They were accordingly delivered me the next day, unlocked and without keys, although the inventory implied that all the locks had keys to them excepting that of a tea-chest. On examining into the contents of the several packages also, I found the things did not agree with the inventory †. I misled also some things, which I knew my brother had taken with him, and which were not mentioned at all in the inventory; such as a silver watch, two table-spoons, and a pair of gold sleeve-buttons; all which, however, it is possible my brother might have lost or disposed of on the voyage. But, as I thought it not very probable, I was induced to en-quire, of some of the officers belonging to the Endeavour, into the manner in which my brother’s effects were taken care of, and, in particular, after the journal, said to be lost, and more of his papers and drawings, which I expected to have found.

† Particularly some linen was found not inventoried, and two New-Zealand arrows were missing. The large chest, instead of being full of curiosities, as mentioned in the inventory, was not a third part full, and most of the things that were in it were damaged or perished. The upper part of the burau, said to contain curiosities and sundries, contained nothing but a stuffed bird, a few manuscriptsand sketches of no great moment, and a parcel of written music; which latter could hardly belong to my brother, who knew nothing of a science, of which his religious profession prohibited him the study. Perhaps the sundries were his journal and drawings said to be lost, the place of which, these musical manuscripts (undoubtedly belonging to Joseph Banks, who is a connoisseur in the art,) afterwards supplied.

Voyaging Accounts