Actually, they had.
Cook discovered Australia after the US war of independence, and we definitely had a half-wit hereditary ruler called George on the throne by that point.
(
Astatine,
Sat 30 Aug 2003, 18:25,
archived)
Hmmm
I've never been any good with my history.
I should know, really. My ancestor was on the Endeavour. Senior officer. Named a set of Islands after him.
Later bought by the Americans and nuked to within an inch of existence. The islands that is. Ho hum.
(
wonko the sane,
Sat 30 Aug 2003, 18:30,
archived)
I know someone
descended from the guy (first European, that is) who discovered New Guinea.
Freaky.
(
Astatine,
Sat 30 Aug 2003, 18:32,
archived)