1785.
Auguft, of profeffional men. However, what I may fend, whether good
or bad, will, I flatter myfelf, be acceptable to thee, if for no other
reafon but that it comes from affuredly thine,
W . B.
G r a v e s e n d , 7
29th Auguft. y
L E T T E R II.
D E A R H AML EN y
BEFOR E I proceed to inform thee of any lea occurrences, it
will be neceffary to mention a few previous particulars, for
thy better information. Before I came on board, my idea of the
Voyage was fo very imperfeft, that it was out of my power to give
thee any notion of our deftination. I now can tell thee, that
during the late Captain Cook’s'laft Voyage to the Pacific Ocean,
it was found that it would be eafily pra&icable to eftablifh a valuable
Fur Trade on the American Coaft, and to difpofeof them to
great advantage at China. Though this was fo long fince as the
year 1780, yet the profecution of any plan lay dormant till Spring
laft, when a fet of gentlemen procured a charter from the South
' Sea Company, and were incorporated for the exprefs purpofe of
carrying on this trade to the bell: advantage ; to facilitate which,
they purchafed two veffels, and got them ready for failing with
all expedition.
The
The larger fhip is called the King George, and commanded by
Captain Portlock (who is commander in chief for the voyage) and
the fmaller veffel (which I am on board) the Queen Charlotte,
commanded by Captain Dixon.
Thefe gentlemen were appointed to the command of this expedition
with peculiar propriety, not only as able navigators, but
(having been this voyage with Captain Cook) they well knew what
parts of the Continent were likely to afford us the belt trade; and
could alfo form a tolerable idea of the temper and difpofition of
the natives : add to this, they are men of feeling and humanity,
and pay the moft ftrift attention to the health of their Ihips companies,
a circumftance of-the utmoft confequence in a voyage of
fuch length as this feems likely to be. Having premifed thus far,
I fhall proceed to acquaint thee of every circumftance relating to
the Voyage, but having an opportunity of forwarding this, I have
only time to fay, that I am well and truly thine,
W . B.
G r a v e s e n d , 7
29th Auguft. $
L E T T E R I IL
I G O T on board the Queen on Saturday evening the 27th
Auguft, and was received with great civility by my mefs-mates,
who were the Firft, Second, and Third Mates, the Surgeon, and
the