

Memoir of Charles Alexander Lesueur. 197 



Of the crew, bat twelve men, out of one hundred and seventy, 

 were in a condition to do their duty.* They were several days 

 abreast of Port Jackson, totally unable, with all their efforts, to 

 get into port, when they were descried by persons on the look- 



out for them; and the governor of the colony immediately des- 



patched to their assistance a large boat, containing a pilot, and a 

 supply of men. Had this succor not been afforded them, it is 

 probable that in a short time, all must have perished. 



The Naturaliste, after her separation from her consort, off the 

 eastern coast of Van Diemens Land, sought her in vain at the 

 various rendezvous, and at length was compelled to put into Port 

 Jackson for supplies. She had gone to sea in search of the Geo- 

 graphe, when the latter reached the harbor. Much anxiety hav- 

 ing been manifested for the safety of the Geographe, in conse- 

 quence of the known condition of the crew, her arrival was wel- 

 comed by all the inhabitants of the colony. The sick were im- 

 mediately conveyed to the public hospitals, and received every 

 attention which the most refined benevolence could suggest. 

 The governor general gave the French commander to understand 

 that he had received orders from the British government to afford 

 every facility to the expedition in his power ; and that conse- 

 quently not only the public stores should be at his service, but 

 that the bills of the commander, without limitation, should re- 

 ceive the guarantee of the colonial government. "Thanks to 

 assistance so ample," says Pt'ron, " we were enabled to reclothe 

 our crews, who were in want of every thing ; to repair our two 

 ships, to purchase a third vessel, and, finally, to resume the con- 

 tinuation of our voyage." 



In the mean time, the researches of the scientific men met with 

 universal encouragement. An English guard was mounted to 

 protect their observatory. The naturalists, as well as their as- 

 sistants, were authorized to carry arms, a privilege not granted to 

 a H the inhabitants. Guides and interpreters were appointed to 

 attend them in their distant excursions. " In short." says Peron, 

 " the procedure of the English government here, with respect to 

 'is, was so noble, so generous, that to fail in the acknowledgment 

 of our gratitude would prove us to be void of every principle ot 



honor and justice." 



The permanent settlement of New South Wales had no older 

 a date than 1788, when visited by the French navigators ; and 

 Yet, in that short period, the colony had advanced ill agriculture, 

 »n commerce, and in population, to a degree which excited their 

 admiration. The population, from 1030. carried thither by §*^ 

 emor Philip, had increased to upwards of 13,000; and the pro- 

 ducts of the land not only sufficed for their wants, but^afforded a 



P^ron, in qnotinjj Banlin's Journal, makes him say fim men : "Jo navais plus 

 qiie quatre hommes en etat tie rester war lo pent, y compns lomeier de quart.* 

 Hm ■ evidently a mi notation. 



