NEW ZEALAND IN 1771.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6534, 4 February 1882, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND IN 1771.

(Prom the Annual Eejjister publish'd in 1779.) The following, from the above old print, to which we have referred at length elsewhere, will be of general interest at the present time: — Plan by Dr Franklin and Mr Dalrymplo for benefiting distant unprovided countries. The country called in tho maps Now Zealand, has been discovered by the Endeavour to bo two islands, together as larje as Great Britain t these islands, named Acpynomawie and Tovy-pocnnammoo, are inhabited by a brave and generous race, who are destitute of corn, fowl*, and all quadrupeds, except dogs. These circumstances being mentioned lately in a company of men of liberal sentiments, it was observed, that it seemed incumbent on such a country a? this to communicate to all others the conveniences of life which we enjoy. Dr Franklin, whoso life has ever been directed to promote the true interests of society, said : “ He would with all his heart subscribe to a voyage intended to communicate t» general those benefits which we enjoy, to countries destitute of them in the semote parts of the globe ” This proposition being warmly adopted by the rest of the company. Mr Dairymple, then present, was induced to offer to undertake the command on such an expedition. On mature reflection this scheme appears the more honourable to the national character of any which can be conceived, as it is grounded on the noblest principles of benerofence. Good intentions are often frustrated by letting them remain indigested; on this consideration Mr Dalrymplo was induced to pat the outlines on paper, which are now published, that by an early communication there may be a better opportunity of collecting all the hints which can conduce to execute effectually the benevolent purpose of the expedition, in case it should meet with general approbation. On this scheme being shown to Dr Franklin, he communicated his sentiments, by way of Introduction, to tho following effect: “Britain is said to have produced originally nothing but floes. What vast advantages have been communicated to her by the fruits, seeds, roots, herbage, animals, and arts of other countries! We are, by their means, become a wealthy and a mighty nation, abounding in all good things. Does not some duty hence arise from us towards other countries still remaining in our former state ? “ Britain,,is now the first maritime power in the world. Her ships are innumerable, capable, by their form, size, and strength, of sailing all seas. Our seamen are equally bold, skilful, and hardy; dexterous in exploring the remotest regions, ready to engage in voyages to unknown countries, though attended with the greatest dangers. The inhabitants of those countries, our fellow-men, have canoes only; not knowing iron, they cannot build ships; they have little astronomy, and no knowledge of the compass to guide them; they cannot, therefore, come to ns, or obtain any of our advantages. From these circumstances does not some duty seem to arise from us to them ? Does not Providence, by these distinguishing favours, seem to call on ns to do something onmelves for the common interest of humanity ? “Those who think it their duty to ask bread and other blessing daily from Heaven, would they not think it equally a duty to communicate of those blessings when they have received them; and show their gratitude to their Benefactor by the only means in their power, promoting the happiness of His other children P

“ Ceres is said to hare made a journey through many countries to teach the use of com, and the art of raising it. For this single benefit the grateful nations deified her. How much more may Englishmen deserve such honour, by communicating the know* ledge and use not of corn only, but of all the other enjoyments earth can produce, and which they are now in possession of P Commttniier bona profundere, Deum est. “ Many voyages have been undertaken with views of profit or of plunder, or to gratify resentment; to procure some advantage to ourselves, or do some mischief to others; but « voyage is now proposed to visit a distant people on the other side of the globe; not to cheat them, not to rob them, not to seize their lands, or enslave their persons; but merely to do them good, and make them, as far as in our power lies, to live as comfortably as ourselves. “It seems a laudable wish that all the nations of the earth were connected by a knowledge of each other, and a mutual exchange of benefits: but a commercial nation particularly should wish for a general civilisation of mankind, since trade is always carried on to much greater extent with people who have the arts and conveniences ef life than it can be with naked savages. We may, therefore, hope in this undertaking to be of some service to our country, as well as to those poor people, who, however distant from ns, are, in truth, related to ns, and whose interests do, in some degree, concern everyone who can say Homo sum" &o. Scheme of a voyage by subscription, to convey the conveniences of life—as fowls, hogs, goats, cattle, corn, iron, &o. —to those regions which are destitute of them; and to bnng from thence such productions as can be cultivated in this kingdom to the advantage of society, in a ship nnd& the command of Alexander Dalrympie > Ositt or bark, from the coal trade, of £. 350 tons, estimated at about ... 2000 Extra expenses, stores, boats, &c, ... 8000

6000 To be manned with ... 60 men at 4 per man per month 240 12 2880 per annum 3 8610 13,640 Cargo included, supposed ... ...15,000 The expenses of this expedition are calculated for three years ; but the greatest part of the amount of wages will not be wanted till the ship’s return, and a great part of the expense of provisions will be what is obtained in the course of the voyage, by barter or otherwise, though it is proper to make provision for contingencies.

Michael Brod arrived in San Francisco about six months ago, and went to work in a tannery. He fell in love, his inamorata jilted him, and he became insane. In his madness he attacked a piece of sole leather with his teeth, fell on the floor, and commenced barky, ing“liko a dog. . Thinking that perhaps he - J might attempt'to masticate-his sweetheart, he was taken before the Commissioners of

Imnaoy, who declared him insane and sent him to the Napa Asylum. He is a native of Germany, 32 years old.