Following a failed attempt in 1500, Gaspar Corte-Real along with his brother Miguel, set out in spring of 1501 on a second exploratory voyage under commission from King Manuel of Portugal. The mission was to find a Northwest Passage to Asia. Of the three carvels that sailed only two returned to Portugal, carrying 57 slaves captured on the coast of Newfoundland. Gaspar and his crew were never heard off again. Beothuk Slaves tells the story of what may have taken place when Gaspar landed on the island of Newfoundland, on that ill-fated voyage.