INTRODUCTION
Inofferingthislittletracttothepublic，itisequallythewriter’swishtoconducetotheiramusementandinformation。
Theexpeditiononwhichheisengagedhasexcitedmuchcuriosity，andgivenbirthtomanyspeculations，respectingtheconsequencestoarisefromit。Whilemencontinuetothinkfreely，theywilljudgevariously。
SomehavebeensanguineenoughtoforeseethemostbeneficialeffectstotheParentState，fromtheColonyweareendeavouringtoestablish;
andsomehavenotbeenwantingtopronouncetheschemebigwithfolly，impolicy，andruin。Whichofthesepredictionswillbecompleted，Ileavetothedecisionofthepublic。Icannot，however，dismissthesubjectwithoutexpressingahope，thatthecandidandliberalofeachopinion，inducedbythehumaneandbenevolentintentioninwhichitoriginated，willuniteinwaitingtheresultofafairtrialtoanexperiment，nolessnewinitsdesign，thandifficultinitsexecution。
Asthispublicationenterstheworldwiththenameoftheauthor，candourwill，hetrusts，induceitsreaderstobelieve，thatnoconsiderationcouldweighwithhiminanendeavourtomisleadthem。Factsarerelatedsimplyastheyhappened，andwhenopinionsarehazarded，theyaresuchas，hehopes，patientinquiry，anddeliberatedecision，willbefoundtohaveauthorised。Forthemostparthehasspokenfromactualobservation;
andinthoseplaceswheretherelationsofothershavebeenunavoidablyadopted。hehasbeencarefultosearchforthetruth，andrepressthatspiritofexaggerationwhichisalmostevertheeffectofnoveltyonignorance。
Thenauticalpartoftheworkiscomprizedinasfewpagesaspossible。
Bytheprofessionalpartofmyreadersthiswillbedeemedjudicious;
andtherestwillnot，Ibelieve，bedissatisfiedatitsbrevity。
Ibegleave，however，tosayoftheastronomicalcalculations，thattheymaybedependedonwiththegreatestdegreeofsecurity，astheywerecommunicatedbyanofficer，whowasfurnishedwithinstruments，andcommissionedbytheBoardofLongitude，tomakeobservationsduringthevoyage，andinthesouthernhemisphere。
Anunpractisedwriterisgenerallyanxioustobespeakpublicattention，andtosolicitpublicindulgence。Exceptonprofessionalsubjects，militarymenare，perhaps，toofearfulofcriticalcensure。
Forthepresentnarrativenootherapologyisattempted，thantheintentionsofitsauthor，whohasendeavourednotonlytosatisfypresentcuriosity，buttopointouttofutureadventurers，thefavourable，aswellasadversecircumstanceswhichwillattendtheirsettlinghere。Thecandid，itishoped，willoverlooktheinaccuraciesofthisimperfectsketch，drawnamidstthecomplicateddutiesoftheserviceinwhichtheAuthorisengaged，andmakedueallowanceforthewantofopportunityofgainingmoreextensiveinformation。
WatkinTench，Capt。oftheMarines。
SydneyCove，PortJackson，NewSouthWales，10July，1788。
CHAPTERI
FromtheEmbarkationoftheConvicts，totheDepartureoftheShipsfromEngland。
ThemarinesandconvictshavingbeenpreviouslyembarkedintheRiver，atPortsmouth，andPlymouth，thewholefleetdestinedfortheexpeditionrendezvousedattheMotherBank，onthe16thofMarch1787，andremainedthereuntilthe13thofMayfollowing。Inthisperiod，exceptingaslightappearanceofcontagioninoneofthetransports，theshipswereuniversallyhealthy，andtheprisonersinhighspirits。Fewcomplaintsorlamentationsweretobeheardamongthem，andanardentwishforthehourofdepartureseemedgenerallytoprevail。
Asthereputation，equallywiththesafetyoftheofficersandsoldiersappointedtoguardtheconvicts，consistedinmaintainingduesubordination，anopportunitywastaken，immediatelyontheirbeingembarked，toconvincethem，inthemostpointedterms，thatanyattemptontheirside，eithertocontestthecommand，ortoforcetheirescape，shouldbepunishedwithinstantdeath;orderstothiseffectweregiventothecentinelsintheirpresence;happily，however，forallparties，thereoccurrednotanyinstanceinwhichtherewasoccasiontohaverecoursetosodesperateameasure;thebehavioroftheconvictsbeingingeneralhumble，submissive，andregular:indeedIshouldfeelmyselfwantinginjusticetothoseunfortunatemen，wereInottobearthispublictestimonyofthesobrietyanddecencyoftheirconduct。
