and about midnight we weighed and stood to the N.W., having but little wind, with some showers of rain.  At four in the morning, the breeze freshened at S. by E. and the weather became fair:  We continued steering N.N.W. 1/2 W. as the land lay, at about three leagues distance, with ten, twelve, and fourteen fathom water.  At ten, we hauled off north, in order to get without a small low island, which lay at about two leagues distance from the main, and great part of which at this time, it being high-water, was overflowed:  About three leagues to the north-west of this island, close under the main land, is another island, the land of which rises to a greater height, and which at noon bore from us N. 55 W. distant seven or eight miles.  At this time our latitude was 16 deg. 20’ S. Cape Grafton bore S. 29 E. distant forty miles, and the northermost point of land in sight N. 20 W.; our depth of water was fifteen fathom.  Between this point and Cape Grafton, the shore forms a large, but not a very deep bay, which being discovered on Trinity Sunday, I called Trinity Bay.

SECTION XXX.

Dangerous Situation of the Ship in her Course from Trinity Bay to Endeavour River.[80]

[Footnote 80:  We have now to relate some of the most remarkable incidents in the history of nautical deliverances.  These, however, the philosophical composure of Dr Hawkesworth’s creed did not allow him to particularize, with that acknowledgment of providential interposition, which those who have actually been in such dangers, are, in general, strongly enough, and, it may be safely affirmed, sincerely inclined to offer.  It would be unjust not to hear him in defence of his own opinions and conduct in the matter.  It is given with all the candour that becomes a man who chuses to think for himself, and at the same time with as much boldness as entitles him to generous treatment from those who think themselves bound to oppose him.  The passage may seem long for a note, but no one will object to it as such, who sets a value on correctness of sentiment on the subject of which it treats.

“I have now only to request,” says he, “of such of my readers as may be disposed to censure me for not having attributed any of the critical escapes from danger that I have recorded, to the particular interposition of Providence, that they would, in this particular, allow me the right oL private judgment, which I claim with the greater confidence, as the very same principle which would have determined them to have done it, has determined me to the contrary.  As I firmly believe the divine precept delivered by the Author of Christianity, ’there is not a sparrow falls to the ground without my Father,’ and cannot admit the agency of chance in the government of the world, I must necessarily refer every event to one cause, as well the danger as the escape, as well the sufferings as the enjoyments of life: