VOYAGE TO BATAVIA AND VOYAGE FROM BATAVIA TO ENGLAND
April 1790 to December 1790
-Lieutenant King sails for Batavia.--Meets with
a dangerous shoal.--Discovers Tench's-Island.--A description of
the inhabitants.--Prince William-Henry's Island
described.--Touches at Kercolang.--A description of the
inhabitants, their cloathing and utensils.--Passes through the
Streights of Salayer.--Arrival at Batavia.--Interview with the
governor.--Batavia described.--Situation and extent.--Manners and
customs of the inhabitants.--Government and police.--Annual
exports.--Departure from Batavia.--Mortality amongst the
sailors.--Arrival at the Isle of France.--An account of that
island.--Sails from the Isle of France.--Arrival in the English
Channel.-
Having received the dispatches for his Majesty's principal
Secretary of State, and for the Secretary of the Admiralty, from
Governor Phillip, together with his order for me to go on board
the Supply, and to proced in her to Batavia, and from thence, to
make the best of my way to England, with the above dispatches,
and Lieutenant Ball having also received his orders, I took my
leave of the governor, and at noon on the 17th of April, we set
sail; carrying with us the fervent prayers of those we left
behind, for our safety.
From this time till the 22d, we had variable weather, the wind
in general from the south-east. Lieutenant Ball was directed to
call at Norfolk-Island, if it did not occasion him too much loss
of time; but, as the winds seemed to hang to the eastward, there
was every probability of losing at least a fortnight; and, as the
Supply did not carry any thing which could be of the least
assistance to those on the island, he thought proper to proceed
on the voyage, and accordingly bore up in order to go to the
westward of the shoal seen by the Golden-Grove, in latitude
29° 25' south, and 159° 59' east longitude: Lieutenant
Shortland also saw another shoal, as hath already been mentioned,
which may probably be the same, if they exist: this, however,
seems to be a matter of doubt, as Lieutenant Ball, in July, 1789,
cruized in these and the adjacent latitudes and longitudes for a
fortnight, and could not see the least appearance either of an
island or shoals; although Mr. Blackburn, the master of the
Supply, who was at that time on board the Golden-Grove, is very
confident that a shoal was seen in that vessel.
We had very heavy gales of wind from east until the 28th, with
violent squalls, attended with rain: the air in general thick and
hazy, and a high hollow sea running. At one o'clock on the 28th,
we perceived a great alteration in the sea, which was become so
smooth, that at four o'clock it was, comparatively speaking,
smooth water: at half past five, the man who was stationed at the
mast-head, saw breakers in the south-east, which were found to be
a shoal, bearing from south-east by east to east-south-east,
about seven miles distant: it appeared to trend south-south-east
and north-north-west; and the north end seemed to break off
suddenly in a small bluff.
The man at the mast-head had seen this shoal a considerable
time before he spoke of it, and, when asked why he did not
mention it sooner, he said that he took it for the reflection of
the setting-sun; forgetting that the sun, if it had been visible,
set to the westward: this circumstance occasioned Lieutenant Ball
to name it "-Booby shoal:-" its latitude is 21° 24'
south, and the longitude, by the time-keeper, 159° 24' east
of Greenwich. Immediately after passing this shoal, we found the
same high hollow sea running as we had in the morning.
At noon on the 3d of May, our latitude was 12° 13' south,
and the longitude, by the time-keeper, 161° 33' east. We were
now drawing near the situation in which Lieutenant Shortland had
discovered land, and being surrounded by birds, and a number of
trees floating about the vessel, we were induced to suppose
ourselves not far distant from it. In the evening of the 4th we
sounded, but got no ground with 150 fathoms of line. The next
morning high land was seen, bearing from north-north-west to
west-north-west, seven or eight leagues distant; it seemed to
trend about north-north-east, and south-south-west. At noon, the
latitude was 11° 7' south, and the longitude 162° 34'
east: the northernmost land bore north by west, five leagues
distant: it appeared like a small island covered with trees; and
in the center of it there is a conspicuous mount, formed by some
very high trees: the land to the west-ward, which extends from
this island as far as north-west a quarter north, is low, and in
clumps like islands. The weather now was very hot and sultry,
with dark heavy clouds all round the horizon: we had also a great
deal of thunder and lightning, attended with heavy rain.
In the afternoon of the 6th, we perceived the northernmost
land to be two small islands, which appeared to trend
north-north-east and south-south-west; the main land lying a
little to the westward of them. The easternmost of these two
islands Lieutenant Ball named Sirius's-Island; it is situated in
10° 52' south latitude, and 162° 30' east longitude: the
other was named Massey's-Island. We observed by the land, that a
very strong current, or tide, set us fast to the northward. It is
unfortunate that the changeable state of the wind and weather did
not permit us to range this coast, by hauling in with the land,
as something might have probably been discovered, without
occasioning any loss of time. In the evening we had very heavy
squalls, attended with rain, thunder, and lightning.
At eight o'clock the next morning, we saw land, which had the
appearance of a large high island, lying along the shore:
Lieutenant Ball named it Smith's-Island; it is situated in 9°
44' south latitude, and 161° 54' east longitude. On the 8th,
at day-light, the land bore from west by south to south by west,
seven or eight leagues distant: Smith's Island then bearing
south-south-east ten leagues.
This land in general is very high, and appears well wooded:
there is the appearance of a number of openings, resembling bays
or harbours; but our distance from shore was too great to
ascertain any observation of that kind. At noon our latitude was
9° 00' south, and the longitude 161° 41' east; and the
land trending away to the north-west, it was evident that we had
rounded the east part of that island which Lieutenant Shortland
coasted on its south side, from the latitude of 10° 44' south
longitude 161° 41' east, to 6° 55' south latitude, and
156° 30' east longitude.
As Lieutenant Shortland made the land on the opposite side of
this island in latitude 10° 44' south, longitude 161° 30'
east, and the Supply being this day in latitude 9° 00' south,
longitude 161° 41' east; there remains a space between the
situation of the two vessels, which, reduced to bearings and
distances from these latitudes and longitudes, will give south
6° east; distance 104 miles: now, the Supply was ten leagues
off shore, and, admitting the Alexander (Lieutenant Shortland's
ship,) to have been four leagues, it will make the breadth of the
island 62 miles, and its length and bearings will be south
57° east, and north 57° west, 436 miles.
