26 COOK*S FIRST VOYAGE NOV. 



well. I did not think it necessary to ask permission 

 for the gentlemen to come on shore during the day, 

 or that, when I was on shore myself, I might be at 

 liberty, taking for granted that nothing was intended 

 to the contrary ; but in this I was unfortunately mis- 

 taken. As soon as I took leave of His Excellency, I 

 found an officer who had orders to attend me where- 

 ever I went : of this I desired an explanation, and 

 was told that it was meant as a compliment. I 

 earnestly desired to be excused from accepting such 

 an honour, but the good Viceroy would by no means 

 suffer it to be dispensed with. 



With this officer, therefore, I returned on board 

 about twelve o'clock, where I was impatiently ex- 

 pected by Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander, who made 

 no doubt but that a fair account of us having been 

 given by the officers who had been on board the 

 evening before, in their paper called a Practica, and 

 every scruple of the Viceroy removed in my confer- 

 ence with His Excellency, they should immediately 

 be at liberty to go on shore, and dispose of them- 

 selves as they pleased. Their disappointment at re- 

 ceiving my report may easily be conceived ; and it 

 was still increased by an account, that it had been 

 resolved, not only to prevent their residing on shore, 

 and going up the country, but even their leaving the 

 ship ; orders having been given that no person, ex- 

 cept the captain, and such common sailors as were 

 required to be upon duty, should be permitted to 

 land ; and that there was probably a particular view 

 to the passengers in this prohibition, as they were 

 reported to be gentlemen sent abroad to make ob- 

 servations and discoveries, and were uncommonly 

 qualified for that purpose. In the evening, however, 

 Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander dressed themselves, and 

 attempted to go on shore, in order to make a visit 

 to the Viceroy ; but they were stopped by the 

 guard-boat which had come off with our pinnace, 

 and which kept hovering round the ship all the while 



