Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/326

 FRENCH DISCOVKRY SHIPS IN SYDNEY, who had been convicts, for one of that class, who in the English records figures as a ''keeper of a grog-shop/* is in the French narrative commended as a highly sensible and agreeable perBon. There were points on which the Governor thought it fit to be guarded. He obtained from the French commanders then- **word of honour" not to allow any person to be received **on board without the Governor's permission.'* Voluminous despatches were written about an aUeged act of disrespect to the English flag on the New Year's f Day of the French Eepublic, 23rd Sept. The French vessels dressed in honom' of the day, and jealous eyes discerned that whereas English vessels in foreign harbours exalted the flag of their hosts to the fore-topgallant mast- headj on this occasion the French gave the post of honour to the ITnited States, while the French flag was *'at the main, and the Spanish at the mizen," and the English was debased to the main yard arm. When it was noticed in the morning that the French Bhips were dressed, King, unaware of the position of the English flag, ordered the English ships to hoist their colours in compliment to the French flag. But one Captain Campbell, commanding a private armed vessel, the HmringtoH, after hoisting his ensign in compliance with the Governor's order, speedily hauled it down. The commander of an American vessel called the attention of the naval officer (Dr. Harris, New South Wales Corps) to Campbell's disobedience. Campbell, appealed to by Dr. Harris, declared *Hhat the Enghsh flag must be placed higher before he would again hoist his ensign.** There was a tender to the French ships, the CasHamiitf and her flag was removed to another vessel from which it had been borrowed, in order that the latter might comply with the Governor's orders. The removal roused angry feeling amongst the French. With the American and Campbell Dr, Harris went in his boat to observe the flags on the French men-of-war. In the morning the supposed insult was reported to the Governor, who sent Harris to express his regret **that the British flag had not been hoisted in a more conspicuous place," but supposed there had been some mistake.