early australian voyages-第14章
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ing words： 〃The country hereabouts is mountainous and woody； full of rich valleys and pleasant fresh…water brooks； the mould in the valleys is deep and yellowish； that on the sides of the hills of a very brown colour； and not very deep； but rocky underneath； yet excellent planting land； the trees in general are neither very straight； thick； nor tall； yet appear green and pleasant enough； some of them bear flowers； some berries； and others big fruits； but all unknown to any of us； cocoa…nut trees thrive very well here； as well on the bays by the sea…side； as more remote among the plantations； the nuts are of an indifferent size； the milk and kernel very thick and pleasant； here are ginger； yams； and other very good roots for the pot； that our men saw and tasted； what other fruits or roots the country affords I know not； here are hogs and dogs； other land animals we saw none； the fowls we saw and knew were pigeons； parrots； cocadores； and crows； like those in England； a sort of birds about the bigness of a blackbird； and smaller birds many。 The sea and rivers have plenty of fish； we saw abundance； though we catched but few； and these were cavallies； yellow…tails； and whip…wreys。〃
This account is grounded only on a very slight view； whereas De Quiros resided for some time in the place he has mentioned。 In another place Captain Dampier observes that he saw nutmegs amongst them； which seemed to be fresh…gathered； all which agrees perfectly with the account given by De Quiros； add to this； that Schovten had likewise observed； that they had ginger upon this coast； and some other spices； so that on the whole there seems not the least reason to doubt that if any part of this country was settled； it must be attended with a very rich commerce； for it cannot be supposed that all these writers should be either mistaken； or that they should concur in a design to impose upon their readers； which is the less to be suspected； if we consider how well their reports agree with the situation of the country； and that the trees on the land； and the fish on the coast； corresponding exactly with the trees of those countries； and the fish on the coasts； where these commodities are known to abound within land； seem to intimate a perfect conformity throughout。
The next thing to be considered is； the possibility of planting in this part of the world； which at first sight； I must confess； seems to be attended with considerable difficulties with respect to every other nation except the Dutch； who either from Batavia； the Moluccas； or even from the Cape of Good Hope； might with ease settle themselves wherever they thought fit； as； however； they have neglected this for above a century； there seems to be no reason why their conduct in this respect should become the rule of other nations； or why any other nation should be apprehensive of drawing on herself the displeasure of the Dutch； by endeavouring to turn to their benefit countries the Dutch have so long suffered to lie； with respect to Europe； waste and desert。
The first point； with respect to a discovery； would be to send a small squadron on the coast of Van Diemen's Land； and from thence round； in the same course taken by Captain Tasman； by the coast of New Guinea； which might enable the nations that attempted it to come to an absolute certainty with regard to its commodities and commerce。 Such a voyage as this might be performed with very great ease； and at a small expense； by our East India Company； and this in the space of eight or nine months' time； and considering what mighty advantages might accrue to the nation； there seems to be nothing harsh or improbable in supposing that some time or other； when the legislature is more than usually intent on affairs of commerce； they may be directed to make such an expedition at the expense of the public。 By this means all the back coast of New Holland and New Guinea might be thoroughly examined； and we might know as well； and as certainly as the Dutch； how far a colony settled there might answer our expectations； one thing is certain； that to persons used to the navigation of the Indies； such an expedition could not be thought either dangerous or difficult； because it is already sufficiently known that there are everywhere islands upon the coast； where ships upon such a discovery might be sure to meet with refreshments； as is plain from Commodore Roggewein's voyage； made little more than twenty years ago。
The only difficulty that I can see would be the getting a fair and honest account of this expedition when made； for private interest is so apt to interfere； and get the better of the public service； that it is very hard to be sure of anything of this sort。 That I may not be suspected of any intent to calumniate； I shall put the reader in mind of two instances； the first is； as to the new trade from Russia； for establishing of which an Act of Parliament was with great difficulty obtained； though visibly for the advantage of the nation； the other instance is； the voyage of Captain Middleton； for the discovery of a north…west passage into the south seas； which is ended by a very warm dispute； whether that passage be found or not； the person supposed to have found it maintaining the negative。
Whenever； therefore； such an expedition is undertaken； it ought to be under the direction； not only of a person of parts and experience； but of unspotted character； who； on his return； should be obliged to deliver his journal upon oath； and the principal officers under him should likewise be directed to keep their journals distinctly； and without their being inspected by the principal officer； all which journals ought to be published by authority as soon as received； that every man might be at liberty to examine them； and deliver his thoughts as to the discoveries made； or the impediments suggested to have hindered or prevented such discoveries； by which means the public would be sure to obtain a full and distinct account of the matter； and it would thence immediately appear whether it would be expedient to prosecute the design or not。
But if it should be thought too burdensome for a company in so flourishing a condition； and consequently engaged in so extensive a commerce as the East India Company is； to undertake such an expedition； merely to serve the public； promote the exportation of our manufactures； and increase the number of industrious persons who are maintained by foreign trade； if this； I say； should be thought too grievous for a company that has purchased her privileges from the public by a large loan at low interest； there can certainly be no objection to the putting this project into the hands of the Royal African Company； who are not quite in so flourishing a condition； they have equal opportunities for undertaking it； since the voyage might be with great ease performed from their settlements in ten months； and if the trade was found to answer； it might encourage the settling a colony at Madagascar to and from which ships might； with the greatest conveniency； carry on the trade to New Guinea。 I cannot say how far such a trade might be consistent with their present charter； but if it should be found advantageous to the public； and beneficial to the company； I think there can be no reason assigned why it should not be secured to them； and that too in the most effectual manner。
A very small progress in it would restore the reputation of the company； and in time； perhaps； free the nation from the annual expense she is now at； for the support of the forts and garrisons belonging to that company on the coasts of Africa； which would alone prove of great and immediate service； both to the public and to the company。 To say the truth； something of this sort is absolutely necessary to vindicate the expense the nation is at； for if the trade； for the carrying on of which a company is established； proves； by a change of circumstances； incapable of supporting that company； and thereby brings a load upon the public； this ought to be a motive； it ought； indeed； to be the strongest motive； for that company to endeavour the extension of its commerce； or the striking out； if possible； some new branch of trade； which may restore it to its former splendour； a