Unpleasantasastateofinactivityanddelayformanyweeksappearedtous，itwasnotwithoutitsadvantages;forbymeansofitwewereenabledtoestablishnecessaryregulationsamongtheconvicts，andtoadoptsuchasystemofdefence，asleftuslittletoApprehendforourownsecurity，incaseaspiritofmadnessanddesperationhadhurriedthemontoattemptourdestruction。
Amongmanyothertroublesomepartsofdutywhichtheservicewewereengagedonrequired，theinspectionofalllettersbroughtto，orsentfromtheships，wasnotoneoftheleasttiresomeanddisagreeable。ThenumberandcontentsofthoseinthevesselIwasembarkedin，frequentlysurprisedmeverymuch;
theyvariedaccordingtothedispositionsofthewriters:buttheirconstantlanguagewas，anapprehensionoftheimpracticabilityofreturninghome，thedreadofasicklypassage，andthefearfulprospectofadistantandbarbarouscountry。Butthisapparentdespondencyproceededinfewinstancesfromsentiment。Withtoomanyitwas，doubtless，anartificetoawakencompassion，andcallforthrelief;thecorrespondenceinvariablyendinginapetitionformoneyandtobacco。Perhapsawantofthelatter，whichisconsideredagreatluxurybyitsadmirersamongthelowerclassesoflife，mightbethemoreseverelyfelt，fromtheirbeingdebarredinallcaseswhatever，sicknessexcepted，theuseofspirituousliquors。
Itmaybethoughtproperformetomention，thatduringourstayattheMotherBank，thesoldiersandconvictswereindiscriminatelyservedwithfreshbeef。Theformer，inaddition，hadtheusualquantityofbeerallowedinthenavy，andwereatwhatiscalledfullallowanceofallspeciesofprovisions;thelatter，attwothirdsonly。
CHAPTERII。
FromtheDeparture，totheArrivaloftheFleetatTeneriffe。
GovernorPhilliphavingatlengthreachedPortsmouth，andallthingsdeemednecessaryfortheexpeditionbeingputonboard，atdaylightonthemorningofthe13th，thesignaltoweighanchorwasmadeintheCommandingOfficer’sshiptheSirius。Beforesixo’clockthewholefleetwereundersail;and，theweatherbeingfineandwindeasterly，proceededthroughtheNeedleswithafreshleadingbreeze。Inadditiontoourlittlearmament，theHyenafrigatewasorderedtoaccompanyusacertaindistancetothewestward，bywhichmeansournumberwasincreasedtotwelvesail:HisMajesty’sships’Sirius’，’Hyena’，and’Supply’，threeVictuallerswithtwoyearsstoresandprovisionsonboardfortheSettlement，andsixTransports，withtroopsandconvicts。Inthetransportswereembarkedfourcaptains，twelvesubalterns，twenty—fourserjeantsandcorporals，eightdrummers，andonehundredandsixtyprivatemarines，makingthewholeofthemilitaryforce，includingtheMajorCommandantandStaffonboardtheSirius，toconsistoftwohundredandtwelvepersons，ofwhomtwohundredandtenwerevolunteers。Thenumberofconvictswasfivehundredandsixty—fivemen，onehundredandninety—twowomen，andeighteenchildren;themajorpartoftheprisonersweremechanicsandhusbandmen，selectedonpurposebyorderofGovernment。
Byteno’clockwehadgotclearoftheIsleofWight，atwhichtime，havingverylittlepleasureinconversingwithmyownthoughts，Istrolleddownamongtheconvicts，toobservetheirsentimentsatthisjuncture。
Averyfewexcepted，theircountenancesindicatedahighdegreeofsatisfaction，thoughinsome，thepangofbeingsevered，perhapsforever，fromtheirnativeland，couldnotbewhollysuppressed;ingeneral，marksofdistressweremoreperceptibleamongthementhanthewomen;
