viii INTRODUCTION. 



embarrafTments of a labyrinth, now known to be fo intri- 

 cate, and the unavoidable fource of danger and delay, we 

 have the fatisfa(5tion to have difcovered, that a fafer and 

 more expeditious entrance into the Pacific Ocean, may be 

 reafonably depended upon. The pafTage round Cape Horn, 

 has been repeatedly tried, both from the Eaft and from the 

 Wed, and ftript of its terrors. We fliall, for the future, be 

 lefs difcouraged by the labours and diftrefles experienced by 

 the fquadrons of Lord Anfon and Pizarro, when we recoi- 

 led, that they were obliged to attempt the navigation of thofe 

 feas at an unfavourable feafon of the year ; and that there 

 was nothing very formidable met with there, when they 

 were traverfed by Captain Cook. 



To this diftinguiflied navigator was referved the honour 

 of being the firfl:, who, from a feries of the moft fatisfadory 

 obfervations, beginning at the Wed entrance of the Strait of 

 Magalhaens, and carried on, with unwearied diligence, 

 round Tierra del Fuego, through the Strait of Le Maire, has 

 conftruded a chart of the Southern extremity of America, 

 from which it will appear, how much former navigators 

 muft have been at a lofs to guide themfelves, and what 

 advantages will now be enjoyed by thofe who fliall here- 

 after fail round Cape Horn. 



IV. 



As the voyages of difcovery, undertaken by his Majefly's 

 command, have facilitated the accefs of fliips into the Pa- 

 cific Ocean, they have alfo greatly enlarged our knowledge 

 of its contents. 



Though the immenfe expanfe ufually diftinguifhed by 



this appellation, had been navigated by Europeans for 



'I near 



