11th presentation memorial. A great rarity: an original quiros presentation memorial. 'The discovery of the Southern Continent, whenever, and by whomsoever it may be completely effected, is in justice due to this immortal name' (Alexander Dalrymple). Between 1607 and 1614 Quiros wrote a series of petitions (or memorials) addressed to the King of Spain requesting that he be given command of another voyage to find the great hidden continent: Terra Australis Incognita. The majority of these memorials, over 50 in number, were presented in manuscript form, however fourteen were printed at Quiros's own expense in limited numbers for presentation to the King and his Councils alone. These presentation memorials represent the earliest printed record of discovery and plans for colonisation of Terra Australis, the Australian continent.

Pedro Fernandes de Queiros (1563[5?]-1614) was born in Portugal, becoming a Spanish subject when the two countries were temporarily united following the Portuguese succession crisis of 1580. More well-known by the Spanish form of his name, Quiros spent several years sailing the Pacific coasts of the Americas, distinguishing himself during the expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña which set out from Peru in 1595 to colonise the Solomon Islands.

Despite the immense hardships of the Mendaña expedition it gave Quiros the inspiration that would drive him for the rest of his life: he would discover the great southern continent (Terra Australis) for Spain and the Church. Hoping for support from the Church Quiros set out for Rome in 1600, taking advantage of the Jubilee, and managed to get an audience with Pope Clement VIII in the following year. The Spanish Ambassador, the Duke of Sesa, thought him to be a 'man of good judgement' and was impressed by his chart-making skills and his knowledge of mathematics.

In March 1603, Quiros was finally authorised to make another voyage to convert the heathen and extend the Spanish dominions. His departure was delayed by being shipwrecked in the West Indies, but he set out from Callao in Peru in 1605 to discover the great southern continent. Reaching the New Hebrides in 1606, Quiros believed he had discovered Terra Australis and named it Australia del Espiritu Santo, claiming it for Spain along with the Pacific as far south as the South Pole. Today the island forms part of the nation of Vanuatu, 8000 miles from Peru and only 1200 miles across the Coral Sea from the east coast of Australia.

Returning to Madrid via Mexico, Quiros began to write his memorials, in which he described the wonders he had seen, encouraging the King to see the opportunities for further discovery and colonisation. After 7 years he was finally granted permission to command another expedition but tragically died in Panama in 1615 before reaching the Pacific and carrying out his 'divine mission'.
In 1612 the 8th Memorial was leaked from the Spanish Court and the Dutch, English and French were all inspired by the idea of finding Terra Australis, taking its wealth and colonising it. The Dutch were the first Europeans to discover Australia, but being focused on trade and commerce they quickly discovered that there was no money to be made from it and moved on, leaving the way for the British.

In this, the eleventh of fourteen Presentation Memorials, Quiros states that it has been fifty months since he started petitioning at Court. He reminds the King that by spending a mere 500,000 ducats in Peru he could secure all that was needed for the voyage, and take one million in profits. He goes on to offer the King great riches, and an income unsurpassed by his current kingdoms, before questioning the reasons why he has not been given permission to lead another expedition. Finally he requests a decision be quickly made as the annual fleet will be sailing shortly. Only four other copies are known: the Archives of the Indies; the Dixson Library; and two copies in private hands.


Small folio (28.0 x 18.5 cms), 4 ff. (six pages of printed text followed by one integral blank leaf [i.e. two pages]). Woodcut initial to first leaf.