Letters buried in a bottle, beneath a tree in Adventure Bay, were found by Captain Bunker, of the _Venus_, in 1809, to which he was directed by the words, still legible, "dig underneath;" and supposed, from his imperfect knowledge of the language, that they were left by Perouse. In this he was mistaken: they were deposited by D'Entrecasteaux, at his second visit. _Bent's Almanack_, 1828, adopted Bunker's mistake: it was copied by Mr. Widowson, who adds--"these letters were dated one month after his departure from Port Jackson, and led to the opinion that the expedition must have perished on some reef of Van Diemen's Land. In consequence of this idea, the French government in 1791," &c. The first mistake can be allowed for; but not that a discovery of letters in 1809, prompted an expedition in 1791.]
[Footnote 8: _Hobart Town Gazette_, 1827.]
[Footnote 9: _Flinders' Introduction, &c._]
Position of Low Head:--Lat. 41° 3' 30" S. Long. 146° 48' 15" E.--_Flinders._]
[Footnote 11: _Collins_, vol. ii. p. 183.]
[Footnote 12: _Remarks by Robert Brown, F.R.S. Appendix to Flinders_, vol. ii. p. 533.]
[Footnote 13: _Flinders_, vol. ii. p. 275. Jorgenson, the Dane, who was a seaman on board the _Lady Nelson_, tender to the _Investigator_, stated, in his rattling way, that she was in good condition, and absurdly insinuated foul play. The _Investigator_ was cut down, and returned to Europe in charge of Captain Kent, R.N.]
[Footnote 15: See _Flinders_, vol. i. p. 305.]
[Footnote 16: This statement, after Rev. Mr. Gell, is erroneous. Mougé died from diseases occasioned by the climate of Timor, and the hardships of the voyage (See Peron's work). He arrived in an exhausted and consumptive state: when he attempted to land (20th January, 1802), he fainted, and was instantly conveyed on board. He went no more on shore, but to the grave. He was buried at the foot of a tree, at Maria Island, and the name Point Mougé was given to the spot.
On the 17th January, the French were attacked by natives at Swan Port, and Mougé was probably of the party. A native attempted to snatch the drawings; "then to strike down our weak friend, when he was prevented by those who ran to his assistance." The French say, they loaded them with favors, and did not avenge this violence. It is, no doubt, this account which Mr. Gell confused with the death of Mougé.]