Banks's Log (of Cook), 8959 of Museum Catalogue, remarked:—
"The Pinnace and Yawl with the Captn. and gentlemen went on shore to Examine the Country and view the Coast from one of the Hills soon after saw some Turtle. It was high water. When we came too the Tide of Ebb set from the S.W. 5k. 2m. per hour. At 6 possession was taken of this Country in his Majesty's name and under his Colours fired several volleys of small arms on the occasion and cheer'd 3 times which was answer'd from the ship."
In each case of Cook's real Logs no name of any kind would appear to have been selected for the country, else, in all probability, it would have been stated in one or in both Logs.
The Chief Officer, Lieut. Hickes, knew nothing of taking possession of the land in the King's name as New South Wales.
His Log for August 21 refers to Chacho Harbour:
"Wednesday 22. Latt. 10° 45″ Long, made W. from ye Straits 00° 13. These Straits are in Longitude 142° 25 Et. The Captn. went on shore, hoisted ye Colours and took possession of ye Country for ye King, fired several volleys and cheered 3 times which was answered from ye Ship, at 10 a.m. slack water weighed and made sail."
The Log of Richard Pickersgill gives this short version, imitating or being imitated:—
"At 6 Possession was taken of this country in his Majesty's Name and this was announced from the shore by Vollies and answer'd from on bd. Colours flying and concluding with 3 cheers."
The Cook's Log presented by Sir Joseph Banks to the British Museum, and catalogued therein as 8959, is the most important of what Logs I, as an archivist, would regard the genuine Cook's, as it was sanctioned by the authority of a fellow voyager.