E. L. Greenwich) were in the 17th century discovered by vessels belonging
to the Netherlands [*].

[* It is true that Dampier touched at the north-west coast in 1688, but
at that time this coast had already been surveyed by Dutch skippers.]

We now come to the question of the object which the Dutch authorities had
in view in arranging for the expeditions that ultimately led to these
discoveries.

In answering this question we shall have to distinguish between two
different categories of voyages: among the voyages undertaken by
Netherlanders that have led to discoveries on the coasts of Australia,
there are some which were not begun with the express purpose of going in
search of unknown lands; but there are others also that were undertaken
expressly with this end in view. Of course the second class only can be
called exploratory expeditions in a more restricted sense--the voyages of
the first category became voyages of discovery through accidental
circumstances.

The discoveries on the west- and south-west coasts of Australia down to
Tasman's time all bore an accidental character. Eendrachtsland was
discovered by accident in the year 1616, and after that time a number of
Dutch ships unexpectedly touched at those shores, thus continually
shedding additional, though always imperfect light on the question of the
conformation of the coast-line. How was it, we may ask, that it was
especially after 1616 that this coast was so often touched at, whereas
there had never been question of this before that time? The question thus
put admits of avery positive answer.