!30 



Peter and St. Francis at the head of the Great Australian Bight, 

 and then sailing due north along the coast (which it was 

 presumed would here turn to the north) to try to discover a 

 passage between it and New Guinea. However, this was not 

 recommended ; the course advised being to keep on south lati- 

 tude 48° to 54° until 400 to 800 miles east of the supposed 

 longitude of the Solomon Islands, so as to be assured that 

 there was a way through from the Indies to the South Pacific 

 which would give a short route to Chili. 



Minute directions are given for the survey and description 

 of lands discovered ; observation of winds, currents, and weather; 

 precautions to be taken in navigation ; discipline and rations 

 of the crews ; care in conciliating the natives and avoiding 

 any injury to them ; precautions to be observed against possible 

 treachery when landing from boats; and injunctions to obtain 

 information as to the resources of the countries visited, and the 

 possibilities of trade with them. 



It must be remembered that this, like other Dutch expeditions, 

 was essentially commercial. It was no scientific or adventurous 

 thirst for discovery that prompted these old Dutchmen, but 

 plain practical business and the hope of profit for the Company. 

 The merchant to whom was entrusted the management of the 

 commercial venture had a large voice in the direction of the 

 expedition. Consequently the instructions are specially precise 

 in their injunctions to enter in the journal full particulars of the 

 productions of the countries, what sort of goods the people had 

 for trade, and what they would take in exchange. For this 

 purpose the ships were laden with a great variety of articles of 

 merchandise. Gold and silver were specially to be sought for, 

 but, says the Governor-General with cynical candour, " Keep 

 them ignorant of the value of the same, appear as if you were 

 not greedy for them ; and if gold or silver is offered in any 

 barter, your must feign that" you do not value those metals, 

 showing them copper, zinc, and lead, as if those minerals were 

 of more value with us." 



Tasman was to hoist his flag on the Heemnherch as com- 

 mander of the expedition, and was to preside in the ship's 

 council, consisting of skippers of the two ships, Pilot-Major 

 Visscher, the chief mates, and the two merchants. The com- 

 mander had a deliberative and a casting vote. In the adminis- 

 tration of justice the boatswains were also to be summoned 

 and have votes. But in all matters which concerned navi- 

 gation, such as courses to be steered and discovery of lands, 

 the Pilot-Major was to have two votes, and his advice to be 

 held in proper respect, seeing that the voyage had been pro- 

 jected on his advice and information. In these matters, too, 

 the second mates were to have votes. 



