supported by the favourable knowledge that the
Admiralty had of his work. The Representation was immediately acted on,
for in the Records Office is a hurried note from Graves to Mr. Stephens,
Secretary to the Admiralty, probably written on the 5th April, in which
he asks:

"what final answer he shall give to Mr. Cook, late Master of the
Northumberland, who is very willing to go out to survey the Harbours and
Coasts of Labradore."

A draughtsman is also mentioned, and one is recommended who was on the
Bellona and was willing to go out, ranking as schoolmaster; he did join
Cook after a time. On 6th April Graves again wrote to Stephens, telling
him he had instructed Cook to get ready to start as soon as the Board
gave him orders, and that he was to have ten shillings per diem whilst
employed on that service. He also says that Cook had been to the Tower to
try to secure a draughtsman, and towards the end of the letter applies
for the instruments necessary to carry on the operations. Graves was
hurriedly called away to his ship, the Antelope, as the spirit of
discontent, then very rife in the Navy, was developing itself in a very
threatening manner during his absence. However, on his arrival on board,
by judicious reforms, which he saw were carried out, and by quietly
replacing some few of the most dangerous of the malcontents, he was very
shortly able to report himself ready for sea with a complete and fairly
contented crew.

On 15th April he writes to Stephens asking if there was "any change of
resolution taken about Mr. Cook, the Master, and an assistant for him,
and whether they are to go out with me?" On the 18th he writes again,
saying that when in London he had been informed that he was to receive
orders to purchase two small vessels of about 60 tons each when he
arrived in Newfoundland, one of which he was "to send with Mr. Cook upon
the surveys of the coast and harbours," but he was afraid the orders had
been forgotten, and he again makes suggestions as to instruments, etc.,
required for the work. Cook had at the same time made application in
proper form for the articles he would require, and was informed that some
would be supplied to him from the Government Stores, and for the
remainder, he was to purchase them and transmit the bills to their
Lordships.

COOK'S SAILING ORDERS.

On 19th April Cook received his orders as follows:

Sir,

My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, having directed Captain Graves