An attractive copy of the first English edition of the great work on the French discovery of the Solomon Islands. Fleurieu, the leading light in the early history of French exploration in the South Seas, gives accounts of the voyages of Mendaña, Quirós, Carteret, Bougainville, Cook and others. The maps are based on actual discoveries, and used to illustrate Fleurieu's theories, most of which were ultimately proved correct. Fleurieu's important book was also a direct result of the voyage of the First Fleet to New South Wales: Phillip's Voyage, first published in 1789, had included the journal of Lieutenant Shortland on his return voyage in the Alexander transport from Botany Bay to England, during which he coasted along a group of large islands which he named "New Georgia". Fleurieu, writing in a period of intense international rivalry over Pacific discoveries, denies that discovery and promotes those of Louis de Bougainville and Jean de Surville. He draws on unpublished manuscripts as well as the printed narratives of Cook, Quirós, and other explorers.

An attractive copy of the first English edition of the great work on the French discovery of the Solomon Islands. Fleurieu, the leading light in the early history of French exploration in the South Seas, gives accounts of the voyages of Mendaña, Quirós, Carteret, Bougainville, Cook and others. The maps are based on actual discoveries, and used to illustrate Fleurieu's theories, most of which were ultimately proved correct. Fleurieu's important book was also a direct result of the voyage of the First Fleet to New South Wales: Phillip's Voyage, first published in 1789, had included the journal of Lieutenant Shortland on his return voyage in the Alexander transport from Botany Bay to England, during which he coasted along a group of large islands which he named "New Georgia". Fleurieu, writing in a period of intense international rivalry over Pacific discoveries, denies that discovery and promotes those of Louis de Bougainville and Jean de Surville. He draws on unpublished manuscripts as well as the printed narratives of Cook, Quirós, and other explorers.

This was published by John Stockdale, publisher of Governor Phillip's Voyage to Botany Bay and of many other works on New South Wales and the First Fleet. There are also interesting comments on the La Pérouse voyage. Fleurieu announces the receipt of journals from as far as Botany Bay, and in discussing the Great Ocean Chart (a fragment of which is published here), says publication is to be delayed until his later discoveries can be inserted.