384 
1803. 
December. 
Sunday 18. 
A VOYAGE TO [At Mauritius. 
the invitation been accepted without explanation or a change of 
treatment, an inference might have been drawn that the charge of 
imposture was well founded ; but in any case, having been grossly 
insulted both in my public and private character, I could not debase 
the situation I had the honour to hold by a tacit submission. When 
the aide-de-camp returned from carrying the above reply, he said 
that the general would invite me when set at liberty ; but nothing 
was offered in the way of explanation. 
A paper containing the questions of the German secretary with 
my answers, was required to be signed, but this being in French, I 
objected as not understanding it ; a translation was therefore to 
be made, and the letter of governor King respecting the Cumber- 
land was to be put into French for the captain-general. Extracts 
from my journal, showing the necessity of quitting the Investigator, 
were moreover desired, and also my reasons at full length for stop- 
ping at the Isle of France, instead of going to the Cape of Good 
Hope ; it being necessary, they said, for the general to transmit these 
to the French government, to justify himself for granting that assist- 
ance to the Cumberland which had been ordered for the Investigator. 
It was already night, and the excessive heat, with being kept six 
hours answering questions, was very fatiguing; I therefore took 
the third volume of my rough log book, which contained the whole 
of what they desired to know, and pointing out the parts in question 
to the secretary, told him to make such extracts as should be thought 
requisite. I then requested to be shown back to the tavern, also 
that the sentinel might be taken out of our room, and Mr. Aken be 
permitted to return on board the schooner to keep order ; to which 
the aide-de-camp brought for answer, that it was then too late to 
make new arrangements, but His Excellency would see me in the 
morning. All the books and papers, the third volume of my rough 
log book excepted, were then returned into the trunk and sealed as 
before; and I was reconducted to my confinement bet ween, eight 
and nine o’clock. 
