of a Southern or Antarctic Continent . 95 



and incorrect statements, which are beginning to find their way 

 into the periodical press. 



One of the evils attending mis-statements, in the origin of an 

 important discovery, is that of involving the question in a la- 

 byrinth of contradictions, from which in after-times it is difficult 

 to unravel the truth. In the present instance too, as in former 

 cases, a meritorious and enterprising though obscure individual 

 is in danger of being deprived of the credit he so justly deserves, 

 by probably adding to his native country a new source of wealth; 

 the full worth of v-'hich would only be truly known by its posses- 

 sion by a rival in commercial enterprise. 



A Mr. Smith, Master of the William, of Blythe, in Northum- 

 berland, and trading between the Rio Plata and Chili, in endea- 

 vouring to facilitate his passage round Cape Horn, last year, ran 

 to a higher latitude than is usual in such voyages, and in lat. 

 62° 3(K, and 60° west longitude, discovered land. As circum- 

 stances would not admit of a close examination, he deferred it 

 until his return to Buenos Ayres, when he made such further 

 observations as convinced him of the importance of his discovery. 

 On making it known at Buenos Ayres, speculation was set on the 

 alert, and the Americans at that place became very anxious to 

 obtain every information necessary to their availing themselves of 

 a discovery which they saw was pregnant with vast benefit to a 

 commercial people. Captain Smith was however too much of 

 an Englishman to assist their speculations, by affording them that 

 knowledge of his secret which it was so necessary for them to 

 possess ; and was determined that his native country only should 

 enjoy the advantages of his discovery; and on his return voyage 

 to Valparaiso, in February last, he devoted as much time to the 

 development of it as was consistent with his primary object, a 

 safe and successful voyage. 



He ran in a westward direction along the coasts, either of a 

 continent or numerous islands, for two or three hundred miles, 

 forming large bays, and abounding with the spermaceti whale, 

 seals, &ic. He took numerous soundings and bearings, draughts, 

 and charts of the coast ; and, in short, did every thing that the 

 most experienced navigator, dispatched purposely for the object 

 of making a survey, could do. He even landed, and in the 

 usual manner took possession of the country for his sovereign, 

 and named his acquisition, " New South Shetland." The cli- 

 mate was tcm|)erate, the coast mountainous, apparently unin- 

 habited, but not destitute of vegetation, as firs/and pines were 

 observable in many places; iu short, the country had upon the 

 whole the appearance cf the coast of Norway. After having 

 aatisfied him^jclf with c\ cry particular that time and circumstances 



peiinitted 



