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, King appointed Murray
to the command of the Lady Nelson. The strict instructions
under which Murray acted are illustrated by a letter
which, at the same time, vividly portrays the precautions
taken to guard against seizure of vessels by convicts.
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 other person to leave her
while in the river, nor let any strangers or visitors go on
board. 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 discoverer of Port Phillip, but he merely obeyed a distinct order in going thither, to "trace the coast between Point Schanck 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 Geographe or the Naturaliste he was to produce his passport from the Duke of Portland. Thus instructed, Murray (or rather his assistant Bowen) found (as was inevitable unless the Lady Nelson 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 directions, carries a letter to a place which he has not previously seen. Murray left Sydney on the 12th Nov. 1801. Having been ordered, if the wind should be westerly when he was between Ram 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
leave to return to Europe by the first favourable opportunity, where I may be able to render myself more serviceable to my country." "As has been seen, he lost the despatches entrusted to him on his return. King, in acceding to Grant's desires, said he would have been glad if Grant's ability to survey and determine longitudes had equalled his abilities as an officer and a seaman.