The eastern extremity of this land is an island about 18 miles
in circuit, lying at a small distance from the main island: I
have before observed that it was named Sirius-Island, between
which, and the Queen Charlotte's Islands, there cannot be many
leagues, supposing Captain Carteret's longitude to have been
right.
The north-east coast of this island Lieutenant Ball named
"-Ball's Maiden Land_;" and the passage between Sirius and
Queen Charlotte's Islands, "-Supply's Passage_."
At day-light in the morning of the 9th, land was seen, bearing
from south to west, eleven leagues distant; it was very high, and
there appeared to be a number of openings in it. Our latitude at
noon on the 10th, was 7° 16' south, and the longitude
162° 23' east. We now daily found the vessel set considerably
to the northward and westward, and on the 16th she was set 48
miles west-north-west during the 24 hours.
A different kind of sea-fowl was seen about the vessel to any
we had hitherto met with; it was of the ganet kind; the back,
wings, and head being a glossy black, and the breast entirely
white.
At ten o'clock in the morning of the 19th, we saw an island
bearing west by north six or seven leagues distant: the latitude
at noon, was 1° 44' south, and the longitude 150° 39'
east. With a fine breeze at east-south-east, we steered for the
island, as it lay directly in our course, and soon perceived that
it was inhabited, as we saw a number of people standing on the
south point, and a great many canoes were coming off to meet us;
but as the vessel approached them they paddled towards the shore;
yet they seemed desirous to have some communication with us, and
the vessel being hove to, in a short time they came near us, but
no invitation or intreaty could prevail on them to come
along-side.
At length, two of the canoes, which had seven men in each, and
two others, with two men each, came close under the stern, but
none of them would venture on board, and it was with great
difficulty they were persuaded to come near enough to receive a
string of beads which were let down over the stern; after this,
they all paddled on shore.
During the time these canoes were near the vessel, the beach
on the island was covered with natives; and on the south point of
the island, a man stood alone, with a long pole in his hand,
which had something large at the end of it, and which he seemed
to use as a signal to those in the canoes. These canoes appeared
to be made out of a large tree, and were well shaped, with a hook
made of wood at each end, the use of which we could not possibly
guess: the largest of them appeared to be about 28 feet long.
Each canoe had a long out-rigger, to prevent them from
oversetting.
The natives who were in the canoes, were the stoutest and
healthiest looking men I ever beheld; their skin was perfectly
smooth and free from any disorder: they were quite naked, and of
a copper colour; their hair resembled that of the New-Hollanders.
Some of their beards reached as low as the navel, and there was
an appearance of much art being used in forming them into long
ringlets; so that it should seem as if the prevailing fashion on
this island was that of keeping the beard well combed, curled,
and oiled. Two or three of the men had something like a bead or
bone suspended to a string, which was fastened round the neck.
The size and very healthy appearance of these people excited our
admiration very much; indeed it is wonderful how so small a spot
of ground can support the vast number of inhabitants we saw on
the island, all of whom appeared equally strong and handsome as
those who were in the canoes.
The island cannot be more than two miles in circumference: it
is low, but entirely covered with trees, many of which are the
cocoa-nut; we likewise saw a number of large trees which bore a
very fine red blossom, but the red was so very conspicuous, that
I am inclined to think the leaves were of that colour. These
trees reached to the margin of a very fine sandy beach, which
entirely surrounds the island; a great number of canoes were
lying on the beach, and, from the number of natives we saw there,
besides what were in the canoes, there cannot be less than a
thousand inhabitants on the island. Lieutenant Ball named this
place _Tench's Island_, after Captain Watkin Tench of the
marines: it is situated in 1° 39' south latitude, and
150° 31' east longitude.
After lying-to near an hour, and finding we could have no
farther intercourse with the natives, without considerable loss
of time, we bore up and kept on our course, steering west by
north. At sun-set, we saw another island bearing west by north,
Tench's Island bearing east half north. The next morning at
day-light, the island seen the preceding evening, bore from south
by west, to west by south, about three leagues distant; on this,
we altered our course, in order to run along the shore. This
island is pretty high, and appears to be about 70 miles in
circumference, if I may judge from the length of its east side,
which I measured by angles. It is well wooded, and there were a
number of clear cultivated tracts of ground, on which something
was growing that had the appearance of Indian corn, or
sugar-cane.
As we ran along shore, we could not perceive any place of
shelter for a vessel on the east side of the island, but there
probably is on some part of it. The island is surrounded by a
sandy beach, on which the surf beats with some violence: a number
of canoes were lying on the beach, and some parts of the shore
were covered with the natives; but none of them attempted to come
off, although the vessel was not more than a mile and a half from
the shore. We saw several houses amongst the trees, which
appeared to be large and well constructed. This island has a
luxuriant and picturesque appearance, and there can scarcely be a
doubt but it is very fertile and well peopled. The natives were
quite naked, and seemed to be the same sort of people we had seen
at Tench's Island; and their canoes were apparently of the same
construction.
At ten o'clock in the forenoon, being abreast of the
south-east point of the island, we bore up and made sail,
steering west-north-west. Lieutenant Ball requesting me to name
this island, I called it _Prince William-Henry Island_, in
honour of his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence. In making this
island from the eastward, a very high mount rises in the center
of it, which Lieutenant Ball named _Mount Phillip_, in
honour of Governor Phillip: it lies west-north-west from
Tench's-Island, and is situated in 1° 32' south latitude, and
149° 30' east longitude.
At midnight on the 22d, we had a perfect deluge of rain, but
it did not continue more than a quarter of an hour. We had now a
vast number of tropic birds and ganets round the vessel: the sea
was covered with trees of the largest size, which had both roots
and branches to them; there were also cocoa-nut trees,
sugar-cane, bamboo, and a variety of other drift wood: many of
the trees were so large, that we could plainly see them at the
distance of two leagues: most of the roots lay to the
west-north-west, from which circumstance, and the vessel being
considerably to the westward of account by the time-keeper, we
were induced to suppose that a strong current set in that
direction. We steered west-north-west until the 4th of June, with
moderate breezes from the eastward, and pleasant weather: the sea
was constantly covered with large entire trees, junks of wood,
bamboos, and a variety of other drift wood and rock weed. Our
latitude at noon on the 4th, was 4° 33' north, and the
longitude, by the time-keeper, 127° 58' east.
At day-light the next morning, we saw an island bearing
north-west, which is called _Kercolang_ in the charts;
finding we could not weather the south end, we bore up to go to
the northward of it. At noon, it bore from north 68° west to
south 41° west: our latitude was 4° 25' north, and the
longitude, by lunar observation, 126° 50' east. Another
island, called _Kerolang_ in the charts, bore from north to
north 14° east; having a remarkable hummock on the east end
of it.
