CHAPTER 30. THE NAMING OF AUSTRALIA.

The name Australia was given to the great southern continent by Flinders.

When and why he gave it that name will now be shown.

In the first place a common error must be set right. It is sometimes said

that the Spanish navigator, Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, named one of the

islands of the New Hebrides group, in 1606, Australia del Espiritu Santo.

This is not the case. The narrative of his voyage described "all this

region of the south as far as the Pole which from this time shall be

called Austrialia del Espiritu Santo," from "His Majesty's title of

Austria." The word Austrialia is a punning name. Quiros' sovereign,

Philip III, was a Habsburg; and Quiros, in compliment to him, devised the

name Austrialia as combining the meaning "Austrian land," as well as

"southern land."* (* See Markham, Voyages of Quiros, Hakluyt Society

Volume 1 page 30.)

In 1756 the word "Australasia" was coined. Charles de Brosses, in his

Histoire des Navigations aux Terres Australes, wanted a word to signify a

new division of the globe. The maps marked off Europe, Asia, Africa and

America, but the vast region to the south of Asia required a name

likewise. De Brosses simply added "Austral" to "Asia," and printed

"Australasia" upon his map.

The earliest use of the word Australia that I have been able to find,

occurs in the index to the Dutch Generale Beschrijvinge van Indien

(General Description of the Indies) published at Batavia in 1638. The

work consists mainly of accounts of voyages by Dutch vessels to the East

Indies. Among them is a history of the "Australische Navigatien" of Jacob

le Maire and Willem Cornelisz Schouten, made in 1615 to 1617. They sailed

through the Straits of Magellan, crossed the Pacific, touched at the

Solomon Islands, and thence made their way round by the north of New

Guinea to Java. The word Australia does not occur anywhere in the

black-letter text of the narrative, and the word Australische in the

phrase "Australische Navigatien," simply means southern. There are

references in the book to "Terra Australis," but Le Maire and Schouten

knew not Australia. Nor does the narrative make any allusion to the

continent which we know by that name. The Terra Australis of these Dutch

navigators was land of the southern hemisphere in general. But,

curiously, the indexer of the Generale Beschrijvinge made four entries,

in which he employed the word Australia. Thus, his entry "Australia

Incognita Ondeckt" (Australia Incognita Discovered) referred to passages

in Le Maire and Schouten's voyage relating to the southern lands they had

seen. But it did not refer to the Australia of modern geography. It is

very strange that the Dutch indexer in Batavia should have hit upon the

word and employed it when he did not find it in the text of the book

itself.

The use of Australia in an English book of 1693 is also extremely

curious. In 1676 Gabriel de Foigny, under the assumed name of Jacques

Sadeur, published at Vannes a quaint little duodecimo volume, purporting

to give a description of an unknown southern land. He called his book La

Terre Australe connue; c'est a dire, la description de ce pays inconnu

jusqu'ici. It was a "voyage imaginaire," a pure piece of fancy. In 1693

it was translated into English, and published in London, by John Dunton,

under the title A New Discovery of Terra Incognita, or the Southern

World, by James Sadeur, a Frenchman, who being cast there by a shipwreck,

lived 35 years in that country and gives a particular description of the

manners, customs, religion, laws, studies and wars of those southern

people, and of some animals peculiar to that place; with several other

rarities. In the original French the word Australia does not occur. But

in the English translation Foigny's phrase "continent de la Terre

Australe," is rendered "Australia." Foigny's ingenious piece of fiction

drew its "local colour" from the South American region, not from any

supposed land in the neighbourhood of the Australian continent. The

instance is all the more interesting from the possibility that the book

may have given a hint to Swift in the writing of Gulliver's Travels.* (*

See the Cambridge History of English Literature 9 106; where, however,

the English translation is erroneously cited as Journey of Jacques Sadour

to Australia.)

In 1770 and 1771 Alexander Dalrymple published An Historical Collection

of Voyages and Discoveries in the South Pacific Ocean. In the preface to

that work he used the word Australia as "comprehending the discoveries at

a distance from America to the eastward."* (* Page 15 of the 1780 edition

of Dalrymple.) He did not intend it to include the present Australia at

all. De Brosses had used the three names Magellanica, Polynesia and

Australasia, which Dalrymple accepted; but he thought there was room for

a fourth for the area east of South America. The part of the Australian

continent known when Dalrymple published his book--only the west and

northern coasts--was included within the division which De Brosses called

Australasia.

Here we have three instances of the use of the word Australia in the

seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, but without reference to the

continent which now bears that name.

In 1793, G. Shaw and J.E. Smith published in London a Zoology and Botany

of New Holland. Here the word Australia was used in its modern sense, as

applied to the southern continent. The authors wrote of "the vast island,

or rather continent, of Australia, Australasia, or New Holland, which has

so lately attracted the particular attention of European navigators and

naturalists."

The word was not therefore of Flinders' devising. But it may be taken to

be certain that he was unacquainted with the previous employment of it by

the Dutch indexer, by Foigny's English translator, or by Shaw and Smith.

It is doubtful whether he had observed the previous use of it by

Dalrymple. Undoubtedly he had read that author's book. He may have had

the volumes in his cabin library. But he was so exact and scrupulous a

man that we can say with confidence that, had he remembered the

occurrence of the word in Dalrymple, he would have mentioned the fact.

The point is not material, however, because, as already observed,

Dalrymple did not apply "Australia" to this continent, but to a different

region. The essential point is that "Australia was reinvented by

Flinders."* (* Morris, Dictionary of Austral English page 10.)

Flinders felt the need of a single word that would be a good name for the

island which had been demonstrated by his own researches to be one great

continent. It will be remembered that he had investigated the whole

extent of the southern coasts, had penetrated to the extremities of the

two great gulfs found there, had proved that they did not open into a

passage cutting Terra Australis in two, and had thoroughly examined the

Gulf of Carpentaria, finding no inlet southward there. The country was

clearly one immense whole. But what was it to be called? Terra Australis,

Southern Land, was too long, was cumbrous, was Latin. That would not be a

convenient name for a country that was to play any part in the world. The

Dutch had named the part which they found New Holland. But they knew

nothing of the east. Cook called the part which he had discovered New

South Wales. But Cook knew nothing of the west. Neither the Dutch nor

Cook knew anything of the south, a large part of which Flinders himself

had discovered.

We find him for the first time using the word "Australia" in a letter

written to his brother Samuel on August 25th, 1804.* (* Flinders'

Papers.) He was then living at Wilhelm's Plains: "I call the whole island

Australia, or Terra Australis. New Holland is properly that portion of it

from 135 degrees of longitude westward; and eastward is New South Wales,

according to the Governor's patent."

Flinders' first public use of the word was not in English, but in French.

In the essay on the probable fate of Laperouse, written for the Societe

d'Emulation in Ile-de-France (1807), he again stated the need for a word

in terms which I translate as follows: "The examination of the eastern

part was commenced in 1770 by Captain Cook, and has since been completed

by English navigators.* (* By himself; but in this paper he modestly said

nothing of his own researches.) The first (i.e., the west) is New Holland

properly so called, and the second bears the name of New South Wales. I

have considered it convenient to unite the two parts under a common

designation which will do justice to the discovery rights of Holland and

England, and I have with that object in view had recourse to the name

Austral-land or Australia. But it remains to be seen whether the name

will be adopted by European geographers."* (* "Il reste a savoir si ce

nom sera adopte par des geographes europeens." The paper was printed in

the Annales des Voyages by Malte-Brun (Paris, 1810). Flinders kept a

copy, and his manuscript is now in the Melbourne Public Library. It is an

exquisite piece of calligraphy, perhaps the most beautifully written of

all his manuscripts.)

After 1804 Flinders repeatedly used the word Australia in his

correspondence. Before that date he had invariably written of "New

Holland." But in a letter to Banks (December 31st, 1804) he referred to

"my general chart of Australia;"* (* Historical Records 5 531.) in March,

1806, he wrote of "the north-west coast of Australia;"* (* Ibid 6 50.) in

July, 1806, writing to the King he underlined the word in the phrase "my

discoveries in Australia;"* (* Ibid 6 107.) in July, 1807, he spoke of

"the north coast of Australia;"* (* Ibid 6 274.) in February, 1809, of

"the south coast of Australia;"* (* Ibid 7 52.) and the same phrase was

employed in January, 1810.* (* Ibid 7 275.) It is therefore apparent that

before his return to England he had determined to use the name

systematically and to make its employment general as far as he could. We

do not find it occurring in any other correspondence of the period.

When he reached England in 1810 and commenced to work upon his book, he

wished to use the name Australia, and brought the subject forward at a

meeting at Sir Joseph Banks' house. But Banks was not favourable, and

Arrowsmith, the chart-publisher, "did not like the change" because his

firm had always used the name New Holland in their charts. A Major

Rennell was present at one of the meetings, when Flinders thought he had

converted Sir Joseph. But afterwards he found Banks disinclined to

sanction the name, and wrote to Major Rennell asking whether he

remembered the conversation. The Major replied (August 15th, 1812):* (*

Flinders' Papers.) "I certainly think that it was as you say, that

Australia was the proper name for the continent in question; and for the

reason you mention. I suppose I must have been of that opinion at the

time, for I certainly think so now. It wants a collective name."

Two days after the receipt of Major Rennell's letter Flinders wrote to

Banks, reminding him that he was the first person consulted about the

name Australia, and that he had understood that it was generally

approved. Bligh had not objected to it. When part of the manuscript of

the Voyage was submitted to Mr. Robert Peel, Under-Secretary for the

Colonies (afterwards Sir Robert Peel and Prime Minister of England), and

to Lord Liverpool, the principal Secretary of State, there had been some

discussion respecting the inclusion of the Gulf of Carpentaria as part of

New South Wales, and it was accordingly erased. But no objection was

raised to the name Australia. Flinders fought hard for his word, but did

not succeed completely. Captain Burney suggested that Terra Australis was

a name "more familiar to the public." Banks on August 19th withdrew his

objection to "the propriety of calling New Holland and New South Wales by

the collective name of Terra Australis," and accordingly as A Voyage to

Terra Australis his book ultimately went forth. The work being published

under the aegis of the Admiralty, he had to conform to the opinion of

those who were less sensible of the need for an innovation than he was,

and it was only in a modest footnote that he used the name he preferred.

The passage in the book wherein he discussed the question may be quoted,

together with his footnote:

"The vast regions to which this voyage was principally directed

comprehend, in the western part, the early discoveries of the Dutch,

under the name of New Holland; and in the east the coasts explored by

British navigators, and named New South Wales. It has not, however, been

unusual to apply the first appellation to both regions; but to continue

this would be almost as great an injustice to the British nation, whose

seamen have had so large a share in the discovery as it would be to the

Dutch were New South Wales to be so extended. This appears to have been

felt by a neighbouring, and even rival, nation; whose writers commonly

speak of these countries under the general term of Terres Australes. In

fact, the original name, used by the Dutch themselves until some time

after Tasman's second voyage in 1644, was Terra Australis, or 'Great

South Land;' and, when it was displaced by 'New Holland,' the new term

was applied only to the parts lying westward of a meridian line passing

through Arnhem's Land on the north, and near the isles of St. Francis and

St. Peter on the south; all to the eastward, including the shores of the

Gulf of Carpentaria, still remained as Terra Australis. This appears from

a chart published by Thevenot in 1663; which, he says 'was originally

taken from that done in inlaid work upon the pavement of the new

Stadt-House at Amsterdam.' The same thing is to be inferred from the

notes of Burgomaster Witsen in 1705 of which there will be occasion to

speak in the sequel.

"It is necessary, however, to geographical precision, that so soon as New

Holland and New South Wales were known to form one land, there should be

a general name applicable to the whole; and this essential point having

been ascertained in the present voyage, with a degree of certainty

sufficient to authorise the measure, I have, with the concurrence of

opinions entitled to deference, ventured upon the adoption of the

original Terra Australis; and of this term I shall hereafter make use

when speaking of New Holland and New South Wales in a collective sense;

and when using it in the most extensive signification, the adjacent

isles, including that of Van Diemen, must be understood to be

comprehended.

"There is no probability that any other detached body of land, of nearly

equal extent, will ever be found in a more southern latitude; the name

Terra Australis will, therefore, remain descriptive of the geographical

importance of this country, and its situation on the globe, it has

antiquity to recommend it; and, having no reference to either of the two

claiming nations, appears to be less objectionable than any other which

could have been selected."

Then comes the footnote in which the name Australia is suggested:

"Had I permitted myself any innovation upon the original term, it would

have been to convert it into Australia; as being more agreeable to the

ear, and an assimilation to the names of the other great portions of the

earth."

The name came into general use after the publication of Flinders' book,

though it was not always adopted in official documents. Governor

Macquarie, of New South Wales, in a despatch in April, 1817, expressed

the hope that the name would be authoritatively sanctioned.* (* See M.

