Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0449
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[Page 449]
345.
Septr. 1770 Some account of Savu
an Island by the name of Saow & say it is that which is calld by the Duch Sandel Bosch but no chart that I have seen lays either that Timor, Rotte or indeed any Island that we have seen hereabouts in any thing near its right place
While we were here an accident hapned by the imprudence of Mr Parkinson my draughtsman which how for it might alone have alterd our intended & at first promisd reception very much indeed I am of opinion that it did he desirous of knowing whether or not this Island producd spices carried ashore with him nutmeg cloves &c. & questiond the inhabitants about them without the least precaution so that it immediately came to Mr Lange's ears he complaind to the Dr that our people were too inquisitive particularly says he in regard to spices concerning which they can have no reason to wish for any information unless you are come for very different purposes than those you pretend the Dr not well vers'd in the German language in which they convers'd immediately conceivd that he Mr L. meant only the questions which he himself had askd concerning the cinnamon nor did we ever know the contrary till the day after we had left the place