At eight o'clock in the morning of the 6th, being close under
the east side of Kercolang, we saw a canoe with a matt sail
coming towards us: the natives soon came under the stern without
any signs of fear. There were twelve Malays in this canoe, who
were all cloathed: the outriggers of the canoe, which were long
and slight, would not permit them to come alongside, but a jacket
and a hatchet being given them, and signs made for them to go on
shore and bring something to eat, they left the vessel and went
towards the shore, where we followed them. Before they landed, a
still larger canoe, with fifteen Malays in it, went to the canoe
which had left us; and as we were not more than two miles from
the shore, Lieutenant Ball and myself went in the jolly-boat and
joined the two canoes; on this, two of the Malays jumped out of
the canoes into our boat, and went immediately to the oars: such
a step could not be misunderstood, it was saying, "we put
ourselves entirely in your power without any precaution."
When we came near the beach, observing the surf to break on
it, we made signs for the canoes to go on shore, and bring us
some cocoa-nuts and plantains, as we saw vast quantities on the
trees. They were very desirous for our boat to land; but that not
being agreed to, they left a native in the jolly-boat, and one of
our men went on shore in the canoe: he soon returned with several
canoes which were laden with cocoa-nuts, yams, plantains, sweet
potatoes, rice, a little flour, and several other articles, all
which we purchased for axes and other barter: soon afterwards we
returned on board, and were followed by upwards of an hundred
canoes. At noon, a breeze springing up from the northward, we
made sail, and many of the canoes followed us to a considerable
distance.
The latitude of the north end of Kercolang is 4° 28', and
the longitude of the center 126° 31' east. This island is
between eighty and one hundred miles in circumference, and is in
general of a very good height: the face of the country seems to
be steep hills and extensive vallies, and every part of it was
covered with trees and verdure: there were also some cultivated
grounds which had a very pleasant appearance. These Malays wore
no erid or cress, nor did we see any offensive weapons amongst
them, excepting two which were on the beach, who had something
like halberts in their hands, but whether they were of iron or
wood we could not discern. The houses stood on posts; they
appeared to be well built, and neatly thatched.
Their canoes were also neatly made, being hollowed out of
trees, with bamboo outriggers on each side to prevent them from
oversetting; a piece of wood is left at the stern, which projects
like a proa, to break the water before it comes to the bow: each
canoe has a mast, on which they hoist a square piece of matt as a
sail. Their fishing-hooks and lines are mostly European, and it
is possible that there is a Dutch resident on the island, as we
saw a small Dutch flag placed before a house to the northward of
the place where we went with the boat; though it is natural to
suppose, that if any European had been there, he would have come
to the boat, or that the natives would have made us understand
there was one on the island.
The cloathing these people in general wore, was made of a
coarse kind of callico, though some of them wore silk, and most
of them had something resembling a turban round their heads; a
few, indeed, wore a Chinese pointed hat. There can be no doubt
but the Dutch supply these people with cloathing and other
necessaries, which, of course, must be for some production of the
island. I showed one of the natives some cloves, and he gave me
to understand that they had the same. I do not think the Dutch
send very often to this island, from the extreme avidity the
natives showed in purchasing our hatchets and cloathing: they are
mild, and apparently a quiet people, and the confidence they
placed in us was sufficient to prove that strangers were not
unwelcome guests among them.
From the 6th to the 10th, we had fresh gales of wind at west,
with very heavy squalls and much rain, which often obliged us to
clew all up. During the last four days we only got eight leagues
on our course, and there being every appearance of a continuation
of westerly winds, (this being the south-west monsoon in the
China seas) with heavy squalls, or rather tornados of wind and
rain, which endangered the masts: on the 10th, Lieutenant Ball
relinquished the purpose of going through the streights of
-Macasser_, and adopted that of making the passage between
-Celebes_ and _Gilolo_, through the _Moluccas_ and
the streights of _Salayer_; accordingly, at six in the
morning, we bore up for the south point of _Lirog_, which
lay south-east by east twelve or fourteen leagues distant. At
day-light on the 12th, we saw the island of _Morotia_, which
bore from south 31° east, to south 4° east.
At noon, we were in 2° 36' south latitude, and 127°
51' east longitude: in a chart of Hamilton Moore's, there is an
island without a name laid down exactly in that situation; but,
as the weather was very clear, and no such land could be seen,
the existence of it is very doubtful. The weather was now
extremely pleasant, with light winds from south by west to
south-east. At noon on the 14th, Gilolo bore from south by west
half west, to east by north: there is a chain of small islands
laying the whole length of these bearings about two leagues from
Gilolo; between which and that island, there appears to be good
shelter. On the 16th, we were directly opposite three remarkable
conical hills; they are very high; the southernmost lies in
1° 30' north latitude, and 127° 5' east longitude. The
land near this situation is high and well wooded, with some
cultivated spots: the shore appears bold to. At midnight, we had
a perfect deluge of rain, attended with loud thunder and very
fierce lightning, which lasted two hours; after which, the
weather became serene and pleasant.
The next morning, the island of _Ternate_ bore
south-south-east, and a little to the northward of it there
appears to be a large and safe harbour, on the island of Gilolo,
which now bore east by south five or six leagues distant. Ternate
rises in a high conical mount; its latitude is 00° 50' north,
and the longitude 127° 4' east. A very pleasant little island
lies about two miles to the north-north west of Ternate, which,
in the charts, is called _Heri_; it is pretty high, and not
more than two miles in circumference. The cultivated spots on
this island, contrasted with the brown shade of the trees, and
the interspersed situation of the houses, give this little spot a
most picturesque appearance: it appeared, as well as Ternate, to
be in a perfect state of cultivation; and from the number of
houses we saw, they must both be well inhabited. The latitude, at
noon, was 1° 2' north, and the longitude 126° 49' west:
Heri then bore south-east by east; the peak of Ternate,
south-east half south; the south point of Tidere, south by east,
and Makian, south-south-east.
All these islands are very high; they rise in peaks, and are
well cultivated. We saw a vast number of fires on Ternate, which
probably were lighted for a signal. Besides the island of Makian,
which is not more than two miles in circumference, there are a
number of other small islots, which form a considerable group,
and they were all cultivated. A number of boats were passing from
one islot to another, with some Europeans in them. The weather
was excessive hot and sultry; the thermometer, when in the open
air and shade, being 91°.
