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MAR. 1770 SOUTH POLAR EXPEDITION SUGGESTED 257 



To search for this continent, then, the best and readiest 

 way by which at once its existence or non-existence might 

 be proved, appears to me to be this : let the ship or ships 

 destined for this service leave England in the spring and 

 proceed directly to the Cape of Good Hope, where they 

 might refresh their people and take in fresh provisions, 

 and thence proceed round Van Diemen's Land to the coast 

 of New Zealand, where they might again refresh in any of 

 the numerous harbours at the mouth of Cook's Straits, where 

 they would be sure to meet with plenty of water, wood, and 

 fish. Here they should arrive by the month of October, so 

 as to have the good season before them to run across to the 

 South Sea, which by reason of the prevailing westerly winds 

 they would easily be able to do in any latitude. If in 

 doing this they should not fall in with a continent, they 

 might still be of service in exploring the islands in the 

 Pacific Ocean, where they might refresh themselves and pro- 

 ceed home by the East Indies. Such a voyage, as a voyage 

 of mere curiosity, should be promoted by the Eoyal Society, 

 to whom I doubt not that his Majesty upon proper applica- 

 tion would grant a ship, as the subject of such a voyage 

 seems at least as interesting to science in general and the 

 increase of knowledge as the observation which gave rise to 

 the present one. The small expense of such an equipment 

 to Government is easily shown. I will venture roundly to 

 affirm that the smallest station sloop in his Majesty's service 

 is every year more expensive than such a ship, where every 

 rope, every sail, every rope-yarn even is obliged to do its 

 duty most thoroughly before it can be dismissed. How 

 trifling then must this expense appear, when in return for 

 it the nation acquires experienced seamen in those who 

 execute it, and the praise which is never denied to countries 

 who in this public-spirited manner promote the increase of 

 knowledge. 



At the Cape of Good Hope might be procured beef, 

 bread, flour, peas, spirits, or indeed any kind of provision at 

 reasonable rates. The beef must be bought alive and salted, 

 for which purpose it would be proper to take out salt from 



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