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Reporting on their progress (the ship had arrived at Rio de Janeiro) and on observations made en route. Dawes also mentions that his cabin was partially under water and that his Requisite Tables had been damaged and needed replacing.

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Reporting on observations made at the Island of Enxadas, Rio de Janeiro. The letter includes mention of a visit by two astronomers from Portugal employed to settle the limits between the Spanish and Portuguese settlements in Brazil.

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Reporting on observations made in Rio de Janeiro and on meeting Colonel Gordon, Commandant of the troops at Cape Town and a keen astronomer. Dawes reports that he had arranged with Gordon for observations to be made at Cape Town of the comet which was expected the following year; he also lists Gordon's instruments and books to show his ability for the task.

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Written from the new settlement at New South Wales. Dawes reports on his work there, mentioning the lack of resources and the clearing of land for an observatory. He includes a rough sketch of the observatory.

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Reporting on his activities between leaving the Cape of Good Hope and his arrival at Sydney. The letter also includes an account of constructing the observatory in Sydney, and of the practical difficulties involved, particularly in finding suitable materials and craftsmen. He mentions, for example, that the forty marines employed in the work had to be provided with rum, water and new shoes (due to the damage from brushwood). Dawes also seeks further money and provisions.

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Reporting on the status of the observatory (which was nearly complete), on expenses incurred, and on his role there.

Scope and Contents Reporting on his activities at the observatory in Sydney, mentioning that much of his time had been employed 'in matters quite foreign to astronomy', and that while he had estimated the track of the comet, he had yet to see it. Dawes also reports that he intended to stay in New South Wales for a further three years, on the basis that he could not leave until a suitable person was sent out to take over: 'I think it would be a great pity to lose an established observatory in this Hemisphere'...

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Informing Maskelyne that he had a sent a letter via the Fishburn under Captain [Robert] Brown.

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Reporting on his work at the observatory in Sydney. Dawes reports that he had seen nothing of the comet and complains that his duties as Engineer and Officer of Artillery were preventing him from attending to the observatory, which had soured his relationship with the Governor. He asks that a suitable person be sent out to take over the Observatory before his six years there had expired. He also reports the naming of Maskelyne Point.

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Reporting on his work at the observatory in Sydney. He refers to the loss of HMS Sirius and states that the timekeeper [K1] was moved to HMS Supply undamaged. The letter also includes a description of his observatory.

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Reporting on his work at the observatory at Sydney, and describing the main hindrances to his work (including the lack of 'men of business' in the country, the 'unfortunate want of abilities' of the surveyor of lands, and his problems with the Governor). The letter also includes a description of the local topography of Sydney and his opinion of the country - 'a more dreary, dismal, barren, inanimated [sic] country I believe does not exist anywhere in the whole world'.

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Written on board HMS Gorgon on Dawes' return passage to England and concerning the safe return of instruments from the observatory at Sydney.

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Concerning astronomical observations.

Scope and Contents Notebook containing notes on various subjects including the health of Nevil Maskelyne and Margaret Maskelyne's serious illness, many remedies to relieve illness such as colds, chilblains and scurvy, notes on the repair and maintenance of Nevil Maskelyne's watches, notes on his assistants, and notes on observations made. There is also a list of wages paid, a list of silverware, a list of items received from Lieutenant Dawes (mainly astronomical instruments), a shopping list, a list of items...

Scope and Contents From the File:

Miscellaneous petitions and memorials making requests of the Board of Longitude.

Scope and Contents From the Item:

Astronomical observations made on Flinders' voyage on HMS Investigator, with an extract from Flinders' memoir and a related letter [RGO 14/68: 70-83]. Also astronomical observations made by William Dawes, with a related note and letter [RGO 14/68: 84-90].

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A diary of work performed on the 'Nautical Almanac' and arrangements for its compilation and publication.

Scope and Contents From the File:

Papers regarding the loan and return of instruments belonging to the Board of Longitude and concerning persons entitled to receive Board publications.

Scope and Contents Twenty six letters sent by William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, covering his initial preparations for departure, his passage via Rio de Janeiro, the establishment of the observatory at Port Jackson, his work there, and his eventual return on HMS Gorgon six years later. The letters include detailed accounts of setting up the observatory in Sydney where he hoped to observe a comet, and of the difficulties encountered there (particularly shortages of supplies and Dawes' own disagreements with...