The Letter Of Instructions Furnished By The Duke Of Portland, Secretary
Of State In Pitt's Administration, To Grant, The Commander Of The Lady
Nelson, In February 1800, May Be Quoted As Laying Down The Principle
Observed By Great Britain In Regard To An Enemy's Ships Commissioned
Purely For Discovery.
"As vessels fitted out for this purpose," wrote the
Duke, "have always been respected by the nations of Europe,
Notwithstanding actual hostilities may at the time have existed between
them, and as this country has always manifested the greatest attention to
other nations on similar occasions, as you will observe by the letters
written in favour of vessels employed in discovery by France and Spain,
copies of which you receive enclosed, I have no apprehension whatever of
your suffering any hindrance or molestation from the ships of other
nations should you fall in with them...You are also, on pain of His
Majesty's utmost displeasure, to refrain on your part from making prizes,
or from detaining or molesting the ships of any other nation, although
they may be at war with His Majesty."* (* Historical Records of New South
Wales 4 57.)
It was on this enlightened principle that the British Government
furnished passports to Baudin's ships; but the Admiralty also took steps
to prevent the laurels of important discovery being won by foreign
efforts. Flinders returned home in the Reliance in August, vigorous,
eager for fresh work, and already, notwithstanding his youth, honourably
regarded by naval men as an intrepid and skilful navigator.
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