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小说: early australian voyages 字数: 每页4000字

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 to persons used to the navigation of the Indies; such an expedition could not be thought either dangerous or difficult; because it is already sufficiently known that there are everywhere islands upon the coast; where ships upon such a discovery might be sure to meet with refreshments; as is plain from Commodore Roggewein's voyage; made little more than twenty years ago。

The only difficulty that I can see would be the getting a fair and honest account of this expedition when made; for private interest is so apt to interfere; and get the better of the public service; that it is very hard to be sure of anything of this sort。  That I may not be suspected of any intent to calumniate; I shall put the reader in mind of two instances; the first is; as to the new trade from Russia; for establishing of which an Act of Parliament was with great difficulty obtained; though visibly for the advantage of the nation; the other instance is; the voyage of Captain Middleton; for the discovery of a north…west passage into the south seas; which is ended by a very warm dispute; whether that passage be found or not; the person supposed to have found it maintaining the negative。

Whenever; therefore; such an expedition is undertaken; it ought to be under the direction; not only of a person of parts and experience; but of unspotted character; who; on his return; should be obliged to deliver his journal upon oath; and the principal officers under him should likewise be directed to keep their journals distinctly; and without their being inspected by the principal officer; all which journals ought to be published by authority as soon as received; that every man might be at liberty to examine them; and deliver his thoughts as to the discoveries made; or the impediments suggested to have hindered or prevented such discoveries; by which means the public would be sure to obtain a full and distinct account of the matter; and it would thence immediately appear whether it would be expedient to prosecute the design or not。

But if it should be thought too burdensome for a company in so flourishing a condition; and consequently engaged in so extensive a commerce as the East India Company is; to undertake such an expedition; merely to serve the public; promote the exportation of our manufactures; and increase the number of industrious persons who are maintained by foreign trade; if this; I say; should be thought too grievous for a company that has purchased her privileges from the public by a large loan at low interest; there can certainly be no objection to the putting this project into the hands of the Royal African Company; who are not quite in so flourishing a condition; they have equal opportunities for undertaking it; since the voyage might be with great ease performed from their settlements in ten months; and if the trade was found to answer; it might encourage the settling a colony at Madagascar to and from which ships might; with the greatest conveniency; carry on the trade to New Guinea。  I cannot say how far such a trade might be consistent with their present charter; but if it should be found advantageous to the public; and beneficial to the company; I think there can be no reason assigned why it should not be secured to them; and that too in the most effectual manner。

A very small progress in it would restore the reputation of the company; and in time; perhaps; free the nation from the annual expense she is now at; for the support of the forts and garrisons belonging to that company on the coasts of Africa; which would alone prove of great and immediate service; both to the public and to the company。  To say the truth; something of this sort is absolutely necessary to vindicate the expense the nation is at; for if the trade; for the carrying on of which a company is established; proves; by a change of circumstances; incapable of supporting that company; and thereby brings a load upon the public; this ought to be a motive; it ought; indeed; to be the strongest motive; for that company to endeavour the extension of its commerce; or the striking out; if possible; some new branch of trade; which may restore it to its former splendour; and in this as it hath an apparent right; so there is not the least reason to doubt that it would meet with all the countenance and assistance from the government that it could reasonably expect or desire。

If such a design should ever be attempted; perhaps the island of New Britain might be the properest place for them to settle。  As to the situation; extent; and present condition of that island; all that can be said of it must be taken from the account given by its discoverer Captain Dampier; which; in few words; amounts to this: 〃The island which I call Nova Britannia has about 4 degrees of latitude; the body of it lying in 4 degrees; the northernmost part in 2 degrees 30 minutes; and the southernmost in 6 degrees 30 minutes。  It has about 5 degrees 18 minutes longitude from east to west; it is generally high mountainous land; mixed with large valleys; which; as well as the mountains; appeared very fertile; and in most places that we saw the trees are very large; tall; and thick。  It is also very well inhabited with strong; well…limbed negroes; whom we found very daring and bold at several places:  as to the product of it; it is very probable this island may afford as many rich commodities as any in the world; and the natives may be easily brought to commerce; though I could not pretend to it in my circumstances。〃  If any objections should be raised from Dampier's misfortune in that voyage; it is easy to show that it ought to have no manner of weight whatever; since; though he was an excellent pilot; he is allowed to have been but a bad commander; besides; the Roebuck; in which he sailed; was a worn…out frigate that would hardly swim; and it is no great wonder that in so crazy a vessel the people were a little impatient at being abroad on discoveries; yet; after all; he performed what he was sent for; and; by the discovery of this island of New Britain; secured us an indisputable right to a country; that is; or might be made; very valuable。

It is so situated; that a great trade might be carried on from thence through the whole Terra Australis on one side; and the most valuable islands of the East Indies on the other。  In short; all; or at least most; of the advantages proposed by the Dutch West India Company's joining with their East India Company; of which a large account has already been given; might be procured for this nation; by the establishing a colony in this island of New Britain; and securing the trade of that colony to the African Company by law; the very passing of which law would give the company more than sufficient credit; to fit out a squadron at once capable of securing the possession of that island; and of giving the public such satisfaction as to its importance; as might be requisite to obtain further power and assistance from the State; if that should be found necessary。  It would be very easy to point out some advantages peculiarly convenient for that company; but it will be time enough to think of these whenever the African Company shall discover an inclination to prosecute this design。  At present I have done what I proposed; and have shown that such a collection of voyages as this ought not to be considered as a work of mere amusement; but as a work calculated for the benefit of mankind in general; and of this nation in particular; which it is the duty of every man to promote in his station; and whatever fate these reflections may meet with; I shall always have the satisfaction of remembering that I have not neglected it in mine; but have taken the utmost pains to turn a course of laborious reading to the advantage of my country。

But; supposing that neither of these companies should think it expedient; or; in other words; should not think it consistent with their interest to attempt this discovery; there is yet a third company; within the spirit of whose charter; I humbly conceive; the prosecution of such a scheme immediately lies。  The reader will easily discern that I mean the company for carrying on a trade to the South Seas; who; notwithstanding the extensiveness of their charter; confirmed and supported by authority of parliament; have not; so far as my information reaches; ever attempted to send so much as a single ship for the sake of discoveries into the South Seas; which; however; was the great point proposed when this company was first established。  In order to prove this; I need only lay before the reader the limits assigned that company by their charter; the substance of which is contained in the following words:…

〃The corporation; and their successors; shall; for ever; be vested in the sole trade into and from all the kingdoms and lands on the east side of America; from the River Oroonoco; to the southernmost part of Terra del Fuego; and on the west side thereof from the said southernmost part of Terra del Fuego; through the South Sea; to the northernmost part of America; and into and through all the countries; islands; and places within the said limits; which are reputed to belong to Spain; or which shall hereafter be found out and discovered within the limits aforesaid; not

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