Esteban José Martínez Fernández y Martínez de la Sierra facts for kids
Esteban José Martínez (1742–1798) was an important Spanish navigator and explorer. He was born in Seville. Martínez played a big part in Spain's exploration of the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
Contents
In 1755 or 1756, Martínez joined the Colegio de San Telmo in Seville. This was a special school for pilotos. A piloto was a naval rank, similar to a ship's Master. By 1773, he was a piloto segundo (second class piloto). He worked at the Naval Department of San Blas in New Spain (which is now Mexico).
Exploring the Pacific Northwest
Spain had already explored and claimed the Pacific Northwest. This happened in 1774 with Juan Pérez. Then again in 1775 with Bruno de Heceta and Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra.
In the 1774 Pérez expedition, Martínez was second in command. He was on the frigate Santiago. This trip was the first time Europeans met the Haida people of the Queen Charlotte Islands. This meeting happened in July 1774.
Spain was worried about Russia colonizing Alaska. This was a threat to Spanish lands in the Pacific Northwest.
Martínez at Nootka Sound
In 1789, the Viceroy of New Spain, Manuel Antonio Flórez, gave Martínez an important order. He told Martínez to take control of Nootka Sound. This area is on Vancouver Island in what is now British Columbia. Martínez was to build a settlement and a fort there. This would show that Spain was officially claiming the area.
Russia was thinking about taking Nootka Sound. Also, in May 1788, a British fur trader named John Meares had used Nootka Sound as a base. He even claimed to have bought land there from the Nuu-chah-nulth people.
Martínez, who was now a piloto primero and alférez de navío (like an Ensign), led this expedition. He arrived at Nootka Sound in early 1789. His group included the warship La Princesa, which Martínez commanded. There was also a supply ship, San Carlos (el Filipino), led by Gonzalo López de Haro.
Martínez named Nootka Sound Puerto de San Lorenzo de Nuca. His expedition built a settlement called Santa Cruz de Nuca. It had houses, a hospital, and a fort called Fort San Miguel.
Events at Nootka Sound
Martínez's expedition reached Nootka Sound on May 5, 1789. That summer, several fur trading ships arrived. Some were British, and some were American. The American ships, the Columbia Rediviva and Lady Washington, were led by John Kendrick and Robert Gray. Martínez allowed them to trade without trouble. Kendrick and Martínez were friendly. Kendrick even helped Martínez when the Argonaut was seized.
A problem started because of Spanish rules about trade and navigation. James Colnett, captain of John Meares' British ship Argonaut, claimed Meares owned land there. Martínez believed this violated Spain's rights. By the end of the summer, Martínez had arrested Colnett. He also seized several British ships and arrested their crews.
Martínez and the Spanish left Nootka Sound in late summer 1789. They returned to San Blas, New Spain. They brought back the captured ships, including the British sloop Princess Royal, and the prisoners. In 1790, a new Spanish expedition led by Francisco de Eliza returned to Nootka Sound. Alessandro Malaspina followed in 1791.
The Nootka Crisis
The events at Nootka Sound led to the Nootka Crisis. This was a big disagreement between Spain and Great Britain. They argued about who had the right to colonize and use the Pacific Northwest coast. This crisis almost caused a war.
Spain hoped France would support them. But when France refused, Spain had to back down. They started talks with Britain. A series of agreements called the Nootka Conventions began. These agreements meant Spain gave up its claims to the area.
Because of his actions, Martínez lost favor with the Spanish government. A new Viceroy, Juan Vicente de Güemes, was appointed. In 1792, Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra worked with British explorer George Vancouver to carry out the Nootka Conventions.
See also
In Spanish: Esteban José Martínez Fernández y Martínez de la Sierra para niños
