Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/314

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There was in H,M/S* Porpoise one John Murray, acting as mate. Pending the arrival of Flinders, and subject to instructions from the Admiralty, Kin^f appointed Murray to the command of the Lady Nchofi, The Btricfc instructions under which Murray acted are illustrated by a letter which, at the same time, vividly portrays the precautions taken to guard against seiziu*e of vessels hy conicts. The little exploring vessel was sent to the Hawkesbury for wheat in 1801. Grant was enjoined ** not to leave the vessel yourself, or suffer any otlier person to leave her while in the river, nor let any strangers or visitors go on Ijoard. Your boarding netting is to be kept up while in the river." In Oct. Murray was sent with precise instructions to complete the work formerly entrusted to Grant on the south coast. Murray has generally been spoken of as the dis- coverer of Port Phillip, but he merely obeyed a distinct order in going thither, to " trace the coast between Point Sehanck and Cape Albany Otway, noticing the soundings and everything remarkable.*' If Murray should see Flinders he was to put himself under his command; and if he should meet the Geoff raphe or the NafaraUste he was to produce his passport from the Duke of Portland. Thus instructed^ MiUTay (or rather his asBistant Boweni found (as was inevitable unless the Lady Nehon had been lost) the spacious inlet which he named Port King, but which King, ever prone to honour his early friend, called Port Phillip. Such a finder has no more claim to the title of discoverer than a servant who, following precise dkections, carries a letter to a place which he has not previously seen. Murray left Sydney on the 12th Nov, 1801. Havmg been ordered, if the wind should be westerly when he was between Ham Head and Western Port, to examine Kent's Group carefully instead of deferring the task until his return, he obeyed. On the 7th Dec. he was at Western Point. Foul weather i 4 4 leave to return to Etiiope by the first favourable opportunity, where I may bts able to reuder myself more serviceable to my country." As haa been seen, h© lost the despatches entrusted to him on his return. King, in acceding to Gi'ant'a tleairea, aaitl he would have been glad if Grant's ability to survey and determine longitudes had equalled his ** abilities as an officer and a seaman.*'