The Life and Voyages of Captain James Cook/Chapter 9

by George Young (1777-1848)

CHAPTER IX.

Cook is cordially welcomed on his arrival—introduced to the King—raised to the rank of Commander. His Letters to Mr. Walker, giving a summary account of his Voyage. Publication of the authorised narrative of the Voyage, received with much eagerness. A new Expedition planned. Cook's visit to Ayton and Whitby. The Resolution and Adventure engaged for the new Voyage: Captain Cook appointed to the former, and Capt. Furneaux to the latter. Equipment and sailing of the Vessels. Capt. Cook's Instructions delivered to him at Plymouth.

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The happiness enjoyed by Lieut. Cook, on being safely restored to the bosom of his family, and the society of his friends, after an absence of nearly three years, may be better conceived than described. But it was not by his kindred and particular friends only, that our great navigator was welcomed to his native country: the whole British public hailed his arrival with joy, and he was every where received with that respect and admiration, which his eminent talents, surprising adventures, and important discoveries, were calculated to command. He was justly regarded as an ornament to his country, and his company was sought by persons of every rank, not excepting royalty itself. A few weeks after his arrival, he was introduced to King George III, and had an hour's conversation with him, during which His Majesty paid him some high and gratifying compliments. And it was fit that he, who had taken possession of so many countries on His Majesty's behalf, and had acted the part of his representative at the courts of so many Kings of distant islands, should have the honour of an interview with his own Sovereign. The Admiralty Board, at which the Earl of Sandwich now presided, expressed their warm approbation of his services; and on the 29th of August, he was raised to the rank of Captain Commander. He expected to be made Post Captain at once, without passing through that intervening stage; and he well deserved to enjoy that distinction; but a regard to etiquette, and the usual forms of promotion, prevented his being advanced higher for the present. The difference, indeed, was only in rank, not in emolument. His friends who had recommended him to the service which he had so ably performed, particularly Sir Hugh Palliser, must have been delighted to find, that he had not only come up to their high expectations, but lar exceeded them.

His services in observing the transit of Venus, as well as his connection with those eminent naturalists, Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander, procured him the esteem and regard of the President and Council of the Royal Society. His papers relating to the transit, with those of Mr. Green, were put into the hands of the Astronomer Royal, for the use of the scientific world. Some time after. Captain Cook prepared a paper "On the flowing of the Tides in the South Sea," which was read before the Royal Society, May 21st, 1772, and is published in the 62nd Volume of the Philosophical Transactions.

While thus respected and honoured by his King and country, and admitted to the society of the great and the learned, Captain Cook did not forget or neglect his old friends in the north. His Whitby friend, Mr. Walker, having written him soon after his arrival, with kind inquiries concerning his health and success, was favoured with a brief account of his voyage, in two letters, before the publication of his journal. The insertion of these letters will not be deemed a needless repetition: the reader will rather regard them as valuable documents, giving a summary of the events and results of his first voyage, in his own words.—

The first Letter is as follows:

Mile-end, London, 17th Aug.—71.

Dear Sir,

Your very obliging letter came safe to hand, for which and your kind inquiries after my health, I return you my most sincere thanks. I should have wrote much sooner, but have been in expectation, for several days past, of an order to make my Voyage public, after which I could have wrote with freedom. As this point is not yet determined upon, I lie under some restraint. I may, however, venture to inform you, that the voyage has fully answered the expectation of my superiors. I had the honour of an hour's conference with the King the other day, who was pleased to express his approbation of my conduct, in terms that were extremely pleasing to me. I, however, have made no very great discoveries, yet I have explored more of the Great South Sea than all that have gone before me; in so much that little remains now to be done, to have a thorough knowledge of that part of the globe.

