7 



m«*e enlightened commander. The purpose of 

 this expedition was to visit the Spanish posses- 

 sions of South America, from the mouth of the 

 river Plata, to the kingdom of Quito and the isth- 

 mus of Panama. After traversing the Archipe- 

 lago of the great Ocean, and exploring the coasts 

 of New Holland, from Diemen's Land to that of 

 Nuyts, both vessels were to stop at Madagascar, 

 and return by the Cape of Good Hope. I was 

 at Paris when the preparations for this voyage 

 were begun. I had but little confidence in the 

 personal character of Captain Baudin, who had 

 given cause of discontent to the Court of Vien- 

 na, when lie was commissioned to conduct to 

 Brazil one of my friends, the young botanist, Mr. 

 Van der Schott; but as I could not hope, with 

 my own resources, to make a voyage of such 

 extent, and view so fine a portion of the globe, I 

 determined to take the chances of this expedi 

 tion. I obtained permission to embark with the 

 instruments I had collected, in one of the vessels 

 destined for the South Sea, and I reserved to 

 myself the liberty of leaving Captain Baudin, 

 whenever I thought proper. Mr. Michaux, who 

 had already visited Persia, and a part of North 

 America, and Mr. Bonpland, with whom I form- 

 ed a friendship that still unites us, were appoint- 

 ed to accompany this expedition as naturalists* 

 I had flattered myself during several months 

 with the idea of sharing iti labors directed to so 



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