Phillips, A Colonial Autocracy, London 1909 page 2 note.) As already

noted, the officials of 1849 drew a distinction between New Holland, the

mainland, and Australia, which included the island of Tasmania; and so

Sir Charles Fitzroy, Governor of New South Wales, was styled

"Governor-General of Australia," in a commission dated 1851. The proudest

of all places wherein this name is used is in the forefront of the

majestic instrument cited as 63 and 64 Vict., cap. 12--"An Act to

constitute the Commonwealth of Australia."

APPENDICES.

APPENDIX A.

BAUDIN'S ACCOUNT OF ENCOUNTER BAY.

[In a long letter of about 30,000 words, written to the French Minister

of Marine from Port Jackson in 1802, Captain Baudin described his

explorations in Australian waters up to that date. The manuscript is in

the Archives Nationales, Paris, BB4, 995, Marine. It has never been

published. In this appendix, which relates to Chapter 14 of the book, I

translate the portion of the letter concerning the meeting of the

Investigator and Le Geographe in Encounter Bay, with a few notes.]

"On the 18th,* (* Note 1: That is, the 18th Germinal in the French

revolutionary calendar; April 8th by the Gregorian calendar.) continuing

to follow the coast and the various coves upon it, we sighted towards the

north-east a long chain of high mountains, which appeared to terminate at

the border of the sea. The weariness we had for a long time experienced

at seeing coasts which for the most part were arid, and offered not the

slightest resource, was dissipated by the expectation of coming upon a

more promising country. A little later, a still more agreeable object of

distraction presented itself to our view. A square-sailed ship was

perceived ahead. Nobody on board had any doubt that it was Le

Naturaliste. As she was tacking south and we were tacking north, we

approached each other. But what was our astonishment when the other

vessel hoisted a white flag on the mainmast. It was beyond doubt a signal

of recognition, to which we responded. A little later, that signal was

hauled down, and an English ensign and pennant were substituted.* (* Note

2: Flinders says: "Our colours being hoisted, she showed a French ensign,

and afterwards an English jack forward, as we did a white flag.") We

replied by hoisting our colours; and we continued to advance towards each

other. The manoeuvre of the English ship indicating that she desired to

speak to us, we stood towards her.* (* Note 3: Flinders' own explanation

of his manoeuvring is: "We veered round as Le Geographe was passing so as

to keep our broadside to her lest the flag of truce should be a

deception.") When we got within hail, a voice enquired what ship we were.

I replied simply that we were French. "Is that Captain Baudin?" "Yes, it

is he." The English captain then saluted me graciously, saying "I am very

glad to meet you." I replied to the same effect, without knowing to whom

I was speaking; but, seeing that arrangements were being made for someone

to come on board, I brought the ship to.

"Mr. Flinders, who commanded the English vessel, presented himself. As

soon as I learnt his name, I no longer doubted that he, like ourselves,

was occupied with the exploration of the south coast of New Holland; and,

in spite of the reserve that he showed upon that first visit, I could

easily perceive that he had already completed a part of it. Having

invited him to come into my cabin, and finding ourselves alone there, the

conversation became freer.* (* Note 4: "Nous trouvant seul, la

conversation devint plus libre." Flinders says that Brown accompanied

him, and went into the cabin with him. "No person was present at our

conversations except Mr. Brown.")

"He informed me that he had left Europe about eight months after us, and

that he was bound for Port Jackson, having previously refreshed at the

Cape of Good Hope.

"I had no hesitation about giving him information concerning what we had

been doing upon the coast until that moment. I pointed out to him defects

which I had observed in the chart which he had published* of the strait

separating New Holland from Van Diemen's Land, etc., etc. (* Note 5: "la

carte qu'il nous a donne des detroits." From this it appears that Baudin

knew Flinders as the author of the chart, even while pointing out its

defects. Flinders had the impression that Baudin did not know him till he

was about to leave Le Geographe at the end of the second interview.)

"Mr. Flinders observed to me that he was not unaware that the chart

required to be checked, inasmuch as the sketch from which it was prepared

had been drawn from uncertain information, and that the means employed

when the discovery was made did not conduce to securing exact results.*

(* Note 6: Flinders: "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.") Finally, becoming less circumspect than he had hitherto been, he

told me that he had commenced his work at Cape Leeuwin, and had followed

the coast to the place where we were met. He suggested that our ships

should pass the night near together, and that early on the following

morning he should come on board again, and give me some particulars which

would be useful to me. I accepted his proposition with pleasure, and we

tacked about at a short distance from each other during the night. It was

seven o'clock in the evening when he returned to his ship.* (* Note 7:

Flinders: "I told him that some other and more particular charts of the

strait and its neighbourhood had since been 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.")

"On the 19th* (* Note 8: April 9th.) Mr. Flinders came on board at six

o'clock in the morning. We breakfasted together,* (* Note 9: Flinders

does not mention this incident.) and talked about our respective work. He

appeared to me to have been happier than we had been with respect to the

discoveries he had made. He told me about a large island, about a dozen

or fifteen leagues away, which had been visited by him. According to his

account, he stayed there six weeks to prepare a chart of it;* (* Note 10:

A mistake; Flinders was at Kangaroo Island only six days.) and with the

aid of a corvette* (* Note 11: Peron also had the erroneous impression

that the Investigator had been accompanied by a corvette, which foundered

in Spencer's Gulf, and so wrote in his Voyage de Decouvertes. Baudin must

have confused what Flinders told him about the drowning of Thistle and

the boat's crew, with an idea of his own that this boat was a consort of

the Investigator as Le Naturaliste was of Le Geographe.) had explored two

deep gulfs, the direction of which he sketched for me, as well as of his

Kangaroo Island, which he had so named in consequence of the great

quantity of those quadrupeds found there. The island, though not far from

the continent, did not appear to him to be inhabited.

"An accident like that which had unfortunately happened to us on the

coast of Van Diemen's Land had overtaken Mr. Flinders.* (* Note 12:

Baudin was referring to a boat party of his own, consisting of

Boullanger, one of his hydrographers, a lieutenant and eight sailors.

They had gone out in a boat to chart a portion of the coast which Le

Geographe could not reach. They did not return, and Baudin supposed them

to have been lost. But they were in fact picked up by the sealing brig

Snow-Harrington from Sydney, which afterwards sighted Le Naturaliste, and

handed the men over to her.) He had lost a boat and eight men. His ship

was also short of stores, and he was not without uneasiness as to what

would happen.

"Before we separated the Captain asked me if I had any knowledge of an

island which was said to exist to the north of the Bass Strait islands. I

replied that I had not, inasmuch as, having followed the coast fairly

closely after leaving the Promontory as far as Westernport, I had not met

with any land placed in the position which he indicated.* (* Note 13:

What Flinders asked Baudin was whether he had any "knowledge 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." The reference

was to King Island. Baudin marked on his chart, in consequence of this

enquiry, an island "believed to exist," guessing at its situation and

placing it wrongly; though he subsequently stayed at King Island

himself.) He appeared to be well pleased with my response, doubtless in

the hope of being the first to discover it. Perhaps Le Naturaliste, in

searching for us in the Strait, will have discovered it.* (* Note 14:

This sentence is interesting, as showing that Baudin wrote this part of

his letter to the Minister at the time, not at Port Jackson weeks later.

If the sentence had been written later, he would not have said that Le

Naturaliste would perhaps sight the island. He by then knew that she did

not.) At the moment of his departure, Mr. Flinders presented me with

several new charts, published by Arrowsmith, and a printed memoir by

himself, dealing with discoveries in the strait, the north coast of Van

Diemen's Land, the east coast, etc., etc. He also invited me to sail,

like himself, for Port Jackson, the resources of which he perhaps exalted

too highly, if I had to remain long in these seas. At eight o'clock we*

separated. (* Note 15: Flinders: "I returned with Mr. Brown on board the

Investigator at half-past-eight in the morning, and we then separated

from Le Geographe; Captain Baudin's course being directed to the

north-west and ours to the southward.") He sailed south and we went to

the west."

APPENDIX B. PERON'S REPORT ON PORT JACKSON.

[The following is a fairly literal translation of Peron's report on Port

Jackson, furnished to General Decaen at Ile-de-France.]

Port N.-O., 20th Frimaire, Year 12.* (* Note 16: i.e., Port North-West

(Port Louis), December 11, 1802.)

Citizen Captain-General,

Fifteen years ago England transported, at great expense, a numerous

population to the eastern coast of New Holland. At that time this vast

continent was still almost entirely unknown. These southern lands and the

numerous archipelagoes of the Pacific were invaded by the English, who

had solemnly proclaimed themselves sovereign over the whole dominion

extending from Cape York to the southern extremity of New Holland, that

is to say, from 10 degrees 37 minutes south, to 43 degrees 39 minutes

south latitude. In longitude their possessions had been fixed as reaching

from 105 degrees west of Greenwich to the middle of the Pacific Ocean,

including all the archipelagos with which it is strewn.* (* Note 17: This

is a literal translation of Peron's statement, which is obviously

confused and wrong. 105 degrees west longitude is east of Easter Island,

as well as being an "exact boundary" in the Pacific, which, Peron goes on

to say, did not exist. The probability is that he gives here a muddled

reproduction of the boundaries actually fixed by Phillip's

commission--"westward as far as the 135th degree of east

longitude...including all the islands adjacent in the Pacific Ocean."

[Mr. Jose's note.])

Note especially in this respect that in the formal deed of annexation no

exact boundary was fixed on the Pacific Ocean side. This omission seems

to have been the result of astute policy; the English Government thus

prepared itself an excuse for claiming, at the right time and place, all

the islands which in the future may be, or actually are, occupied by the

Spaniards--who thus find themselves England's next-door neighbours.

So general a project of encroachment alarmed, as it must, all the nations

of Europe. The sacrifices made by England to maintain this colony

redoubled their suspicions. The Spanish expedition of Admiral Malaspina*

had not fulfilled the expectations of its Government. (* Note 18: Two

Spanish ships, commanded by Don Alexandro Malaspina, visited Sydney in

April, 1793. They had left Cadiz on an exploring and scientific

expedition in July, 1789.) Europe was still ignorant of the nature of the

English settlement; its object was unknown; its rapid growth was not even

suspected.

Always vigilant in regard to whatever may humiliate the eternal rival of

our nation, the First Consul, soon after the revolution of the 18th

Brumaire,* (* Note 19: It was on the 18th Brumaire (November 9th, 1799)

that Bonaparte overthrew the Directory by a coup-d'etat, and became First

Consul of the French Republic.) decided upon our expedition.* (* Note 20:

Peron's statement is quite wrong. The matter of despatching an expedition

to Australia had been considered and proposed to the Government by the

professors of the Museum two years before the coup-d'etat of Brumaire:

before therefore Bonaparte had anything to do with the Government. Their

letter to the Minister, making this proposal, is dated 12th Thermidor,

year 6--that is, July 31st, 1797. Bonaparte was then a young general

commanding the army of Italy. The project was taken up by the Institute

of France, and Bonaparte, as First Consul, sanctioned the expedition in

May, 1800. There is no evidence that he ever gave a thought to the matter

until it was brought before him by the Institute.) His real object was

such that it was indispensable to conceal it from the Governments of

Europe, and especially from the Cabinet of St. James's. We must have

their unanimous consent; and that we might obtain this, it was necessary

that, strangers in appearance to all political designs, we should occupy

ourselves only with natural history collections. Such a large expenditure

had been incurred to augment the collections of the Museum of the

Republic that the object of our voyage could not but appear to all the

world as a natural consequence of the previous action of our Government.

It was far from being the case, however, that our true purpose had to be

confined to that class of work; and if sufficient time permitted it would

be very easy for me, citizen Captain-General, to demonstrate to you that

all our natural history researches, extolled with so much ostentation by

the Government, were merely a pretext for its enterprise, and were

intended to assure for it the most general and complete success. So that

our expedition, so much criticised by fault-finders, so much neglected by

the former administrators of this colony, was in its principle, in its

purpose, in its organization, one of those brilliant and important

conceptions which ought to make our present Government for ever

illustrious. Why was it that, after having done so much for the success

of these designs, the execution of them was confided to a man utterly

unfitted in all possible respects to conduct them to their proper issue?

You have asked me, General, to communicate to you such information as I

have been able to procure upon the colony of Port Jackson. A work of that

kind would be as long as it would be important; and, prepared as I

conceive it ought to be, and as I hope it will be when presented to the

French Government, it would fix our attention to some useful purpose upon

that growing snare of a redoubtable power. Unfortunately, duty has made

demands upon me until to-day, and now that I find myself a little freer

our departure is about to take place. Moreover, all the information we

have collected upon the regions in question is deposited in the chest

which has to be forwarded, sealed, to the Government, and without access

to this the notes that I should desire to furnish to you cannot be

completed. Nevertheless, in order to contribute as far as possible to

your enlightenment on the subject, I take the liberty of furnishing you

with some particulars of the new establishment. In asking you to excuse,

on account of the circumstances, faults both of style and of

presentation, I venture to assure you, General, that you can rely upon my

jealous exactitude in fulfilling as far as was in my power the intention

of the Government of my country. I have neglected no means of procuring

all the information that as far as I could foresee would be of interest.