On the 19th, we perceived a great ripling on the water, which
appeared to be a strong current, and we afterwards found it had
set the vessel considerably to the westward. At noon, the
north-west point of _Manere_ or _Batachina_ bore
east-north-east nine leagues distant; its latitude is 0° 16'
south, and the longitude 126° 41' east. At noon on the 20th,
an island a head, which we took to be _Pulo Oubi_, bore east
half south about twelve leagues distant, and _Stemo Sulla_,
south-south-west thirteen leagues: the latitude was 1° 17'
south, and the longitude 126° 22' east. Hitherto, we had
found the currents set us to the westward; but in the morning of
the 21st, a strong ripling of a current set the vessel
considerably to the east-south-east, which may easily be
accounted for: the passage between New Guinea and Aigeu was quite
open, and bore from us south-east, and I think that the current
we now felt is an out-set; and as we had experienced a southerly
current ever since we made the island of Morotia, it may be
presumed that there is an indraught between the Celebes and
Gilolo; and an out-set between Gilolo, New Guinea, and Aigeu,
which is called "-Pitt's Passage_."
In the afternoon, the boat was hoisted out in order to try the
current, when it was found to set east by south, at the rate of a
mile and an half an hour; however, the current among these
islands is by no means certain, as we found, on the 22d, a strong
current or tide setting to the north-west. A great number of very
large whales were seen, which moved exceeding slow, and came very
near the vessel. At noon, the center of _Burro_ bore south,
and the south point of _Sulla Bessi_, north 76° west.
Burro is a very high island, and may be seen at the distance of
twenty leagues with great ease.
As the following latitudes and longitudes were taken with
great exactness, they perhaps may not be unacceptable.
South latitude. East longitude.
° ' ° '
East point of Burro 3 7 126 38
West point of ditto 3 4 125 41
North-east point of Sulla Mangol 2 0 126 3
South point of Sulla Bessi 2 29 125 57
In the afternoon of the 23d, being clear of the south point of
Burro, we found a strong south-east trade, with which we steered
south-south-west. We passed a great quantity of drift wood, and
some very large trees with both roots and branches to them, some
of which were so large as to be taken for vessels.
In the morning of the 25th, we saw two small islands bearing
south-east about six miles distant; we imagined them to be the
northernmost of the small islands, called _Touchaeilly_, in
the charts: soon afterwards, we saw land bearing south-west,
which we took to be _Bouton_, but we soon perceived it to be
three islands lying nearly north and south. At this time, our
longitude, by the time-keeper, was 123° 39' east, and the
latitude, by two altitudes, was 5° 36' south.
Concluding the islands we saw in the morning were those of St.
Matthew's, and the others _Touchaeilly_, we bore up in order
to run between the northernmost and middle of three islands in
sight. In our run from Burro to St. Matthew's Island, we found a
strong current setting to the south-east. St. Matthew's Islands
are situated in 5° 23' south latitude, and 123° 51' east
longitude. With a moderate breeze from the south-east, we steered
west-south-west between the Toucaheilly Islands; and at noon on
the 26th, we passed a sandy key, which had a tuft of green bushes
on its north end, and its south end runs off in a long spit for
three or four miles, on which the sea breaks very high. These
islands are covered with wood, and well cultivated.
At four o'clock in the afternoon we hove to, and soon
afterwards a small proa came alongside loaded with cocoa-nuts,
which we purchased. The people in this canoe gave us to
understand, that the island on our starboard hand was called
-Combado_, and that on the larboard _Toucambaso_. At
half past four, we made sail, and soon afterwards, a man, who was
stationed at the mast-head, said he saw a shoal a-head of the
vessel; on this we looked out, and saw a reef about six miles
distant, extending from the west-north-west as far as the eye
could reach in a south-east direction: on this, we hauled the
wind and lay under Combado during the night.
The next morning, we made sail and steered west-north-west,
looking out for the shoal and running along its eastern side
about four miles distant. This reef is very large, and its
eastern side is bound with rugged rocks, and when the water is
smooth there is no breaker on it. At four in the afternoon, we
rounded the shoal at two miles distance, and steered for the
south end of _Bouton_, which we passed early the next
morning, and soon afterwards passed the streights, steering west
half north. When you are to the eastward of Camborra, the
entrance of the streights of Bouton may be known by three small
islands which lie off the east point that forms the streights,
one of which is large, and the other two are small: off the large
one lie several rocks, but at no great distance. The only chart
we had on board, which took any notice of these islands and the
shoal, was one of Hamilton Moore's, which we found tolerably
correct, except in some instances where the islands are
misplaced, as _St. Matthew's Islands, Toucambessis_, the
south end of _Bouton_ and _Kercolang_, with some other
trifling differences; however, upon the whole, it may be called a
good chart.
At day-light, the island of Salayer bore from south 40°
west to north 80° east, and the entrance of the streights
north 70° west. On entering the streights, we found a very
strong ripling of the sea, which we were apprehensive were
overfalls; but we found it was a strong current setting to the
westward. At noon, being through the streights, we hauled up west
by south. The best passage through these streights is between the
two small islands, the southernmost of which lies close to
-Salayer_. The island of Salayer appears to be well
inhabited, and cultivated to advantage, as each piece of ground
was fenced in, and the houses appeared to be very good ones.
The course from the streights of _Salayer_ to
-Cambona_ is east by south eighty-four miles: they lie west
by north half north, and east by south half south, about five
miles through: the entrance to the westward is in 5° 45'
south latitude, and 120° 3' east longitude. This latitude was
determined by a good meridional altitude, and the longitude by
the time-keeper and lunar observations, so that there is a very
considerable mistake in Hamilton Moore's chart respecting the
position of these streights. At three in the afternoon, a man,
who was stationed at the mast-head, said he saw a great ripling,
and on looking over the side, the bottom was distinctly seen; on
this, we hauled off to the southward, and hove the lead, but got
no ground, and the vessel going very fast, we immediately lost
sight of the bottom, and soon afterwards steered west by south.
At the time we were on this bank, the south end of Salayer bore
south-south-east, and the north end, east.
In my opinion, ships going through the streights of Salayer
from the westward, should bring the north point of _Salayer-
to bear east, or east half north, with which course there could
be no risk from that bank. We now steered west by south, and
having run sixty-six miles in that direction from the streights
of Salayer, on the morning of the 29th, we saw some high land on
the Celebes, bearing north-east nine leagues distant; this must
be the land between the south-west point of Celebes, and the
islands called, by Captain Carteret, _Tonakiky_; so that the
end of Celebes from the streights of Salayer to the south-west
point cannot be more than twenty leagues, as Mr. Dalrymple has
already observed in a small pamphlet.
