"Betwixt these two points we could see no land, so that we were in great hopes we had found a passage into the India Sea, but in order to be a little inform'd I landed with a party of men on the Island which lays on the right side of the Passage where from a hill I could see no lands in the above direction Before and after we anchor'd we saw many of the Natives upon this Island, but they all fled upon my landing--a little before Sun sett I took Possession of the country in His Majesty's Name, and fired a volley of small arms on the occasion, which was answered from the ship." On this _Possession_ subject we have the weightiest authority, Cook's _autograph Log_, _Museum Catalogue_, 27,885 for August 22, when leaving the Australian coast:-- "We were in great hopes that we had found a passage into the India Sea but in order to be better inform'd I landed with a Party of men on the Island which lays to the S.E. side of the Passage where from a hill saw no land in the above direction. Before and after we anchor'd we saw a good many of the Natives upon this Island but they all fled upon my landing. A little before sunsett I took possession of the Country in His Majesty's name and fired 3 Volleys of small arms on the occasion which was answerd from the ship. High water at 4 o'clock," &c. _Banks's Log_ (of Cook), 8959 of Museum Catalogue, remarked:-- "The Pinnace and Yawl with the Capt^n. and gentlemen went on shore to Examine the Country and view the Coast from one of the Hills soon after saw some Turtle. It was high water. When we came too the Tide of Ebb set from the S.W. 5k. 2m. per hour. At 6 possession was taken of this Country in his Majesty's name and under his Colours fired several volleys of small arms on the occasion and cheer'd 3 times which was answer'd from the ship." In each case of Cook's real _Logs_ no name of any kind would appear to have been selected for the country, else, in all probability, it would have been stated in one or in both Logs. The Chief Officer, Lieut. Hickes, knew nothing of taking possession of the land in the King's name as _New South Wales_. His Log for August 21 refers to Chacho Harbour: "Wednesday 22. Latt. 10° 45″ Long, made W. from y^e Straits 00° 13. These Straits are in Longitude 142° 25 E^t. The Capt^n. went on shore, hoisted y^e Colours and took possession of y^e Country for y^e King, fired several volleys and cheered 3 times which was answered from y^e Ship, at 10 a.m. slack water weighed and made sail." The Log of _Richard Pickersgill_ gives this short version, imitating or being imitated:-- "At 6 _Possession_ was taken of this country in his Majesty's Name and this was announced from the shore by Vollies and answer'd from on b^d. Colours flying and concluding with 3 cheers."