Voyage Round the World, in the Years 1800,1801, 1802, 1803, and 1804; in Which the Author visited Madeira, the Brazils, Cape of Good Hope,the English Settlements of Botany Bay and Norfolk Island; and the Principal Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
London: A. Maxwell, 1813. 2nd and best edition, with considerable additions & alterations. Hardcover. The preferred edition of the first description of commerce in the new colony of New South Wales. "John Turnbull introduced Australia to the world as a field for private commercial endeavour and emigration. His account is the first to describe New South Wales from a commercial point of view. As a key work in the promotion of Australia as a field for emigration and trade, it makes a valuable addition to any collection." (Wantrup).
The party sailed from Portsmouth in 1800 "intent on taking advantage of the lucrative fur trade on the northwest coast of America. Turnbull was the business manager of the expedition. Though the voyage was a financial failure, it did obtain interesting information about various South Sea islands, such as Norfolk Island, Tahiti, Hawaii, and the Tonga Islands, and made the discovery of the Margaret, Phillips, and Holt islands in the Tuamotu Archipelago" - Hill. While in Hawaii, they learned of King Kamehameha's planned invasion of the island of Kauai. It includes an interesting account of Baudin's voyage of discovery on board the Geographe and Naturaliste. Despite the English regarding his circumnavigation as a threat to their fledgling colony of New South Wales, Baudin was welcomed in Sydney. This contrasts with the treatment Mathew Flinders received at the hands of the French governor-general in Mauritius where he was imprisoned and lost his health. Shortly after his return to England he died. The appendix includes "Some Account of New Zealand - Character of the Inhabitants - Natural Productions - Destruction of the Ship Boyd - Description of the Fejee Islands".
The preferred edition - the 1st edition is 16mo size. 4to, xv, (i) 516pp. A little light browning throughout, some early lower right corners bumped. Nicely rebound in full red morocco, spine in 6 panels, raised bands, gilt title. & decorated. F 570. Much on Hawaii, Forbes 367. Hill 295. Very good condition. Item #7897
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