SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 83 before has done, bj several hundred miles, and discovered an im- 1796 menae navigable river running westward, which offers the means of penetrating into the centre of that vast continent, . . oSe^s His himself as a volunteer to be employed in exploring the interior of in AMmf New Holland, by its rivers or otherwise, as may in the event be found most expedient. His character and qualifications were beyond question : — His moral character is unblemished, his temper mild, and his His patience inexhaustible, as he has proved during his African expe- dition. He is sufficiently versed in astronomy to make and to calculate observations to determine both latitude and longitude ; he knows geography enough to construct a map of the countries he may visit ] draws a little ; has a competent knowledge of botany and zoology ; and has been educated in the medical line. He is very moderate in his terms ; he will be contented with 10s. a day and his rations, and happy if his pay is settled at 12s. The amount of his outfit for instruments, arms, presents, &c., will Proposed not, I think, exceed £100. He will want a decked vessel of about ***"*p™®" thirty tons, under the command of a lieutenant, with orders to follow his advice in all matters of exploring. Such a vessel may easily be built in the colony, if the one already there, which is found to have very bad qualities as a sea boat, cannot be made sufficiently trustworthy ; and Lieutenant Flinders, a countryman ^J?^. of mine, a man of activity and information, who is already there, will, I am sure, be happy if he is entrusted with the command, and will enter into the spirit of his orders, and agree perfectly with Park. The crew of such a vessel need not, in my opinion, consist of An more than ten men — four for boat-keepers and six to proceed in l^i^ the country with one or both the commanders, as may happen, when the land joumies are to be attempted. In the event of this project being carried into execution. Sir Joseph expressed his readiness to draw up instructions instmctioiu for the parties and to correspond with them during the spondonce. execution of their plans, under the superintendence of the Treasury — " such hopes have I of material discoveries being made, and such zeal do I feel for the prospects of a colony in the founding of which I bore a considerable share." Digitized by Google
