A company was floated in England to carry stores to Port Jackson on the outward trip, and load for return at the islands in the Pacific or such ports as could be entered on the South American coast.  A ship called the Venus was purchased for the purpose, and Bass and his father-in-law (he had just married) and their relations held the principal shares in her.  The ship was under the command of one Charles Bishop; but Bass sailed in her as managing owner and supercargo.

The Venus arrived safely at Sydney, and Bass made a contract with the authorities to bring a cargo of pork from Tahiti.  On his return from this voyage another contract was concluded between him and Governor King to continue in this trade.  Meanwhile Bishop, the master of the vessel, had fallen ill, and Bass took command; and the following letter, dated Sydney, February 3rd, 1803, and written to Captain Waterhouse, his brother-in-law, in England, was the last news his friends ever heard from Bass:—­

    “I have written to you thrice since my arrival from the South Sea
    Islands.  In a few hours I shall sail again on another pork voyage,
    but it combines circumstances of a different nature also.

“From this place I go to New Zealand to pick up something more from the wreck of the old Endeavour in Dusky Bay, then visit some of the islands lying south of it in search of seals and fish.  The former, should they be found, are intended to furnish a cargo to England immediately on my return from this trip; the fish are to answer a proposal I have made to Government to establish a fishery, on condition of receiving an exclusive privilege of the south part of New Zealand and of its neighbouring isles, which privilege is at once to be granted to me.  The fishery is not to be set in motion till my return to old England, when I mean to seize upon my dear Bess, bring her out here, and make a poissarde of her, where she cannot fail to find plenty of use for her tongue.

    “We have, I assure you, great plans in our heads; but, like the
    basket of eggs, all depends upon the success of the voyage I am
    now upon.

“In the course of it I intend to visit the coast of Chili in search of provisions for the use of His Brit.  Majesty’s colony; and, that they may not in that part of the world mistake me for a contrabandist, I go provided with a very diplomatic-looking certificate from the governor here, stating the service upon which I am employed, requesting aid and protection in obtaining the food wanted.  And God grant you may fully succeed, says your warm heart, in so benevolent an object; and thus also say I. Amen, say many others of my friends....  Speak not of So.  America, where you may hear I am digging gold, to anyone out of your family, for there is treason in the very name....  Pleasing prospects surround us, which time must give into our hands.  There are apparent openings for good doings, none