State Library of NSW
[Page 3]
Harbours by Astronomical Observations - Also to observe the variation of the Needle & the right direction & course of the Tides & Currents & to record all such Observations in your Journal with the most minute exactness.
When you discover any considerable River, you will Navigate up the same as for as the Lady Nelson or Bee can proceed with safety, carefully planning the course & the Banks of it & noting the Soundings as you proceed & to Land as often as you see reason to suppose that any considerable variation has taken place either in the productions of the Soil or the customs of the Inhabitants, & to examine the Country as far inland as you may think prudent to venture with the small number of persons who can be spared from the charge of the Vessel whenever there appears a probability of discovering any thing usefull to the Commerce or Manufactories of Great Britain - You will note in your Journal in all places where you land either on the Sea Coasts or the Banks of a River your opinion of the comparative fertility of the Soil which may best be judged of by the size of the Trees & the degree of vigor with which Trees Shrubs & Plants appear to you to grow, as also such articles of the produce of the Soil & the Manners of the Inhabitants as you may deem worthy of Notice and in all places which appear to you of importance to Great Britain either on account of the convenience of Shelter for Shipping or the probable utility of the produce of the Soil You will take possession in his Majestys Name with the consent of the Inhabitants, if any, under a discharge of Musquetry & Artillery & to record the whole proceedings at length both in your Log Book & Journal, Viz - uninhabited to set up some proper description as first Discoverer & possessor - And you are to plant such Seeds of Fruit Trees & usefull Vegetables as you are supplied with near to such Landing places as you may discover in which a safe & commodious Anchorage & easy Landing render it likely that Ships may hereafter frequent & where the Soil appears most fertile & productive & to collect in all such places such Seeds of Trees Plants Shrubs & Grasses as you may find in a State of Maturity & judge to be worthy of Notice either for their beauty their particularity or their possible utility, & to collect such specimens of Vegetables Animals & Minerals as you may think likely to prove interesting to Naturalists at home.
And as I have judged it necessary to direct Mr George Caley employed in collecting for the R.t Hon.ble President of the Royal Society to embark on board the Brig, You are to receive & victual him, giving him as good accommodation as the nature of the Vessel will admit of And you are not to fail assisting this Collector as much as the nature of the Service will admit by sending him in Boats to Such places as appear likely to be productive of Curiosities & by sparing him Men for his assistance exclusive of a Soldier
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