A VOYAGE TO 
Shortland learned that the Borrowdale and the Prince of 
Wales tranfports, which had parted from him on the 
Goafc of New South Wales, had returned by the fouthern 
paffagCj and had been heard of from Rio de Janeiro. In 
Table Bay the Alexander remained at anchor till the r 6th 
of March, when fhe f tiled again, and arrived off the 
lile of Wight on the 28th of May. 
Thus concluded a voyage, the nrft part of which was- 
enlivened and rendered important by difcoveries ; the 
next involved in gloom through the virulent attacks of 
diftemper, and the frequent inroads of death. Much 
was certainly performed, and very much was fufFered, but 
from the whole we are authorized to conclude, that the fet- 
tlement of our countrymen on the new fouthern continent, 
muft powerfully tend to the improvement of navigation, 
and the extenfion of geographical knowledge.. Nor is it 
necelTary, that any ill-omened appreheniions lliould be 
excited by the misfortunes of the Alexander and the 
Friendfliip. It may not happen again that Ihips flialL 
quit Port Jackfon fo ill prepared v/ith antidotes againfl 
the malignant poifon of the fcurvy : nor, if they iliouldj 
is it by any means certain that their viHtation will be 
equally feverco ■ . • , . ^ 
Latitudes 
