398 cook's voyage to dec. 



the finest skins purchased by us were got for a dozen 

 large green glass beads, yet it is well known, that the 

 fancy of these people for articles of ornament, is 

 exceedingly capricious ; and that iron is the only 

 sure commodity for their market. To this might be 

 added, a few gross of large pointed case-knives, some 

 bales of coarse woollen cloth (linen they would not 

 accept of from us), and a barrel or two of copper and 

 glass trinkets. 



I have here proposed two ships, not only for the 

 greater security of the expedition, but because I 

 think single ships ought never to be sent out on 

 discoveries. For where risks are to be run, and 

 doubtful and hazardous experiments tried, it cannot 

 be expected that single ships should venture so far, 

 as where there is some security provided against an 

 untoward accident. 



The vessels being now ready for sea, will sail with 

 the first south-westerly monsoon, which generally 

 sets in about the beginning of April. With this wind 

 they will steer to the northward, along the coast of 

 China, beginning a more accurate survey from the 

 mouth of the river Kay an a, or the Nankin River, in 

 latitude 30°, which 1 believe is the utmost limit of 

 this coast hitherto visited by European ships. As the 

 extent of that deep gulf called Whang Hay, or the 

 Yellow Sea, is at present unknown, it must be left to 

 the discretion of the commander, to proceed up it 

 as far as he may judge prudent ; but he must be 

 cautious not to entangle himself too far in it, lest he 

 should want time for the prosecution of the re- 

 maining part of his enterprize. The same discretion 

 must be used, when he arrives in the straits of 

 Tessoi, with respect to the islands of Jeso, which, if 

 the wind and weather be favourable, he will not 

 lose the opportunity of exploring. 



Having proceeded to the latitude of 51° 40", where 

 he will make the southernmost point of the island of 

 Sagaleen, beyond which the sea of Okotsk is suffi- 



