Fernando Rivera y Moncada had already marked the point for a mission in what is now San Francisco, and a land expedition to establish Spanish rule over the area, under Juan Bautista de Anza had been sent northwards.

Lieutenant Juan de Ayala, one of those assigned to the naval expedition, had arrived in Vera Cruz in August, 1774 and proceeded to Mexico City to receive orders from the Viceroy, Frey Don Antonio María de Bucareli y Ursua.

Bucareli had sent him to San Blas where he had taken command of the schooner Sonora, part of a squadron under the general command of Don Bruno de Heceta, in the frigate Santiago.

However, when they are lying outside San Blas about to set out early in 1775, the commander of the packet boat San Carlos, Don Miguel Manrique, is taken ill - some sources say that he went mad.

Ayala is ordered to take command of this larger vessel, sails back to San Blas to land the unfortunate Manrique, and rejoins the squadron after a few days' sailing.

Ayala has been designated to pass through the strait and explore what lies within, while the Santiago and Sonora continue northwards.