THE TRANSLATORS PREFACE. XXV 



from Botany Bay to Batavia in a Dutch vcflcl, 

 perceived fcveral canoes containing favages, 

 fome of whom appeared to him to he clothed 

 in the uniform of the French navy, but with 

 whom, from the contrariety of the winds and 

 currents, he could not have any intercourte. 

 Notwithftanding the improbability of the truth 

 of this ftatement, Admiral D'Entrecafteaux, with 

 a zeal ^highly honourable to his feelings, did not 

 hefitate a tingle moment ; he changed the plan 

 of his route, to haflen to the Admiralty Iflands. 

 His ardour not having been crowned with fuc- 

 cefs, he recommenced his fearch in the order 

 prefcribed by his infiruclions, and completely 

 fulfilled them all, by exploring, as far as was in 

 his power, thofe coafts, iflands, &c. mentioned 

 by La Pcroufe'in his laft letter, without being 

 able to obtain the fmallefl: information, or any- 

 thing like a ground for a probable conjecture, 

 concerning the fate of a man, whofe fkill, per- 

 feverance, fortitude, and humanity, have juftly 

 entitled him to be placed at the- head of thofe 

 navigators of whom France may well cherifh a 

 proud and grateful remembrance. 



INTRO- 



