1803.
December.
Wednes. 21.
I took a small schooner of twenty-nine tons, a mere boat, in order to reach England by a nearer passage, and thus gain two or three months of time in the outfit of my future expected ship; making my own ease and safety to stand in no competition with the great object of forwarding my voyage. Necessity, and not inclination, obliged me to put in at the Isle of France in my route.
Now, Sir, I would beg to ask you whether it becomes the French nation, independently of all passport, to stop the progress of such a voyage, and of which the whole maritime world are to receive the benefit? How contrary to this was her conduct some years since towards captain Cook! But the world highly applauded her conduct then; and possibly we may sometime see, what the general sentiment will be in the present case.
I sought protection and assistance in your port, and I have found a prison! Judge for me as a man, Sir,—judge for me as a British officer employed in a neutral occupation,—judge for me as a zealous philanthropist, what I must feel at being thus treated.
At present I quit the subject with the following requests: that I may be permitted to have my printed books on shore; and that my servant may be allowed to attend me in my apartment.
With all the respect due from my situation to the captain-general,
I am
From my confinement,
Dec. 21, 1803.
Matthew Flinders.
