INTRODUCTION. 
embarraftinents of a labyrinth, now known to be fo intri¬ 
cate, and the unavoidable fource of danger and delay, we 
have the fatisfadlion to have difcovered, that a fafer and 
more expeditious entrance into the Pacific Ocean, may be 
reafonably depended upon. The pafiage round Cape Horn, 
has been repeatedly tried, both from the Eaft and from the 
Weft, and ftript of its terrors. We ftiall, for the future, be 
lefs difcouraged by the labours and diftrefles experienced 
by the fquadrons of Lord Anfon and Pizarro, when we re¬ 
collect, that they were obliged to attempt the navigation of 
thole feas at an unfavourable feafon of the year; and that 
there was nothing very formidable met with there, when 
they were traverfed by Captain Cook. 
To this diftinguifhed navigator was referved the honour 
of being the firft, who, from a feries of the moft fatisfadtory 
obfervations, beginning at the Weft entrance of the Strait 
of Magalhaens, and carried on, with unwearied diligence, 
round Tierra del Fuego, through the Strait of Le Maire, has 
conftructed a chart of the Southern extremity of America, 
from which it will appear, how much former navigators 
muft have been at a lofs to guide themfelves, and what 
advantages will now be enjoyed by thofe who ftiall here¬ 
after fail round Cape Horn. 
IV. 
As the voyages of difcovery, undertaken by his Majefty’s 
command, have facilitated the accefs of fhips into the Pa¬ 
cific Ocean, they have alfo greatly enlarged our knowledge 
of its contents. 
Though the immenfe expanfe ufually diftinguilhed by 
this appellation, had been navigated by Europeans for near 
two centuries and a half % by far the greater part of it, 
* Magalhaens’s Voyage was undertaken in 1519. 
particularly 
