and was originally called the Diligence. It is scarcely necessary to observe, that the Earl of Sandwich, Sir Hugh Palliser, and the rest of the Board of Admiralty, made every provision for the due equipment of the vessels; and took special care to consult, in all respects, the comfort of our navigator. Capt. Cook preferred his own ship, the Resolution; and, in accordance with his wishes, the command of the Discovery was given to Capt. Charles Clerke, who had been one of his Lieutenants in both his voyages, and was originally promoted by himself. Several others of his former shipmates, both officers and men, gladly embarked with him again, in this new enterprise.
The two vessels were plentifully supplied, not only with an excellent stock of provisions and necessaries of all kinds, but with those antiscorbutics, which during the last voyage, were found to be of so much utility in preserving health. An extra supply of clothing for the men, adapted to the climates in which they were to be employed, was also liberally furnished. The frame work of a small vessel, sent out in the Resolution before, had never been used; yet, as the Captain found that it might have been useful in exploring such a coast as that of New Caledonia, and as it might afford the means of safety, in case of shipwreck, each ship was now furnished with a frame of this kind, to be used as occasion might require.
As our navigator had humanely endeavoured to stock some of the countries which he visited, with useful animals and vegetables, His Majesty, to second his benevolent views, ordered a quantity of live stock, including a bull and two cows, with their calves, to be put on board for Otaheite, and
