Papers, 1768-1773, together with associated papers, ca.1775, 1830, 1901

James Cook - Papers, 1768-1773, together with associated papers, ca.1775, 1830, 1901

30 Nov. 1768;  Autograph letter from James Cook, Rio de Janeiro, to the Commissioners for Victualling, stating that he has drawn on them for the purchase of provisions. Unsigned and incomplete draft (1 page).  
 
30 Nov. 1768;  Autograph letter from James Cook, Rio de Janeiro, to Phillip Stephens, Secretary of the Admiralty, reporting on difficulties in dealing with the Viceroy of Brazil. Unsigned draft (19 pages). A transcription of this letter can be found in Historical Records of NSW vol.1 part 1, pp 316-322. 
 
Apr.? 1769;  'Rules to be observed by every Person belonging to His Majestys Bark Endeavour for the better establishing a regular and uniform trade for Provisions etc with the Inhabitants of Georges Island and to prevent frauds and desputes as well on the one side as on the other'. Unsigned and undated draft (5 pages) in Cook's hand. Probably written soon after the Endeavour arrived at Georges Island [Tahiti] on 13 April 1769.
 
3 June 1769;  Draft, in Cook's hand, of his observations of the Transit of Venus, comprising observations, diagrams and calculations by Cook together with printed tables for computing longitude (6 pages). A fair copy of part of these observations is located at Safe 1/66.
 
9-11 Oct.;  24 Oct.-5 Nov.;  26-27 Nov. 1769;  Feb. 1901;  Draft journal and notes, in Cook's hand, describing events in the Cook Islands and New Zealand. Includes account of Cook's naming of Poverty Bay, New Zealand (12 pages). Together with a newscutting of a letter to the editor of the Poverty Bay Herald from Edward E. Morris of the University of Melbourne, 20 Feb. 1901, referring to this document as a source for the naming  of Poverty Bay. The newscutting, from the Poverty Bay Herald, 26 Feb. 1901, is pasted to a sheet stamped 'Australian Museum curator 11 Mar. 1901'. A transcription of this document can be found in 'The Journals of Captain James Cook on his voyages of discovery', edited by J.C. Beaglehole, vol.1 pp 534-541.
 
16 Oct. 1770;  Autograph letter, written in the third person, from James Cook, Endeavour in Batavia Road, to the Governor of Batavia, seeking to draw money for supplies and for repairs to Endeavour. Unsigned draft (1 page).
 
23 Oct. 1770;  Autograph letter, from James Cook, Onrust near Batavia, to Phillip Stephens, Secretary of the Admiralty. Unsigned draft (5 pages). Cook reports on observations of the Transit of Venus, exploration near Tahiti, circumnavigation of New Zealand, discovery of the east coast of New Holland and his voyage to Batavia in the damaged Endeavour. He states that he is forwarding a copy of his journal and some charts. A transcription of this letter can be found in Historical Records of NSW vol.1 part 1, pp.331-334.  
 
23 Oct. 1770;  Autograph letter, signed, from James Cook, Endeavour Bark, Batavia, to the President and Council of the Royal Society, reporting on preparations made for observing the Transit of Venus and advising that the results are being sent by astronomer Charles Green. Draft (1 page).
 
Oct. 1773;  Fragment, in Cook's hand, from the journal of his second voyage describing Amsterdam Island (Tongatabu) (8 pages). This journal fragment is an estray from Cook's journal in the British Museum, Add. MSS. 27888.  
 
ca. 1775;  Song poem, composed by Thomas Perry, celebrating the voyage of the 'brave Resolution'. A broadsheet poem, without a title, undated: 'It is now my brave boys we are clear of the Ice...'. A manuscript copy in the Dixson Library (MS.F1, pp.71-72) has a note: 'This Song was composed by Thomas Perry a Seaman on board the Resolution whilst returning from the second voyage of discovery by Captain James Cook'.
 
8 Oct. 1830;  Autograph letter, signed, from Rear-Admiral Isaac Smith to Edward Hawke Locker, advising that Mrs Cook has no further papers in her husband's handwriting, that she dislikes the portrait of Cook because it makes him look severe, and that she considered him 'a most affectionate Husband and a good Father to his children whom he dearly loved'. Draft (2 pages).

Papers, 1768-1773, together with associated papers, ca.1775, 1830, 1901

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