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[Page 6]
fixed at the longitude of 135º. east, from the meridian of Greenwich. From hence, the British Territory extends eastward, to the islands of the Pacific, or Great Equinoxial Ocean: Its northern limit is at Cape York, and the extremity of the Southern Van Diemen's Land, is its opposite boundary.
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In placing the western limit of New South Wales at 135º, we suppose His Majesty's Ministers to have had in view the Dutch line of demarcation. One reason for its adoption might probably have been, that thereby the projected discoveries on the South Coast, and those that might be made in the inland parts, behind the new settlement, would be secured as British territory. It may be alleged, that some portions of the Dutch discoveries are comprised within this longitudinal line; and particularly the great Gulph of Carpentaria. But, independently of the strong reasons above assigned, for fixing the line at 135º ; this extensive gulph was so little known before the present voyage; that, although conjecture had assigned its early examination to the famous Dutch navigator Tasman, yet geographers knew not what credit ought to be attached to the form it had assumed in the charts. We have now brought to light its real extent and position; its coasts and harbours; and some of the productions and inhabitants of its shores; and this part of Terra Australis, from being little better than fairy land, will hence forward take its station amongst the conspicuous parts of the globe, in a decided character. That this has been done by British officers, and at the expense of the British government, must, in reason and equity, give the nation considerable claim to the coasts so explored; if discovery and close examination are allowed to be a title. But, although no attempt at a settlement there has been made by the Dutch, from the year of its first discovery, 1606; and it does not appear that they have ever been in the Gulph of Carpentaria, since 1644; yet, were Holland to assert her sole right of colonizing these shores, and proceed to the execution of a scheme so unpromising ; we are disposed to think