336 Geography. 



tain Cook visited and explored the eastern coast of 

 New-Holland, to the extent of near two thousand 

 miles. In 1773 its insular situation was ascer- 

 tained by Captain Furi^eaux. Since that period 

 much geographical and other information respect- 

 ing it has been obtained, and presented to the 

 public, by Hunter, Marshall, Collins, and se- 

 veral others, who have done much toward investi- 

 gating the appearance and productions of some 

 important portions of that extensive country/ 



To the above may be added the discovery of 

 the Peleiv Islands, in 1783, by Captain Wilson; 

 the discovery of several islands, a few years after- 

 wards, by Captain Shortland, between New- 

 Holland 3.nd Java ; the discovery of another cluster, 

 about the same time, by Captain Marshall, in 

 the seas between New-Holland and China; and 

 the still more interesting information given us by 

 the successive voyages of Portlock, DixoNj 

 Etches, Meares, and Vancouver, concerning 

 the north-wxstern coast of America. By the last 

 of these gentlemen, particularly, w^e have been 

 made acquainted with the existence of islands, on 

 that side of our continent, not less numerous or 

 extensive than those on the eastern side; and with 

 many new facts, which throw light on the geo- 

 graphy, productions, and advantages of that part 

 of the globe. 



The Spanish nation was once among the most 

 adventurous and enterprising in Europe. The 

 discoveries made in former times under their 

 auspices, and the talents and atchievements of their 

 naval commanders, raised them high in the scale 

 of national greatness. This spirit has been, in a 

 great measure, dormant, for near a century and 

 a half. Excepting the voyage of Don Ulloa, 



I See the Voyige of Governor Phillip. 4to. 1789, 



