Letter received by Banks from Rev. George Ashby, 4 January 1772 (Series 06.100) - No. 0003

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beheaded for introducing Tobacco.  245. Quicksilver freezing hard regularly every year in 68 lat. 2. 326 his observation of the great continents turning their points to S. &c. well worth attention   Had Mr. Banks had as large a fleet last time, as, its said, he is to have this, whilst they waited the motions of the Observers, there would have been a noble opportunity for some of the Ships, after the Crews were well refresh'd, to have reconnoitred the west coast of America above California, & to have examin'd at least the entrance of the Streight that divides America & Asia. which seems to be one of the great desideratas in Geography, & Navigation. Was the coast of Nova Albions but settled, whether it proved more or less distant, than is at present thought, from our Settlements;  & make little doubt, but it w'd soon be visited by our people. 70,000 men on Otaheite seems to be a much higher degree of population, than is known in N. America