Alexander Dalrymple and the Expansion of British Trade

Discusses Dalrymple's extensive contribution to knowledge about New Guinea and his pioneer attempt to establish a free port on Balambangan, and shows that his interest in the possibility of a North-West Passage and his influence in government circles were to be a major factor in bringing about Vancouver's survey.

His work in this field revolutionised chart-making and was a contribution of incalculable value to Britain's maritime supremacy in the nineteenth century. This classic book was first published in 1970.

foreword xiii
preface xv
introduction xviii
I The Years of Preparation 1
II The Cruise of the Cuddalore 16
III The Beginning of the Sulu Enterprise 36
IV The Settlement at Balambangan 66
V The Great Southern Continent 94
VI The British in the East Indies, 1761--1805 136
VII The Kingdom of Cochin China 166
VIII The Fur-Trade and the Search for a North-West Passage 187
IX The Hydrographer 222
X Alexander Dalrymple and Captain Cook 267
appendix the family of sir james and lady christian dalrymple 280
bibliography 281
index 319