On 15th April he writes to Stephens asking if there was “any change of resolution taken about Mr. Cook, the Master, and an assistant for him, and whether they are to go out with me?” On the 18th he writes again, saying that when in London he had been informed that he was to receive orders to purchase two small vessels of about 60 tons each when he arrived in Newfoundland, one of which he was “to send with Mr. Cook upon the surveys of the coast and harbours,” but he was afraid the orders had been forgotten, and he again makes suggestions as to instruments, etc., required for the work.  Cook had at the same time made application in proper form for the articles he would require, and was informed that some would be supplied to him from the Government Stores, and for the remainder, he was to purchase them and transmit the bills to their Lordships.

Cook’s sailing orders.

On 19th April Cook received his orders as follows: 

Sir,

My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, having directed Captain Graves, of His Majesty’s Ship, the Antelope, at Portsmouth, to receive you on board and carry you to Newfoundland in order to your taking a Survey of Part of the Coast and Harbours of that Island.  I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you therewith:  that you must repair immediately on board the said ship, she being under sailing orders, that you are to follow such orders as you shall receive from Captain Graves relative to the said service and that you will be allowed ten shillings a day during the time you are employed therein.

I am, etc. etc., Phillip Stephens.

Mr. James Cook, ——­ Town.

Mr. William Test, Tower, to be paid 6 shillings per day.

On 8th May Graves acknowledged the receipt of the orders he had asked for, authorising him to purchase two small vessels, and announced that Mr. Cook had joined the ship, but that the assistant, Mr. Test, had not been heard of; he therefore proposed that he should endeavour to obtain someone else to fill the vacancy.  Mr. Stephens replied that a difficulty had arisen with the Board of Ordnance with regard to Mr. Test’s pay; they were not inclined to continue it during his absence as they would have to put some one else in his place, and since hearing this, as the Admiralty had heard nothing further from Mr. Test, Captain Graves was authorised to fill the vacancy at a suitable allowance, and he at once secured the services of Mr. Edward Smart, who sailed from Plymouth in H.M.S.  Spy, and joined Cook in Newfoundland.