14 
A VOYAGE TO 
[/w England, 
Le soussigne, commissaire du gouvernement Francais a 
Londres, certifie le signalement ci-dessus conforme a la note qui 
lui a ete communique e par le ministre de Sa Majeste Britannique, 
Londres le 4 Messidor an 9. 
( Signed) Otto. 
1801. In consequence of this passport, I received directions from the 
Admiralty " to act in all respects towards French ships as if the two 
" countries were not at war ; and," it was added, " with respect to 
" the ships and vessels of other powers with which this country is 
" at war, you are to avoid, if possible, having any communication 
«* with them ; and not to take letters or packets other than such as 
" you may receive from this office, or the office of His Majesty's 
" secretary of state." 
From His Grace the duke of Portland, I carried an order to 
the governor of New South Wales to place the brig Lady Nelson 
under my command, on arriving at Port Jackson ; and also one from 
the Admiralty, directing the governor, in his quality of senior naval 
officer, not to take the Investigator from the purposes of the voyage; 
but to assist me with all the means in his power to put them into 
execution. 
So soon as my sailing orders were received, demands were 
sent on shore for provisions to replace what had been consumed at 
Spithead ; and they came on board next morning, when the ship 
was unmoored. We were able to stow a proportion of provisions 
for twelve months, bread excepted, of which only seven months 
could be taken, including a part in flour. Of salt meat I took for 
eighteen months, knowing that little reliance could be had upon the 
colony in New South Wales for that article; and further to guard 
against any detriment to the voyage from a want of provisions, I 
left an application to the Admiralty for a general supply, for twelve 
months ; to be sent after me, and lodged in the store houses at Port 
Jackson for our sole use. 
