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The California Missions and their Visitors
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 December 2015
Extract
Because of its geographical separation from other Spanish colonies and the rigid mercantilistic policy of its mother country, Alta California was completely isolated from outside influence during its first sixteen years as a Spanish province. Gradually, however, as a result of the explorations of Captain James Cook (1728-1779), foreign vessels began to appear in the area. When the fur trade started flourishing in the Pacific Northwest, European and American ships as well as overland expeditions were attracted further south to the ports and population centers of California.
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- Copyright © Academy of American Franciscan History 1968
References
1 The great English navigator made the first explorations for his country along the Alaskan coast on his third voyage in 1776. Cook’s published account of his travels, first released from London in 1784, was widely circulated in European capitals.
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