Lieutenant Ball directed the vessel to be kept
north-north-west, in order to make the land plainer; but the
charts we had on board differed so much in the position and
extent of the land, and some time might perhaps be lost in
looking for Tonakiky, to take a departure from, Mr. Ball
determined on bearing up and running in that parallel of latitude
which was likeliest to keep the vessel clear of danger, viz.
5° 45' or 5° 50' south. At noon, the observed latitude
was 5° 48' south, and the longitude 118° 44' east. At
half past two in the afternoon, having steered west twelve miles
since noon, we saw what we took for _Tonyn-'s Islands, or
-Sarras_, bearing north. Hamilton Moore's chart places the
south end of this shoal in 5° 58' south, but it cannot be
farther than 5° 40' south at most, as we were now in latitude
5° 48', and the island could only be seen from the mast-head,
bearing north: the longitude of the south end of these islands
and shoal (if there be any) is 118° 11' east.
On the 30th, at ten in the forenoon, we saw the great
-Solombo_ bearing north by west half west two leagues
distant. On sounding, we struck the ground with 32 fathoms, over
an oozy bottom. The next morning, the island of _Lubeck-
bore from south 14° west to south 55° west, five leagues
distant. This island is considerably misplaced in the charts. A
very good altitude was got at eight in the morning, for the
time-keeper, and a very good meridional altitude was also taken
for the latitude; which, with the bearings of Lubeck in the
morning and at noon, places it in 5° 50' south latitude, and
112° 22' east longitude.
On the 3d, at three o'clock in the afternoon, the isles of
-Cariman Java_ were seen, bearing south 79° west. During
the night, the weather was very squally, attended with much
thunder and lightning. The latitude of Cariman Java is 5° 56'
south, and the longitude 110° 12' east.
At half past three o'clock in the morning of the 5th, we saw a
small island bearing west half south, not more than a mile and a
half from the vessel; on this we hauled our wind to the
southward, and tacked occasionally until day-light. We sounded
with twenty-six fathoms, over a bottom of blue mud. This island
is called in the charts _Pulo Packit:_ it is very low and
covered with trees. There are two islands laid down in Dunn's and
Moore's charts, but we only saw one island, and a rocky reef:
this island is laid down in Dunn's chart in 6° 18° south,
but its real latitude is 5° 50' south: this mistake had very
near proved fatal to the Supply, but it being a moon-light night,
the danger was discovered, though at the distance of two miles
only. Ships bound to the westward, or to Batavia from Carimon
Java, should steer west half north, or west by north, to avoid
the shoal to the northward of Pulo Packit.
In the afternoon, seeing a brig at anchor under the land, we
bore up in order to speak her, and in standing in, had regular
soundings to seven fathoms. I went with Mr. Ball on board the
brig, where we learned that the point of _Pamonakan_ bore
south-south-west from us; on this, we returned on board the
Supply and made sail, and in the afternoon of the 6th, we
anchored in Batavia Road. Upwards of thirty Dutch ships were
lying there, besides a number of snows and Chinese junks.
The next morning, I waited on the general, at the request of
Lieutenant Ball, and settled the salute, which took place at five
in the evening, when the Supply saluted the fort with nine guns,
which were returned by an equal number.
On the 8th, Lieutenant Ball waited on the general, accompanied
by the Shebander and myself. As the general could not speak any
other language than Dutch, and the Shebander could not speak
sufficient English to explain himself, I was obliged to interpret
between Lieutenant Ball and the latter; and I beg here to remark,
that during this conversation, which was in the general's office,
we were not asked to sit down; indeed, had the general been
polite enough to have made the offer, there was not a second
chair in the room; so unusual a thing is it to be seated in the
general's presence, when talking to him on business.
After Lieutenant Ball had signified his business, and the
service he was sent on, a number of frivolous enquiries were made
respecting the setlement at New South Wales, and much
astonishment was expressed, that we came from that country and
could not tell _what became of the Bounty, Lieutenant Bligh's
Ship_.
No other answer could be got, than that the council were to be
requested to permit Lieutenant Ball to purchase whatever he
wanted, and to hire a vessel to carry what he might want to Port
Jackson: this being settled we took our leave. The Shebander drew
up a request, which Lieutenant Ball signed, and the next day it
was presented to the council, (at which the director-general
presided, on account of the general's indisposition) when every
thing was granted; but they refused to interfere in taking up a
vessel, or in purchasing provisions, saying, that those matters
were to be managed by Lieutenant Ball.
As every vessel here either belonged to the company, or were
too flimsy to go on such a voyage, it was for a short time
doubtful whether one could be procured: at length, the Shebander
hearing that a snow of 250 tons or upwards lay at a port called
-Samarre_, on the east side of Java, he offered her to
Lieutenant Ball; saying that he would purchase her and fit her
out completely, if Mr. Ball would contract with him to pay eighty
rix-dollars a ton for the voyage; the Shebander to take all
risques upon himself, with respect to the loss of the vessel. As
the necessity for a supply of provisions was very great, and as
there was no other vessel to be procured, Lieutenant Ball was
obliged to make the agreement, and the snow was sent for.
Provisions were easily purchased, and at a cheap rate: very
excellent beef and pork at six-pence per pound. Of flour, there
was little to be procured, as all the people here eat rice,
Europeans as well as natives.
Batavia has been so very well and so fully described in
Captain Cook's first voyage, that any attempt of mine to describe
this vast and splendid settlement may be deemed superfluous;
however, as these pages may probably fall into the hands of some
who have read no other account, I shall subjoin what few remarks
occurred to me during my stay there.
According to the best accounts I could obtain, the city and
its environs cover a space of eight square miles: it is situated
about half a mile from the sea-shore, and has communication with
it by a canal, which will admit vessels of eight feet draught of
water. The city stands on a flat, which extends forty leagues to
the foot of the nearest mountains. Two large rivers, which are
divided into a number of canals, run through all the principal
streets of the city, and on both sides of the different roads:
these canals are navigable for large boats; they are planted with
trees on each side, which are kept cut in the form of a fan.
