Entree de la Riviere Endeavour dans la Nle. Galles Merid le. Lat 15d. 26′. Sud. Baye de Botanique dans la Nle. Galles Meridonale Lat 34d. 00′ Sud.

French edition of James Cook’s maps of Botany Bay and Endeavour River printed on one sheet as issued. Cook had visited Botany Bay while chart the east coast and from his reports it became the destination for the First Fleet. Endeavour River was where the Endeavour survived an encounter with a coral reef as a result of Cook’s superb seamanship. He was able to manoeuvre the ship ashore for repairs. On 30 July 1768, the Lords of the Admiralty signed Cook’ secret instructions for the voyage of the Endeavour. The instructions were in two parts, the second of which was sealed, only to be opened by Cook himself. The first task was to sail to Tahiti from where Cook and his crew were instructed to observe the Transit of Venus. The document included the request that ‘ this service is perform’ you are to put to Sea without Loss of Time, and carry into execution the Additional Instructions contained in the enclosed Sealed Packet’. The sealed instructions contained the Admiralty’ true reasons for supporting the voyage. In addition to observing the Transit of Venus, Cook was commanded to find the South Land, a ‘ of great extent’ that was thought to exist in the southern latitudes. The orders continued, ‘ are to proceed … southward in order to make discovery of the Continent above-mentioned until you arrive in the latitude of 40, unless you sooner fall in with it’. Undertaken at the height of the Age of Enlightenment, Cook’ voyage heralded a new era of scientific exploration in which the two dominant maritime and scientific powers, France and Britain, would confront each other in a great rivalry for power and discovery.

References: Clancy p.96, ill.6.32, Clancy p.121, ill.pp.122-3 (German edition), Perry pl.32, pl.33&34, Prescott 1773.01, Tooley 321.