Early Voyages to Terra Australis, Now Called Australia: / A Collection of Documents, and Extracts from Early Manuscript Maps, Illustrative of the History of Discovery on the Coasts of That Vast Island, from the Beginning of the Sixteenth Century to the Time of Captain Cook.

by Richard Henry Major

But if (as we presume) the land of Nova Guinea is joined to the south land, and in consequence is one continent; you will be enabled by the S.E. trade wind to run along the north coast from 17° to 22° S., and thus entirely to discover this land, from whence (if wind and weather by any means will permit) you shall steer along the land of De Endragt to Houtman’s Abrolhos, and come to an anchor at a fit place thereabout; and endeavour to find a chest containing eight thousand rixdollars, that remained in the wreck of the ship Batavia, a brass half cartow[^[19]] having fallen on that chest when it foundered at that place in the year 1629, and which the crew of the yacht Sardam dragged for in vain. At the same time you shall (if possible) recover that piece, by this you will render service to the Company, for which reason be not negligent in the discharge of your duty.

Likewise inquire, at the continent thereabout, after two Dutchmen, who, having forfeited their lives, were put on shore by the commodore Francisco Pelsert, if still alive, in which case you may make your inquiries of them about the situation of those countries; and, if they entreat you to that purpose, give them passage hither; on this occasion you ought to search for a good water and refreshing-place, about the 26° or 28 S. latitude, which would be a desirable thing for the outward bound ships.

But if the late time of the year and the appearance of storms will not permit you to reach Houtman’s Shoal, which after experience we leave to yours and the council’s own judgment, consider how you have to sail again from William’s River to the east, along the coast of the south land and from De Wit’s Land, by the help of the S.E. trade wind, to run across very near eastward to complete the discovery of Arnhem’s and Van Diemen’s Lands; and to ascertain perfectly whether these lands are not one and the same island, and what these places produce; likewise what other islands besides Baly, Sumbava, and Timor, may be situated about the south land.

After all this (by the help of God) shall be fortunately transacted, which we hope can be done before the end of the month of June (having either reached Houtman’s Abrolhos or Van Diemen’s Land), you have to steer your course to the south coast of Java, and along the coast through the Strait of Sunda, to return to Batavia: at which place we shall expect you in July following attended with good success.

Of all the lands, countries, islands, capes, points or coves, inlets, bays, rivers, shoals, reefs, sands, cliffs, rocks, etc., which you meet with and pass in this discovery, as well upon the coast of Nova Guinea and the south land, as in the Indian Ocean and the inland seas, you are to make accurate maps and circumstantial descriptions, and to draw perfectly the views and form, for which purpose a draughtsman is to go along with you.

Be particularly careful about longitude and latitude, in what direction and at what distances the coasts, islands, capes, points, bays and rivers are situated from one and other, and what are the marks by which they may be known, as mountains, hills, trees, or buildings to be seen thereupon.

Take a thorough survey of the depth of the water near shore, and of the sunken rocks, the rapid current of the rivers at the points, how and by what marks they are to be avoided, and if the bottom is hard, soft, sharp, flat, sloping, or steep, and if they may be approached or not, by the soundings; upon what marks the best anchoring places in harbours and bays are to be found, how the inlets and rivers are to be entered, what winds usually blow in the different parts; the course of the streams, whether ebb and flood are regulated by the moon or wind; what alterations of monsoon, rain or dry weather you experience; and observe farther diligently to remark and note down (which is the duty of all able pilots) whatever may be of service in future voyages to the discovered countries.

The time of the year will doubtless not permit, by the shortening of the days, to lose any time, but carefully and diligently to proceed; for the above reason it is of consequence to discover as much, and in as short a time as possible.

Nevertheless, to discover in a proper manner the coasts of the east and south lands, it will be necessary in good time, now and then, to anchor in proper places, always looking for and choosing such bays and harbours as with the least danger may be entered and left, where you may lye in safety, and which by accidental winds, or for other reasons, you may soon quit.

But be particularly careful, circumspect and prudent in landing with small craft, because (as above is mentioned) at several times Nova Guinea has been found to be inhabited by cruel wild savages, and as it is uncertain what sort of people the inhabitants of the south lands are, it may rather be presumed that they are also wild and barbarous savages, than a civilized people, for which reason you ought always to be upon your guard and well armed; because in all countries of the globe experience has taught us no savages are to be trusted, by reason they always suppose people who appear so unexpectedly and strangely to them, are only come to invade their country: all which is proved in the discovery of America and the Indies, by the surprize and murdering many careless and unwary discoverers, many times to the ruin of their voyages.