ABSTRACT
Whereas you have agreed (on certain terms) to go on board his Majestys ship the Investigator, now fitting out for a voyage of Discovery, to examine the coasts, harbors, creeks, and inlets of New Holland, and to make nautical, astronomical and trigonometrical observations there, for fixing the latitude and longitude of various points of the coast and country, and to ascertain their relative positions with respect to each another, and also to make nautical and astronomical observations during the voyage out and home, all tending to the improvement of geography and navigation; you are hereby required and directed to hold yourself in readiness to embark on board the said ship, where the necessary orders have been given for your reception, and then to proceed in her in the above-mentioned voyage, accordingly; and whereas we have ordered you to be supplied with the several instruments, books, maps, charts, and other things specified in the schedule here-unto annexed, which the Astronomer Royal will cause to be delivered to you, you are to receive and take into your charge and custody the said instruments, books, maps, charts, &c. (giving the Astronomer Royal a receipt for the same) and to make use of them for the several purposes to which they are respectively adapted; taking all possible care of them during the voyage and survey; and, these being finished, returning them to us, or our Secretary, in the best condition you may be able. And in the performance of the above-mentioned service, you are punctually and faithfully to observe and execute the following instructions.
