514 A. D. J771. 



voyage he difcovered many iflands in the great Pacific ocean hitherto 

 totally unknown to any European, made obfervations on others that 

 were erroneoufly defcribed, and particularly explored the coafls of the 

 great ifland (or continent) of New-Holland, and completed the circum- 

 navigation of the globe by returning round the Cape of Good Hope 

 to England, where he arrived in July this year. Mr. Banks and Doc- 

 tor Solander were induced by their third of knowlege to partake of the 

 hardfhips and the glory of this voyage ofjcience. 



The indigo made in the province of Eaft-Florida was now of fo good a 

 quality, that fome of what was brought home this year fold by pub- 

 lic file at Garraway's cofFeehoufe fo high as 8^ a pound. 



The Eaft-India company appointed their midfummer divided to be 

 at the rate of twelve anda half^Gv cent per annum, being the higheft 

 rate now allowed by acT: of parliament. 



September — The following was fuid to be the ftate of the company's 

 trading flock at this time. 



After all debts are paid, a balance of cafh, - £ 220,coo 



Goods imported lall year, in the warehoufes, - 1,500,000 



Cargoes of 18 Ihips arrived this year, by eftimate, - 2,300,000 



Cargoes of 11 fliips dayly expected, by eftimate, - 1,500,000 



X^5, 500,000 



To which may be added the cargoes of 37 Ihips of lafl: year for India, 

 .and the goods provided in India and China for their homeward cargoes. 



December 3' — The king of Spain iffued an ordinance, very prejudi- 

 cial to the manufadtures and commerce of Great Britain, wherein he 

 prohibited the importation of cotton velvets, and all fluffs having cotton 

 in their fabric, the ufe of which he ordered to be totally laid aiide in 

 twenty-two months. 



A new cement for the bottoms of fliips, faid to be proof againll the 

 worms, was tried at Chatham, and approved. 



Mr. Bernieres, diredor of the bridges and caufeways in France, in- 

 vented a boat incapable of being funk or overfet, fit for inland naviga- 

 tion, coafting voyages, and fhort pafTages by fea. 



By accounts received from Grenada, the following was the ftate of the 

 infant colony of Tobago on the 25''' of June this year. 



There were 243 white people, and 4,716 negro flaves, of whom 547 

 were efteemed worthy of beiiig trufted with arms ; and there were be- 

 lides 125 runaway negroes, of whom only 19 were thought dangerous. 

 The number of acres of cleared land was 7,171, and of land in canes 

 2,347. The produce of this year was 724 hogfheads of fugar, and 453 

 puncheons of rum. The produce of the enfuing year was expeded to 

 be 3,372 hogflieads of fugar and 1,850 puncheons of rum. 



