The result of this correspondence is shown in the Eagle's muster roll,
for on 27th June James Cook attended his last muster, and on the 30th he
was discharged. The succeeding rolls registering "D. 30th June 1757.
Solebay prefmnt."

THE MERCURY COOK.

At this point all the writers on Captain Cook have been led into error by
following the lead of Dr. Kippis. Everyone (with the single exception of
Lord Brougham, who by an evident slip of the pen puts him on board the
Mersey) writes that he was appointed Master of H.M.S. Mercury, and that
he joined the fleet of Admiral Saunders in the Gulf of St. Lawrence at
the time of the capture of Quebec in that ship. From the Public Records
it has been ascertained that the Mercury was not in the Gulf of St.
Lawrence with Saunders, but in the latter half of 1759 was sent to New
York, thence to Boston, and was at Spithead in April the following year.
The same source also shows that not only was the Circumnavigator never on
board the Mercury in any capacity, but in all probability he never even
saw her. He is also said to have been Master's mate on the Pembroke, and
Dr. Kippis has him appointed to three different ships on three
consecutive days: the Grampus, but she sailed before Cook could join her;
the Garland, but she was found to have a Master when Cook joined; and,
lastly, the Mercury.

The explanation of this confusion as far as the Mercury is concerned (the
rest was imagination) is that there was a second James Cook in the
service, who was appointed Master of the Mercury under a warrant dated
15th May 1759 and entered on his duties immediately. He was with his ship
at Sheerness on 12th July, at which time his namesake was before Quebec.
On the return of the Mercury from Boston her Master was returned for some