44 
4. Cook’s Second Voyage. Banks and 
the “ Resolution.” 
The success of the first voyage, and the enthusiasm it evoked, led to 
a second voyage being projected under Cook in H.M.S. “ Resolution.” 
At the solicitation of Lord Sandwich, Banks offered to accompany 
this expedition. The offer being accepted,* the outfit was begun, and 
Zoffany the painter, three draughtsmen, two secretaries, and nine other 
skilled assistants were engaged. The accommodation on board for 
scientific purposes was found insufficient, and additional plant-cabins 
were built on deckf. These were found on trial not only to affect the 
ship’s sailing powers, but also her stability. They were, therefore, 
ordered to be demolished, and Banks abandoned his intention of sailing 
in the “ Resolution.” Dr. Lind had been appointed naturalist to the 
expedition under a grant of £4,000, by Parliament, but on hearing of 
Banks’ decision he declined the post. Dr. Johann Reinhold Forster 
and his son George ultimately sailed with the expedition. 
The reason given by Sir John Barrow, who was for many years 
Secretary to the Admiralty, for Banks’ abandonment of the voyage, 
is probably, the correct one. He statesj that “ such a system was 
adopted by the Navy Board to thwart every step of his proceedings, 
especially on the part of its chief, the Comptroller of the Navy, Sir 
Hugh Palliser,§ whceby his patience was worn out, and his indigna- 
tion so far excited as to cause him, though reluctantly, to abandon 
this enterprise altogether. ”|j 
It may be incidentally mentioned^ that the great i hemist Priestley, 
at that time minister at Mill Hill Chapel, Leeds, whom Banks had 
invited to join the expedition (on advantageous terms, including a 
' See Weli, ii, f.5. 
t For correspondence bearing on the instability of the " Resolution" attributed to Banks’ 
fixtures for the scientific objects of the voyage, see Hist. Rec., X.S.W. i, 35’2, also Kit son, 
])p. 234-8, 248. 
t Sketeiies of the Royal Society, p. 26. 
S Captain Cook's patron, by the way. See also Weld, ii, 56. and p. 54. infra. 
See also Annual Register, and Gentleman' s Magazine for 1772, for some interesting information 
on the subject. 
" Banks’ .Tournal” (Hooker), xx\'ii. 
