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Abstract

Mr. McClymont attempted to prove by
references to Tasman's Letter of Instructions, 1644, and to early
maps that the Land of Edel, on the west coast of Australia, was discovered
in 1617, two years earlier than the date usually assigned to
the discovery, and that l619 is only the date of a second visit. The
paper also showed that the name Carpentaria is not met with before
1663, although a river emptying into the gulf received the name of the
president of the Dutch East India Co. in Tasman's map of 1644, and
possibly at a still earlier period. In concluding his notes, Mr.
McClymont expressed his thanks to Mr. Justin Browne and Mr. J.
B. Walker for the loan of books but stated as his opinion that
"private collections can never supply the place of a public
collection of works relating to Australian discovery. That if Australians
are to become familiar with the beginnings of Australian history, the
means of studying the sources whence that history is drawn must be
placed within their reach—an end to be attained by the gradual and
persistent acquisition in each colony of the books, maps, and manuscripts
hearing on its own history, until an Australian library shall be established,
rich in all procurable rarities of colonial history and discovery."
Library.
Mr. J. B. Walker said that the books referred to were now in
Christ's College Library, and stored in one of the rooms of the Town
Hall, under the care of the Warden of the College.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	McClymont, James R
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Collections:	Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:	In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.
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