A Narrative of the Death of Captain James CookSamwell, David
History
A Narrative of the Death of Captain James Cook
Samwell, David
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Death and burial
He was remarkably distinguished for the activity of his mind: it was
that which enabled him to pay an unwearied attention to every object of
the service. The strict economy he observed in the expenditure of the
ship's stores, and the unremitting care he employed for the preservation
of the health of his people, were the causes that enabled him to
prosecute discoveries in remote parts of the globe, for such a length of
time as had been deemed impracticable by former navigators. The method
he discovered for preserving the health of seamen in long voyages, will
transmit his name to posterity as the friend and benefactor of mankind:
the success which attended it, afforded this truly great man more
satisfaction, than the distinguished fame that attended his discoveries.
England has been unanimous in her tribute of applause to his virtues,
and all Europe has borne testimony to his merit. There is hardly a
corner of the earth, however remote and savage, that will not long
remember his benevolence and humanity. The grateful Indian, in time to
come, pointing to the herds grazing his fertile plains, will relate to
his children how the first stock of them was introduced into the
country; and the name of Cook will be remembered among those benign
spirits, whom they worship as the source of every good, and the fountain
of every blessing.
It may not be amiss to observe, that the plate engraved by Sherwin,
after a painting by Dance, is a most excellent likeness of Captain Cook;
and more to be valued, as it is the only one I have seen that bears any
resemblance to him.
Observations Respecting the Introduction of the Venereal Disease Into
the Sandwich Islands
This publication affording a convenient opportunity, I embrace it, to
offer a few remarks upon a subject in some degree affecting the
reputation of the late voyages to the South Sea Islands. If we for a
moment suppose, that they have been the means of disseminating the
venereal disease among the inhabitants, the evil is of such a magnitude,
that we are induced to wish they had never been undertaken. For who
would not sooner remain ignorant of the interesting discoveries which
have been made, than bear the reflection of their having been attended
with such an irreparable injury to a happy and uncontaminated race of
people!
It is a point of dispute between Captain Wallis and Mons. Bougainville,
which of their ships it was, that introduced the disease to Otaheite.
And we find, that Captain Cook was apprehensive of his people having
left it at the Friendly Islands. Without enquiring into the grounds of
conviction they had in former voyages, I am strongly inclined to
believe, from my observations in the last, that it is a subject about
which they are very liable to be deceived; and that what is laid down as
positive fact, could be no more than matter of opinion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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