Thus were our doubts cleared up, and our
apprehensions banished; it was, however, judged expedient to postpone
our removal to Port Jackson, until a complete confirmation of our
conjectures could be procured.
Had the sea breeze set in, the strange ships would have been at anchor
in the Bay by eight o'clock in the morning, but the wind blowing out,
they were driven by a strong lee current to the southward of the port.
On the following day they re-appeared in their former situation, and a
boat was sent to them, with a lieutenant of the navy in her, to offer
assistance, and point out the necessary marks for entering the harbour.
In the course of the day the officer returned, and brought intelligence
that the ships were the Boussole and Astrolabe, sent out by order of
the King of France, and under the command of Monsieur De Perrouse. The
astonishment of the French at seeing us, had not equalled that we had
experienced, for it appeared, that in the course of their voyage they
had touched at Kamschatka, and by that means learnt that our expedition
was in contemplation.
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