e no unnecessary delay either here or at any other place, but shall
make the best of my way home. I have the Honour to be with the greatest
respect,

"Sir,

"Your most Obedient Humble Servant,

"(Signed) JAMES COOK.

"Endeavour Bark,
at Onrust, near Batavia,
the 23rd of October, 1770."

"Although the discoveries made in this voyage are not great." In these
modest words does Cook describe his work. I read them to mean that with
his love of accuracy he did not wish to claim his explorations of New
Zealand and the East Coast of Australia as discoveries, as it was already
known that lands existed there; but seeing how little was known, and how
completely he did his work, there are but few men who would have
refrained from classing them, as indeed he truly might have, as
discoveries.)

Friday, 26th. Set up the Ship's Tent for the reception of the Ship's
Company, several of them begin to be taken ill, owing, as I suppose, to
the extream hot weather.

[Heaving down at Batavia.]

Saturday, 27th. Employed getting out Stores, Ballast, etc.

Sunday, 28th. Employ'd as above.

Monday, 29th, Tuesday, 30th, Wednesday, 31st. Employ'd clearing the Ship.

[November 1770.]

Thursday, November 1st. Got every thing out of the Ship, and all clear
for going alongside of the Carreening, but about Noon I received a
message from the Officer at Onrust acquainting me that they could not
receive us there until they had first despatched the Ships bound to
Europe, which were down here taking in pepper.

Friday, 2nd, Saturday, 3rd, Sunday, 4th. Employ'd overhauling the
rigging, and making rope, making and repairing Sails.

Monday, 5th. Clear, hot sultry weather. In the A.M. transported the ship
over to Onrust, alongside one of the Carreening Wharfs.

Tuesday, 6th. In the A.M. the officers of the Yard took the Ship in hand,
and sent on board a number of Carpenters, Caulkers, Riggers, Slaves,
etc., to make ready to heave down.

Wednesday, 7th. Employ'd getting ready to heave down in the P.M. We had
the misfortune to loose Mr. Monkhouse, the Surgeon, who died at Batavia
of a Fever after a short illness, of which disease and others several of
our people are daily taken ill, which will make his loss be the more
severely felt; he was succeeded by Mr. Perry, his mate, who is equally as
well skilled in his profession.

Thursday, 8th. In the night had much Thunder, Lightning, and Rain; during
the day fair weather, which gave us time to