The streets are all drawn at right angles, and are in general
wide, with very good pavements; along the sides of which a double
row of trees are planted, which greatly prevents the circulation
of air, and tends very much to increase the natural unhealthiness
of the place. Within the past four years, most of the canals
which contained putrid water have been filled up, and great
attention is now paid to removing dirt and other nuisances.
All the houses are well built; indeed, some of them are
magnificent buildings, and are finished with elegant neatness;
which, added to the great cleanliness observed by the
inhabitants, renders them very agreeable retreats from the
intense heat which is constant here.
No European can do without a carriage, the paint of which, and
his other equipage, denote the rank of the owner; to whom the
necessary respect must be paid by people of an inferior rank; for
a noncompliance with this custom, a fine is levied by the Fiscal.
The town is but indifferently defended, as the fortifications are
irregular and extensive, and the walls (which are painted) are
very low: it is surrounded with a deep and wide canal, but the
best defence of this settlement is its extreme unhealthiness. The
citadel, or castle, stands on the right of the city: in it are
deposited a vast quantity of cannon and other munitions of war:
the governor-general, and the rest of the company's servants,
have apartments in it, and here the governor and council meet
twice a week, to transact public business.
The police of this city is strictly attended to, and is
calculated to preserve great order and regularity; but it is
attended with some mortifying and degrading circumstances, which
Europeans find great difficulty and repugnance in complying with;
however, the inhabitants and the company's servants must observe
its rules with a scrupulous attention, not only to avoid paying
the fines, but also to avoid the resentment of those who have it
entirely in their power to advance or retard their promotion.
The suburbs are inhabited by the Chinese and Portuguese: the
houses of the former are very numerous, but they are low and
dirty. The number of Chinese resident in and about Batavia in
1788, was 200,000: it is these people who are the support of this
important settlement; and if they were obliged to abandon it by
any impolitic measure, it would soon lose its splendor. The
Chinese carry on every trade and occupation; the better sort are
very rich, but they are subject to great exactions from the
company, or their servants. They are suffered to farm the duties
of exportation and importation, for which they pay the company
12,000 rix-dollars in silver money per month. All goods belonging
to the company are exempt from duties, but those of every other
person pay eight per cent.
About three quarters of a mile from the city is the Chinese
burying-ground, consisting of fifteen or twenty acres: for the
annual rent of this ground they pay 10,000 rix-dollars, and, at
the end of every ten years, they repurchase it for a very great
sum, which in general is regulated by the governor and council. A
person of consequence assured me, that the Chinese pay a tax of
20,000 rix-dollars a year, for the privilege of wearing their
hair queued; and, besides what I have already mentioned, these
industrious people are subject to many more exactions.
The Chinese are subject to a set of officers (appointed by the
governor and council) who are Chinese, and are previously chosen
by that people: they are called captains and lieutenants, and
hear all complaints, and their sentence is decisive; but cases of
property, above a certain sum, and all felonies, are taken
cognizance of by the fiscal and court of justices. The police
established among them is so very good, that, except in cases of
property, the fiscal or justices are seldom troubled with a
Chinese criminal. They trade to every part of India, and the
number of large junks which arrive annually from China, is
between thirty and forty.
It is remarkable that the Chinese are the only strangers which
are not affected by the unhealthiness of this place: indeed, much
may be said in favour of their temperance and regular manner of
living, although one would imagine that the close manner in which
a number of them live together could not fail to produce
diseases, but it certainly does not.
The roads, or rather handsome avenues, which lead from the
different gates of the city, are lined with buildings, where
nature and art have been exhausted to render them elegant and
commodious beyond description: each house has a large garden, in
which a degree of elegance and convenience is observable, equal
to what there is in the magnificent piles which they surround.
These houses are inhabited by the principal people of Batavia,
where they pass most of their time, and those amongst them who
have no inducement to return to Europe, and who enjoy their
health, may spend their days very comfortably here.
The government of this island, and indeed of all the Dutch
possessions in India, is lodged in the governor-general, who is
assisted by a number of counsellors, called "counsellors of
India," or "-edele heerens:-" twelve of these counsellors
must reside at Batavia, but the number is not fixed; at this
time, there is one who governs at each of the following places,
viz. Cochin, Ceylon, Macasser, and at the Emperor's court at
-Jamarre_, or Java, where, I am told, 400 European cavalry
are kept, to _do honour_ to the emperor.
The council meet every Tuesday and Friday in the council-room
at the castle; the general presides, but, if prevented by ill
health or any other circumstance, the director-general supplies
his place, who, as well as the edele heerens, are received into
the castle, and conducted to the council-room with great pomp and
ceremony. Every thing relating to the civil and military
government, commerce, and every other concern of the company, is
transacted by this council, but the governor-general has a
plenary power to put into execution any measure he may judge
necessary for the good of the company.
The present governor-general, whose name is William Arnold
Alting, has been resident upwards of thirty years at Batavia,
eleven of which he has been governor-general: I am told his
private character is very amiable and respectable, but how any
man possessed of common feelings, can suffer such humiliations
from those around him, I cannot conceive. When any person
approaches the general to speak to him, his behaviour and address
must be the most abject imaginable, and the respect and profound
submission which every servant of the company, and every
inhabitant must necessarily assume on these occasions, are little
short of the adoration paid to the Divinity: this homage is
carried to so great a height, that when the general enters the
church, although the congregation may be at prayers, yet every
person is obliged to get up and face him until he is seated in
his pew, bowing as he passes.
The deference paid to the several ranks, is not confined to
carriages, but extends to the cloathing of individuals, as no
person under the rank of an _edele heeren_ is permitted to
wear velvet: there are a number of other distinctions in dress
equally ridiculous, but they seem to be wearing away: a few years
ago, the women were strictly forbid wearing any European dress,
and ordered to conform to the Malay custom.
At the time I was at Batavia, there were only five European
women on the island of Java, the rest being born of Malay or
Creole mothers; and it is really distressing to see how much they
affect the manners of their Malay slaves in chewing beetle, and
other actions equally disagreeable. Their dress is a loose white
or flowered muslin robe, which is open and large, reaching to the
wrists and neck: but if the adjustment of their garments does not
take up much time at the toilet, the arranging of their hair
makes sufficient amends for it: they have in general very thick
long black hair, which is gathered into a knot on the back part
of the head, and is so nicely combed that not a single hair is
out of its place; round this a wreath of diamonds is fixed, which
is more or less valuable, according to the circumstances of the
wearer. In the evenings, a large wreath of jessamine is also put
round the hair, which gives a very agreeable perfume. Not more
than two women in Batavia could speak any other language than
Dutch or Malay, the former of which they understand very
imperfectly, always preferring Malay.
