What were Captain James Cook's secret orders from King George 111?

Answer 1

The secret orders James Cook opened after completing his observations of the transit of Venus were to sail south and west from Tahiti until he reached Terra Australis Incognita -"The Unknown Southern Land" - and to map it, record observations of it and, if he felt it was worthwhile, to claim the land, as long as it was unoccupied before other countries, especially France, reached it first. There was still a belief that New Holland discovered by the Portuguese and Dutch was not the great southern continent, and that another, greater continent lay in the Southern Hemisphere. Cook's orders were to find out as much as he could about this land.

Answer 2

After observing the transit of Venus, James Cook had orders to head south and west and secretly search for the unknown Great Southern Continent, or Terra Australis Incognitabefore other countries, especially France, reached it first. There was still a belief that New Holland discovered by the Portuguese and Dutch was not the great southern continent, and that another, greater continent lay in the southern hemisphere. Cook's orders were to find out as much as he could about this land.