I was received in the house of the Governor with much consideration. He

and his secretary spoke our language well. The commandant of the troops

of New South Wales, Mr. Paterson, a member of the Royal Society of

London, a very distinguished savant, always treated me with particular

regard. I was received in his house, as one might say, as a son. I have

through him known all the officials of the colony. The surgeon, a

distinguished man, Mr. Thompson, honoured me with his friendship. Mr.

Grimes, the surveyor of the colony, Mr. Palmer the commissary-general of

the Government, Mr. Marsden, a clergyman of Parramatta, and a cultivator

as wealthy as he is discerning, were all capable of furnishing me with

valuable information. My functions on board permitted me to hazard the

asking of a large number of questions which would have been indiscreet on

the part of another, particularly on the part of soldiers. I have, in a

word, known at Port Jackson all the principal people of the colony, in

all vocations, and each of them has furnished, unsuspectingly,

information as valuable as it is new. Finally, I made with Mr. Paterson

very long excursions into the interior of the country. I saw most of the

best farms, and I assure you that I have gathered everywhere interesting

ideas upon things, which I have taken care to make exact as possible.

FIRST: PRESENT ESTABLISHMENTS OF THE ENGLISH.

Whilst in Europe they are spoken of as the colony of Botany Bay, as a

matter of fact there is no establishment there. Botany Bay is a humid,

marshy, rather sterile place, not healthy, and the anchorage for vessels

is neither good nor sure.

Port Jackson, thirteen leagues from Botany Bay, is unquestionably one of

the finest ports in the world. It was in these terms that Governor

Phillip spoke of it, and certainly he did not exaggerate when he added

that a thousand ships of the line could easily manoeuvre within it. The

town of Sydney has been founded in the heart of this superb harbour. It

is already considerable in extent, and, like its population, is growing

rapidly. Here reside the Governor and all the principal Government

officers. The environs of Sydney are sandy and not very fertile; in

almost all of them there is a scarcity of water during the hot summer

months.

Parramatta is the largest town founded by the English. It is in the

interior of the country, about six leagues from Sydney, from which it can

be reached by a small river called the Parramatta River. Small vessels

can proceed close to the town; larger ones have to discharge some

distance away. A very fine road leads overland from Sydney to Parramatta.

Some very good houses have been built here and there along the road.

Already people who have made considerable fortunes are to be found there.

The land around Parramatta is of much better quality than that at Sydney.

The country has been cleared to a considerable extent; and grazing in

particular presents important advantages.

Toongabbie, further inland, three or four leagues from Parramatta, is

still more fertile. Its pastures are excellent. It is there that the

flocks belonging to the Government have been established.

Hawkesbury, more than 60 miles from Sydney, is in the vicinity of the

Blue Mountains. It is the richest and most fruitful of the English

establishments. It may be regarded as the granary of the colony, being

capable by itself of supplying nearly all the wants of the settlement.

The depth of soil in some parts is as much as 80 feet; and it is truly

prodigious in point of fertility. These incalculable advantages are due

to the alluvial deposits of the Hawkesbury River, which descends in

cascades from the summits of the Blue Mountains, and precipitates itself

upon the plain loaded with a thick mud of a quality eminently suitable

for promoting vegetable growth. Unfortunately with benefits such as are

conferred by the Nile it unites its inconveniences. It is subject to

frightful floods, which overwhelm everything. Houses, crops, and

flocks--everything is destroyed unless men and animals save themselves by

very rapid flight. These unexpected floods are sometimes so prodigious

that the water has been known to rise 60 and even 80 feet above the

normal level. But what gives a great importance to the town of Hawkesbury

is the facility with which large ships can reach it by the river of which

I have just spoken. This part of New Holland will be a source of rapid

and very large fortunes.

Castle Hill is a new establishment in the interior of New Holland,

distant 21 miles from Parramatta, from which it is reached by a superb

road, which traverses thick forests. Allotments of land are crowded round

this place, and the clearances are so considerable that for more than a

league all round the town we could see the forest grants being burnt off.

Richmond Hill, towards the Hawkesbury, is a more considerable place than

the last mentioned, and is in a fertile situation.

So, General, it will be seen that this colony, which people in Europe

still believe to be relegated to the muddy marshes of Botany Bay, is

daily absorbing more and more of the interior of the continent. Cities

are being erected, which, at present in their infancy, present evidences

of future grandeur. Spacious and well-constructed roads facilitate

communication with all parts, whilst important rivers render access by

water still more convenient and less expensive.

But the English Government is no longer confining its operations to the

eastern coast of New Holland. Westernport, on the extreme south, beyond

Wilson's Promontory, is already engaging its attention. At the time of

our departure a new establishment there was in contemplation. The

Government is balancing the expediency of founding a new colony there or

at Port Phillip, to the north.* (* Note 21: "Le Port Phillip dans le nord

de ce dernier." Peron's information was correct. King had in May, 1802,

made a recommendation to the British Government that a settlement should

be founded at Port Phillip. The reasons, also, are stated accurately by

him.) In any case, it is indubitable, from what I have heard the Governor

say--it is indubitable, I say, that such a step will soon be taken.

Indeed, whatever advantage Port Jackson may possess, it suffers from a

grave disadvantage in the narrowness of its entry. Two frigates could by

themselves blockade the most numerous fleet within. Westernport would in

certain eventualities offer an advantageous position. Moreover, the

navigation of Bass Strait is very dangerous. The winds there are

terrible. Before negotiating the strait, ships from Europe, fatigued by a

long voyage, require succour and shelter. The new establishment will be

able to accommodate them. A third reason, and no doubt the most

important, is that the English in spite of all their efforts, in spite of

the devotion of several of their citizens, in spite of the sacrifices

made by the Government, have not yet been able to traverse the

redoubtable barrier of the Blue Mountains and to penetrate into the west

of New Holland. An establishment on the part of the coast that I have

just mentioned would guarantee them success in their efforts in that

direction. At all events it is indubitable that the establishment to

which I have referred will be immediately founded, if indeed such is not

already the case, as appears very probable from the letter which the

Governor wrote to our commandant in that regard a few days after our

departure from Port Jackson.

So then, the English, already masters of the eastern coast of New

Holland, now wish to occupy the immense extent of the west and south-west

coasts which contain very fine harbours, namely, that which they call

Westernport, Port Phillip, Port Flinders* (* Note 22: Peron probably

meant the present Port Augusta in Spencer's Gulf; but the name Port

Flinders was his own.) at the head of one of the great gulfs of the

south-west, Port Esperance, discovered by Dentrecasteaux, King George's

Sound, etc.

But still more, General, their ambition, always aspiring, is not confined

to New Holland itself, vast as it may be. Van Diemen's Land, and

especially the magnificent Dentrecasteaux Channel, have excited their

cupidity. Another establishment has probably been founded there since our

departure from Port Jackson. Take a glance at the detailed chart of that

part of Van Diemen's Land. Look at the cluster of bays and harbours to be

found there, and judge for yourself whether it is likely that that

ambitious nation will permit any other power to occupy them. Therefore,

numerous preparations had been made for the occupation of that important

point. The authorities were only awaiting a frigate, the Porpoise,* (*

Note 23: Peron spells the name as it sounded to him, La Poraperse.) to

transport colonists and provisions. That establishment is probably in

existence to-day.* (* Note 24: Again, Peron's information was correct. A

settlement on the Derwent, close to Dentrecasteaux Channel, was ordered

to be founded in March, 1803, and the Porpoise, with the Lady Nelson as

tender, was employed to carry colonists and supplies thither.) Several

reasons will have determined it; First: The indispensable necessity, for

the English, of keeping away from their establishments in that part of

the world rivals and neighbours as redoubtable as the French; Second: The

desire of removing from occupation by any other nation those impregnable

ports whence their important trade with New Zealand might be destroyed

and their principal establishment itself be eventually shaken; Third: The

fertility of the soil in that part of Van Diemen's Land, and above all

the hope of discovering in the vast granite plateaux, which seems here to

enclose the world, mines of precious metals or some new substance unknown

to the stupid aboriginals of the country.

I will not refer in detail to the Furneaux and Hunter's Islands, to King

Island and Maria Island. Everywhere the British flag is flown with pride.

Everywhere profitable fisheries are established. Seals of various

species, to be found upon these islands, open up a new source of wealth

and power to the English nation.

But New Zealand is especially advantageous to them in that regard. There

is the principal seat of the wealth of their new colony. Thence a large

number of ships sail annually for Europe laden with whale oil. Never, as

the English themselves acknowledge, was a fishery so lucrative and so

easy. The number of vessels engaged in it is increasing rapidly. Four

years ago there were but four or five. Last year there were seventeen.*

(* Note 25: It will be remembered that Bass intended to engage in the New

Zealand fishery. Cf. chapter 9.) I shall have occasion to return to this

subject.

Let us sum up what has been said concerning the English establishments in

this part of the world. Masters of the east coast of New Holland, we see

them rapidly penetrating the interior of the country, clearing pressed

forward on all sides, towns multiplying. Everywhere there is hope of

abundance of great agricultural wealth. The south coast is menaced by

coming encroachments, which, perhaps, are by now effected. All the ports

of the south-west will be occupied successively, and much sooner than is

commonly thought. Van Diemen's Land and all the neighbouring islands

either are to be occupied or already are so. New Zealand offers to them,

together with excellent harbours, an extraordinarily abundant and

lucrative fishery. In a word, everything in these vast regions presents a

picture of unequalled activity, unlimited foresight, swollen ambition,

and a policy as deep as it is vigilant.

Well then--come forward now to the middle of these vast seas, so long

unknown; we shall see everywhere the same picture reproduced, with the

same effects. Cast a glance over that great southern ocean. Traverse all

those archipelagos which, like so many stepping-stones, are scattered

between New Holland and the west coast of America. It is by their means

that England hopes to be able to stretch her dominion as far as Peru.

Norfolk Island has for a long time been occupied. The cedar that it

produces, coupled with the great fertility of the soil, render it an

important possession. It contains already between 1500 and 1800

colonists. No settlement has as yet been founded in any of the other

islands, but researches are being pursued in all parts. The English land

upon all the islands and establish an active commerce, by means of

barter, with the natives. The Sandwich Islands, Friendly Islands, Loyalty

Islands,* (* Note 26: New Caledonian Group.) Navigator Islands,* (* Note

27: Samoan Group.) Marquesas and Mendore Islands all furnish excellent

salt provisions. Ships, employed in trade, frequently arrive at Port

Jackson; and it increases every day, proof positive of the advantage that

is derived from it.

The Government is particularly occupied with endeavouring to discover

upon some one of these archipelagos a strong military post, a species of

arsenal, nearer to the coasts of Peru and Chili.* (* Note 28: This

statement was entirely false.) It is towards these two points that the

English Government appears to be especially turning its eyes. They are

quite aware of the feebleness of the Spaniards in South America. They are

above all aware that the unconquered Chilians are constantly making

unexpected attacks, that like so many Bedouins they appear unawares with

a numerous cavalry upon places where the Spaniards are most feeble,

committing robberies and outrages in all directions before sufficient

forces have been collected to repulse them. Then they retire with a

promptitude which does not permit of their being followed to their savage

fastnesses, which are unknown to the Spaniards themselves--retreats

whence they very soon reappear, to commit fresh massacres. (See the

Voyage of Laperouse). The English, to whom nothing that occurs in those

important regions is unknown, are equally aware that it is simply a

deficiency in arms and ammunition which prevents the redoubtable Chilians

from pushing much farther their attacks against the Spaniards. It is to

the furnishing of these means that the English Government are at the

present moment confining their enterprise. A very active contraband trade

is calculated to enable them to carry out their perfidious ends, whilst

at the same time providing a profitable market for the produce of their

manufacturers. Another manner in which they torment the Spaniards of Peru

is by despatching a swarm of pirates to these seas. During the last war

very rich prizes were captured by simple whaling vessels, and you can

judge what attacks of this kind will be like when they are directed and

sustained by the English Government itself.

