IV 



world. The discovery of Tasmania and New Zealand was no 

 chance adventure. It was the result of a steady policy. It 

 was the outcome of the adventurous energy which in the 16th 

 and 17th centuries created the Dutch Republic ; gave to 

 Holland her Colonial Empire ; and — not content with her 

 possession of the Eastern Archipelago — sent out her sailors to 

 search for a new world in the unknown regions of the 

 mysterious South. Tasman and Visscher are but types of the 

 men who won for their country her once proud position of 

 mistress of the seas. 



In the following pages an attempt has been made not merely 

 to give all that is known of Tasman's life and work, but to 

 present that work in proper historical perspective. 



I desire to acknowledge generally my obligation to the 

 authors whose names appear in the list appended to this paper, 

 particularly to Messrs. Dozy, Heeres, Van Boekeren, and 

 Leupe. Also to Sir Edward Braddon for his courtesy in 

 having, when Agent-General for Tasmania, obtained for me 

 valuable information from Holland. Especially to Mr. J. E. 

 Heeres, of the Dutch State Archives at The Hague, for his 

 generous kindness in placing at my disposal manuscript notes 

 of his researches in the old Colonial Records — notes containing 

 interesting details which have never before appeared in print. 

 And, lastly, to the Treasurer, Sir Philip Fysh, for authorising 

 the printing of this paper at the Government Press of the 

 Colony. It is fitting that the first English biography of 

 Tasman should be offered to Australian readers by the country 

 which he discovered and which bears his name. 



Hobart, January, 1896. 



JAMES B. WALKER. 



