Captain Cook to Lieutenant Cooper.
By Captain James Cook, commander of his Majesty's sloop
Resolution.

Whereas the Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament for the discovery of longitude at sea, &c., have agreed with Mr. William Wales to proceed the present intended voyage in his Majesty's said sloop Resolution, in order to make nautical and astronomical observations, &c., and have thought fit (as well to prevent any improper management or ill-treatment of the watch machines which are going out under the care of the said Mr. Wales, as to obviate any suspicion of such mismanagement or page 104 ill-treatment hereafter), to cause three locks of different wards to be affixed to each of the boxes which contains the said watch machines, and have desired that the key of one of the locks of each box may be kept by the commander of the sloop, the key of another of the said locks may be kept by the first lieutenant or officer next in command to him, and that the key of the other of the said locks may be kept by the observer, Mr. Wales; that the said commander, first lieutenant or other officer, and observer may be present each day when the said watch machines are wound up and compared, and See the respective times shewn at such comparisons properly inserted and attested under their hands in the general observation book; and whereas my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have directed me to cause the same to be carried into execution: You are hereby required and directed to receive into your charge and custody such of the said keys as will be dilivered to you hereafter, and to be present yourself every day at the winding up and comparing of the two watch machines, and to take care that the respective times shewn at such comparisons be inserted and attested accordingly; but if it shall happen that you yourself cannot at any time, through indisposition or absence upon other necessary duties, conveniently attend at such winding up and comparison, you are in such case to take care to diliver the keys to such officer next in command as shall happen to be on board the sloop at that time, who is hereby required and directed to supply your place.

Given under my hand, on board the said sloop, in Plymouth Sound, the 11th day of July, 1772.