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.
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