James Cook - A Journal of the proceedings of His Majesty's Bark Endeavour on a voyage round the world, by Lieutenant James Cook, Commander, commencing the 25th of May 1768 - 23 Oct. 1770: No. 290

[Page 290]
New Wales or East Coast of New Holland
July 1770 ([written in margin:] Endeavour River) difference is 14h:19':35" = to 214o:53':45" of Longde the observn made on the 29th of last Month gave 214:42:30 the mean is 214o:48':7 1/2 " which this place is Wt of Greenwich.
Wednesday 18th. Wind at ENEt a gentle breeze PM I sent the Master & one of the Mates in the Pinnace to the Northwd to look for a Channell that way clear of the Shoal. Mr Banks Dr Solander & myself took a turn into the woods on the other side of the water where we met with 5 of the Natives & altho' we had not seen any of them before they came to us without showing any signs of fear, 2 of these wore Necklaces made of Shells which they seem’d to Value as they would not part with them. In the evening the Yawl came in with 3 Turtle & early in the AM she went out again abt 8 we were Visited by several of the Natives who now became more familiar than ever, soon after this Mr. Banks & I went over to the So side of the River & Traveld 6 or 8 Miles along shore to the Northwd where we ascended a high hill from whence I had an extensive view of the Sea Coast, which was covered with Shoals as far as the Eye could see, after this we return’d to the Ship without meeting with anything remarkable I found several of the Natives on board, at this time we had 12 tortoise or Turtle upon our Decks which they took more Notice of than anything Else in the Ship as I was told by the Officers for their Curiosity was Satisfied before I got on board & they went away soon after.
Thursday 19th.  Gentle breezes and fair wear employd getting everything in readyness for Sea AM we were Visited by 10 or 11 of the Natives the most of them came from the other side of the Harbour were we saw 6 or 7 More, the most of them Women & like the men, quite naked, those that came onbd were very desirous of having some of our Turtles & took the liberty to haul 2 of them to the Gang way to put over the side being disappointed in this they grew a little Troublesome & were for throwing every thing overbd they could lay their hands upon; as we had no Victuals dress’d at this time, I offer’d them some bread to Eat, which they rejected with Scorn as I believe they would have done anything else excepting Turtle, soon after this they all went ashore, Mr Banks myself & 5 or 6 of our people being their at same time, Immediately upon their Landing one of them took a Handful of dry grass & lighted it at a fire we had ashore & before we well know’d what he was going about he made a larger Circuit round about us & set fire to the grass in his way & in an instant the whole place was in flames, luckily at this time we had hardly anything ashore, besides the Forge & a Sow with a litter of young Pigs, one of which was scorched to Death in