I sailed from England, as well provided for such a voyage as possible, and a better ship for such a service I never would wish for. We touched first at Madeira, and took in wine; after that at Rio Janeiro, where we recruited our provisions. We next touched in Straits le Maire, in a port in Terra del Fuego, where we took in wood and water. This was in the month of January, that is, in the midst of summer; yet the weather was exceeding cold and stormy, with snow. We left this place towards the latter end of the month, and in about 3 weeks time got round Cape Horn into the South Sea, without ever being once brought under our close-reefed topsails: however we had no want of wind. The highest south latitude we were in was 60° 12'; and here we had finer weather than in a lower latitude. We arrived at George's Island, the place of destination, on the 13th of April, —69; having in our rout thither discovered several islands, which are of no great note. We met with a very friendly reception by the natives of George's Island, who supplied us with all manner of refreshments that the island afforded. We had here an extraordinary good observation of the Transit of Venus, which was one of the principal objects of the voyage. We left this island, after a stay of three months, and afterwards visited some others lying in its neighbourhood; where we were plentifully supplied with fresh provisions. We left these islands on the 9th of Aug., and steered to the southward, in search of the so much before talked-of Southern Continent; which we did not find. Before we left the above islands, the voyage was very agreeble and pleasant: the remainder was attended with such a variety of circumstances, that I must defer to some other opportunity to enter upon it.—Should I come into the North, I shall certainly call upon you, and am, with great respect,

Sir,
Your most Obliged Humble Servt.
Jam. Cook.

To Capt. Jno. Walker at Whitby.

The second Letter, written about a month after, not only continues the narrative, but recurs to his favourite theme, Otaheite, and the other South Sea Islands.

Mile-end, London, 13th Sept. 1771.

Sir,

In my last I gave you some account of my Voyage, as far as the South Sea Islands; the remainder shall be the subject of this letter. What I mean by the South Sea Islands are those that lie within and about the Tropics. They are in general small: George's Island, which is only about 33 leagues in circuit, is one of the largest. The inhabitants of this island gave us an account, and the names, of 130 islands lying in these seas. They are of two kinds, very low, or very mountainous. The low islands are such as are called Keys in the West Indies; that is, mostly shoals, ledges of rocks, &c. The chief produce of the firm land is cocoa nuts. These and fish, with which all these islands abound, are the chief support of the inhabitants. The mountainous parts of the high islands are in general dry and barren, and as it were burnt up with the sun; but all these islands are skirted round with a border of low land, which is fertile and pleasant to a very high degree, being well clothed with fruit trees, which nature hath planted here for the use of the happy natives. These people may be said to be exempted from the curse of our forefathers. Scarce can it be said that they earn their bread by the sweat of their brows. Benevolent nature hath not only provided them with necessaries, but many of the luxuries of life. Loaves of bread, or at least what serves as a most excellent substitute, grow here in a manner spontaneously upon trees; besides a great many other fruits, and roots: and the sea coasts are well stored with a vast variety of excellent fish. They have only three species of tame animals, hogs, dogs, and fowls; all of which they eat. Dogs we learned from them also to eat; and there were but few among us who did not think, that a South Sea dog ate as well as an English lamb. Was I to give a full description of these islands, the manners and customs of the inhabitants, &c., it would far exceed the bounds of a letter. I must therefore, quit these terrestrial paradises, in order to follow the course of our voyage.

In the beginning of Aug. 1769, we quitted the tropical regions, and steered to the southward, in the midst of the South Sea, the height of 40°, without meeting with any land, or the least visible signs of any. We then steered to the westward, between the latitude of 30° and 40°, until we fell in with the east coast of New Zealand, a very small part of the west coast of which, was first discovered by Tasman in 1642; but he never once set foot upon it. This country was thought to be a part of the Southern Continent; but I found it to be two large islands, both of which I circumnavigated in the space of six months. They extend from the latitude of 34° South to 471/2° South, and are together nearly as big as Great Britain. It is a hilly, mountainous country, but rich and fertile; especially the northern parts, where it is also well inhabited. The inhabitants of this country are a strong, well-made, active people, rather above the common size. They are of a very dark brown colour, with long black hair. They are also a brave, warlike people, with sentiments void of treachery. Their arms are spears, clubs, halberts, battle-axes, darts, and stones. They live in strongholds, or fortified towns, built in well chosen situations, and according to art. We had frequent skirmishes with them, always where we were not known: Our fire arms gave us the superiority. At first some of them were killed; but we at last learned how to manage them without taking away their lives: and when once peace was settled, they ever after were our very good friends. These people speak the same language as the people of the South Sea Islands, we had before visited, though distant from them many hundred leagues, and of whom they have not the least knowledge, or of any other people whatever. Their chief food is fish, and fern roots: they have too, in places, large plantations of potatoes, such as we have in the West Indies, and likewise yams, &c. Land animals they have none, either wild or tame, except dogs, which they breed for food. This country produceth a grass plant like flags, of the nature of hemp or flax, but superior in quality to either. Of this the natives make clothing, lines, nets, &c. The men very often go naked, with only a narrow belt about their waists: the women, on the contrary, never appear naked. Their government, religion, notions of the creation of the world, mankind, &c., are much the same as those of the natives of the South Sea Islands.

