I have had ample testimonies of your power and of the strength of your mind in resisting the malicious insinuations of those who are pleased to be my enemies, nor do I further doubt your willingness to give me assistance than that I fear you do not yet think me worthy of it; but I will be.  If I do not prove myself worthy of your patronage, Sir Joseph, let me be thrown out of the society of all good men.  I have too much ambition to rest in the unnoticed middle order of mankind.  Since neither birth nor fortune have favoured me, my actions shall speak to the world.  In the regular service of the navy there are too many competitors for fame.  I have therefore chosen a branch which, though less rewarded by rank and fortune, is yet little less in celebrity.  In this the candidates are fewer, and in this, if adverse fortune does not oppose me, I will succeed; and although I cannot rival the immortalized name of Cook, yet if persevering industry, joined to what ability I may possess, can accomplish it, then will I secure the second place, if you, Sir Joseph, as my guardian genius, will but conduct me into the place of probation.

“But this is visionary, for I am so fast in prison that I cannot get forth.  The thought is bitterness.  When I recollect where and what I am, and compare it with where and how I ought to be employed, it is misery; but when to this the recollection of my family and the present derangement of their affairs from my absence are added, then it is that the bonds enter deep into my soul.”

While his money lasted, Flinders spent it in buying fruit and vegetables for his imprisoned crew; when cash ran out, he drew a bill on the Admiralty.  The interpreter who undertook to get it cashed was nearly killed by the soldiers for carrying, as they thought, a private letter.  Eventually the Danish consul cashed this bill for the Englishmen, and gave them full value for it, which, considering the state of the times, shows that he was a truly good man.

The Cumberland was taken to the head of the harbour and converted into a hulk, and a document was brought to Flinders to sign in which—­in truly French fashion—­he was asked to accuse himself of being a spy.  He promptly refused the request, which was again and again made, and he always scorned to comply.  While his papers were being overhauled, Flinders managed to secure some of them, and among other things the signal-book, which he destroyed.

De Caen’s report to his Government shows the view he took of these proceedings.  In it he says:—­

“Commander Flinders, formerly captain of the corvette Investigator, sent by the English Government for work of discovery in the Pacific Ocean, has altered absolutely the mission for which he had obtained from the French Government the passport signed by the Minister for Marine.  In such passport he is certainly not authorized to land at the Isle of France to study the prevailing