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。