We left this country on the 1st. of April, 1770, and steered for New Holland, all the east part of which remained undiscovered; my design being to fall in with the southern part, called Van Dieman's Land: but the winds forced me to the northward of it about 40 leagues, so that we fell in with the land in latitude 38° south. I explored the coast of this country, which I called New South Wales, to the northern extremity; in the doing of which, we were many times in great danger of losing the ship. Once we lay 23 hours upon a ledge of rocks, were obliged to throw our guns and many of our stores overboard, received very much damage in her bottom; but by a fortunate circumstance got her into port, and repaired her. Great part of this coast is covered with islands and shoals; which made the exploring it exceeding dangerous, even to a very great degree. We sailed upon this coast near 400 leagues by the lead, without ever having a leadsman out of the chains, with sometimes one, two, and three boats ahead, to direct us; and yet, with all this precaution, we were very often obliged to anchor with all sails standing, to prevent running ashore. We at last surmounted all difficulties, and got into the Indian Sea, by a passage entirely new.

The east coast of New Holland, or what I call New South Wales, extends from 38° to 104°. New Holland can be called an island, it is by far the greatest in the known world. The interior part of this immense track of land is not at all known: what borders on the sea coast is a mixture of fertile and barren land; the soil, in general, is of a loose sandy nature. The natives of this country are not numerous: they are of a very dark brown or chocolate colour, with lank black hair: they are under the common size, and seem to be a timorous, inoffensive race of men. They spoke a very different language from any we had met with. Men, women, and children, go wholly naked. It is said of our first parents, that after they had eaten the forbidden fruit, they saw themselves naked, and were ashamed; these people are naked, and are not ashamed. They live chiefly on fish, and wild fowl, and such other articles as the land naturally produceth; for they do not cultivate one foot of it. These people may truly be said to be in the pure state of nature, and may appear to some to be the most wretched upon earth; but, in reality, they are far more happy than we Europeans, being wholly unacquainted not only with the superfluities, but with many of the necessary conveniences, so much sought after in Europe: they are happy in not knowing the use of them. They live in a tranquillity, which is not disturbed by the inequality of condition: the earth and sea, of their own accord, furnish them with all things necessary for life; they covet not magnificent houses, household stuff, &c.; they sleep as sound in a small hovel, or even in the open air, as the King in his palace on a bed of down.

After quitting New Holland, we steered for the coast of New Guinea, where we landed but once: then made the best of our way to Batavia, and in our way touched at an island, partly under the Dutch East India Company. Here we got plenty of refreshments, which were very acceptable. We arrived at Batavia in Oct., all in good health and high spirits. On our arrival at a European settlement, we thought all our hardships at an end; but Providence thought proper to order it otherwise. The repairs the ship wanted caused a delay of near 10 weeks, in which time we contracted sicknesses, that here, and on our passage to the Cape of Good Hope, carried off above thirty of my people. The reminder of the voyage was attended with no material circumstance. If any interesting circumstance should occur to me, that I have omitted, I will hereafter acquaint you with it. I however expect, that my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty will very soon publish the whole Voyage, Charts, &c. Another voyage is thought of, with two ships; which, if it takes place, I believe the command will be conferred upon me.—If there is any thing that I can inform you of, in regard to my late voyage, I shall take a pleasure in it: and believe me to be

Your Obliged Servt.
Jams. Cook.

