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; and in this as it hath an apparent right, so
there is not the least reason to doubt that it would meet with all
the countenance and assistance from the government that it could
reasonably expect or desire.
If such a design should ever be attempted, perhaps the island of New
Britain might be the properest place for them to settle. As to the
situation, extent, and present condition of that island, all that
can be said of it must be taken from the account given by its
discoverer Captain Dampier, which, in few words, amounts to this:
"The island which I call Nova Britannia has about 4 degrees of
latitude, the body of it lying in 4 degrees, the northernmost part
in 2 degrees 30 minutes, and the southernmost in 6 degrees 30
minutes. It has about 5 degrees 18 minutes longitude from east to
west; it is generally high mountainous land, mixed with large
valleys, which, as well as the mountains, appeared very fertile; and
in most places that we saw the trees are very large, tall, and
thick. It is also very well inhabited with strong, well-limbed
negroes, whom we found very daring and bold at several places: as
to the product of it, it is very probable this island may afford as
many rich commodities as any in the world; and the natives may be
easily brought to commerce, though I could not pretend to it in my
circumstances." If any objections should be raised from Dampier's
misfortune in that voyage, it is easy to show that it ought to have
no manner of weight whatever, since, though he was an excellent
pilot, he is allowed to have been but a bad commander; besides, the
Roebuck, in which he sailed, was a worn-out frigate that would
hardly swim; and it is no great wonder that in so crazy a vessel the
people were a little impatient at being abroad on discoveries; yet,
after all, he performed what he was sent for; and, by the discovery
of this island of New Britain, secured us an indisputable right to a
country, that is, or might be made, very valuable.
It is so situated, that a great trade might be carried on from
thence through the whole Terra Australis on one side, and the most
valuable islands of the East Indies on the other.
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