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.