In 1936 a man found a battered metal plate on the seashore near the Golden Gate Bridge. It was examined at the University of California and found to inscribed with these words :
BEE IT KNOWNE VNTO ALL MEN
BY THESE PRESENTS
IVNE 17 1579
BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND IN THE NAME
OR HERR MAIESTY QVEEN ELIZABETH OF
ENGLAND AND HERR SVCCESSORS FOREVER
I TAKE POSSESSION OF THIS KINGDOME
WHOSE KING AND PEOPLE FREELY RESIGNE
THEIR RIGHT AND TITLE IN THE WHOLE
LAND VNTO HERR MAIESTIES KEEPEING NOW
NAMED BY ME AND TO BEE KNOWNE VNTO
ALL MEN AS NOVA ALBION
FRANCIS DRAKE
It has been authenticated as the genuine article and remains in the University of California. Drake saw no Spaniards in the area and his men were the first white men the Indians had set eyes on. Drake stayed ashore from 17 June to 23 July 1579.
See The World Encompassed by Derek Wilson published in 1977.