iſlands they obſerved ſeveral boats, amongſt the crews of which there were many perſons who wore European ſtuffs and pieces of cloth in their dreſs; they even diſtinguiſhed ſome who were clothed in the uniform of the French Marine. Theſe people hung out the white flag as a ſignal for the Engliſh to approach; but though Commodore Hunter was very deſirous of doing it, he found it impracticable, on account of the contrary currents and winds, and the danger to which the numerous ſhoals would have expoſed them.
Commodore Hunter had often ſeen M. de la Pérouſe at Botany Bay, and lived upon terms of intimacy with him. He had learnt from him that his intention was to paſs through the Straits of St. George, after leaving Botany Bay, and from thence to direct his courſe to the northward. He does not doubt that the Aſtrolabe and Bouſſole were caſt away upon the above-mentioned iſlands, in conſequence of the calms and ſtrong currents that prevail in thoſe parts. He has informed me that he has been carried by them ſix hundred miles to the eaſtward in the ſpace of ten days; as he knew from repeated obſervations of the longitude, from the time-keepers, and from the bearings of the land. In a word, Commodore Hunter, whom I ſaw at Batavia in the courſe of my laſt voyage, appeared to me to
be
