9 March 1788

It was now the 9th of March, and Governor Phillip returned to Port Jackson:  having gained some useful knowledge of the country, and maintained an intercourse with the natives without departing from his favourite plan of treating them with the utmost kindness.  He had endeavoured at the same time to gain their confidence, if possible, and secure their friendship.  If these humane endeavours were afterwards rendered fruitless by the wanton profligacy of some depraved individuals, however he might regret it, he could have no reason to reproach himself.

The rain, which was almost constant, prevented the Governor from returning by land, which otherwise he meant to have done, for the sake of exploring a part of the country which appeared to be good and free from timber.

Chapter X.

March 1788

Departure of the French Ships—­Death of M. Le Receveur—­Return of the Supply from Norfolk Island—­Description of that Place—­Howe Island discovered.

10 March 1788

On the 10th of March, the French ships sailed from Botany Bay.  M. De la Peyrouse during his stay there had set up two long boats, the frames of which he had brought with him from Europe.  There had not been much intercourse between the French and English in this interval:  both being too busily employed to waste their time in parties of pleasure.  Captain Clonard had waited on Governor Phillip with the letters which were to be forwarded to the French ambassador; and a few of the English officers had gone over by land about the same time to pay a visit in Botany Bay; both parties were of course received with politeness and hospitality.  Some few of the convicts contrived to abscond, and endeavoured to get admitted into the French ships, but were, with great propriety, rejected.  Those vessels returned towards the north, where they were to make another voyage.

During the stay of M. De la Peyrouse in Botany Bay, Father Le Receveur, who had come out in the Astrolabe as a naturalist, died.  His death was occasioned by wounds which he received in the unfortunate rencounter at the Navigator’s Islands.  A slight monument was erected to his memory, with the following inscription.

Hic jacet le Receveur,
E. F. F. Minimis Galliae Sacerdos,
Physicus in circumnavigatione
Mundi,
Duce de la Peyrouse,
Ob. 17 Feb. 1788.

The monument being soon after destroyed by the natives, Governor Phillip caused the inscription to be engraved on copper, and affixed to a neighbouring tree.  M. De la Peyrouse had paid a similar tribute of respect to the memory of Captain Clerke, at the harbour of St. Peter and Paul in Kamtschatka.

19 March 1788