Their hopes in regard to the Spanish possessions are heightened, and

their projects are encouraged, by the general direction of the winds in

these seas. A happy experience has at length taught the English that the

prevailing wind, that which blows strongest and most constantly, is the

west wind. Determined by these considerations (would you believe it,

General?) the English nowadays, instead of returning to Europe from Port

Jackson by traversing Bass Strait and doubling the Cape of Good Hope,

turn their prows eastwards, abandon themselves to their favourite wind,

traverse rapidly the great expanse of the South Seas, double Cape Horn,

and so do not reach England until they have made the circuit of the

globe! Consequently those voyages round the world, which were formerly

considered so hazardous, and with which are associated so many

illustrious names, have become quite familiar to English sailors. Even

their fishing vessels accomplish the navigation of the globe just as

safely as they would make a voyage from Europe to the Antilles. That

circumstance is not so unimportant as may at first appear. The very idea

of having circumnavigated the globe exalts the enthusiasm of English

sailors. What navigation would not seem to them ordinary after voyages

which carry with them great and terrible associations? Anyhow--and this

is a most unfortunate circumstance for the Spaniards--it is indubitable

that the fact of the constancy of the west wind must facilitate

extraordinarily projects of attack and invasion on the part of the

English, and everything sustains the belief that they will count for much

in the general plan of the establishment in New Holland. Therefore the

English Government appears day by day to take more interest in the

colony. It redoubles sacrifices of all kinds. It endeavours in every way

to increase the population as much as possible. Hardly a month passes but

there arrives some ship freighted by it, laden with provisions, goods,

and above all with men and women, some transported people, who have to

serve practically as slaves, others free immigrants, cultivators, to whom

concessions will be granted. Perhaps at first you will be astonished to

learn that honest men voluntarily transport themselves with their

families to the extremity of the world, to live in a country which is

still savage, and which was originally, and is still actually, occupied

by brigands who have been thrust from the breast of society. But your

astonishment will cease when you learn under what conditions such

individuals consent to exile themselves to these shores, and what

advantages they are not slow in deriving from a sacrifice which must

always be painful.

In the first place, before their departure from Europe, a sufficient sum

is allowed to each individual to provide for the necessities of a long

voyage. On board the vessel which transports them to Sydney a price is

fixed for the sustenance of the immigrant and his family, if he has any.

Upon his landing at Port Jackson concessions are granted to him in

proportion to the number of individuals comprised in his family. A number

of convicts (that is the name they give the transported persons), in

proportion to the extent of the concessions granted, are placed at his

disposal. A house is constructed for him; he is provided with all

necessary furniture and household utensils, and all the clothes he needs;

they grant him all the seed he needs to sow his land, all the tools he

needs to till it, and one or more pairs of all domestic animals and

several kinds of poultry. Besides, they feed him, his family, and his

assigned servants during eighteen months. He is completely sustained

during that period; and for the next twelve months half rations are

allowed to him. At the end of that time the produce of his land is, with

reason, expected to be sufficient for his requirements, and the

Government leave him to his own resources.

During five years he remains free of all contribution, accumulating the

produce of land all the more prolific because it is virgin. At the end of

that time a slight repayment is required by the Government. This

gradually and slightly increases as time goes on. But mark here, General,

the profound wisdom of the English Government, that enlightened policy

which guides all their enterprises and assures them success. If the new

immigrant during these five years has shown himself to be a diligent and

intelligent cultivator; if his clearings have been well extended and his

stock is managed with prudence; if the produce of his land has increased

rapidly--then, so far from finding himself a debtor to the Government,

his holding is declared to be his own, and, as a recompense, fresh

concessions are made to him, additional servants are assigned to him, his

immunity from contributions is prolonged, and additional assistance of

all sorts is extended to him. It is to these extensive and

well-considered sacrifices that it is necessary to attribute the fine

farms that daily increase in number in the midst of what was recently

wild and uncultivated forest. Activity, intelligence and application

conduce here more rapidly than elsewhere to fortune; and already several

of the earlier immigrants have become very wealthy proprietors. Emulation

of the noblest kind is stimulated everywhere. Experiments of all kinds

are made and multiplied. The Government encourages them, and generously

recompenses those who have succeeded.

What still further proves the particular interest which the English

Government takes in the colony is the enormous expense incurred in

procuring commodities for the new colonists. Nearly everything is

furnished by the Government. Vast depots are filled with clothes and

fabrics of all kinds and qualities, from the commonest to the finest. The

simplest furniture and household goods are to be found alongside the most

elegant. Thus the inhabitants are able to buy, at prices below those

ruling in England,* everything necessary to not only the bare wants of

life, but also its comforts and pleasures. (* Note 29: This statement is

surprising, but probably true of part of the period when Peron was in

Sydney. There was then a glut of goods, as Bass found to his cost. He had

to sell commodities brought out in the Venus at 50 per cent below their

proper values.)

Anxious to maintain the settlement on a firm and unshakeable basis, it is

to agriculture, the source of the true wealth of nations, that the

English Government endeavours to direct the tastes of the inhabitants of

the new colony. Different kinds of cattle have been imported, and all

thrive remarkably well. The better kinds, so far from losing quality,

gain in size and weight. But the improvement in sheep is especially

astonishing. Never was there a country so favourable to these animals as

the part of New Holland now occupied by the British. Whether it be the

effect of the climate or, as I think, the peculiar quality of the herbage

(almost wholly aromatic), certain it is that the flocks of sheep have

multiplied enormously. It is true that the finest breeds have been

imported by the Government. At first, the choicest kinds of English and

Irish sheep were naturalised. Then breeds from Bengal and the Cape of

Good Hope were introduced. Finally, the good fortune which seems to have

conspired with the enterprise of our rivals furnished them with several

pairs of merinos from Spain, which the Spanish Government at great

expense were sending to the Viceroy of Peru, upon a ship which was

captured upon the coast of that country by an English vessel out of Port

Jackson, and which were brought thither, much to the satisfaction of the

Governor, who neglected nothing to derive the fullest possible advantage

from a present valuable to the colony. His endeavours have not been in

vain. This species, like the others, has improved much, and there is

reason to believe that in a few years Port Jackson will be able to supply

valuable and abundant material for the manufacturers of England. What is

most astonishing is that the Indian sheep, which naturally produce short,

coarse hair instead of wool, in the course of three or four generations

in this country produce a wool that can hardly be distinguished from that

furnished by English breeds, or even Spanish. I have seen at the

Governor's house an assortment of these different kinds of wool, which

were to be sent to Lord Sydney, and I assure you that it would be

difficult to find finer samples. In my excursions with Mr. Paterson, Mr.

Marsden and Mr. Cox, I have seen their flocks, and really one could not

but admire in that regard the incalculable influence of the industry of

man, so long as it is encouraged and stimulated by enlightened and just

administrators.

Another source of production which appears to offer great advantages to

the English is that of hemp. In this country it is as fine in quality as

it is abundant, and several persons whose testimony is beyond suspicion

have assured me that New Holland, before many years have passed, will

herself be able to furnish to the British Navy all the hemp that it

requires, thus freeing England from the considerable tribute that she

pays at present in that regard to the north of Europe.

The climate also appears to be favourable to the cultivation of the vine.

Its latitude, little different from that of the Cape of Good Hope,

combined with its temperature, lead the Government to hope for great

advantages from the introduction of this plant to the continent of New

Holland. Furthermore, French vignerons have been introduced at great

expense to promote this object. It is true that their first attempts have

not been very happy, but the lack of success is due entirely to the

obstinacy of the English Governor, who, in spite of the representations

of these men, compelled them to make their first plantations upon the

side of a small, pleasant terrace forming a kind of semi-circle round

Government House at Parramatta. This was, unfortunately, exposed to the

north-west winds, burning winds like the mistral of Italy and Provence,

the khamsin of Egypt, etc. The French vignerons whom I had occasion to

see at Parramatta, in company with the Lieutenant-Governor, Mr. Paterson,

assured me that they had found a piece of country very favourable to

their new plantations, and that they hoped for the greatest success from

their fresh efforts. Choice plants had been imported from Madeira and the

Cape.

In all the English establishments on these coasts traces of grand designs

for the future are evident. The mass of the people, being originally

composed of the unfortunate and of wrong-doers, might have propagated

immorality and corruption, if the Government had not taken in good time

means to prevent such a sad result. A house was founded in the early days

of the settlement for the reception of young girls whose parents were too

poor and too constrained in their circumstances at the commencement of

their sojourn there to be able to devote much care to them; while if

parents, when emancipated, so conduct themselves that their example or

their course of life is likely to have an evil effect on their offspring,

the children are taken from them and placed in the home to which I have

referred. There they pursue regular studies; they are taught useful arts

appropriate to their sex; they are instructed in reading, writing,

arithmetic, sewing, etc. Their teachers are chosen with much care, and

the wife of the Governor himself is charged with the supervision of that

honourable establishment, a supervision in which she is assisted by the

wife of the commandant of the troops. Each or both of them visit every

day their young family, as they themselves call it. They neglect nothing

to ensure the maintenance of good conduct, the soundness of the education

and the quality of the provisions. I have several times accompanied these

admirable ladies to the establishment, and have on every occasion been

moved by their anxious solicitude and their touching care.

When these young girls arrive at marriageable age they are not abandoned

by the Government. The following is the sagacious and commendable manner

in which their establishment in life is provided for. Among the free

persons who come to Port Jackson are many men who are not yet married.

The same is the case with some of those who by good conduct have earned

their freedom. When one of those young men wishes to take a worthy wife,

he presents himself to the Governor's wife, who, after having obtained

information concerning his character, permits him to visit her young

flock. If he fixes his choice upon someone, he informs the Governor's

wife, who, after consulting the tastes and inclinations of the young

person, accords or refuses her consent. When a marriage is arranged, the

Government endows the young girl by means of concessions, assigned

servants, etc.; and these unions have already become the nursery of a

considerable number of good and happy homes. It is undoubtedly an

admirable policy, and one which has amply rewarded the English Government

for the sacrifices made to support it.

The defence of the country has not up to the present been very

formidable, and has not needed to be, on account of the ignorance which

prevails in Europe respecting the nature of this colony. The English

Government is at the present moment directing men's minds towards

agriculture. It has not, however, neglected to provide what the physical

condition of the land and the nature of its establishment demand. Two

classes of men are much to be feared at present: first, the criminals,

condemned for the most part to a long servitude, harshly treated,

compelled to the roughest and most fatiguing labour. That infamous class,

the vile refuse of civilised society, always ready to commit new crimes,

needs to be ceaselessly restrained by force and violence. The English

Government therefore maintains a strong police. It is so efficient that

in the midst of that infamous canaille the most perfect security reigns

everywhere, and--what may appear paradoxical to those who do not know the

details of the administration of the colony--fewer robberies are

committed than in a European town of equal population. As to murder, I

have never heard tell of a crime of the kind being committed there, nor,

indeed, did I hear of one occurring since the foundation of the colony.

Nevertheless, the first consideration entails the maintenance of a very

considerable force; and with equal foresight and steadiness the

Government has taken precautions against the efforts of these bandits. A

second class of society, more formidable still (also much more

respectable, but having most to complain about, and the most interesting

class for us), is composed of legions of the unfortunate Irish, whom the

desire of freeing their country from the British yoke caused to arm in

concert with us against the English Government. Overwhelmed by force,

they were treated with pitiless rigour. Nearly all those who took up arms

in our favour were mercilessly transported, and mixed with thieves and

assassins. The first families of Ireland count their friends and

relations upon these coasts of New Holland. Persecuted by that most

implacable of all kinds of hatred, the hatred born of national animosity

and differing convictions, they are cruelly treated, and all the more so

because they are feared. Abandoned to themselves, it is felt, they can do

nothing, and the Government gains several interesting advantages from

their residence in this country. First, a population as numerous as it is

valiant is fixed upon these shores. Secondly, nearly all being condemned

to a servitude more or less long, they provide many strong arms for the

laborious work of clearing. Thirdly, the mixing of so many brave men with

criminals seems to obliterate the character of the settlement and to

provide, by the retention of a crowd of honest men, some sort of a

defence against the opprobrium cast upon it. Fourthly, the Government has

relieved itself in Europe of a number of enraged and daring enemies. At

the same time, one must admit, this policy has its defects. The Irish,

ruled by a sceptre of iron, are quiet to-day. But if ever the Government

of our country, alarmed by the rapidly increasing strength of this

colony, should formulate the project of taking or destroying it, at the

mere mention of the French name every Irish arm would be raised. We had a

very striking example when we first arrived at Port Jackson. Upon the

appearance of the French flag in the harbour the alarm in the country was

general. We were again at war with England. They regarded our second

ship,* (* Note 30: Le Naturaliste.) which had been separated from us and

compelled to seek shelter at Port Jackson, as a French ship of war. At

the name the Irish commenced to flock together. Everywhere they raised

their bowed foreheads, bent under an iron rule; and, if their mistake had

not been so rapidly dispelled, a general rising would have taken place

amongst them. One or two were put to death on that occasion, and several

were deported to Norfolk Island. In any case, that formidable portion of

the population will always compel the English to maintain many troops

upon this continent, until, at all events, time and inter-marriage shall

have cicatrized the recent wounds of the poor Irish and softened their

resentment.

