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An Account of the Voyages undertaken by the order of His Present Majesty, for making Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere, and successively performed by Commodore Byron, Captain Wallis, Captain Carteret, and Captain Cook, in the Dolphin, the Swallow, and the Endeavour: Drawn from the Journals which were kept by the several Commanders, and from the Papers of Joseph Banks, Esq. [Vol. II]
To
The King.
Sire,
As a Sea Officer addressing Your Majesty on a professional Subject, I might justly be accused of singular Ingratitude, did I not avail myself of this Opportunity of reminding the World, that the Voyage to explore how far Navigation was practicable towards the North Pole was undertaken at a Period peculiarly distinguished by Your Majesty's gracious Attention to Your Navy.
In a Time of profound Peace Your Majesty, by a liberal Addition to the Half Pay of the Captains, relieved the Necessities of many, and gratified the Ambition of all, at once demonstrating Your Majesty's Regard to their Welfare, and the Remembrance of their Services.
page ivThe Armament, which followed in a few Months, and Your Majesty's Review of that Armament, which, by the Dispatch of its Equipment, had prevented a War, afforded to Your Navy the most flattering and distinguished Mark of Royal Favour, and to Your Majesty an additional Proof of that Alacrity for Your Service, which had so recently received both its Reward and Encouragement from Your Majesty's Protection.
Permit me, Sire, to add, that Your Majesty's gracious Approbation of my Endeavours, and the Permission I have been honoured with, of inscribing the following Account of them to Your Majesty, are strong Proofs of that Indulgence with which Your Majesty receives every Attempt to promote Your Service. — An Indulgence, which, at the same Time that it cannot sail of animating the Zeal of others more worthy of Your Majesty's Notice, has added to the most devoted Attachment, the warmest Gratitude of,
Sire,
Your Majesty's most dutiful
Subject and Servant,