I had spent about 5 weeks in ranging off and on the coast of New Holland,
a length of about 300 leagues: and had put in at 3 several places to see
what there might be thereabouts worth discovering; and at the same time
to recruit my stock of fresh water and provisions for the further
discoveries I purposed to attempt on the Terra Australis. This large and
hitherto almost unknown tract of land is situated so very advantageously
in the richest climates of the world, the torrid and temperate zones;
having in it especially all the advantages of the torrid zone, as being
known to reach from the equator itself (within a degree) to the Tropic of
Capricorn, and beyond it; that in coasting round it, which I designed by
this voyage, if possible, I could not but hope to meet with some fruitful
lands, continent or islands, or both, productive of any of the rich
fruits, drugs, or spices (perhaps minerals also, etc.) that are in the
other parts of the torrid zone, under equal parallels of latitude; at
least a soil and air capable of such, upon transplanting them hither, and
cultivation. I meant also to make as diligent a survey as I could of the
several smaller islands, shores, capes, bays, creeks, and harbours, fit
as well for shelter as defence, upon fortifying them; and of the rocks
and shoals, the soundings, tides, and currents, winds and weather,
variation, etc., whatever might be beneficial for navigation, trade or
settlement; or be of use to any who should prosecute the same designs
hereafter; to whom it might be serviceable to have so much of their work
done to their hands; which they might advance and perfect by their own
repeated experiences. As there is no work of this kind brought to
perfection at once I intended especially to observe what inhabitants I
should meet with, and to try to win them over to somewhat of traffic and
useful intercourse, as there might be commodities among any of them that
might be fit for trade or manufacture, or any found in which they might
be employed. Though as to the New Hollanders hereabouts, by the