Transcription

New Zealand 

The Country First observed by Tasman [in margin]
He never landed upon it [in margin]
interior Policy & therefore could only draw conclutions from what we saw at Different times.
Part of the East Coast of this Country was first discovered by Abel Tasman in 1642 & by him called new Zealand he however never landed upon it probably he was discouraged from it by the Natives killing 3 or 4 of his People at the first & only place he Anchord at. This country which before now was thought to be part of the imaginary Southern Continent consists of 2 large Islands divided from each other by a Strait or Passage of 4 or 5 Leags. broad. they are situated between the Latde. of 34 & 48S & between the Longde. 181 & 194W from the Meridian of Greenwich the situation of few parts of the world are better determin'd than these Islands are being settled by some hundreds of Observations of the Sun & Moon & one of the Transit of Mercury made by Mr Green who was sent out by the Royal Society to observe the Transit of Venus ~
The Northermst. of these Islands as I have before observed is called by the Natives Aeheinomouwe & the Southermst. Tovy Poenammu the former name we were well assured comprehends the whole of the Northern Island but we were not so well Satisfied with the latter whether it comprehended the whole of the Southern Islands or only a part of it ~
This last according to the accounts of the Natives of Queen Charlottes sound ought to consist of 2 Islands one of which at least we were to have sail'd round in a few days, but this was not verify'd  by our own Observans. I am inclinable to think that they know'd no more of this land than what came within the Limits of their sight. The Chart which I have drawn will best point out the figure & Extent of these Islands the situation of the Bays & Harbours they contain & the lesser Islands lay about them & now I have mentioned the Chart I shall point out such places as are drawn with sufficient accuracy to be depended upon & such as are not beginning at Cape Pallisser & proceed round Aeheinomouwe by the East Cape &tc.
Remarks on the Chart [in margin]
the Coast between these 2 Capes I believe to be laid down pretty accurate both in its figure & the Course & distance from Point to Point. the opportys. I had & the methods I made use on to obtain these requisites were such as could hardly admit of an Error, from the E Cape to Cape Maria Van Diemen altho' it cannot be perfectly true yet it is without any very Material error some few places however must be excepted & these are very Doubtfull & are not only here but in every other part of the Chart pointed out by a Pricked 

 

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