204 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



In the evening of the seventeenth they saw land about 

 six leagues distant. Next day, having little or no wind, 

 they hoisted out a boat and sent on board a ship which 

 was about two leagues from them ; but they were too 

 impatient after news to regard the distance. Soon after 



that no one could read them. I have no reason to suspect this 

 story, but will, however, call upon the printer, and endeavour 

 to get a sight of the manuscript, as I know most of their writings. 

 This Marra was one of the gunner's mates, the same as wanted to 

 remain at Otaheite. If this is the only account of the voyage that 

 is printing, I do not think it worth regarding. I have taken some 

 measures to find out if there are any more, and such information 

 as I may get shall be communicated to you by Sir, your most, 

 obedient humble servant, 



(Signed) "JAMES COOK." 

 " Philip Stephens, Esq., Admiralty. 

 (Enclosure.) 



** SIB According to your direction I overhauled every book- 

 seller's shop in St. Paul's, till at last I came to Mr. Francis New- 

 bury's. I fairly caught his shopman, who answered me (when 

 I demanded the Resolution's Voyage), that they had not time to 

 print it yet. I then asked him if it was the Captain's Journal 

 they had ; on which he looked at me, and said, they had no journal 

 at all yet, but stood as fair a chance to publish the voyage as others. 

 By this time he understood I was pumping of him, so wejit and 

 brought me one of the shop bills, and bid me good-day ; telling 

 me that before the voyage was published it would be advertised. I 

 then drove to Marra and Peckover's lodging ; found the former at 

 home. I told him I had a message from you, Sir, to deliver to 

 Peckover, on which he, Marra, went and found him. I told him 

 that there would be nothing ever done for him or me, unless we could 

 find out who it was that was publishing the voyage. This made all 

 present very sorry ; there was some of your late crew. Some told 

 me Reading wrote a journal, which Enell produced. I deposited 

 five guineas if he would let me show you the account. He consented. 

 Others told me Bollet kept a journal, interlined in his Bible. I wrote 

 down all this information for your satisfaction. At last, Marra 

 pulled the paper from before me (wrote at the Angel, Angel Court, 

 in the borough of Southwark). * Send that to Captain Cook ; if he 

 pleases to send a line for or to me, I'll clear every man that is sus- 

 pected ; ' adding ' I'm the man that is publishing the voyage ; I 

 want no preferment, and God forbid I should hinder those whose 

 bread depends on the navy ; and, Mr. Anderson, as you have always 

 been my friend, come with me, I'll convince you further that the 

 name of Anderson was never intended to be prefixed to the voyage.' 

 He ordered the coach to drive to Newbury's ; carried me into a 

 back parlour ; informed Mr. Newbury his friend was kept out of 

 bread, therefore he had discovered all. ' Now,' says he, * what 

 name is my journal of the voyage to come out in ? ' ' In no name at 

 all,' says the bookseller. ' Then,' says the other, * let it come out 

 the name of John Marra I ' At length adding, ' if Captain Cook 

 pleases to call here, Mr. Newbury, give him all the satisfaction in 