The Government, however, appears to feel that considerably larger forces

are required than are now available. At the time of our departure the

regiment forming the garrison at Port Jackson did not number more than

800. But some were being continually removed to India, and to replace

them 5000 men were expected. The news of the war must have led to the

changing of these dispositions, because the troops, which were to have

been transported on warships, were drawn from Europe, and probably the

English Government will have been careful not to despatch so considerable

a force to New Holland in the critical situation in which it now finds

itself. Moreover, General, do not believe that so many troops are

indispensable to the security of the coasts of New Holland, but rather

consider the advantages that the English nation is likely to draw from

its establishments in that part of the world. The climate of India,

inimical to newcomers from Europe, is still more so to these British

regiments, drawn from the frosty counties of the north of England and

from the icy realms of Scotland. A considerable loss of men results from

their almost immediate transportation to the burning plains of India.

Forced to look after a population which has little affinity with its

immense possessions in both hemispheres, England has always set an

example of great sacrifices for all that can tend to the conservation of

the health of its people. The new colony of Port Jackson will serve in

the future as a depot for troops destined for India. Actually the whole

of the territory occupied up to the present is extremely salubrious. Not

a single malady endemic to the country has yet been experienced. The

whole population enjoys the best of health. The children especially are

handsome and vigorous, though the temperature at certain times is very

high. We ourselves experienced towards the close of our visit very hot

weather, though we were there in the months of Fructidor, Vendemiaire and

Brumaire* (* Note 31: From Fructidor to Brumaire would be from September

22nd to December 20th.) nearly corresponding to our European spring. The

temperature of New Holland, rather more than a mean between those of

England and India, ought to be valuable in preparing for the latter

country that large body of soldiers which the Government despatches every

year to Bengal, the Coromandel coast, Malabar, etc., etc. Consequently

the loss of men will be much less, and you will easily realise the

advantage that will accrue to a power like England, when it contemplates

the invasion, with a mediocre population, of archipelagos, islands, and

even continents.

NOTE: This portion of New Holland appears to owe its salubriousness:--

(1) To a situation resembling that of the Cape of Good Hope (Port Jackson

is in about latitude 34 degrees).

(2) To the nature of the soil, which is very dry, especially round

Sydney;

(3) To the nature of the vegetation, which is not vigorous enough to

maintain a noxious stagnation in the lower strata of the atmosphere;

(4) To the great, or rather enormous, quantity of aromatic plants which

constitute the principal part of the vegetation, including even the

largest species;

(5) To the vicinity of the Blue Mountains, the elevation of which

contributes largely to maintain a certain salutary freshness in the

atmosphere;

(6) To the remarkable constancy of the light fresh breezes which blow

from the south-east towards the middle of the day.

I have not yet finished the account of the important advantages that

England draws from this colony. If time were not so pressing and if I had

at my disposal the abundant material consigned to our Government, I could

write more. I venture to sum up those considerations to which I have

referred, in a form which will be useful for determining your opinion

upon this important and rising colony.

(1) By means of it England founds an empire which will extend over the

continent of New Holland, Van Diemen's Land, all the islands of Bass

Strait, New Zealand, and the numerous archipelagos of the Pacific Ocean.

(2) She thereby becomes the mistress of a large number of superb ports,

several of which can be compared with advantage to the most fortunately

situated harbours in other parts of the world.

(3) She thereby excludes her rivals, and, so to speak, blocks all the

nations of Europe from entry to the Pacific.

(4) Having become the neighbour of Peru and Chili, she casts towards

those countries hopes increasingly assured and greedy.

(5) Her privateers and her fleets in time of war will be able to

devastate the coasts of South America; and, if in the last war she

attempted no such enterprise, the reason appears to be that her astute

policy made her fear to do too much to open the eyes of Spain, and even

of all Europe.

(6) In time of peace, by means of an active contraband trade, she

prepares redoubtable enemies for the Spaniards; she furnishes arms and

ammunition of all kinds to that horde of untamed people who have not yet

been subjugated to the European yoke.

(7) By the same means she enables the products of her manufacturers to

inundate South America, which is shabbily and above all expensively

supplied by Spain.

(8) If amongst the numerous archipelagos that are visited constantly some

formidable military position is found, England will occupy it and,

becoming a nearer neighbour to the rich Spanish possessions, will menace

them more closely, more certainly, and above all more impatiently. Mr.

Flinders, in an expedition of discovery which is calculated to last five

years, and who doubtless at the present moment is traversing the region

under discussion, appears to have that object particularly in view.* (*

Note 32: "M. Flinders, dans une expedition de decouverte qui doit durer

cinq ans, et qui sans doute parcourt en ce moment le theatre qui nous

occupe, paroit avoir plus particulierement cette objet en vue." The

passage is peculiarly interesting. At the time when Peron was writing,

early in December, 1803, Flinders was, as a matter of fact, sailing

towards Ile-de-France in the Cumberland.)

(9) The extraordinarily lucrative whale fishery of New Zealand is

EXCLUSIVELY* (* Note 33: Underlined in original.) assured to them. No

European nation can henceforth, according to the general opinion, compete

with them for that object.

(10) The fishery, no less lucrative, of the enormous seals which cover

the shores of several of the islands of Bass Strait, and from which is

drawn an oil infinitely superior to whale oil, guarantees them yet

another source of greatness and of wealth. Note: the seals in question,

distinguished by the English under the name of sea elephants, are

sometimes 25 or 30 feet long. They attain the bulk of a large cask: and

the enormous mass of the animal seems, so to say, to be composed of

solid, or rather coagulated, oil. The quantity extracted from one seal is

prodigious. I have collected many particulars on this subject.

(11) A third fishery, even more lucrative and important, is that of the

skins of various varieties of seal which inhabit most of the islands of

Bass Strait, all the Furneaux Islands, all the islands off the eastern

coast of Van Diemen's Land, and all those on the south-west coast of New

Holland, and which probably will be found upon the archipelagos of the

eastern portion of this vast continent. The skins of these various

species of seal are much desired in China. The sale of a shipload of

these goods in that country is as rapid as it is lucrative. The ships

engaged in the business are laden on their return to Europe with that

precious merchandise of China which gold alone can extract from the

clutch of its rapacious possessors. Accordingly, one of the most

important objects of the mission of Lord Macartney* to China, (* Note 34:

Lord Macartney's embassy to China, 1792 to 1794, was, says the Cambridge

Modern History (2 718), "productive only of a somewhat better

acquaintance between the two Powers and an increased knowledge on the

part of British sailors of the navigation of Chinese waters.") that of

developing in that country a demand for some of the economic and

manufacturing products of England, so as to relieve that country of the

necessity of sending out such a mass of specie--that interesting object

which all the ostentatious display of the commercial wealth of Europe had

not been able to attain, and all the astute diplomacy of Lord Macartney

had failed to achieve--the English have recently accomplished. Masters of

the trade in these kinds of skin, they are about to become masters of the

China trade. The coin accumulated in the coffers of the Government or of

private people will no longer be sunk in the provinces of China. That

advantage is incontestably one of the greatest that they have derived

from their establishment at Port Jackson.

(12) This augmentation of distant possessions is likely to occasion a

fresh development in the British Navy. The practice of voyaging round the

world should exalt the enthusiasm of their sailors, whilst it increases

their number and efficiency. I may add here that to attain the

last-mentioned end the English Government compels each ship which sails

for these regions, and above all for New Zealand, to carry a certain

number of young men below 19 years of age, who return from these voyages

only after having obtained a very valuable endowment of experience.

(13) The temperature and salubriousness of the country will enable it to

look after a very large number of soldiers who used to be incapacitated

every year by the burning heat of Asia.

(14) The abundance of the flocks, and the superiority of their wool, will

furnish an immense quantity of excellent material to the national

manufactures, already superior to those of the rest of Europe.

(15) The cultivation of hemp and vines gives cause to the English to hope

that before very long they will be freed from the large tribute which

they now pay for the first-named to all the Powers of the north of

Europe, and for the second to Portugal, France and Spain.

(16) I will not discuss with you some substances indigenous to the

country which are already in use, whether in medicine, or in the arts--of

eucalyptus gum, for example, which is at once astringent and tonic to a

very high degree, and is likely soon to become one of our most energetic

drugs. Nor will I say much about the resin furnished by the tree which

the English mis-name gourmier,* (* Note 35: Peron's word.) a resin which

by reason of its hardness may become of very great value in the arts. It

will be sufficient to say, General, that I possess a native axe obtained

from the aboriginals of King George's Sound. It is nothing better than a

chip of very hard granite fastened to the end of a piece of wood, which

serves as a handle, by means of the resin to which I have referred. I

have shown it to several persons. It will rapidly split a wooden plank

and one can strike with all one's force, without in the least degree

injuring the resin. Though the edge of the stone has several times been

chipped, the resin always remained intact. I will say little of the fine

and abundant timber furnished by what is called the casuarina tree, and

by what the English improperly call the pear. This pear is what the

botanists term Xylomelum, and by reason of its extremely beautiful and

deep grain, and the fine polish which it is susceptible of receiving, it

appears to be superior to some of the best known woods. I will not refer

at length to the famous flax of New Zealand, which may become the subject

of a large trade when its preparation is made easier; nor to cotton,

which is being naturalised; nor to coffee, of which I myself have seen

the first plantations, etc., etc. All these commodities are secondary in

importance in comparison with others to which I have referred; yet,

considered together, they will add greatly to the importance of this new

colony. Similarly, I will pass over the diverse products which are sure

to be furnished by the prolific archipelagos, and of which several are

likely to become of great value and to fetch high prices for use in the

arts and in medicine. For example, the cargo of the last vessel that

arrived in Port Jackson from the Navigator Islands, during our stay,

consisted partly of cordage of different degrees of thickness, made from

a plant peculiar to those islands, the nature of which is such that, we

were assured, it is almost indestructible by water and the humidity of

the atmosphere; whilst its toughness makes it superior to ordinary

cordage.

(17) The English hope for much from mineral discoveries. Those parts of

the country lying nearest to the sea, which are of a sandstone or slaty

formation, appear to contain only deposits of excellent coal; but the

entire range of the Blue Mountains has not yet been explored for

minerals. The colony had not up to the time of our visit a mineralogist

in its service, but the Governor hoped soon to obtain the services of

one, to commence making investigations; and the nature of the country,

combined with its extent, affords ground for strong hope in that regard.

(18) There are, finally, other advantages, apparently less interesting,

but which do not fail to exert an influence upon the character and

prestige of a nation. I refer to the conspicuous glory which geographical

discoveries necessarily following upon such an establishment as this

bring upon a nation's name; to all that which accrues to a people from

the discovery and collection of so many new and valuable things; to the

distinguished services which new countries call forth and which confer so

much distinction upon those who watch over their birth.

Time does not permit me to pursue the enquiry. I wish only to add here

one fresh proof of the importance which England attaches to this new

colony. When we left Port Jackson, the authorities were awaiting the

arrival of five or six large vessels laden with the goods of English

persons formerly domiciled at the Cape of Good Hope, whom the surrender

of that possession to the Dutch had compelled to leave.* (* Note 36: The

Cape was surrendered to Holland in 1803, but British rule was restored

there in 1806.) That very great accession of population ought

sufficiently to indicate to you how great are the projects of the British

Ministry in that region.

Before concluding I should have liked to point out the impossibility, for

France, of retarding the rapid progress of the establishment at Port

Jackson, or of entering into competition with its settlers in the trade

in sealskins, the whale fishery, etc. But it would take rather too long

to discuss that matter. I think I ought to confine myself to telling you

that my opinion, and that of all those among us who have more

particularly occupied themselves with enquiring into the organization of

that colony, is that it should be destroyed as soon as possible.* (* Note

37: Mon sentiment et celui de tous ceux d'entre nous qui se sont plus

particulierement occupes de l'organisation de cette colonie seroit de la

detruire le plus tot possible.") To-day we could destroy it easily; we

shall not be able to do so in 25 years' time.

I have the honour to be, with respectful devotion,

Your very humble servant,

PERON.

P.S. M. Freycinet, the young officer, has especially concerned himself

with examining all the points upon the coast of the environs of Port

Jackson which are favourable to the landing of troops. He has collected

particular information concerning the entrance to the port; and, if ever

the Government should think of putting into execution the project of

destroying this freshly-set trap of a great Power,* that distinguished

officer would be of valuable assistance in such an operation. (* Note 38:

"Le projet de detruire ce piege naissant d'une grande puissance." )

APPENDIX C. NAMES GIVEN BY FLINDERS TO IMPORTANT AUSTRALIAN COASTAL

FEATURES.

Among the Flinders Papers is a list of names given by Flinders to points

on the Australian coast, with his reasons for doing so. The list is

incomplete, but has served as the basis of the following catalogue, for

help in the enlargement of which I am greatly indebted to Mr. Walter

Jeffery:--

TOM THUMB VOYAGE, WITH BASS:

Hat Hill, named by Flinders from Cook's suggestion that it "looked like

the crown of a hat."

Red Point.

Martin's Isles, after the boy who accompanied them.

Providential Cove (native name, Wattamowlee).

VOYAGE OF THE FRANCIS:

Green Cape.

Cape Barren Island.

Clarke Island, Hamilton's Rocks, after members of the crew of the Sydney

Cove.

