Encounter Bay.] TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
189 
As I did not understand French, Mr. Brown, the naturalist, 1802 - 
went with me in the boat. We were received by an officer who Thursday 8. 
pointed out the commander, and by him were conducted into the 
cabin. I requested captain Baudin to show me his passport from 
the Admiralty ; and when it was found and I had perused it, offered 
mine from the French marine minister, but he put it back without 
inspection. He then informed me that he had spent some time in 
examining the south and east parts of Van Diemen's Land, where 
his geographical engineer, with the largest boat and a boat's crew, 
had been left, and probably lost. In Bass' Strait captain Baudin had 
encountered a heavy gale, the same we had experienced in a less 
degree on March 21, in the Investigator's Strait. He was then separ- 
ated from his consort, Le Naturaliste ; but having since had fair winds 
and fine weather, he had explored the South Coast from Western 
Port to the place of our meeting, without finding any river, inlet, 
or other shelter which afforded anchorage. I inquired concerning a 
large island, said to lie in the western entrance of Bass' Strait ; but 
he had not seen it, and seemed to doubt much of its existence. 
Captain Baudin was communicative of his discoveries about 
Van Diemen's Land ; as also of his criticisms upon an English chart of 
Bass' Strait, published in 1S00. He found great fault with the north 
side of the strait, but commended the form given to the south side 
and to the islands near it. On my pointing out a note upon the chart, 
explaining that the north side of the strait was seen only in an open 
boat by Mr. Bass, who had no good means of fixing either latitude or 
longitude, he appeared surprised, not having before paid attention to 
it. I told him that some other, and more particular charts of the 
Strait and its neighbourhood had been since published ; and that if 
he would keep company until next morning, I would bring him a 
copy, with a small memoir belonging to them. This was agreed to, 
and I returned with Mr. Brown to the Investigator. 
It somewhat surprised me, that captain Baudin made ho enquiries 
concerning my business upon this unknown coast, but as he seemed 
vol. 1. 3 E 
