INTRODUCTI&N. Xxix 



" mand of M. de la Pe rouse, as well as after 

 " their crews, and endeavour to obtain every 

 " information that may afcertain their exigence 

 " or their fhipwreck ; to the end, that, in cafe 

 u M. de la Peroufe and his companions fhould 

 " be found or heard of, no matter in what place, 

 4t all poflible affiftance may be rendered them 1 , 

 iC and means procured them for returning to 

 " their country, as well as for enabling them to 

 " bring away every thing that may be in their 

 " pofTeflion ; the National Affembly engaging 

 " to indemnify, and even to reward, according 

 " to the importance of the fervice, whoever 

 " fhall afford affifiance to thefe navigators, ob- 

 " tain any information concerning them, or only 

 ** procure for France the restitution of whatever 

 " papers and effects may belong or have be- 

 i( longed to the expedition in which they were 

 " engaged. 



" That the King be requefted to direct that 

 *< there be equipped one or more fhips, on 

 " board of which may be embanked fome men 

 " offcience, naturalifts, and draughtfmen; and 

 " that the commanders employed on the expe- 



" dition 