Kent's Group, after the Captain of the Supply.

Armstrong's Channel, after the Master of the Supply.

Preservation Island.

VOYAGE OF THE NORFOLK:

Chappell Islands, after Miss Ann Chappell.

Settlement Island, Babel Islands (from the noises made by the sea-birds),

and other names in the Furneaux Group.

Double Sandy Point.

Low Head.

Table Cape.

Circular Head.

Hunter Islands, after Governor Hunter.

Three-Hummock Island.

Barren Island.

Cape Grim.

Trefoil Island.

Albatross Island.

Mount Heemskirk and Mount Zeehan, after Tasman's ships.

Point Hibbs, after the Master of the Norfolk.

Rocky Point.

Mount de Witt.

Point St. Vincent, after the First Lord of the Admiralty.

Norfolk Bay and Mount.

Cape Pillar.

After the voyage was over, Hunter, apparently at Flinders' suggestion,

named Cape Portland, Bass Strait, Port Dalrymple and Waterhouse Island.

VOYAGE OF THE NORFOLK TO QUEENSLAND:

Shoal Bay.

Sugarloaf Point.

Pumice-stone River.

Point Skirmish.

Moreton Island.

Curlew Inlet.

VOYAGE OF THE INVESTIGATOR (Western Australia):

Cape Leeuwin, "the most projecting part of Leeuwin's Land."

Mount Manypeak.

Haul-off Rock.

Cape Knob.

Mount Barren.

Lucky Bay, discovered when the ship was in an awkward position.

Goose Island.

Twin Peaks Islands.

Cape Pasley, after Admiral Pasley.

Point Malcolm, after Captain Pulteney Malcolm.

Point Culver.

Point Dover.

VOYAGE OF THE INVESTIGATOR (South Australia):

Nuyts' Reefs and Cape.

Fowler's Bay and Point, after the First Lieutenant of the Investigator.

Point Sinclair, after a midshipman on the Investigator.

Point Bell, after the surgeon of the Investigator.

Purdie's Islands, after the Assistant-surgeon of the Investigator.

St. Francis Islands, adapted from the name given by Nuyts.

Lound's Island, Lacy's Island, Evans' Island, Franklin's Island (in

Nuyts' Archipelago), after midshipmen on the Investigator.

Petrel Bay.

Denial Bay, "as well in allusion to St. Peter as to the deceptive hope we

had found of penetrating by it some distance into the interior country."

Smoky Bay, from the number of smoke columns rising from the shore.

Point Brown, after the Botanist of the Investigator.

Streaky Bay, "much seaweed floating about."

Cape Bauer, after the Botanical Draftsman of the Investigator.

Point Westall, after the painter.

Olive Island, after the ship's clerk.

Cape Radstock, after Admiral Lord Radstock.

Waldegrave Isles.

Topgallant Isles.

Anxious Bay, "from the night we passed in it."

Investigator Group.

Pearson's Island, after Flinders' brother-in-law.

Ward's Island, after his mother's maiden name.

Flinders' Island, after Lieutenant S.W. Flinders.

Cape (now Point) Drummond, after Captain Adam Drummond, R.N.

Point Sir Isaac, Coffin's Bay, after Vice-Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin.

Mount Greenly, Greenly Isles, after the lady to whom Sir Isaac Coffin was

engaged.

Point Whidbey, Whidbey's Islands, after "My worthy friend the

Master-attendant at Sheerness."

Avoid Bay and Point, "from its being exposed to the dangerous southern

winds."

Liguanea Island, after an estate in Jamaica.

Cape Wiles, after the Botanist on the Providence.

Williams' Isle.

Sleaford Bay, from Sleaford in Lincolnshire.

Thistle Island, after the Master of the Investigator.

Neptune Isles, "for they seemed inaccessible to men."

Thorny Passage, from the dangerous rocks.

Cape Catastrophe, where the accident occurred.

Taylor's Island, after a midshipman drowned in the accident.

Wedge Island, "from its shape."

Gambier Isles, after Admiral Lord Gambier.

Memory Cove, in memory of the accident.

Cape Donington, after Flinders' birthplace.

Port Lincoln, after the chief town in Flinders' native county.

Boston Island, Bay and Point, Bicker Island, Surfleet Point, Stamford

Hill, Spalding Cove, Grantham Island, Kirton Point, Point Bolingbroke,

Louth Bay and Isle, Sleaford Mere, Lusby Isle, Langton Isle, Kirkby Isle,

Winceby Isle, Sibsey Isle, Tumby Isle, Stickney Isle, Hareby Isle. All

Lincolnshire names, after places familiar to Flinders.

Dalby Isle, after the Rev. M. Tyler's parish.

Marum Isle, after the residence of Mr. Stephenson, Sir Joseph Banks'

agent.

Spilsby Island, after the town where the Franklins lived.

Partney Isles, after the place where Miss Chappell lived, and where

Flinders was married.

Revesby Isle, after Revesby Abbey, Banks' Lincolnshire seat.

Northside Hill.

Elbow Hill, from its shape.

Barn Hill, from the form of its top.

Mount Young, after Admiral Young.

Point Lowly.

Mount Brown, after the botanist.

Mount Arden, Flinders' great-grandmother's name.

Point Riley, after an Admiralty official.

Point Pearce, after an Admiralty official.

Corny Point, "a remarkable point."

Hardwicke Bay, after Lord Hardwicke.

Spencer's Gulf and Cape, after Earl Spencer.

Althorp Isles, after Lord Spencer's eldest son.

Kangaroo Island and Head.

Point Marsden, after the Second Secretary to the Admiralty.

Nepean Bay, after Sir Evan Nepean, Secretary to the Admiralty.

Mount Lofty, from its height.

St. Vincent's Gulf, after Admiral Lord St. Vincent.

Cape Jervis, Lord St. Vincent's family name.

Troubridge Hill, after Admiral Troubridge.

Investigator Strait.

Yorke's Peninsula, after the Honourable C.P. Yorke.

Prospect Hill.

Pelican Lagoon.

Backstairs Passage.

Antechamber Bay.

Cape Willoughby.

Pages Islets.

Encounter Bay.

VOYAGE OF THE INVESTIGATOR (Victoria):

Point Franklin.

Indented Head (Port Phillip).

Station Peak (Port Phillip).

VOYAGE OF THE INVESTIGATOR (Queensland):

Tacking Point.

Mount Larcom, after Captain Larcom, R.N.

Gatcombe Head.

Port Curtis, after Admiral Sir Roger Curtis.

Facing Island, the eastern boundary of Port Curtis, facing the sea.

Port Bowen, after Captain James Bowen, R.N., Naval Commandant at Madeira

when the Investigator put in there.

Cape Clinton, after Colonel Clinton of the 85th Regiment, Commandant at

Madeira.

Entrance Island.

Westwater Head.

Eastwater Hill.

Mount Westall, after William Westall the artist.

Townshend Island--Cook had so named the Cape which is its prominent

feature.

Leicester Island.

Aken's Island, after the Master of the Investigator.

Strongtide Passage.

Double Mount.

Mount Funnel, from its form.

Upper Head.

Percy Isles, after the Northumberland family.

Eastern Fields, coral banks near Torres Strait.

Pandora's Entrance, after the Pandora.

Half-way Island, convenient anchorage for ships going through Tortes

Strait.

Good Island, after Peter Good, the botanist.

VOYAGE OF THE INVESTIGATOR (in the Gulf of Carpentaria):

Duyfken Point, after the first vessel which entered the Gulf of

Carpentaria.

Pera Head, after the second vessel that sailed along this coast in 1623.

Sweers Island, after a member of the Batavia Council in Tasman's time.

Inspection Hill.

Lord William Bentinck's Island (now Bentinck Island), after the Governor

of Madras.

Allen's Island, after the "Miner"--i.e., Geologist--of the Investigator.

Horseshoe Island.

Investigator Road.

Pisonia Isle, from the soft white wood of the Pisonia tree found upon it.

Bountiful Island.

Wellesley Island, Mornington Isle--After the Marquess Wellesley,

Governor-General of India, whose earlier title was Lord Mornington.

VOYAGE OF THE INVESTIGATOR (Northern Territory):

Vanderlin Island, the Dutch "Cape Vanderlin."

Sir Edward Pellew Group, Cape Pellew, after Admiral Pellew.

Craggy Isles.

West Island.

North Island.

Centre Island.

Observation Island.

Cabbage-Tree Cove.

Maria Island, the Dutch "Cape Maria."

Bickerton Island, after Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton.

Cape Barrow, after Sir John Barrow.

Connexion Island.

North Point Island.

Chasm Island, "the upper parts are intersected by many deep chasms."

North-West Bay.

Winchelsea Island, after the Earl of Winchelsea.

Finch's Island, after the Winchelsea family name.

Pandanus Hill, from the clump of trees upon it.

Burney Island, after Captain James Burney, R.N.

Nicol Island, after "His Majesty's bookseller."

Woodah Island, "it having some resemblance to the whaddie, or woodah, a

wooden sword used by the natives of Port Jackson."

Bustard Isles--They "harboured several bustards."

Mount Grindall, Point Grindall, after Vice-Admiral Grindall.

Morgan's Isle, after a seaman who died there.

Bluemud Bay, "in most parts of the bay is a blue mud of so fine a quality

that I judge it might be useful in the manufacture of earthenware."

Point Blane, after Sir Gilbert Blane of the Naval Medical Board.

Cape Shield, after Commissioner Shield.

Cape Grey, after General Grey, Commandant at Capetown.

Point Middle.

Mount Alexander.

Point Alexander.

Round Hill Island.

Caledon Bay, after the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope.

Cape Arnhem, extremity of Arnhem's Land.

Mount Saunders.

Mount Dundas, Melville Isles--After Dundas, Viscount Melville, a

colleague of the younger Pitt.

Mount Bonner.

Drimmie Head.

Cape Wilberforce, after W. Wilberforce, M.P., the slave-emancipator, who

was a friend of Flinders.

Melville Bay, after Viscount Melville.

Harbour Rock.

Point Dundas.

Bromby Islands, after the Reverend F. Bromby, of Hull, a cousin of Mrs.

Flinders.

Malay Road.

Pombasso's Island, after the chief of the Malay praus.

Cotton's Island, after Captain Cotton of the East India Company's

Directorate.

English Company Islands, after the East India Company.

Wigram Island.

Truant Island, "from its lying away from the rest."

Inglis Island.

Bosanquet Island.

Astell Island.

Mallison Island.

Point Arrowsmith, after the map-publisher.

Cape Newbald, Newbald Island--After Henrietta Newbald, nee Flinders, who

introduced him to Pasley.

Arnhem Bay.

Wessell Islands, name found on a Dutch chart.

Point Dale.

Wreck Reef.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

A. MANUSCRIPT SOURCES.

1. The Flinders Papers, in the Melbourne Public Library, consisting of a

letter-book of Flinders (August 31, 1807, to May 31, 1814); manuscript

narrative of the voyage of the Francis; miscellaneous notes and memoranda

by friends and relatives, a short manuscript memoir, and a large quantity

of transcripts of journals, family letters, etc. This material is not at

present numbered, and allusions to it in the text of the book are

therefore made by the general reference, "Flinders Papers."

2. Decaen Papers, in the Municipal Library of Caen, Normandy. General

Decaen's manuscripts fill 149 volumes. The documents relating to

Flinders, including a translation of portions of the Cumberland's log,

are principally in volumes 10, 84, 92, and 105. Peron's important report

upon the British colony at Port Jackson is also in this collection, which

includes many original letters of Flinders.

3. Archives Nationales, Paris, Marine BB4, 996 to 999, contains a

quantity of manuscripts relative to Baudin's expeditions, including

reports and letters by him, and many miscellaneous papers.

4. The Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, nouveaux acquisitions, France,

contains many documents relative to Baudin's expedition, including the

diary of the commander.

5. The Archives du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris contain reports

and documents concerning the scientific work of Baudin's expedition.

6. The Depot de la Marine, service hydrographique, Paris, cartons 6, 22,

and 23, contains many reports upon the Australian coast made to Captain

Baudin by his officers.

7. The Library of the Royal Colonial Institute, London, contains

Westall's original drawings executed on the Investigator voyage.

Photographed copies are in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.

8. The Mitchell Library, Sydney, contains Smith's manuscript journal of

the Investigator voyage, and many Flinders and Franklin papers, as cited

in the text.

B. PRINTED DOCUMENTS.

Most of the Flinders material contained in the Record Office, London, and

the British Museum, is printed in Volumes 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the

Historical Records of New South Wales, edited by F.M. Bladen (Sydney,

1893 to 1901). Copies of other letters and documents, mainly from the

same source, are in course of publication by the Commonwealth Government,

under the direction of the Commonwealth Library Committee, edited by Dr.

F. Watson.

C. WORKS BY FLINDERS.

FLINDERS, MATTHEW, A Voyage to Terra Australis, 2 volumes, London, 1814.