The office of shebander is a principal one in this place, and
is a situation of much profit; no stranger can transact the least
business without his permission; the exports and imports are
entirely regulated by him; every boat which goes into the road
pays him a certain sum; he also regulates and comptrols the
Chinese in the receipt of duties: this post is very laborious,
but is also very lucrative.
Nineteen thousand pekul* of tin are brought every year from
-Palambam_, or Sumatra, to the company's stores on
-Onrust_, which is sent in their ships to China. The company
send annually from hence to Europe 20,000 pekul of pepper, for
which they pay on an average two stivers and an half per pound,
and sell it in Europe for fourteen stivers per pound: they also
export annually 200,000 pekul of coffee, at two stivers and an
half per pound, which is sold in Holland at ten stivers per
pound.
[* A pekul is equal to 130 pounds.]
Onrust is a very small island, about a quarter of a mile in
circumference, and situated about two leagues and an half from
Batavia: here the company's ships refit and heave down, there
being very good wharfs for that purpose, at which five ships may
heave down at one time; there are also large machines for
dismasting vessels. Small as this island is, there are generally
from five to six hundred people on it; of which number, one
hundred are European carpenters, but, excepting a few officers
and a few other Europeans, the rest are slaves. The _baas_,
or master carpenter, is the commandant of the island: an under
merchant is also resident here, to receive and take care of the
tin, pepper, and coffee, which is brought into the company's
stores here, from Sumatra and different parts of Borneo and Java.
Onrust is surrounded by guns, and there is a kind of citadel on
it; but as no troops are kept there, in the war, the carpenters
were trained to the use of great guns.
It is supposed that Onrust is more healthy than Batavia, and
it may be so; but when I say that twenty men are constantly
employed in making coffins for those who die on this island, it
cannot be supposed to have a very healthy scite.
During my stay at Batavia, I lived at the hotel, which was the
governor-general's house at the time Captain Cooke was here: it
is a large and spacious building, divided into two parts, one of
which is occupied by strangers, and the other by Dutch. Every
person, who is a stranger, is obliged to live at this hotel: the
terms are three rix-dollars a day, for which you have good
lodging, and a well furnished table is provided. Gratitude
induces me to say, that I received the greatest attention and
civility from many of the first people at Batavia, who, not
content with showing me every politeness in their power during my
stay there, extended their good offices to me after my
departure.
On the 21st of July, the _Snelheid_, a packet of 140
tons, belonging to the company, arrived at Onrust, and I made
application to the governor and council for a passage to Europe
in that vessel: on this, the captain of the packet was ordered to
receive me, for which I paid 190 rix-dollars into the company's
chest. The order to the captain specified, that in consideration
of that sum being paid, I was to have a passage to Europe in the
Snelheid, and to be accommodated and victualled as a sailor: I
therefore found myself necessitated to make a further agreement
with the captain for the use of half of his cabin, (Mr. Andrew
Millar, late commissary of stores and provisions at Port Jackson
having the other half) for which I was to pay him 300
rix-dollars, and my proportion of what provisions were laid in by
him, above what the company allowed.
Being informed that the packet would be dispatched in a few
days, I went to Onrust on the 31st, in order to be in readiness.
Lieutenant Ball expected to sail for Port Jackson on the 8th of
August, and the snow which he had taken up was to be dispatched
on the 24th.
The captain of the packet having received his final orders, we
sailed from Onrust on the 4th of August; and in the evening of
the 5th, were clear of the streights of Sunda.
It was now that the pestiferous air of Batavia began to show
itself; for the vessel had not been five days at sea before six
men were taken ill with the putrid fever; and very soon
afterwards, the captain, his two mates, and all the sailors,
except four, were incapable of getting out of their beds; and
what aggravated the horror of this situation was, that the
surgeon, who indeed knew very little of his profession, was so
ill that he could not even help himself.
In this dilemma, I found it absolutely necessary to use every
means for self-preservation; and having obtained the consent of
the captain (who was not yet delirious) and the chief mate, I
spoke to the only four men who were well, and represented to
them, that going below would subject them to the infection; I
assured them that I would never go below myself, except on
extraordinary occasions, when I should use every precaution
against the infection; and I further observed, that the
preservation of our lives and the vessel, with the recovery of
those who were sick, depended on their conforming to my orders;
and that I hoped, with God's assistance, not only to preserve
them in health, but to get the vessel into a port.
They promised me implicit obedience, and I began to make a
tent on the after part of the quarter deck, for us to lie under.
I had great difficulty to make them relinquish the drams of new
arrack, of which they got ten a day; but this was effected, and
in lieu of it, I gave to each man three large wine glasses of
port wine, with two tea-spoons full of bark in each glass:
fortunately, I had a small supply of those articles, as there
were not any medicines on board. Three of the sick men soon died
of the putrid fever, their faces being covered with purple spots:
I ordered them to be lashed up in their hammocks, and hove
overboard with their cloaths, making those who performed that
office, wash themselves very freely with vinegar, and fill their
noses with tobacco. The captain was now delirious, as were most
of those who were sick.
On the 12th, I obtained the captain and chief mate's consent
to bear up for the Isle of France, when we should get into the
latitude of it. The chief mate's complaint terminating in an
intermitting fever, I prevailed on him to lie under the tent; and
by a plentiful administration of bark and port wine, he became
able to keep a day watch.
On the 14th, my friend and companion Mr. Millar was taken ill,
and the captain and most of the sailors were dying, not having
had any medicine administered to them during their illness: three
or four among them, of a strong constitution, were in a state of
raving madness, uttering dreadful imprecations against the
doctor, so that I was obliged to order them to be lashed in their
hammocks, and they died a few days afterwards.
Being in 18° 46' south latitude, and 80° 59' east
longitude, after some persuasion, the chief mate consented to
bear up for the Isle of France; it may, indeed, be thought
strange that he should hesitate one moment in our present
distressing situation: however, going to the Isle of France did
not destroy the hopes he had formed, when he objected to bearing
up. Between the 12th and the 27th, five men died; and on the
28th, Mr. Millar departed this life: the whole were carried off
by a most malignant putrid fever.
On the 29th, we made the Island of Mauritius, and anchored the
same day at the entrance of the north-west harbour. The captain
and three sailors died as we were carrying them on shore.
