177^" THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 123 



from being guilty of a crime disgraceful to every 

 civilised state, they endeavoured to lay the whole 

 blame on the French captain, for not applying in 

 time for a guard. - 



As soon as we had saluted, I went on shore, ac- 

 companied by some of my officers, and waited on the 

 governor, the lieutenant-governor, the fiscal, and 

 the commander of the troops. These gentlemen re- 

 ceived me with the greatest civility; and the go- 

 vernor, in particular, promised me every assistance 

 that the place afforded. At the same time I obtained 

 his leave to set up our observatory on any spot I 

 should think most convenient ; to pitch tents for the 

 sailmakers and coopers; and to bring the cattle on 

 shore, to graze near our encampment. Before I re- 

 turned on board, I ordered soft bread, fresh meat, 

 and greens, to be provided, every day, for the ship's 

 company. 



On the 22d, we set up the tents and observatory, 

 and began to send the several articles out of the ship 

 which I wanted on shore. This could not be done 

 sooner, as the militia of the place were exercising on, 

 or near the ground which we were to occupy. 



The next day, we began to observe equal altitudes 

 of the sun, in order to ascertain the rate of the watch, 

 or, which is the same thing, to find whether it had 

 altered its rate. These observations were continued 

 every day, whenever the weather would permit, till 

 the time of our departure drew near. But before this, 

 the caulkers had been set to work to caulk the ship ; 

 and I had concerted measures with Messrs. Brandt 

 and Chiron, for supplying both ships with such pro- 

 visions as I should want. Bakers, likewise, had been 

 ordered, immediately after our arrival, to bake such 

 a quantity of bread as I thought would be requisite. 

 As fast as the several articles destined for the Reso- 

 lution were got ready, they were carried on board. 



On the 26th, the French ship sailed for Europe, 

 and by her, we sent letters to England. The next 



