XXvlii INTRODUCTION-. 



nations ; perhaps they were yet living in thofer 

 diftant climates, and continually catting their 

 looks towards the fca, in hopes that their coun- 

 try would one day fend them the afliftancc which 

 they had a right to expect. 



The following is the decree that was pafTcd on 

 this fubjccl:, on the 9th of Fcbrurtry 1791 : 



" The National AfTembly, having heard the 



;>ort of its United Committees of Agricul- 

 f turc, of Commerce, and of the Marine, de- 

 " crccs, 



u That the King be requcfted to give orders 

 " to all ambafladors, refidents, confuls, and 



I nts of the French nation, at the courts of 

 " the different powers, that they do, in the 

 u name of humanity, and of the arts and 

 V fcicnccs, engage the rcfpcclive fovereigns at 

 " whofc courts they refide, to charge all navi- 



:ors and agents whatfoever, who are fubjedt 

 f to their control, in whatever part of the globe 

 " they may be, but efpecially in the fouthcrn 

 " parts of the South Sea, to make every inquiry 

 " in their power after the two French frigates 

 " the BouJfoJc and the Jtfirolabe t under the com- 



M mand 



