LITMIR.BIZ

Скачать книгу

ancestors laid the foundations of them previously to the

       fourteenth century, when they discovered this country.

      The English made themselves masters in 1758 of the Isle of St. Louis, the seat of the general government of all the settlements which the French have on that part of the coast; we recovered it twenty years after, in 1779 and our possessions were again confirmed to us by the treaty of peace between France and England, concluded on the 3d of September, 1783. In 1808, our possessions fell again into the power of the English, less by the superiority of their arms, than by the treachery of some individuals unworthy of bearing the name of Frenchmen. They were finally restored to us by the treaties of peace of 1814, and 1815, which confirmed that of 1783 in its whole extent.

      The stipulations of this treaty regulate the respective rights of the two nations on the Western coast of Africa; they fix the possessions of France as follows:—from Cape Blanco situated in longitude 19° 30', and latitude 20° 55' 30", to the mouth of the river Gambia in longitude 19° 9', and latitude 13°; they guarantee this property exclusively to our country, and only permit the English to trade together with the French, for gum, from the river St. John to Fort Portendick inclusive, on condition, that they shall not form establishments of any kind whatsoever in this river, or upon any point of this coast. Only it is said, that the possession of the factory of Albreda, situated at the month of the river Gambia, and that of fort James, are confirmed to England.

      The rights of the two nations being thus regulated, France thought of resuming her possessions and the enjoyment of her rights. The minister of the marine after having long meditated, and taken two years to prepare an expedition of four vessels, at last gave orders that it should sail for Senegal. The following is a list of the persons who composed the expedition.

      A Colonel, to command in chief for the king on the whole coast from Cape Blanco to the mouth of the river Gambia, and charged with the superior direction of the administration … 1

      A Lieutenant-Colonel, (chef de bataillon) commandant of

       Goree … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … 1

      A Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the African battalion, composed of three companies of 84 men each … … … … … … 253

      A Lieutenant of Artillery, inspector of the powder magazines and batteries, and commanding ten workmen of his arm … . … . 11

      A Commissary, inspector of the marine, chief of the administration … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … 1

      Four Store-keepers … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 4

      Six Clerks … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … . 6

      Four Scouts (guetteurs) … … … … … … … … … … … . … 4

      Two Curés … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 2

      Two Schoolmasters (instituteurs) … … … … … … … … . … 2

      Two Writers (greffiers, they supply the place of the notaries and even of the mayors) … … … … … … … … . … 2

      Two Hospital Directors … … … … … … … … … … … . … . 2

      Two Apothecaries … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … . 2

      Five Surgeons … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … . 5

      Two Port Captains … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … 2

      Three Pilots … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 3

      A Gardener … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … . 1

      Eighteen Women … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … 18

      Eight Children … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … 8

      Four Bakers … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … 4

      Farther for an intended expedition into the country of

       Galam.

      An Engineer of mines … … … … … … … … … … … … . … 1

      A Geographical Engineer … … … … … … … … … … … . … 1

      A Naturalist (cultivateur naturaliste) … … … … … … . … 1

      Farther for an expedition which was to seek upon Cape Verd, or in its neighbourhood for a spot proper for the foundation of a colony.

      A Physician … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … 1

      An Agriculturist for European productions … … … … … . … 1

      An Agriculturist for colonial productions … … … … … . … 1

      Two Geographical Engineers … … … … … … … … … … . … 2

      A Naturalist … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 1

      An officer of the marine … … … … … … … … … … … … 1

      Twenty workmen … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … 20

      Three Women … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … 3

      Total 365

      This expedition consisted therefore of 365 persons, of whom about 240 were embarked on board the Medusa frigate.

      NARRATIVE, &c. &c.

      On the 17th of June, 1816, at seven in the morning, the expedition for Senegal sailed from the roads of the Island of Aix, under the command of Captain Chaumareys; the vessels composing it were the Medusa[1] frigate of 44 guns, Captain Chaumareys; the Echo[2] corvette, Captain Cornet de Venancourt; the flute La Loire, commanded by Lieutenant Giquel Destouches; and the Argus[3] brig, commanded by Lieutenant Parnajon. The wind was northerly, blowing a fresh breeze; we carried all our sails; but had hardly cleared the port when the wind scanted a little, and we tacked to double the Tower of Chassiron, which is placed at the extremity of the Isle of Oleron.[4] After having plied to windward the whole day, in the evening about five o'clock, the Loire being unable to stem the currents which were at that time contrary, and hindered her from entering the passes, desired leave to cast anchor; M. de Chaumareys granted it, and ordered the whole squadron to anchor. We were then half a league from the Isle of Rhé, within what is called the "Pertuis d'Antioche." We cast anchor the first, and all the other vessels came and placed themselves near us. The _Loire _being a dull sailer, was the last which came to an anchor. The weather was fine: the wind N.W. and consequently too near to allow us to double Chassiron, with a contrary current. At seven in the evening, at the beginning of the ebb, we weighed anchor, and hoisted our sails; all the other vessels did the same: the signal to get under way had been given them a few minutes before. At night we found ourselves between the lights of Chassiron and La Baleine.[5] A few moments sufficed to double them; we were scarcely clear, when the wind became almost calm; the vessels no longer obeyed the helm, the sky grew dark, the sea was very hollow, in short every thing announced a storm; the wind threatened to blow from the west, and consequently to become contrary; it was variable and squally; towards ten o'clock it was perceived that we were running directly upon a danger,

Скачать книгу