After which, passing to the northward, we ranged
along the coast to the easternmost part of New Guinea, which I found does
not join to the mainland of New Guinea, but is an island, as I have
described it in my map, and called it New Britain.
It is probable this island may afford many rich commodities, and the
natives may be easily brought to commerce. But the many difficulties I at
this time met with, the want of convenience to clean my ship, the fewness
of my men, their desire to hasten home, and the danger of continuing in
these circumstances in seas where the shoals and coasts were utterly
unknown and must be searched out with much caution and length of time,
hindered me from prosecuting any further at present my intended search.
What I have been able to do in this matter for the public service will, I
hope, be candidly received; and no difficulties shall discourage me from
endeavouring to promote the same end whenever I have an opportunity put
into my hands.
May 18 in our return we arrived at Timor. June 21 we passed by part of
the island Java. July 4 we anchored in Batavia Road, and I went ashore,
visited the Dutch General, and desired the privilege of buying provisions
that I wanted, which was granted me.
Pages:
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26