Page:Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks.djvu/488

430 3rd April. Theodosio a seaman, died very suddenly; he had enjoyed an uninterrupted state of good health during all our times of sickness.

7th. Of the four French vessels which we found in this harbour, three have now sailed, and the fourth is ready for sea, two were 64-gun ships, the third a large snow, and the fourth a frigate. All these came from the Isle de France for provisions, of which they carry away hence a prodigious quantity, and consequently must have many mouths to feed. It is probable they meditate some stroke from this island at our East India settlements in the beginning of a future war, which, however, our Indian people are not at all alarmed at, trusting entirely to the vast armies which they constantly keep up, the support of which in Bengal alone costs £840,000 a year.

Mr. De Bougainville, pleased with the beauty of the ladies of Otahite, gave that island the name of Cypre. On his return home he touched at Isle de France, where the person who went out with him in the character of natural historian was left, and still remains. Otourrou, the Indian, whom he brought from thence, was known on board his ship by the name of Tootavu, a plain corruption of Bougainville, with whom it may be supposed he meant to change names according to his custom. This man is now at Isle de France, from whence a large ship is very soon to sail and carry him back to his own country, where she is to make a settlement. In doing this she must necessarily follow the track of Abel Jansen Tasman, and consequently, if she does not discover Cook’s Straits, which in all probability she will do, must make several discoveries on the coast of New Zealand. Thus much the French who were here made no secret of. How necessary then will it be for us to publish an account of our voyage as soon as possible after our arrival, if we mean that our own country shall have the honour