FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166  
167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   178   179   180   181   182   183   184   185   186   187   188   189   190   191   >>   >|  
plishment. This magnanimous resolution was joyfully received, and could not fail to produce the most sanguine hopes of at least an honourable, if not a successful, issue. His appointment was immediately made out; and it was agreed, that on returning to England, he should have his situation at Greenwich restored.--E.] But the plan of the voyage, and the various objects it embraced, will best appear from the instructions under which Captain Cook sailed; and the insertion of them here, will convey such authentic information as may enable the reader to judge with precision how far they have been carried into execution. * * * * * By the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland, &c. _Secret Instructions for Captain James Cook, Commander of his Majesty's Sloop the Resolution_. Whereas the Earl of Sandwich has signified to us his majesty's pleasure, that an attempt should be made to find out a northern passage by sea from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean; and whereas we have, in pursuance thereof, caused his majesty's sloops Resolution and Discovery to be fitted, in all respects, proper to proceed upon a voyage for the purpose above-mentioned, and, from the experience we have had of your abilities and good conduct in your late voyages, have thought fit to entrust you with the conduct of the present intended voyage, and with that view appointed you to command the first-mentioned sloop, and directed Captain Clerke, who commands the other, to follow your orders for his further proceedings. You are hereby required and directed to proceed with the said two sloops directly to the Cape of Good Hope, unless you shall judge it necessary to stop at Madeira, the Cape de Verd or Canary Islands, to take in wine for the use of their companies; in which case you are at liberty to do so, taking care to remain there no longer than may be necessary for that purpose. On your arrival at the Cape of Good Hope, you are to refresh the sloops' companies, and to cause the sloops to be supplied with as much provisions and water as they can conveniently stow. You are, if possible, to leave the Cape of Good Hope by the end of October, or the beginning of November next, and proceed to the southward, in search of some islands said to have been lately seen by the French, in the latitude 48 deg. 0' S., and about the meridian of Mauritius. In case you find those i
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166  
167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   178   179   180   181   182   183   184   185   186   187   188   189   190   191   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
sloops
 

Captain

 

voyage

 

proceed

 

majesty

 
directed
 
companies
 

Resolution

 
conduct
 

purpose


mentioned

 

thought

 
voyages
 

required

 
command
 

appointed

 
directly
 
intended
 

proceedings

 

present


Clerke

 

entrust

 

meridian

 

commands

 

Mauritius

 

abilities

 

orders

 

follow

 

Canary

 

provisions


supplied

 
arrival
 

refresh

 

conveniently

 

November

 
southward
 

islands

 
beginning
 

October

 
Islands

search
 

Madeira

 
latitude
 
remain
 

longer

 

taking

 
liberty
 

French

 
Pacific
 

objects