The principal authority for the voyages of the navigator.

FLINDERS, M., Observations on the Coasts of Van Diemen's Land, etc.,

London, 1801.

FLINDERS, M., Papers on the Marine Barometer and on Variations of the

Mariner's Compass, printed in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal

Society, London, 1806 and 1807.

FLINDERS, MATTHEW, Reise nach dem Austral-Lande, in der Absicht die

Entdeckung desselben zu vollenden unter nommen in den Jaksen, 1801, 1802

and 1803. Aus dem Englischen, von F. Gotze. Weimar, 1816. A German

translation of the Voyage to Terra Australis. An accompanying map is of

great interest, as it essays for the first time to indicate by colours

the portions of the Australian coast discovered by the English, the Dutch

and the French. The map errs with regard to Kangaroo Island, in

attributing the discovery of the north to the French and the south to the

English. The reverse was the case.

MATTHEW FLINDERS, Ontdekkings-reis naar het Groote Zuidland anders Nieuw

Holland; besigtiging van het zelve in 1801, 1802 en 1803; noodlottige

schipbreak, en gevangenschap van 6 1/2 jaar by de Franschen op Mauritius.

Uit het Engelsch. 4 volumes, Haarlem, 1815 and 1816. A Dutch translation

of the Voyage to Terra Australis.

D. OTHER PRINTED BOOKS.

BARROW, SIR JOHN, articles in Quarterly Review, 1810 and 1817, strongly

condemning the work of Peron and Freycinet (see below), and championing

the cause of Flinders. Barrow had access to material in possession of the

Admiralty, sent to England from Mauritius by Flinders.

BECKE, L., and JEFFERY, W., Naval Pioneers of Australia, London, 1899.

Very useful.

DALRYMPLE, ALEXANDER, Collection of Voyages and Discoveries in the South

Pacific Ocean, 2 volumes, London, 1770.

EDINBURGH REVIEW, 1807, reviews with commendation Flinders' "Observations

upon the Marine Barometer."

GRANT, Narrative of a Voyage of Discovery, London, 1803.

LABILLIERE, F.P., Early History of the Colony of Victoria, 2 volumes,

London, 1878 to 1879. Prints extracts from Flinders' manuscript journals

relating to Port Phillip.

LAUGHTON, SIR J.K., article on Flinders in Dictionary of National

Biography.

MAIDEN, J.H., Sir Joseph Banks, the Father of Australia, Sydney, 1909.

FOWLER, T.W., "The Work of Captain Matthew Flinders in Port Phillip,"

Victorian Geographical Journal, 1912. Good topographical account.

MALTE-BRUN, Annales des Voyages, 1810 and 1814. Interesting references to

Flinders; biographical sketch in Volume 23, 268.

Naval Chronicle, Volume 32 (1814), contains a biography of Flinders, with

portrait.

PATERSON, G., History of New South Wales, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 1811.

Contains account of the early discoveries of Bass and Flinders.

PERON and FREYCINET, Voyage de decouvertes aux Terres Australes, Paris,

1807 to 1817. Second edition, with additions by Freycinet, 1824. Very

important, but the historical statements have to be checked by reference

to Baudin's manuscript diary and letters (see reference to manuscripts

above).

SCORESBY, W., Journal of a Voyage to Australia for Magnetic Research, 2

volumes, London, 1859. The introduction by A. Smith deals with Flinders'

discoveries regarding variations of the compass.

SCOTT, ERNEST, Terre Napoleon, London, 1910. Deals generally with French

explorations in Australia and particularly with the work of Baudin and

Flinders. See also the bibliography to that book.

SCOTT, ERNEST, English and French Navigators on the Victorian Coast, with

maps, etc., in the Victorian Historical Magazine, 1912.

SCOTT, ERNEST, "Baudin's Voyage of Exploration to Australia," in English

Historical Review, April, 1913.

SMITH, E., Life of Sir Joseph Banks, London, 1911.

South Australian Geographical Society's Proceedings, 1912. Prints from

Baudin's letter to Minister of Marine his account of the meeting with

Flinders in Encounter Bay, and Decaen's statement of his reasons for

detaining Flinders.

PICARD, ERNEST (editor), Memoires et Journaux du General Decaen, 2

volumes, Paris, 1911.

PITOT, ALBERT, Esquisses historiques de l'Ile de France, 1715 to 1810,

Port Louis, Mauritius, 1899.

PRENTOUT, HENRI, L'Ile de France sous Decaen, Paris. 1901. Very

important.

Victorian Geographical Journal, Volume 28 (1910 and 1911) prints a

biographical sketch of Flinders from a manuscript found in a copy of A

Voyage to Terra Australis in Donington vicarage in 1903. It is printed

with an Introduction (by G. Gordon McCrae) wherein it is stated to be

"hitherto unpublished." But it is simply the Naval Chronicle sketch, with

a few paragraphs added, and it is from the same pen as the manuscript

sketch mentioned above.

WALCKENAER, C.A., biography of Flinders in the Biographie Universelle,

Volume 14; excellent.

WALKER, J. BACKHOUSE, Early Tasmania, Hobart, 1902. Gives an admirable

account of Flinders' explorations in Tasmania.

INDEX.

Aboriginals, references to.

Admiralty's treatment of Flinders.

Aken, John.

Sails in Cumberland.

At Ile-de-France.

Departure of.

Albatross Island.

Allen, John, miner, joins Investigator.

Althorp Isles.

Amiens, treaty of.

Arnhem Bay.

Arthur's Seat, Port Phillip.

Australasia, name of.

Australia, discovery of.

Name of.

Geography of, before Flinders.

Theories concerning.

French expedition to.

South Coast discovery.

Influence of Flinders on discovery.

Circumnavigation of.

"Australians," Flinders' use of word.

Babel Isles.

Backstairs Passage.

Banks, Cape.

Banks' Group.

Banks, Sir Joseph, promotes breadfruit expedition.

His friendship for Flinders.

His interest in Australian development.

Dedication of Flinders' Observations to.

His letters concerning Mrs. Flinders' proposed voyage on Investigator.

Disapproves of Flinders' conduct towards Decaen.

His dislike to word Australia.

Barmouth Creek.

Barois, Colonel.

Barometer, marine, Flinders' paper on use of.

Barrow, Sir John, his article on Flinders' case.

Bass, Elizabeth, her marriage to George Bass.

Letters from her husband.

Bass, George, family of.

Medical training of.

Sails in Reliance.

Character of.

Friendship with Flinders.

Discovery of Bass Strait.

Exploration of Blue Mountains.

Discovery of coal.

Plans discovery voyage.

Whaleboat crew.

Discovery of Twofold Bay.

Discovery of Wilson's Promontory.

Adventure with escaped convicts.

Discovery of Western Port.

French admiration for.

Report on Derwent.

Fate of.

Indifference to fame.

Marriage of.

Purchase of Venus.

Voyage to Tahiti.

New Zealand fishing project.

South American projects.

Reports concerning his end.

Letters to his mother.

Flinders' last letter to.

See also Flinders.

Bass Strait, discovery of.

Governor Hunter on.

Naming of.

Importance of discovery.

Flinders' chart of.

Baudin des Ardennes, Lieutenant Charles, wounded, and visited by

Flinders.

Baudin, Captain Nicolas, his expedition to Australia.

Instructions to.

His career.

Reaches Ile-de-France.

Sails for Southern Tasmania.

At Waterhouse Island.

In Encounter Bay.

At Kangaroo Island.

At Port Jackson.

Rumours of intended French settlement.

Letter to Governor King.

Report on Port Jackson.

His account of the Encounter Bay meeting.

Bauer, Cape.

Bauer, Ferdinand, botanical draftsman, joins Investigator.

Baye du Cap.

Beautemps-Beaupre.

Bell, Point.

Bellerophon, H.M.S.

Flinders appointed to.

Battle off Brest.

Bennelong Point.

Bergeret, Captain.

Blaxland, Gregory, his exploration of Blue Mountains.

Bligh, Captain William, voyage under Captain Cook.

Command of the Bounty.

Mutiny of the Bounty.

Character of.

Second breadfruit expedition.

Expedition reaches Tahiti, Voyage from Pacific to West Indies.

Introduces Flinders to Duke of Clarence.

Asks for dedication of Flinders' book.

Blue Mountains, exploration of.

Blue Mud Bay.

Bolger, Commandant.

Bongaree, aboriginal, accompanies Flinders on Queensland voyage.

On Investigator.

Boston, Point.

Botany Bay.

Bougainville.

Boullanger, hydrographer on Le Geographe.

Bounty, H.M.S., voyage to Tahiti.

Mutiny of.

Bowling Green, Cape.

Breadfruit.

Bridgewater.

Behaviour at Wreck Reef.

Wreck of.

Bridgewater, Cape.

Brisbane River.

Brouwer, Henrick, his new route to Java.

Brown, Point.

Brown, Robert, botanist.

Joins Investigator.

His Prodromus.

Burney, Captain, and name Australia.

Cape of Good Hope, Flinders at.

Importance of to Australia.

Voyage of Reliance to from Sydney.

Carpentaria, Gulf of.

Catastrophe, Cape.

Cato.

Wreck of.

Cattle Point.

Chappell, Ann, see Flinders, Mrs. Ann.

Chappell Isles.

Chappell, Mount.

Clarence River.

Clarke's Island.

Coal, discovery of in New South Wales.

Coalcliff.

Coffin's Bay.

Compass, variations of, Flinders' experiments.

Convicts.

Escaped.

Isaac Nichols.

Irish, Peron on.

On Investigator.

Cook, Captain James, his voyage.

His belief in a strait between New Holland and Van Diemen's land.

Pension to his widow.

Coral reefs, Flinders on.

Crossley, J.

Cumberland, schooner, voyage to Ile-de-France.

At Kupang.

Arrival at Ile-de-France.

Enters Port Louis.

End of.

Dalrymple, Alexander, naval hydrographer.

His use of word Australia.

Dalrymple, Port.

Dampier, William.

Dance, Commodore Nathaniel.

D'Arifat, Madame.

Darwin, on coral reefs.

Decaen, General Charles.

Career of.

Napoleon's opinion of.

Sent to India.

Arrival at Pondicherry.

Sails for Ile-de-France.

Arrival at Port Louis.

Character of.

Examination of Flinders.

Interrogates Flinders.

Invites Flinders to dinner.

Flinders' refusal.

Accuses Flinders of impertinence.

His intentions.

Report to French Government.

Motives for detaining Flinders.

Anger against Flinders.

Despatch arrives in France.

Flinders' opinion of.

Receives order for Flinders' release.

Refuses to liberate Flinders.

His reasons.

Release of Flinders.

Decres, French Minister of Marine.

Dentrecasteaux.

Derwent, estuary of the.

Dirk Hartog Island.

Donington, birthplace of Flinders.

Flinders' monument at.

Free school.

The Flinders' house.

Donington, Cape.

Dunienville, Major.

Dutch navigators, discoveries in Australia.

East India Company, its interest in Australia.

Interest in Investigator voyage.

Elder, John, Flinders' servant.

Sails in Cumberland.

At Ile-de-France.

Encounter Bay.

Flinders and Baudin in.

Everard, Cape.

Fitzroy, Sir Charles.

Fleurieu, Comte de, prepares instructions for French discovery voyages.

Flinders, John, naval career.

Flinders, Matthew, surgeon, father of the navigator.

Marriage into Franklin family.

Death of.

Flinders, Matthew, genealogy.

School days.

Study of Robinson Crusoe.

Anecdotes of childhood.

Desire to go to sea.

Advice of Uncle.

Study of navigation.

Introduction to Admiral Pasley.

Anecdote of visit to Pasley.

On the Scipio.

On the Bellerophon.

On the Dictator.

Midshipman on Providence.

Description of Teneriffe.

Description of Dutch at the Cape.

In Torres Strait.

Return to Europe.

Aide-de-camp on Bellerophon.

First experience of war.

Anecdote of battle.

His journal of the engagement.

Estimate of French seamen.

Appointed to Reliance.

Careful record of observations.

Arrival at Port Jackson.

Friendship with Bass.

Exploration of George's River.

Voyages in Tom Thumb.

Adventure with aboriginals.

Voyage on Francis.

Discovery of Kent Group.

Biological notes.

On the sooty petrel.

Description of wombat.

Voyage to Norfolk Island.

Exploration projects.

Voyage of Norfolk.

Character as an author.

Discovery of Bass Strait.

Circumnavigation of Tasmania.

Description of Tasmanian mountains.

Banks' friendship for.

On Queensland coast.

Adventures with Queensland aboriginals.

Return to England.

Marriage of.

His Observations.

Naming of Mount Chappell.

Letters to his wife.

Suggests new discovery voyage.

Instructions for voyage.

Passport from French Government.

Correspondence concerning Mrs. Flinders' proposed voyage in Investigator.

Reports sandbank at the Roar.

Management of crew.

On Australian coast.

Method of research.

Coastal names given by.

