Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 2]
as an introduction to observe, that a general chart of nearly similar size, and upon the same scale as the first, is now on board, which comprises all that is at present known of the coast down to the latitude of 20o 40" south, and is in fact a continuation of the first chart. Belonging to these, are narratives of the expeditions during which the discoveries were made, and tables of the astronomical observations by which the situations of places are ascertained.
This more minute examination of the coast, and of the above bays in particular, seems to point out, that New Holland is probably not of that extent as has usually been supposed for had it been so, some considerable rivers would most likely have been found to fall into the sea in the extent of 100o of latitude, that is, from 21" to 39". Probably it will be found, that an extensive strait seperates [separates] New South Wales from New Holland by the way of the Gulph [Gulf] of Carpentaria; or perhaps a southern gulph [gulf] may only peninsulate New South Wales. The commander of an American ship, by name Williamson, reported his having sailed from the latitude 45o to 10o 15" south, in nearly a north direction, without seeing any land: his longitude being somewhat to the west of the south-west cape of Van Diemens Land. This is related to us by the commander of the Bombay ship Hercules, Mr McFarlane, and was noticed in a London paper about two years since. Should such a strait exist, the advantages that would result from it to any settlements in Van Diemens Land, New South Wales, or the eastern parts of New Holland, by the very expeditious communication with India, seem almost incalculable.
It cannot be doubted, but that a very great part of that still extensive country remains either totally unknown, or has been partially examined at a time when navigation was much less advanced than at present. The interests of geography and natural history in general, and of the British nation in particular, seem to require, that this only remaining considerable part of the globe should be thoroughly explored. The brig Lady Nelson has lately been sent out partly with this view, as reported; but if Sir Joseph Banks will excuse me, I presume she must be very inadequate to the task, as perhaps would any single vessel. A further knowledge of the strait