Table of the winds and weather, etc. on a passage from Port Jackson,
New South Wales, to Batavia in the Waaksamheid Transport.]
[The tables are included in the HTML version]

Chapter X

A VOYAGE TO THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE

September 1791 to April 1792

Captain Hunter waits on the Governor at Batavia.--Applies for a
passage to England.--Purchases the Waaksambeyd for that purpose.--Leaves
Batavia.--Passes the Keelings.--Arrives at the Cape of Good Hope.--Leaves
that place, and anchors at Saint Helena.--Departs from Saint Helena.--
Arrives at Portsmouth.--Tables for the variation of the compass.--Captain
Hunter's letter to the Lords of the Admiralty.-

The master of the ship went immediately on shore, to inform
his owner (the Shebander) of his arrival: that gentleman wrote me
a note the same night, begging to see me the next morning as
early as possible, that he might introduce me to the governor; he
informed me at the same time, that it was quite unnecessary to
write to the governor upon any business I might have to settle
with him, (which the master of the ship informed him I intended)
as my business could be done with more ease in a personal
interview.

I landed the next morning, and went with the Shebander (who
spoke English) to the governor, who lived about three miles out
of town. I had previously told the Shebander, in writing, what my
business was, which he thought necessary for enabling him the
better to interpret between us. I informed the governor, that
Governor Phillip had found it necessary, for the forwarding of
his Majesty's service, to employ the vessel in which I was
embarked to convey to that port the officers and company of his
Majesty's lost ship the Sirius, with a view, that after we had
procured the necessary provision and refreshments, we should be
permitted to proceed in the same vessel to England: I therefore
desired permission to have her refitted, and to proceed with all
possible expedition.

The governor, in answer to my request, informed me, that he
could not consent to any vessel belonging to the company being
employed as a transport, and that it was contrary to the
established regulations of the company to permit that vessel, as
Dutch property, to proceed from thence to Europe.

I desired that he would take the trouble to consider the
nature of my application; and I begged he might understand, that
I was not soliciting a favour to myself, as an individual, but
that I was an offic