These letters may give us an idea of those partial notices of his voyage, which Captain Cook communicated to his particular friends, previous to the publication of the entire narrative. The latter was looked for by the public with intense interest; and it is not surprising, that unauthorised attempts were made to gratify such eager curiosity. One of these anticipations of Cook's narrative was entitled, "A Journal of a Voyage round the World." This must have been the work of some one connected with the expedition; and although the account which it contained was comparatively dry and meagre, it was received with eagerness. A copy of the Journal of Mr. Parkinson, the property of Mr. Banks, his employer, having been surreptitiously obtained, together with his valuable drawings, was also printed; but an injunction from the Court of Chancery for some time prevented its publication. The authorised account of the Voyage, drawn up by Dr. Hawkesworth, from the the Commander's Journal, and the papers of Mr. Banks (afterwards Sir Joseph Banks), at last appeared; and was received by the public with that high regard which it justly merited. Its value was greatly enhanced by the excellent charts and drawings that accompanied it, liberally furnished at the expense of Government. By this Publication, the fame of our navigator was soon spread abroad, not only in the British dominions, but among all the nations of Europe, and throughout the whole civilized world.

While public curiosity was amply gratified by the perusal of this most interesting narrative, the discoveries which Cook had made, excited a desire after further discoveries. Even before it was published, as appears from the close of his second letter to Mr. Walker, a fresh expedition was talked of, and it was proposed to send two ships, under his command, to make new researches in the Pacific Ocean, and particularly to explore the southern hemisphere, in order to put an end to all further speculation about a great southern continent. This proposal meeting with the approbation of a patriotic King, and a liberal Government, and according with the wishes of Cook himself, steps were immediately taken for carrying it into effect.

During the progress of this new and important measure, Capt. Cook found leisure to pay a short visit to his relations and friends in the north. His father was still living at Ayton, and must have been overjoyed to see his only surviving son, preserved through so many perils, and now raised to an elevated rank, enjoying the respect and admiration of his country. His father's friend, and his own early patron, Thos. Skottowe, Esq., was now no more, having died in the beginning of that year. But about this period, Captain Cook became intimately acquainted with another respected friend, Commodore Wilson, then, and for many years after, residing at Ayton. This gentleman had performed many gallant exploits in the East India Company's service, and had, among other enterprises, discovered, in 1759, the eastern passage to China, by Pitt's Straits, so called after the name of the vessel which Capt. Wilson then commanded. As Cook and he were kindred spirits, brothers in bold enterprise and successful discovery, they felt powerfully attracted to each other, and formed a friendship which lasted during life.

According to promise, Capt. Cook paid a visit to his worthy friend, Mr. Walker of Whitby, who, with his family, shewed him great kindness and respect. All, indeed, who had known him during his residence in Whitby, would be desirous to renew their acquaintance, with one who was not only a credit to the place where he had spent his youth, but an ornament to his country. But of all his Whitby friends, no one received him with more cordiality than good old Mary Prowd, the worthy nurse, who had distinguished him with her special regard, when an apprentice boy. Her opinion of his worth had been amply confirmed, and her hopes of his future greatness more than realized. She had been delighted to hear of his adventures and preferments, and was overjoyed at the thoughts. of once more seeing him. Previous to his arrival, she had been taught, that she must not now call him James, in the same familiar way as before; she must recollect his rank, and call him Captain. Molly resolved to abide by these instructions, but the moment he appeared in her presence, the burst of her affections overpowered every other feeling: forgetting all her lessons, she stretched out both her arms to welcome him, and exclaimed in her own native phraseology, "O honey James, how glad I's to see thee!"

Captain Cook would of course congratulate Mr. Fishburn on the excellence of the Endeavour, in which he had circumnavigated the globe; and which, instead of being laid aside as unfit for service, was already sent off for the Falkland Isles, as a store ship. The choice of the two vessels wanted for the new expedition under his command, being left to himself, he selected two ships made by the same eminent builder, both the property of Capt. Wm. Hammond of Hull, and now only from 14 to 16 months old. It was Cook's firm opinion, often expressed, that no ships were better adapted for voyages of discovery, than those constructed at Whitby for the coal trade; being of a moderate size, and strongly built. The largest of these two vessels was named the. Resolution, of 462 tons burthen; the other was the Adventure, of 336 tons.

