580 Account of the Discoim'y of New South Shetland. 
not to command, a superiority of trade with more extensive mar- 
kets than were ever offered to any commercial nation at any 
former period of the world ; and this, too, at a time when the 
late eventful circumstances in the history of Europe have turn- 
ed in no small degree British commerce out of those channels in 
which it has flowed uninterruptedly for so many years. 
No one can deny that the want of a British settlement conti- 
guous to the coast of South America is seriously felt; for since 
the abandonment of the Falkland Isles, we have no possession, 
—not even a watering-place, — nearer than the Cape of Good 
tiope or New Holland ; and no one can calculate upon the ab- 
solute necessity Great Britain may one day feel for such a pos- 
session, Under every point of view, as well national, commer- 
cial, and scientific, must the discovery of New South Shetland 
be valued^; and without doubt the results of the present expe- 
dition will be anxiously looked for by every wellwisher to his 
country 
Vali’aeaiso, January 1820, 
Art. XXII. — Extract from the Journal of Captain Henry 
King of the Elizabeth. 
On the 20th of February 1819) having completed a cargo 
of sperm oil, we made all sail to the S. S. W., intending to touch 
at Pitcairn’s Island, for the purpose of refreshing the crew pre- 
vious to our doubling Cape Horn. Knowing we were pursuing 
a track not much frequented, I directed a particular look out to 
be kept, as I had before found our charts of these seas very de- 
fective, and as it is well known to many who frequent them that 
there are several dangers in existence, the positions of which are 
set down very erroneously. 
The weather was generally cloudy, with passing squalls of wind 
and rain, till the 25th, on which day we observed a great many 
* We understand that Captain Basil Hall, F, R. S., has been sent out for the 
purpose of exploring and surveying this new region. The highest expectations 
may be entertained from the known skill and enterprise of our eminent country- 
man — E d. 
