that, when the raft was left, the words we abandon them, were not pronounced; in another passage, that Mr. Savigny, in publishing his account, had shewn himself ungrateful to his officers, who had done every thing to serve him personally; there were, besides, some improper personalities:  he was in particular much surprised to see at the bottom of this paper, the signature of a man, whose life Mr. Savigny had saved with his own hand.[51] Mr. Correard’s perseverance in withholding his signature, triumphed over injustice, and his return to Europe was no longer retarded.  But the same manoeuvres had more success in another quarter, and Messrs. Dupont, Lheureux, Charlot, Jean Charles, and Touche-Lavilette could not escape the snare which was laid for them.  They were labouring under that terrible fever which carried off the French with so much rapidity, when they were invited by the governor to sign this narrative.  Some yielded to the fear of displeasing his excellency; others conceived hopes of obtaining his protection, which, in the colonies is no trifling advantage; others again were so weak, that they were not even able to make themselves acquainted with the paper to which they were desired to put their names.  It was thus, that our companions were induced to give testimony against themselves, to certify the contrary of what they had seen respecting all that had been done, to bring about our destruction.  Our readers have just seen the noble disavowal of Mr. Griffon, of the false impressions which had deceived him in respect to us:  in order that the reader may be able to form a just opinion of the report directed against us, we insert here a document equally precise and decisive:  it is a declaration of Mr. Touche-Lavillette, who acknowledges, that he signed in confidence, a paper, the contents of which were unknown to him, as well as the purpose for which it was drawn up.[53]

Thus supported by authorities, the value of which any body can now appreciate, this tardy and inexact report was addressed to the minister of the marine.  Mr. Correard, when he landed at Rochefort, informed Mr. Savigny of it, and gave him a certificate of what has been just related.  The latter procured two others, which were delivered to him, by those of his companions in misfortune, who were in France.  These certificates will be found in the notes (54) (55) (56).

Provided with these three certificates, Mr. Savigny solicited permission to go to Paris, in order to be able to let his excellency see, that they were seeking to deceive him.  Two months passed without information.  Mean time, Mr. Correard departed for the capital, taking a letter from his comrade, for a person in the office, to whom it was delivered, and who did not give a decisive answer to what was asked of him.  At length, Mr. Savigny received a letter from Paris, in which he was informed, “That not only he would not receive the permission which he solicited, but that, as long as the present minister was at the head