Abel Janszoon Tasman (1603-October 10, 1659) was the greatest of Dutch navigators and explorers. He discovered Tasmania, New Zealand, Tonga, and the Fiji Islands. He set sail from Batavia on August 14, 1642 with the instructions:
<Destined for the discovery and exploration of the unknown Southland.... What numberless multitudes of blind heathen have by the same been introduced to the blessed light of the Christian religion....[and] invaluable treasures and profitable trade connections... the blessing of the Ruler of all things.... endow with manly courage in the execution of the intended discovery, and may grant a safe return.> 1603AT001
At the beginning of the voyage, Commander Abel Janszoon Tasman wrote in his journal:
<May God Almighty vouchsafe His blessing on this work.> 1603AT002
Upon his safe return to Batavia, Commander Tasman entered in his journal:
<God be praised and thanked for this happy voyage.> 1603AT003
--
American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1603AT001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Abel Janszoon Tasman, August 14, 1642, instructions from the Council at Batavia. Robert McNab, ed., Historical Records of New Zealand (HRNZ, Wellington: John Mackay, 1914), 2: pp. 4-13. J.E. Heere, ed., "Abel Janszoon Tasman's Journal of His Discovery of Van Diemen's Island and New Zealand in 1642 with Documents Relating to His Exploration of Australia in 1644..." in Sources of Australian History, ed., Manning Clark (Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1977). Elizabeth Rogers Kotlowski, Southland of the Holy Spirit-A Christian History of Australia (Christian History Research Institute, 81 Woodward St., Orange, NSW 2800, Australia; Publisher Dr. Graham McLennan, 1994), p. 80.
1603AT002. Abel Janszoon Tasman, August 14, 1642, instructions from the Council at Batavia. Robert McNab, ed., Historical Records of New Zealand (HRNZ, Wellington: John Mackay, 1914), 2: pp. 18, 35. J.E. Heere, ed., "Abel Janszoon Tasman's Journal of His Discovery of Van Diemen's Island and New Zealand in 1642 with Documents Relating to His Exploration of Australia in 1644..." in Sources of Australian History, ed., Manning Clark (Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1977). Elizabeth Rogers Kotlowski, Southland of the Holy Spirit-A Christian History of Australia (Christian History Research Institute, 81 Woodward St., Orange, NSW 2800, Australia; Publisher Dr. Graham McLennan, 1994), p. 80.
1603AT003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Abel Janszoon Tasman, August 14, 1642, instructions from the Council at Batavia. Robert McNab, ed., Historical Records of New Zealand (HRNZ, Wellington: John Mackay, 1914), 2: pp. 18, 35. J.E. Heere, ed., "Abel Janszoon Tasman's Journal of His Discovery of Van Diemen's Island and New Zealand in 1642 with Documents Relating to His Exploration of Australia in 1644..." in Sources of Australian History, ed., Manning Clark (Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1977). Elizabeth Rogers Kotlowski, Southland of the Holy Spirit-A Christian History of Australia (Christian History Research Institute, 81 Woodward St., Orange, NSW 2800, Australia; Publisher Dr. Graham McLennan, 1994), p. 80. 1604JE001. John Eliot, 1633, in a letter to Sir Simonds D'Ewes; Manuscript in the British Museum. The Annals of America, 20 vols. (Chicago, IL: Encyclopedia Britannica, 1968, 1977), Vol. I, p. 130.