forIrecollecttohaveseenbutoneofthoseaffectedontheoccasion，\"Somenaturaltearsshedropp’d，butwip’dthemsoon。\"Afterthistheaccentofsorrowwasnolongerheard;moregenialskiesandchangeofscenebanishedrepininganddiscontent，andintroducedintheirsteadcheerfulnessandacquiescenceinalot，nownottobealtered。
Toaddtothegooddispositionwhichwasbeginningtomanifestitself，onthemorningofthe20th，inconsequenceofsomefavorablerepresentationsmadebytheofficerscommandingdetachments，theywerehailedandtoldfromtheSirius，thatinthosecaseswheretheyjudgeditproper，theywereatlibertytoreleasetheconvictsfromthefettersinwhichtheyhadbeenhithertoconfined。Incomplyingwiththesedirections，Ihadgreatpleasureinbeingabletoextendthishumaneordertothewholeofthoseundermycharge，withoutasingleexception。Itishardlynecessaryformetosay，thattheprecautionofironingtheconvictsatanytimereachedtothemenonly。
Intheeveningofthesameday，theHyenaleftusforEngland，whichaffordedanearlyopportunityofwritingtoourfriends，andeasingtheirapprehensionsbyacommunicationofthefavourableaccountsitwasinourpowertosendthem。
Fromthistimetothedayofourmakingtheland，littleoccurredworthyofremark。Icannot，however，helpnoticingtheproprietyofemployingthemarinesonaservicewhichrequiresactivityandexertionatsea，inpreferencetoothertroops。Hadaregimentrecruitedsincethewarbeensentout，sea—sicknesswouldhaveincapacitatedhalfthemenfromperformingthedutiesimmediatelyandindispensablynecessary;
whereasthemarines，frombeingaccustomedtoserveonboardship，accommodatedthemselveswitheasetoeveryexigency，andsurmountedeverydifficulty。
Atdaybreak，onthemorningofthe30thofMaywesawtherocksnamedtheDeserters，whichlieoffthesouth—eastendofMadeira;andfoundthesouth—eastextremityofthemostsoutherlyofthem，tobeinthelatitudeof32deg28minnorth，longitude16deg171/2minwestofGreenwich。
ThefollowingdaywesawtheSalvages，aclusterofrockswhichareplacedbetweentheMadeirasandCanaryIslands，anddeterminedthelatitudeofthemiddleoftheGreatSalvagetobe30deg12minnorth，andthelongitudeofitseasternsidetobe15deg39minwest。Itisnolessextraordinarythanunpardonable，thatinsomeverymodernchartsoftheAtlantic，publishedinLondon，theSalvagesaretotallyomitted。
WemadetheislandofTeneriffeonthe3dofJune，andintheeveninganchoredintheroadofSantaCruz，afteranexcellentpassageofthreeweeksfromthedayweleftEngland。
CHAPTERIII。
FromtheFleet’sArrivalatTeneriffe，toitsDepartureforRiodeJaneiro，intheBrazils。
ThereislittletopleaseatravelleratTeneriffe。HehasheardwondersofitscelebratedPeak，buthemayremainforweekstogetheratthetownofSantaCruzwithouthavingaglimpseofit，andwhenitscloud—toppedheademerges，thechanceis，thathefeelsdisappointed，for，fromthepointofviewinwhichheseesit，theneighbouringmountainslessenitseffectveryconsiderably。ExceptingthePeak，theeyereceiveslittlepleasurefromthegeneralfaceofthecountry，whichissterileanduninvitingtothelastdegree。Thetown，however，fromitscheerfulwhiteappearance，contrastedwiththedrearybrownnessofthebackground，makesnotanunpleasingcoupd’oeil。Itisneitherirregularinitsplan，nordespicableinitsstyleofbuilding;andthechurchesandreligioushousesarenumerous，sumptuous，andhighlyornamented。
