THIRD 

 VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY 



IN the preceding voyage, the question respecting the 

 existence of a southern continent was for the time set at 

 rest, but the practicability of a northern passage to the 

 Pacific Ocean was still an object of so vast importance to 

 England as to excite an earnest desire for the most diligent 

 investigation. 



It had long been a favourite scheme with the most cele- 

 brated navigators, and with the learned men of the day, 

 to discover a shorter and more commodious course to the 

 Oriental regions than by the Cape of Good Hope. This 

 had been attempted in various directions for two centuries 

 and upwards, but the completion of this favourite object 

 was as distant as ever, and the problem of a junction of the 

 two great oceans, the Atlantic and Pacific, by the northern 

 shores of America, was left to be solved in our own time 

 by the several voyages and discoveries of Sir Edward 

 Parry, Ross, Sir John Franklin, Collinson, M'Clure, Sir 

 Leopold M'Clintock, Dease, Simpson, Back, Richardson, 

 and Rae Franklin being now proved, beyond all doubt, 

 to be the first discoverer of a north-west passage. 



For the conduct of such an enterprise, it was evident 

 that great skill, perseverance, and abilities, were required ; 

 and though, by the universal voice of mankind, Captain 

 Cook was the best qualified, no one could venture to solicit 

 him on the subject. The services he had already rendered 

 to his country, the labours he had sustained, and the dangers 

 he had encountered, were so many and so various, that 

 it was deemed unreasonable to urge him to engage in fresh 

 perils. 



As an honourable testimony, however, to his merit and 

 knowledge, it was resolved to ask his advice respecting the 

 most proper person to be intrusted with the conduct of 

 this voyage ; and to determine this point, some of the most 

 distinguished naval characters were invited to meet Captain 

 Cook at the house of Lord Sandwich, who then presided 

 over the Board of Admiralty. 



While the conversation became animated on the subject, 

 Cook's mind was fired with the magnitude of the design, 

 and the consequences likely to result from it. He suddenly 

 started up, under the impression of a noble enthusiasm, 

 and offered his best services to direct the important objects 

 in view. No proposal could have been more grateful. 



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