a systematic
representation of the depth and quality of the bottom as will ensure to
any vessel, which chooses to sound by night or day, a correct knowledge
of her position; and, thirdly, a careful examination of the passages on
either side of King Island, as well as through the chains of rocks and
islands which stretch across from Wilson's Promontory to Cape Portland.
This survey will, of course, comprehend the approach to Port Dalrymple,
but the interior details of that extensive harbour may be left to the
officers employed by the Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land,
provided you can ascertain that it is his intention to employ them there
within any reasonable time.

The number of vessels which are now in the habit of passing through Bass
Strait, and the doubts which have recently been expressed, not only of
the just position of the dangers it is known to contain, but of the
existence of others, show the necessity of this survey being executed
with that care and fidelity which will give confidence to all future
navigators; and may, therefore, be more extensive in its limits, and
occupy a larger portion of your time than is at present contemplated. You
must exercise your own judgment as to the fittest period at which you
should either repair to Sydney to refit, or adjourn to Port Dalrymple to
receive occasional supplies. Whenever this branch of the service shall be
completed, you are forthwith by a safe conveyance to transmit a copy of
it to our Secretary, that no time may be lost in publishing it for the
general benefit.

At Sydney you will find the stores which we have ordered to be deposited
there for your use, and having carefully rated your chronometers, and
taken a fresh departure from the Observatory near that port, and having
re-equipped His Majesty's ship, and fully completed her provisions, you
will proceed by the inner route to Torres Strait, where the most arduous
of your duties are yet to be performed. The numerous reefs which block up
that Strait; the difficulty of entering its intricate channels; the
discordant result of the many partial surveys which have from time to
time been made there, and the rapidly increasing commerce of which it has
become the thoroughfare, call for a full and satisfactory examination of
the whole space between Cape York and the southern shore of New Guinea,
and to this important service, therefore, you will devote the remaining
period for which your supplies will last.