Themorningofourarrival，asmanyofficersascouldbesparedfromthedifferentshipswereintroducedtotheMarquisdeBrancifort，GovernoroftheCanaryIslands，whosereceptionwashighlyflatteringandpolite。HisExcellencyisaSicilianbybirth，andismostdeservedlypopularinhisgovernment。HeprefersresidingatTeneriffe，fortheconveniencyoffrequentcommunicationwithEurope，totheGrandCanary，whichisproperlytheseatofpower;andthoughnotlongfixedhere，hasalreadyfoundmeanstoestablishamanufactoryincotton，silk，andthread，underexcellentregulations，whichemploysmorethansixtypersons，andisofinfiniteservicetothecommonpeople。DuringourshortstaywehadeverydaysomefreshproofofhisExcellency’sesteemandattention，andhadthehonourofdiningwithhim，inastyleofequaleleganceandsplendor。Atthisentertainmenttheprofusionoficeswhichappearedinthedesertwassurprising，consideringthatwewereenjoyingthemunderasunnearlyvertical。ButitseemsthecavernsofthePeak，veryfarbelowitssummit，afford，atallseasons，iceinabundance。
Therestlessimportunityofthebeggars，andtheimmodestyofthelowestclassofwomen，arehighlydisgusting。Fromthenumberofhiscountrymentobefound，anEnglishmanisatnolossforsociety。Inthemercantilehousesestablishedhere，itisfromgentlemenofthisdescriptionthatanyinformationisderived，forthetaciturnityoftheSpaniardsisnottobeovercomeinashortacquaintance，especiallybyEnglishmen，whosereservefallslittleshortoftheirown。Theinlandcountryisdescribedasfertile，andhighlyromantic;andtheenvironsofthesmalltownofLaguzamentionedasparticularlypleasant。Someofourofficerswhomadeanexcursiontoitconfirmedtheaccountamply。
ItshouldseemthatthepoweroftheChurch，whichhasbeensolongonthedeclineinEurope，isatlengthbeginningtobeshakeninthecoloniesoftheCatholicpowers:somerecentinstanceswhichhavetakenplaceatTeneriffe，evinceitveryfully。Werenotastranger，however，tobeapprizedofthis，hewouldhardlydrawtheconclusionfromhisownobservations。TheBishopoftheseislands，whichconjunctivelyformaSee，residesontheGrandCanary。Heisrepresentedasamaninyears，andofacharacterasamiableasexalted，extremelybelovedbothbyforeignersandthoseofhisownchurch。Thebishopricisvaluedattenthousandpoundsperannum;thegovernmentatsomewhatlessthantwo。
Inspiteofeveryprecaution，whilewelayatanchorintheroad，aconvicthadtheaddress，onenight，tosecretehimselfonthedeck，whentherestwereturnedbelow;andafterremainingquietforsomehours，lethimselfdownoverthebowoftheship，andfloatedtoaboatthatlayastern，intowhichhegot，andcuttingheradrift，sufferedhimselftobecarriedawaybythecurrent，untilatasufficientdistancetobeoutofhearing，whenherowedoff。Thiselopementwasnotdiscoveredtillsomehoursafter，whenasearchbeingmade，andboatssenttothedifferentpartsoftheisland，hewasdiscoveredinasmallcove，towhichhehadfledforrefuge。
Onbeingquestioned，itappearedhehadendeavouredtogethimselfreceivedonboardaDutchEastIndiamanintheroad;butbeingrejectedthere，heresolvedoncrossingovertotheGrandCanary，whichisatthedistanceoftenleagues，andwhendetected，wasrecruitinghisstrengthinordertomaketheattempt。Atthesametimethattheboatsofthefleetweresentonthispursuit，informationwasgiventotheSpanishGovernorofwhathadhappened，whoimmediatelydetachedpartieseverywayinordertoapprehendthedelinquent。
HavingremainedaweekatTeneriffe，andinthattimecompletedourstockofwater，andtakenonboardwine，&c。earlyonthemorningofthe10thofJuneweweighedanchor，andstoodouttoseawithalighteasterlybreeze。
Theshortnessofourstay，andtheconsequenthurry，preventedourincreasingmuchanypreviousknowledgewemighthavehadoftheplace。
Fortheinformationofthosewhomayfollowusonthisservice，itmaynot，however，beamisstostatethelittlethatwillbefoundofusetothem。
Themarketsaffordfreshmeat，thoughitisneitherplentifulnorgood。
Fishisscarce;butpoultrymaybeprocuredinalmostanyquantity，atascheaparateasintheEnglishsea—ports。Vegetablesdonotabound，exceptpumpkinsandonions，ofwhichIadviseallshipstolayinalargestock。Milchgoatsareboughtforatrifle，andeasilyprocured。
Grapescannotbescarceintheirseason;butwhenwewerehere，exceptfigsandexcellentmulberries，nofruitwastobeprocured。Drywines，asthemerchantstermthem，aresoldfromtentofifteenpoundsapipe;
