From the number of mangroves about it, the lieutenant named it Mangrove River.

In several parts of Mercury Bay, our voyagers saw, thrown upon the shore, great quantities of iron sand, which is brought down by every little rivulet of freshwater that finds its way from the country.

This is a demonstration, that there is ore of that metal not far inland; and yet none of the inhabitants of New Zealand, who had yet been seen, knew the use of iron, or set upon it the least degree of value.

They had all of them preferred the most worthless and useless trifle not only to a nail, but to any tool of that metal.
Before the Endeavour left the bay, the ship's name and that of the commander were cut upon one of the trees near the watering place, together with the date of the year and month when our navigators were there.

Besides this, Mr.Cook, after displaying the English colours took formal possession of the place in the name of his Britannic Majesty, King George the Third.
In the range from Mercury Bay, several canoes, on the 18th, put off from different places, and advanced towards the Endeavour.