278 
1803. 
July. 
A VOYAGE TO {East Coast. 
some repairs, and of course fitting. It is my intention, if you do not 
fix on her, to profit by your discovery in stocking this colony with 
breeding animals, by the safe and expeditious channel you have 
opened through Torres’ Strait. 
If you do not consider waiting for the Porpoise’s repairs advis- 
able, it is my intention to send her to England by a summer's pas- 
sage round Cape Horn ; which it is thought she may perform in her 
present state. But should you conceive it may ultimately forward 
the service you are employed on, to go tb England in her, leaving 
this port when you judge proper, and taking the route most condu- 
cive to perfectioning any part of the surveys you have commenced ; 
I shall direct the commander of that ship to receive you and as many 
of your officers and people as can be accommodated, as passengers ; 
and to follow your directions and give you every assistance in every 
circumstance connected with the execution of the orders you have 
received from my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 
You will, Sir, have the goodness to consider of the above ; 
and whatever the result of your deliberation may be, I will most 
cheerfully give my concurrence and assistance ; knowing that your 
zealous perseverance in wishing to complete the service you have so 
beneficially commenced, Could only be impeded by unforeseen and 
distressing circumstances ; but which I hope, for the benefit of 
science and navigation, will only be a temporary delay. 
I am, &c. 
(Signed), Philip Gidley King. 
Each of the plans proposed in the governor’s letter were at- 
tended with one common disadvantage : a delay in the completion 
of the surveys. Against the last proposition there did not seem to 
be any other objection ; but the four first included so many more 
inconveniences and difficulties, either to the voyage, or to the colony, 
that I saw the necessity of concurring with the govenor’s opinion ; 
notwithstanding the reluctance I felt at returning to England with- 
out having accomplished the objects for which the Investigator was 
fitted out. My election was therefore made to embark as a pas- 