On the 28th of November, Capt. Cook was appointed to the command of the Resolution, with a complement of 112 officers and men, including marines; while Mr. Tobias Furneaux, who had been second Lieutenant with Capt. Wallis, was promoted to the command of the Adventure, with a complement of 81. The ships were fitted out in the most complete style, the former at Deptford, the latter at Woolwich; and were furnished with every thing that could contribute to the comfort of the officers and crew, and the success of the voyage. Among the excellent stores and provisions put on board, there were large supplies of antiscorbutics; such as, sour crout, salted cabbage, portable broth, marmalade of carrots, malt, and inspissated juice of wort and beer.

Amidst eager desires for geographical discovery, the cause of science was not forgotten. The Admiralty engaged Mr. Wm. Hodges, an eminent artist, to make drawings and paintings of interesting objects, occurring during the voyage. Mr. John Reinhold Forster and his son were appointed to fill the department of natural history; for which the Parliament made provision. And, although there was no transit of Venus to observe, astronomy had also its representatives, in Mr. Wm. Wales and Mr. Wm. Bayley; engaged by the Board of Longitude, the former for the Resolution, the latter for the Adventure. Both ships were supplied with excellent timekeepers, and astronomical apparatus.

Captain Cook was highly satisfied with the selection of the officers under his command. His first Lieutenant was Mr. R. P. Cooper; his second and third Lieutenants, Messrs. Clerke and Pickersgill, had served under him in his first voyage; as did also Lieut. Edgcumbe, of the marines, two of the warrant officers, and several of the petty officers. His coadjutor, Captain Furneaux, had for his Lieutenants, Messrs. Joseph Shank, and Arthur Kempe; and Lieutenant James Scott, of the marines.

The winter months having been employed in fitting out the vessels, the Resolution sailed from Deptford, April 9th; but was detained at Woolwich by contrary winds till the 22nd, when she dropped down to Long Reach, where the Adventure joined her, and both ships received their powder, guns, and gunner's stores. On the 10th of May, they sailed from Long Reach, to proceed to Plymouth; but the Resolution being found to be very crank, it was thought proper to put her into Sheerness, to make some alterations in her upper works. The necessary alterations were executed by the officers of the yard; and during their progress, the Earl of Sandwich and Sir Hugh Palliser came down, to see that every thing was done properly. This occurrence gave rise to some reflexions on the judgment of Capt. Cook, in making choice of the Resolution for this voyage; but his good opinion of the ship was not shaken, and the event shewed that his judgment was correct.

On the 22nd of June, the Resolution, having undergone these alterations, sailed from Sheerness; and on the 3rd of July, joined the Adventure in Plymouth Sound. Here the Earl of Sandwich and Sir Hugh Palliser, who had been inspecting the dock-yards, paid the last mark of their assiduous attention to the equipment of this expedition, by going on board the Resolution, to assure themselves that every thing was provided according to the Captain's wishes, and that the ship answered his expectations.

At Plymouth our navigator received his instructions, directing him to take both vessels under his command; to touch at Madeira, and the Cape; and then proceed in search of a southern continent, circumnavigating the globe in a high southern latitude, and getting as near to the south pole as was practicable; and, in the event of interruption by stormy weather, to retire to some known port, to refresh the people, and refit the ships; and then resume his researches, when the season allowed. If a southern continent was found, he was to explore its coasts, and cultivate an acquaintance with its inhabitants; if none appeared, he might employ himself in discovering such islands as might be situated in the unexplored parts of the southern hemisphere. If the Resolution should be lost, he was to prosecute the voyage in the Adventure; and after circumnavigating the globe, return home by the Cape of Good Hope. No time was fixed for his return; and in all unforeseen emergencies, he was authorized to act according to the best of his judgment.—These instructions being received, and a copy delivered to Capt. Furneaux, with the necessary directions, both ships were ready to take their final departure from England.