On the character of John Thistle.

Exploration of Spencer's Gulf.

Discovery of Kangaroo Island.

Discovery of St. Vincent's Gulf.

In Encounter Bay.

In Port Phillip.

At King Island.

Description of Port Phillip entrance.

Influence on Australian discovery.

Departure from Port Phillip.

Arrival at Port Jackson.

On Francois Peron.

Circumnavigation of Australia.

On coral reefs.

Forced to return to Port Jackson.

Death of father.

Last letter to Bass.

Sails in Porpoise.

Observations on Sydney.

Wrecked on Porpoise.

Sails for Port Jackson in Hope.

Arrives at Port Jackson.

Arrival at Wreck Reef.

Arrival at Kupang.

Decides to sail for Ile-de-France.

Sights Ile-de-France.

Appears before Decaen.

Seizure of his papers.

Detained.

Interrogated by Decaen.

Invited to dinner by Decaen.

His refusal.

Accused of impertinence.

Carries despatches for Governor King.

Letters to Decaen.

Obtains books and papers.

Prolongation of captivity.

Occupations in Garden Prison.

Opinion of Decaen.

Solicits examination by French officers.

Refuses to surrender his sword.

Removal to Wilhelm's Plains.

Life at Wilhelm's Plains.

Works on his Voyage.

Paper on marine barometer.

Treatment by Admiralty.

Release ordered.

Decaen refuses release.

Knowledge of weakness of Ile-de-France.

Allegations as to taking soundings.

Possibilities of escape.

Released.

Arrival in England.

Receipt for books, papers, etc.

Interest in French prisoners of war.

Honoured in London.

Evidence before House of Commons Committee.

Works at his Voyage and charts.

Illness of.

Death of.

Place of burial.

Characteristics.

Visit to wounded French officer.

Advice to young officers.

As a navigator.

Naming of Australia.

Flinders, Mrs. Ann, marriage to Matthew Flinders.

Flinders' letters to.

Proposed voyage in Investigator.

On Admiralty's treatment of Flinders.

Meets Flinders on his return.

Pension voted by Australian colonies.

Flinders, S.W., joins Investigator.

On Wreck Reef.

Flinders' bar, invention of.

Flinders' Entrance.

Flinders family.

Connection with Tennysons.

Flinders' Island.

Foigny, Gabriel de, his La Terre Australe connue.

Forfait, French Marine Minister, instructions to Baudin.

Fowler, Robert, joins Investigator.

On Rolla.

Fowler's Bay.

Francis, schooner, voyage of.

Sails with Cumberland.

Franklin, Sir John, connection with Flinders' family.

On the Polyphemus.

Influenced by Flinders.

Joins Investigator.

At wreck of Porpoise.

On Rolla.

On Flinders' return to England.

Franklin's Isles.

French Island.

French Revolution.

Freycinet, Lieutenant Louis de, at Sydney.

On military situation at Port Jackson.

His hydrographical work.

Charge of plagiarism against.

Publication of his charts.

Furneaux, commander of Adventure.

Furneaux Land.

Gambier Isles.

Gambier, Mount.

Garden Prison, see Maison Despeaux.

Geographe, Le.

George's River, exploration of.

Glasshouse Bay.

Glasshouse Mountains.

Good, Peter, gardener, joins Investigator.

Grant, Captain, in command of Lady Nelson.

Governor King on.

Sails for Australia.

Harrington, brig, and the American contraband trade.

Hartog, Dirk, his metal plate.

Hawkesbury River, the.

Heemskirk, Mount.

Hervey Bay.

Hicks, Point.

Hindmarsh, Sir John, his naval career.

Hohenlinden, battle of.

Hope, cutter.

Howe, Lord, battle off Brest.

Hunter, Captain John, appointed Governor of New South Wales.

Interest in Australian colonisation.

Discourteous treatment of by Portuguese Viceroy.

Encourages Bass and Flinders.

On Bass Strait.

Ile-de-France.

Flinders at.

Interior of.

Military situation of.

Regulations concerning visiting ships.

Blockade of.

Captured by British.

Investigator.

Reasons for expedition.

Formerly the Xenophon.

Refitting of.

Leakiness.

Selection of crew.

Sailing delayed.

Sailing of.

On South Coast.

In Encounter Bay.

In Port Phillip.

Arrival at Port Jackson.

Circumnavigation of Australia.

Decrepit condition of.

Taken to England.

End of.

Investigator Strait.

Jervis Bay.

Julia Percy Island.

Jussieu, French botanist, recommends Baudin to command discovery voyage.

Kangaroo Island, discovery of.

Wild life on.

Baudin at.

Kent, Lieutenant William.

Kent's Group.

Keppel Bay.

King, Governor, P.G. and Bass's South American project.

His hospitality to French expedition.

Receives news of Porpoise wreck.

Entrusts despatches to Flinders.

Protest against Flinders' imprisonment.

King George's Sound.

King Island.

Discovery of.

French at.

Kupang.

Lacepede.

Lacy, midshipman.

Lady Nelson.

Laperouse.

Launceston.

Lawson, Lieutenant.

his share in crossing Blue Mountains.

Leeuwin, Cape.

Linois, Rear-Admiral.

Little Bay.

Liverpool, Lord.

Lofty, Mount.

Louis XVI, his interest in discovery voyages.

Louth Bay.

Louth Isle.

Lucky Bay.

Macquarie, Fort.

Macquarie, Governor, his use of word Australia.

Maison Despeaux (Garden Prison).

Malaspina, Admiral.

Malte-Brun.

Championship of Flinders.

Maria Island.

Marsden, Reverend Samuel.

Martin's Isles.

Mauritius, see Ile-de-France.

Melville Bay.

Memory Cove.

Monistrol, Colonel.

Moreau, General.

Moreton Bay.

Mornington.

Mornington Island.

Murray, Lieutenant John, discovers Port Phillip.

Accompanies Flinders.

Mutton birds.

Napoleon, authorises French discovery voyage.

His opinion of General Decaen.

Sends Decaen to India.

Hears of the Flinders case.

Orders release of Flinders.

His comment on oaths of allegiance.

Naturaliste, Le.

Navy, the British, promotion in.

Entrance to.

Nelson.

Nelson, Cape.

Nepean, Evan, Secretary of the Admiralty.

Nepean Peninsula.

Nichols, Isaac, case of.

Norfolk, sloop.

Flinders' description of.

Importance of voyage.

Voyage to Queensland coast.

Northumberland, Cape.

Nuyts, Pieter.

Observations on the Coast of Van Diemen's Land, publication of.

Otto, L.G.

Otway, Cape.

Palmer, Captain of Bridgewater.

Pandora's Entrance.

Papuans, fight with in Torres Strait.

Park, Mungo, and the Investigator.

Parramatta.

Partney Isle.

Pasley, Admiral Sir Thomas, Flinders' introduction to.

His interest in Flinders' career.

Command of Bellerophon.

Wounded in battle off Brest.

Character of.

Pasley, Cape, naming of.

Paterson, Lieutenant-Colonel.

Peel, Sir Robert.

Pellew, Rear-Admiral, his interest in Flinders' case.

Pellew Group.

Pelsart, Francis, on the Australian Coast.

Percy Isles.

Peron, Francois, at Sydney.

His report on British settlement.

Plays the spy on British designs.

Flinders on.

Scientific work of.

Effect of his report on Decaen.

Malte-Brun on.

Death of.

Petrie, Professor W.M. Flinders, grandson of Matthew Flinders.

Phillip Island.

Pinkerton, Modern Geography.

Pitot, Thomas.

Pitt, Mount.

Plagiarism, allegation against the French.

Freycinet on.

Pondicherry.

Porpoise, Flinders sails in.

Wreck of.

Port Bowen.

Port Curtis.

Port Hacking.

Port Jackson, see Sydney.

Port Lincoln.

Discovery and survey of.

Port Louis.

Port Phillip.

Flinders in.

Discovery of.

Attempted settlement of.

Portland Bay.

Portlock, Lieutenant N., Commander of Assistant.

Portsea.

Preservation Island.

Providence, H.M.S.

Providential Cove, see Wattamolla.

Quarterly Review, article on Flinders' case.

Queensland coasts.

Flinders' voyages on.

Quiros, voyage of.

Red Point.

Reliance, H.M.S.

Revesby Isle.

Robbins, Acting-Lieutenant.

Robinson Crusoe, influence of on Flinders.

Rowley, Commodore.

St. Alouarn.

St. Vincent's Gulf.

Discovery of.

Schanck, Cape.

Schanck, Captain John, designs Lady Nelson.

Seal-fisheries.

Shaw and Smith, their use of the word Australia.

Shinglar, Reverend John, schoolmaster of Flinders.

Ships not elsewhere indexed:

Adventure.

Advice, brig.

Agincourt.

Albion.

Alert.

Aquilon.

Assistant.

Audacious.

Barwell.

Batavia.

Bedford.

Belier, brig.

Belle Poule, La.

Berceau, Le.

Blenheim.

Blonde, La.

Brunswick.

Buffalo.

Caesar.

Cape Chatham.

Captivity. See also Bellerophon.

Casuarina.

Cerberus.

Circe, frigate.

Cygnet.

Defence.

Dictator.

Duyfhen [Duyfken], yacht.

Eendragt.

Eliza, sloop.

Elligood.

Endeavour.

Eole.

Esperance.

Ganges.

Glatton.

Glory.

Greyhound, frigate.

Harbinger, brig.

Harriet, cartel.

Heemskirk.

Heir Apparent.

Hercules.

Hunter.

Java.

Latona.

Leviathan.

Lowestoft, frigate.

Marengo, French frigate.

Marlborough.

Matilda, whaler.

Minerva, frigate.

Nautilus.

Niger.

Olympia.

Orient, L'.

Orion.

Otter.

Pandora.

Phaeton.

Phoenix.

Piemontaise, La, privateer.

Polyphemus.

Pompey.

Queen.

Queen Charlotte.

Recherche.

Resolution.

Resource.

Revolutionnaire.

Rolla.

Royal Sovereign.

Russell.

Scipio.

Seahorse.

Semillante, La.

Serpente, Le. See Le Geographe.

Sirius.

Southampton.

Supply, tender.

Temiraire.

Terpsichore.

Terrible.

Theseus.

Thetis.

Thunderer.

Trajan.

Tremendous.

Vengeur.

Vesuve, Le. See Le Naturaliste.

Vianen.

Warren Hastings.

Warrior.

Xenophon. See Investigator.

Zealand.

Zeehan.

Shoalhaven.

Sibsey Isle.

Sleaford Bay.

Smith, Samuel, journal of.

Spanish-American colonies.

Contraband trade with.

Alleged British designs on.

Spencer, Earl, First Lord of the Admiralty, supports Flinders'

exploration project.

Grants passport to French discovery voyage.

Visited by Flinders.

Spencer's Gulf.

Exploration of.

Spilsby Isle.

Stamford Hill.

Station Peak.

Stickney Isle.

Streaky Bay.

Surfleet Point.

Swan Harbour.

Swans, black.

Sydney, growth of.

Arrival of Investigator at, Baudin's expedition at.

Peron's report on.

Military forces at.

Flinders' observations on.

Sydney Cove, wreck of.

Tahiti.

Bass's voyages to.

Tamar, discovery of.

Tasman, voyage of.

Tasmania, circumnavigation of.

Taylor's Isle.

Teneriffe, Flinders' description of.

Tennysons, connection with Flinders' family.

Termination Island.

Terra Australis.

Thistle, John, drowning of.

Character.

Thistle Island.

Tides, theory of, Flinders' writings on.

Tom Thumb, measurements of.

Second boat of same name.

Torres, voyage of.

Torres Strait.

Trafalgar, battle of.

Transportation system, Peron on.

Twofold Bay, discovery of.

Adventure with aboriginal in.

Vancouver, voyage of.

His discoveries on Australian coast.

Van Diemen, Cape.

Venus, brig, Bass's purchase of.

Voyages to Tahiti.

Voyages to South America.

Seizure of.

Venus Bay.

Vlaming, his metal plate.

Waterhouse, Captain Henry.

Waterhouse, Elizabeth, see Bass, Elizabeth.

Waterhouse Island.

Wattamolla (Watta-Mowlee).

Wellesley, the Marquess, Governor-General of India.

His interest in Flinders' case.

Wellesley Isles.

Wentworth, W.C., his share in crossing Blue Mountains.

Westall, Point.

Westall, William, artist, joins Investigator.

Westernport, discovery of.

Le Naturaliste in.

Whaleboat, Bass', measurements of.

Wilhelm's Plains, Flinders' residence at.

William IV inspects Flinders' charts.

On proposed pension to Mrs. Flinders.

Williams, mate of Bridgewater.

Williamson, acting commissary.

Wilson's Promontory.

Winceby Isle.

Wombat, Flinders' description of.

Wool-growing.

Wreck Reef.

Yorke's Peninsula.

You-yang Range.

Zeehan, Mount.