Wilhems Plains .] TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
This year finished in the same manner as the preceding, with- 
out the least change in my situation; but if I had reason to complain 
of the want of justice, humanity, and good faith in the captain-general, 
there was, on the other hand, great cause to be satisfied with the 
sustained attentions of the inhabitants in my small circle, especially 
of those in the house where I still continued to dwell ; and it was 
some consolation to see, that the interest generally taken in my 
liberation increased with every fresh act denoting perseverance in 
rigorous measures. 
Six other months had elapsed when two vessels came from 
France, and it was known that the captain-general’s brother had 
safely reached Paris ; he had sailed two months after the order 
for my liberty had arrived, and as the general had probably com- 
municated- his intentions to the marine minister, he might have 
received fresh directions ; I therefore wrote to the chief of the staff, 
requesting to know whether the despatches contained any thing to 
give me hopes of early liberty, and repeating my readiness to em- 
bark in any vessel of any nation ; but it was answered, that nothing 
in the despatches related to this subject. 
Several ships being in preparation to depart for France in 
September, a memorial containing the circumstances previous to and 
attending my imprisonment was made out, with authenticating papers 
annexed, to be transmitted to the minister of the French marine; 
in this, I explained the late conduct of the captain-general, and 
earnestly entreated that His Excellency would direct him to send 
me to France, by an order couched in such terms as should leave no 
room for evasion ; declaring at the same time, perhaps incautiously, 
that I considered his previous order to have released me from parole. 
Two copies of this memorial were confided to gentlemen who pro- 
mised to deliver them in person to the minister ; or in case of being 
taken, to the captain of the English man of war who would forward 
them to the Admiralty. There still remained La Semillante, an old 
frigate sold to the merchants, on board of which two officers of the 
467 
IS07. 
December. 
1808. 
July. 
September. 
