INTRODUCTION. 
lefs fortunate than any of the former, as thofe objects were 
not accomplifhed, but at the expence of the valuable life of 
its Conductor. 
When plans, calculated to be of general utility, are car¬ 
ried into execution with partial views, and upon interefted 
motives, it is natural to attempt to confine, within fome 
narrow circle, the advantages which might have been de¬ 
rived to the world at large, by an unreferved difclolure of 
all that had been effected. And, upon this principle, it has 
too frequently been confidered as found policy, perhaps, in 
this country, as well as- amongft fome of our neighbours, 
to affedt to draw a veil of fecrecy over the refult of enter- 
prizes to difcover and explore unknown quarters of the 
globe. It is to the honour of the prefent reign, that more 
liberal views have been now adopted. Our late voyages, 
from the very extenfive objects propofed by them, could not 
but convey ufeful information to every European nation; 
and, indeed, to every nation, however remote, which cul¬ 
tivates commerce, and is acquainted with navigation : and 
that information has molt laudably been afforded. The 
fame enlarged and benevolent fpirit, which ordered thefe 
feveral expeditions to be undertaken, has alfo taken care 
that the refult of their various difcoveries fhould be au¬ 
thentically recorded. And the tranfadtions of the five firfl 
voyages round the world having, in due time, been com¬ 
municated *, under the authority of his Majefty’s naval 
Minifter; thofe of the fixth, which, befides reviliting many 
of the former difcoveries in the Southern, carried its opera- 
* The account of the four fir ft of thefe voyages, compiled by Dr. Hawkefworth, from 
the Journals of the feveral Commanders, was publiftied in 1772, in Three Volumes 
quarto; and Captain Cook’s own account of the fifth, in 1777, in Two Volumes 
quarto. 
a 2 
tions 