forthelatterprice，theverybest，calledtheLondonParticular，maybebought:sweetwinesareconsiderablydearer。Brandyisalsoacheaparticle。Iwouldnotadvisethevoyagertodependonthisplaceforeitherhishogsorsheep。AndhewilldowelltosupplyhimselfwithdollarsbeforehequitsEngland，toexpendinthedifferentportshemayhappentotouchat。Shouldhe，however，haveneglectedthisprecaution，lethimrememberwhenhediscountsbills，orexchangesEnglishmoneyhere，nottoreceivehisreturnsinquarterdollars，whichwillbetenderedtohim，butaltogetherinwholeones，ashewillfindthelatterturntobetteraccountthantheformer，bothatRiodeJaneiroandtheCapeofGoodHope。
ThelatitudeofthetownofSantaCruzis28deg271/2minnorth，thelongitude16deg171/2minwestofGreenwich。
CHAPTERIV。
ThePassagefromTeneriffetoRiodeJaneiro，intheBrazils。
InsailingfromTeneriffetothesouth—east，thevariousandpicturesqueappearancesofthePeakarebeautifultothehighestdegree。Thestupendousheight，whichbeforewaslostonthetraveller，nowstrikeshimwithaweandadmiration，thewholeislandappearingonevastmountainwithapyramidaltop。Asweproceededwithlightwinds，ataneasyrate，wesawitdistinctlyforthreedaysafterourdeparture，andshouldhavecontinuedtoseeitlonger，hadnotthehazinessoftheatmosphereinterruptedourview。
ThegoodpeopleofSantaCruztellsomestoriesofthewonderfulextentofspacetobeseenfromthesummitofit，thatwouldnotdisgracethememoirsoftheever—memorableBaronMunchausen。
Onthe18thofJunewesawthemostnortherlyoftheCapedeVerdIslands，atwhichtimetheCommodoregavethefleettounderstand，bysignal，thathisintentionwastotouchatsomeofthem。ThefollowingdaywemadeSt。Jago，andstoodintogainananchorageinPortPrayaBay。
Butthebafflingwindsandleecurrentrenderingitamatterofdoubtwhetherornottheshipswouldbeabletofetch，thesignalforanchoringwashauleddown，andthefleetboreupbeforethewind。InpassingalongthemwewereenabledtoascertainthesouthendoftheIsleofSaltobein16deg40minnorthlatitude，and23deg5minwestlongitude。
ThesouthendofBonavistatobein15deg57minnorth，23deg8minwest。
ThesouthendoftheIsleofMayin15deg11minnorth，23deg26minwest;
andthelongitudeofthefort，inthetownofPortPraya，tobe23deg361/2minwestofGreenwich。
Bythistimetheweather，fromthesunbeingsofaradvancedinthenortherntropic，wasbecomeintolerablyhot，which，joinedtotheheavyrainsthatsoonaftercameon，madeusveryapprehensiveforthehealthofthefleet。
Contrary，however，toexpectation，thenumberofsickintheshipIwasembarkedonwassurprisinglysmall，andtherestofthefleetwerenearlyashealthy。Frequentexplosionsofgunpowder，lightingfiresbetweendecks，andaliberaluseofthatadmirableantiseptic，oiloftar，werethepreventiveswemadeuseofagainstimpureair;andaboveallthingswewerecarefultokeepthemen’sbeddingandwearingappareldry。
AsweadvancedtowardstheLine，theweathergrewgraduallybetterandmorepleasant。Onthe14thofJulywepassedtheEquator，atwhichtimetheatmospherewasasserene，andthetemperatureoftheairnothotterthaninabrightsummerdayinEngland。Fromthisperiod，untilourarrivalontheAmericancoast，theheats，thecalms，andtherainsbywhichwehadbeensomuchincommoded，weresucceededbyaseriesofweatherasdelightfulasitwasunlookedfor。Atthreeo’clockintheafternoonofthe2ndofAugust，the’Supply’，whichhadbeenpreviouslysenta—headonpurpose，madethesignalforseeingtheland，whichwasvisibletothewholefleetbeforesunset，andprovedtobeCapeFrio，inlatitude23deg5minsouth，longitude41deg401/4minwest。
Owingtolightairswedidnotgeta—breastofthecityofSt。Sebastian，intheharbourofRiodeJaneiro，untilthe7thofthemonth，whenweanchoredaboutthreequartersofamilefromtheshore。
