4 PROJECTED COLONY. [1689. 



or rather Name, of Major of the biggest of the two Ships, 

 which was call'd La Droite. 



All Things necessary being aboard, and the Masters ready 

 to set sail, waiting only for a fair Wind, we understood that 

 the French King, who had formerly taken Possession of this 

 Isle, had sent a Squadron of seven Men of War that way. 

 The Uncertainty we were in of the Design of that little Fleet, 

 and a just Fear grounded on some advices lately come from 

 France, were such powerful Motives with Mr. du Quesne} that 

 he disarm'd the two Ships, and disembark'd the Goods and 

 Necessaries, being afraid to expose so many poor Wretches, 

 who were already miserable enough, to Danger ; the greatest 

 part &f them being Women, and other Persons who cou'd not 

 defend themselves. But that he might fully inform himself 

 of the Design of that Squadron, if there was such a one, he 

 resolv'd to set out a little Frigat, and send her away upon 

 Discovery. Some Persons were chosen to go aboard her, and 

 they had Orders given them concerning the design of the 

 Voyage : The substance of which was : 



1. To visit the Islands that lie in the Way to the Cape of 



good Hope ; particularly, those of Mai^tin Vas, and 

 Tristan. 



2. Afterwards to pass the Cape of good Hope, to learn, if it 



was possible, more certain News of the Isle of Eden, 

 and the Design of the French Squadron, which was 

 said to be at Sea. 



3. To take Possession of the Isle of Mascaregnc, in the 



Name of the said Marquis, who was authoriz'd to 

 enter upon it, in case there were no French there. 



4. If it cou'd be done without running any considerable 



Piisk, to proceed as far as the Island of Diego Buys, 

 which the French call Bodrigiie. 



1 The great Duquesne had made his children swear not to take up 

 arms against France, and, therefore, his son wished to prevent the possi- 

 bility of any aggressive action on the part of the Dutch vessels. 



