Wilhems Plains.~\ TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
obtained the approbation of the ministry, had made an application in 
my behalf to the National Institute, from which a favourable answer 
had been received ; and there were strong hopes that so soon as the 
emperor Napoleon should return from Italy, an order for my liber- 
ation would be obtained. Our frigates, the Pitt and Terpsichore, 
came to cruise off Mauritius a short time afterward, for which I was 
as sorry on one account as any of the inhabitants ; every week might 
produce the arrival of the expected order, but it would probably be 
thrown overboard if the vessel should be chased, or have an engage- 
ment with our ships. 
Three months thus passed in fruitless expectation ; at length 
an aide-de-camp of the general arrived, and gave a spur to my hopes ; 
but after many days of anxiety to know the result, I learned from 
captain Bergeret that the despatches said nothing upon my imprison- 
ment. This silence of the marine minister and the great events 
rising in Europe, admitted little hope of my situation being remem- 
bered ; and I was thence led to entertain the project of once more 
requesting general De Caen to send me to France for trial; but the 
brother of the general and another officer being also expected, it was 
deferred at that time. In effect, M. De Caen arrived on the 25th, 
in the frigate La Canonniere from Cherbourg, and excited a renewal 
of hope only to be again disappointed; the news of victories gained 
by the French over the Austrians seemed to occupy every attention, 
and threw a dark shade over all expectation of present liberty. I 
learned, however, and a prisoner's mind would not fail to speculate 
thereon, that my detention was well known in Paris, and thought to 
be hard ; bift it was also said, that I was considered in the same light 
as those persons who were arrested in France, as hostages for the 
vessels and men said to have been stopped by our ships before the 
declaration of war. My proposed letter to general De Caen was 
then sent; and after pointing out the uncertainty of orders arriving, 
or even that the marine minister should find time to think of a 
prisoner in a distant island, I repeated for the third time my request 
vol. 11. 3 L 
441 
1805. 
October. 
November. 
1806. 
February. 
March. 
