236 



THE DISCOVERY OF AUSTRALIA 



to Governor-General Coen that the wreck of the English 

 ship on unknown islands in the ordinary route proved 

 " the urgent necessity of obtaining a full and accurate 

 knowledge of the true bearing and conformation of the 

 said land." It was, moreover, " highly desirable that 

 an investigation should be made to ascertain whether 

 these regions, or any part of the same, are inhabited, 

 and whether any trade with them might be established." 

 For these reasons, and for others, on the 29th of September, 

 1622, the Governor-General issued "Instructions" to two 

 yachts, the Haringh and the Hasewint, " to discover 

 and explore the South-land, and to ascertain as much 

 of the situation and nature of these regions as God Almighty 

 shall vouchsafe to allow them." 



The voyage that was contemplated was not sailed. 

 ^ ut Coen's " Instructions " are a very interesting illustration 

 of the mind and plans of an energetic Governor-General. 

 The yachts were to sail Southward from the Western 

 end of Java, i.e. the alleged Longitude of the Trial Rocks. 

 Having discovered all that was to be discovered about 

 these rocks, they were to sail still Southward, as far as 

 32 or 33, the Latitude in which " sundry ships " coming 

 from Holland had accidentally come upon the South land. 

 Here they were to come to the coast. Then they were 

 to follow this coast Southward as far as 50, if the land 

 should extend so far if, in other words, they were on 

 a coast something like the Southern Continent of Mercator 

 and Ortelius. If, on the other hand, the coast turned 

 Eastward as the news brought by the Leeuwin perhaps 

 suggested 1 they were to follow this coast " for some 

 time " ; but then, unless it again trended Southward, 

 they were to return. And " in returning, you will run 

 along the coast as far as it extends to Northward, next 

 proceeding on an Eastern course, or in such wise as you 

 shall find the land to extend ; in which manner you will 

 follow the coast as close inshore and as long as you find 

 practicable, and as you deem your victuals and provisions 

 to be sufficient for the return voyage ; even if, by so doing, 

 you should sail round the whole land and emerge to South- 



