The variations upon this subject are very remarkable.
Without noting what is contained in the so-called "Official History" of
the "Voyage in the _Endeavour_," it must be allowed that _reported Logs_
of Cook, now in the possession of the Sovereign and the Admiralty, give
the general statement that Possession of the Territory was taken by
Cook, after leaving the eastern side of New Holland, in the usual form,
in the name of the King, as NEW SOUTH WALES. By that name Dr.
Hawkesworth publicly acknowledges the country in his work; and by that
name it has since been known. It is so seen in the Admiralty Log, though
Corner calls it _New Wales_.
The official story of taking Possession, as given by Dr. Hawkesworth, is
as follows:
"As we were now about to quit the eastern coast of New Holland,
which I had coasted from latitude 38° to this place, and which I am
confident no European had ever seen before, I once more hoisted
English colours, and although I had already taken possession of
several particular parts, I now took possession of the whole
eastern coast from latitude 38° to this place, lat. 10° 55″ , in
right of His Majesty King George the Third, by the name of NEW
SOUTH WALES, with all the bays, harbours, rivers and Islands
situated upon it; we then fired three vollies of small arms, which
were answered by the same number from the ship. Having performed
this ceremony upon the Island, which we called POSSESSION ISLAND,
we re-embarked in our boat, but a rapid ebb tide setting NE made
our return to the vessel very difficult and tedious."
The Admiralty Log contains, like some other later journals, this
version:--
"I now once more hoisted English Colours and in the name of His
Maj^y King George the Third took Possession of the whole Eastern
Coast from the above Lat^de. down to this place by the name of
NEW SOUTH WALES together with all the Bays Harbours Rivers and
Islands situate upon the said Coast upon which we fir'd 3 Volleys
of Small arms which were answer'd by the like number from the
ship."
Although Corner's Log resembles the Admiralty one so nearly, being one
among several copies made while Cook was staying to refresh in Java, yet
it, curiously enough, calls the land NEW WALES, which according to me
would give the copy some priority to other copies thence.
Corner's Log has this story of the Possession:
"The Eastern Coast from the sea of 38°.1″ down to this place, I am
confident was never seen or visited by any European power before us
and notwithstanding I had in the name of his Maj^y taken possession
of several places on this coast, I now once more hoisting colours
in the name of His Maj. King George the Third took Possession of
the whole Eastern Coast from the above lat^de. down to this place
by the Name of NEW WALES, together with all the Bays."
This log, therefore, commits Cook to the distinct affirmation that he
was the first European who had either seen or visited any part of that
eastern coast. He effectually disposes of the claims of Dutch, Spanish
and Portuguese navigators.
Before dismissing this log, I would call attention to a notable
observation on the margin of one page, which I recognised to be in
Cook's own handwriting, and which, though no evidence of the log itself
having been composed by the Captain, must be reported as once having
been in his hand, at some time or other. Here are the words:
"This day I restore Mr. Magra to his duty as I did not find him
guilty of the crimes laid to his charge."
The _crimes_ consisted in some ridicule of Orton, the Captain's clerk,
when exhibiting himself in a state of intoxication. Magra, or rather
Matra, a gentleman volunteering for the voyage as a seaman, had, upon
the discovery of his ability, enforced by the active recommendation of
Mr. Banks, been made a midshipman, from which position he had been
degraded for a few days on account of the part he was known to have
taken in this frolic.
It is interesting and important here to note that this very James Matra,
travelling companion with Mr. (afterwards Sir Joseph) Banks, was the
_direct instrument_ of the establishment of the English Colony of New
South Wales. He, encouraged by Banks, petitioned the Ministry that the
land, even then recognized as New South Wales, should be appropriated as
a colony for English settlers in America, who had lost their all in
supporting the English Government against the American rebels. Mr. Pitt,
however, preferred a settlement of persons taken from overcrowded
English gaols.
This log incorrectly signs the Captain's name as _James_ Cook, not
_Jam^s_, the correct way, so continuously used by himself.
An unnamed Deptford Log has this reference to the taking possession on
Wednesday, August 22, 1770:--
"At 6 Possession was taken of this country in his Maj'^s. Name
&c. by hoisting a Jack on shore, this was announced from the Ship
with colours flying; the whole concluded with 3 cheers."