WILSON, William. A Missionary Voyage to the Southern

WILSON, William. A Missionary Voyage to the Southern Pacific Ocean, Performed in the Years 1796, 1797, 1798, in the Ship Duff...Compiled from Journals of the Officers and the Missionaries... London: for T. Chapman, 1799. 4to (268 x 210 mm). 7pp. list of subscribers at rear, one-page ad after dedication. 6 engraved plates and 7 engraved folding maps and charts (some browning or spotting to foldouts, offsetting from plates to text). Early 20th century half sheepskin over marbled boards antique, raised bands, blue leather lettering piece gilt, gilt fillets in compartments (light rubbing along joints and corners). Provenance: Church Missionary Society Library (rubberstamp on title–page). FIRST EDITION, important for its descriptions of Tahiti, the Fiji Islands, and Tonga. The London Missionary Society's sailed from London in 1796 for the purpose of establishing a mission at Tahiti. The Duff was the first missionary vessel to sail the Pacific Ocean. After 208 days, the ship reached Tahiti where the party established a settlement of 25 people. Despite being befriended by King Pomare I, the party was met with numerous difficulties, and eventually fled to Australasia. Cox II:307; Ferguson 301; Hill 1894; Sabin 49480.