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General cChart which was under the direction of the Admiralty cost a large sum of money.
Forty seven copies were given in presents by the Board of Admiralty besides the customary eleven, & some of them were bound magnificently at the charge of the Profits.
Soon after the Book was published an application was made to the Court of Chancery for an injunction against the Sale of a Pirated Copy, but the Chancelor refused it, giving as a reason that as the Voyage was made at the public expence, the Public ought to have the benefit of the literary property of the Journal.
Notwithstanding this check, the copies sold rapidly, as long as the impressions of the Plates were tolerably clear and even after they were much worn out; Profits to the amount of £3863.9.4 have already been receivd, & there are still some hundred copies of Letter Press & several of the Plates undisposed of, which have been paid for, & sell by degrees.
The Profits were divided by order of the Admiralty while Lord Howe was first Lord in the following manner.
One half to Capt Cooks family, the interest to the use of Mrs Cook during her life, after her death the principal to be divided among her surviving children by Capt Cook.
One fourth to the executors of Capt King to be disposd of as Capt King may have disposd of his effects by his last Will.