OF LA PEROUSE. 73 



counts of your expedition authorize mc to fend a 

 frigate on this fervice, I am certain of his Ma- 

 jeily's approbation of the ftep which I have taken 

 in this refpect, as much from the consideration 

 of the public intereft, as from the with of my 

 heart. It was reierved for you to acquire claims to 

 the gratitude of the whole nation, by accepting 

 the command of an expedition, which does 

 equal honour to the fovereign who orders it, and 

 the officer by whom it is executed. Whatever 

 route you may take, you will be followed by my 

 withes for your fuccefs, and by the inviolable 

 and perfect attachment with which I am, &c. 



(Signed) Saint Felix. 



JJle of France, 

 gth Nove mber 1 7 9 1 . 



Account given to the Chef de Divifion Saint Felix \ 

 Commander on the India Station, by Captain 

 Preaudet, commanding the Ship Jafon, arrived 

 from Batavia. 



The Englifh frigate Syrius, commanded by 

 Commodore Hunter, bound for New Holland, 

 was loll on Norfolk Ifland, in the South Sea, to- 

 wards the end of the year 1 7 90. The crew were 

 taken up by the iloop of war which was follow- 

 ing her in her million, and has returned to 

 Botany Bay, where Commodore Phillip freighted 



a fmall 



