Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0649
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[Page 649]
545
April 1771 Cape of Good Hope
the Indian whoom he brought from thence was known on board his Ship by the name of Tootavee a plain corruption of Bougainville with whoom it may be suppos'd he meant to change names according to his Custom this man is now at L'Isle de France from whence a Large ship is very soon to Sail & carry him back to his own countrey where she is to make a settlement in doing which she must Necessarily follow the Tract of Abel Jansen Tasman & consequently if she does not discover Cooks Streights which in all probability she will do, will of course must make several discoveries on the Coast of New Zealand Thus much the French who were here made no secret of How necessary then will it be for us to publish an account of our voyage as soon as possible after our arrival if we mean that our own Countrey shall have the Honour of our Discoveries Should the French have publishd an account of Mr De Bougainvilles voyage