Place the Ship's Name, date, etc., and, after displaying the English Colours, I took formal possession of the place in the Name of His Majesty.
Thursday, 16th.—Fresh breezes between the N.W. and S.W., and fair weather. At 1 P.M., having got within the Group of Islands which lies of the North head of Mercury Bay, hauld our wind to the Northward, and Kept plying to windward all the day between these Islands and some others laying to the Northward of them, with a View to get under the Main land, the Extream N.W. point of which we could see, at Noon, bore W. by N., distant 6 or 8 Leagues; Latitude in Per Observation 36° 33′ S.
Note, in speaking of Mercury Bay, I had forgot to mention that the Mangrove Trees found there produce a resinous substance very much like Rosin. Something of this kind, I am told, is found in both the E. and W. Indies. We found it, at first, in small Lumps upon the Sea Beach, but afterwards found it sticking to the Mangrove Trees, and by that means found out from whence it came.
Friday, 17th.—The fore and Middle parts had fresh Gales between the S.W. and W. by S., and Squally. Kept plying to windward in order to get under the land. At 6 A.M. fetched close under the lee of the Northernmost Island in sight, then Tackd and Stood to the Southward until 11, when we tack'd and Stood to the Northward. At this time the North head of Mercury Bay, or Point Mercury, bore S.E. by E., distant 3 Leagues, being at this time between 2 and 3 Leagues from the Main land, and abreast of a place where there appear'd to be a Harbour;[1] but the heavy squalls which we had from the Land would not permit us to take a nearer View of it, but soon brought us under our Close reeft Topsails. At Noon Point Mercury bore S.E., distant 4 Leagues, and the weathermost point of the Main land in sight bore N. 60° W., distant 5 Leagues. Over the N.W. side of Mercury Bay is a pretty high round hill, rising sloping from the Shore of the Bay. This hill is very conspicuous from where we now are.
Saturday, 18th.—First part strong Gales at S.W. and S.S.W., with heavy squalls: in the morning had Gentle breezes at S. and S.E., towards noon had Whifling light Airs all round the Compass. Kept plying to windward under close Reeft Topsails until daylight, at which time we had got close under the Main, and the wind coming at S.E. we made sail and steer'd N.W. by W., as the land lays, keeping close in shore. At 6 we passed a small Bay[2] wherein there appear'd to be Anchorage, and pretty good Shelter from the Sea Winds, at the Entrance of which lies a Rock pretty high above water. 4 Miles farther to the W.N.W. is a very Conspicuous promontory or point of land which we got abreast of about 7 o'Clock; it lies in the
