Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/327

The little community was in a ferment. The eyes of England, if not of Europe, seemed to watch whether it was worthy of defending the honour of Old England. Conscious of importance, Harris had an interview with Baudin. Harris thought, perhaps erroneously, that Baudin said the colours had been hoisted "promiscuously," and that had he known that remarks would have been made, the English flag would have been placed at the fore-topgallant masthead. Harris added that Baudin said, "As he did not understand enough of English, or I of French, he would wait on your Excellency and explain it to you."

Baudin demanded from his people, in a letter which he described as "amère et de reproches à tous mes officiers," an explanation. The French answer was complete. Ronsard, officer of the guard, and Freycinet, lieutenant, reported to their "Citoyen Commandant" that the despised position, "à tribord à la grande vergue," was "celle d'honneur à la marine Française," and that it was "par excès de déférence que nous l'avons accordé aux couleurs Anglois."

Baudin wrote a long letter to Harris, and sent a copy to King. He complained of "la conduite légère et peu reflechie" of Harris in his report. "Ce qui est arrivée au Casuarina est trop publique pour être révoquée sans doute," but he expected Harris to explain that it was by error or on false report that he had for a moment doubted the intention of the French officers to show the respect due to the flag of His Britannic Majesty. Harris wrote so violently in reply that it is creditable both to Baudin and King that the affair, which might have caused much trouble, was lulled to rest.

King acknowledged that "instead of any slight being intended to the English flag, the utmost attention had been paid to it ;" and, to allay excitement in Sydney, published an extract from the French Marine Instructions designating "the starboard main yardarm" as the place of honour.

It was arranged that the dignity of the Casuarina should be recognised. She was to salute the English flag with thirteen "coups de canon;" and Baudin hoped that the Governor would order "la forteresse sur laquelle on arbore le pavillon Anglais de lui rendre son salut en même nombre