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wrecked in her at "Wreck Reef" was deputed (for on such occasions the worthiest is accepted as the necessary leader) to take command of an open boat, in which he made his way back to Sydney. King did what he could. He gave him the Cumberland schooner, of 29 tons burden. With her Flinders returned to the wreck, and was heartily cheered there. Calling at the Mauritius for water, he was seized and confined by the French Governor, General De Caen, who affected to disbelieve that he was the commander of the Investigator, to whom the French Government had given the produced passport. Closely guarded, orders being given to the sentries to shoot any one seen on the roof (whither Flinders and his companions went for fresher air), and robbed of his "charts, papers and journals, letters and packets, both public and private," he remained a prisoner from December 1803 till June 1810. His charts and papers were proofs of his identity, but the French Governor really required no proof. The fact that he was Flinders was the reason for his imprisonment. His charts were required.

The Council of State in 1804 commended their appropriation, and in 1806 the Emperor ratified their commendation. In the latter year the narrative of the French expedition was nearly ready for publication, and when it appeared in 1807 it was seen that under the style of "Terre Napoleon" the Emperor laid claim to a territory "dont les deux extremités viennent de rattacher d'une part au Cap Leeuwin à l'Ouest et de l'autre au promontoire de Wilson vers le Sud." Baudin had no part in these claims. He died at the Mauritius (16th Sept. 1803), and, to add to Flinders' misfortune, the Geographe, under a new commander, had sailed for France the day before the little Cumberland anchored at Port Louis. Thus, eye witnesses to identify Flinders, and take from the Governor all pretext for doubt, were removed a few hours before Flinders needed them. His seizure was keenly resented in Sydney. The Sydney Gazette published a letter from Baudin to the Governor of the Isle of France, describing the treatment of the French at Sydney. "Le Gouverneur donna le premier exemple. Quelques que soient les dévoirs de l'hospitalité le Gouverneur King à donné à l'Europe entière le spectacle d'un