the ſtay which Commodore Hunter made at that place, upon his return from Botany Bay in a Dutch veſſel, after he had been ſhipwrecked off Norfolk iſland.
"I learn from private correſpondence that you do not purpoſe to touch at Iſle de France till on your return from the important expedition in which you are engaged. Diſappointed in the hope, with which I had flattered myſelf, of having the honour to converſe with you, I haſten to diſpatch, in order that they may find you at the Cape of Good Hope, two reports relative to the object of your miſſion, which I have lately received from the maſters of two French veſſels arrived here from Batavia. You will thereby be informed of the particulars, how a Dutch veſſel, having on board Commodore Hunter of the Sirius English frigate, together with his ſhip's company, diſcovered near the Admiralty Iſlands, in the South Sea, ſeveral perſons clothed in European manufactures, ſome of which, in particular, appeared to be French uniforms. You will alſo be informed that the Commodore did not doubt that
