Some months before the anniversary of St.Andrew's day, he had sailed on his last expedition.

The medal, therefore, was delivered into the hands of Mrs.
Cook, whose satisfaction at being intrusted with so valuable a pledge of her husband's reputation cannot be questioned.

Neither can it be doubted, but that the captain, before his departure from England, was fully apprized of the mark of distinction which was intended for him by the Royal Society.
Captain Cook, after the conclusion of his second voyage, was called upon to appear in the world in the character of an author.

In the account that was published, by authority, of his former circumnavigation of the globe, as well as of those which had been performed by the Captains Byron, Cateret, and Wallis, it was thought requisite to procure the assistance of a professed literary man, whose business it should be to draw up a narrative from the several journals of these commanders.

Accordingly, Dr.Hawkesworth, as is universally known, was employed for the purpose.