Most providentially, we had a succession of the finest weather
and the fairest winds we could have wished, from the time we left
the streights of Sunda until our arrival at the Isle of France;
and another great consolation was, that the vessel was perfectly
tight.
From the direction of the wind being at south-east, all
vessels going to the north-west harbour, must luff close round
the gunner's quoin, and haul over for the island, taking care to
avoid the reefs with which the shore is lined, and on which the
surf breaks with great violence. A continuation of forts and
batteries extend from the harbour's mouth as far as it is
possible for any vessel to fetch; though, independent of these
forts, landing here must be attended with much danger, from the
constant surf which breaks on the reefs already mentioned; and as
the wind always blows out of the harbour, every vessel is obliged
to warp in. No vessel ought to touch at this island during the
hurricane months*, as the harbour cannot afford shelter for more
than six or eight vessels. In 1788, six large ships were wrecked
in this harbour.
[* October, November, and December.]
At this time there were lying in the harbour, _La
Thetis_, of 38 guns, commanded by Compte M'Namarra, Chef de
Division; _La Nymphe_, 38 guns, Le Compte de Forineaux, Chef
de Division; _La Medusa_, 38 guns, Le Compte de Rossilly;
three American vessels, and a great number of French merchant
ships.
The revolution of this island, which had taken place about
three weeks before our arrival, was attended with great excesses
by the people, who carried Le Compte M'Namarra to the gallows,
where he was near being executed. The governor, _Le Compte de
Conway_, had resigned his government to a Monsieur _De
Caussigny_, commandant of Bourbon, who arrived here only three
days before us. Monsieur de Conway waited the equipment of La
Nymphe frigate, in which ship he proposed returning to
France.
The town of Port Louis is large, and covers a deal of ground,
but the houses are in general paltry buildings. Here are large
stores, and every thing necessary for the equipment of fleets.
The number of inhabitants on the island, exclusive of the
military, is about 8000; and blacks, 12,000.
Fresh provisions, especially butchers meat, are very scarce
here; what there is costs 20 sous per pound; but turtle is
procured from _St. Branden_, and sold at a much cheaper
rate.
The general object of cultivation on this island is the
indico, of which from four to five crops a year are procured: one
person sent to Europe 30,000 lb. in 1789, of a very superior
quality. Attempts have been made here to rear cochineal, as the
island abounds with the plant which the insects lie on, but a
small bird destroys the insect. The soil of this island is little
superior to that at Port Jackson. At the distance of three
leagues from the port, is _le gardin du Roi_, which is kept
with the utmost care: a gardener lives here at the King's
expence, who rears the plants, and distributes them, gratis, to
the colonists. This year the following plants were to be
distributed to those who chose to ask for them.
300 True acacias.
150 Bibeaux.
84 Avocayers.
10 Baobabs.
180 Bibaciers.
80 Bilembiers.
300 Badamiers.
17 Brindaonniers.
86 Cocoa-nut trees.
50 Camphor trees.
104 Caneficiers.
148 Caramboliers aigres.
50 Ditto doux.
10 Quince trees.
200 Dolbiers.
20 Foccias.
4163 Clove trees.
50 Illipes.
50 Jamiers.
12 Jaquiers, large kind.
8 Jambou--boles.
3000 Jambou--rosadiers.
92 Lataniers nains de la chine.
23 Longaniers.
20 Lit-chis, grosse espee.
36 Sapotes, negros de Moluquas.
30 Tata-mapacas of Madagascar.
3000 Small voakoas.
80 Mangostans.
56 Molavis.
1544 Nutmeg trees.
218 Sweet oranges.
4 Peach trees.
50 Perchers.
40 Rangoustans.
400 Rouffias.
40 Savonniers des Antillas.
80 Spirceas de la China.
300 Sagoutiers.
145 Wova-jourindis of Madagascar
40 Wouau guasailliers.
It should be observed, that 550 of the nutmeg trees were
reserved for _Cayenne, St. Domingo, Martinico_, and the
Seyehilles.
I cannot omit mentioning the great civilities I received from
Messieurs De Conway, M'Namarra, Fourneaux, Rossilly, and in short
all the respectable people here, who all did their utmost to
persuade me to take my passage in La Nymphe frigate: Monsieur de
Fourneaux very politely offered me half his cabin, and no
inducement was wanting to make me accept it; besides, there was a
probability of the fever not being totally eradicated in the
packet; but as I heard of a misunderstanding between England and
Spain; I thought it my duty to remain with that vessel. I mention
this circumstance for no other reason than to express my
gratitude to the above officers for their polite attention to me
during my short stay at this island.
The packet being thoroughly cleansed, and a fresh crew
entered, which was composed of all nations, we sailed on the 21st
of September, having only four sailors on board out of the
twenty-six, which came from Batavia, the rest being either dead,
or left at the hospital with little hopes of recovery.
Nothing material happened during our passage from the Isle of
France until our arrival at the Cape of Good Hope, on the 9th of
October. Here I found Lieutenant Riou waiting for orders from
England. As I understood that all vessels belonging to the Dutch
Company were strictly forbid stopping at any port, or having
communication with any vessels during their passage from the Cape
to Amsterdam, I wrote a letter to Mr. Van de Graff, the Dutch
governor, representing my being charged with dispatches, and
requesting that the captain might be permitted to heave the
vessel to, off the most convenient port in the English channel,
in order to land me with the dispatches: this request he very
readily granted, giving the captain an order for that purpose,
and furnishing me with a copy of it.
Five large French ships put in here loaded with slaves from
the east coast of Africa, and bound to the West-Indies. On the
20th of October, La Nymphe frigate arrived here from the Isle of
France, and the same day the packet sailed. On the 2d of
November, we passed the Island of St. Helena, with a strong gale
at south-east; and on the 7th, we saw the Island of Ascension. We
crossed the equator in 20° 18' longitude west of London. The
south-east trade carried us as far as 5° north latitude, when
we got the north-east trade, which did not come to the eastward
of north-east until we got near the western islands.
After a pleasant voyage of two months from the Cape of Good
Hope, I arrived in England on the 20th of December, having been
absent on the public service, in various stations, and in
different places, in the southern hemisphere, three years and
seven months.
* * * * *
Here ends Lieutenant King's _Journal_, which, as it gives
an authentic account of the first settlement of a new colony, in
a very distant region, must ever be interesting to those, who
delight in tracing the origin of nations. The following Narrative
was taken from the official dispatches of Governor Phillip, and
forms a continuation of the history of the people and country
under his charge, from the conclusion of his late Voyage to the I
test period.