orfolk
Island, from whence he came to Botany-Bay.

At the Island Macuna, (one of the Isles des Navigateurs) in
latitude 14 deg. 19' south, longitude 173 deg. 00' 20" east of
Paris, he had been so very unfortunate as to lose Monsieur De
Langle, captain of the L'Astrolabe, together with eight officers,
four sailors, and one boy; all of whom were killed by the
natives, besides a number who were wounded. This melancholy
affair happened in the following manner: The two ships had been
at the island just mentioned some days, and were on very good
terms with the natives, who had furnished them with every article
of stock in the greatest profusion, for barter: Monsieur De la
Peyrouse, however, had sound it very necessary to be on his guard
against a treacherous disposition which he discovered in them.
When every thing was ready for their departure, and the ships
were under weigh, De Langle requested M. Peyrouse to permit him
to get another turn of water; this M. Peyrouse consented to, but
with as much reluctance as De Langle seemed solicitous to obtain
his request: as the long-boats were not hoisted in, they were
sent on this service, with two other boats to attend them, under
the direction of the unfortunate De Langle. At this time the
ships were lying to, and a strong current set them round a point
out of sight of the place where the boats were to land. When the
boats landed, the men were, as usual, surrounded by the
inhabitants, who did not immediately discover any hostile
intention: unfortunately, the sailors in the long-boats had
suffered them to take the ground, and whilst they were
endeavouring to get them afloat again, the natives were very
troublesome, and pressed close in upon the sailors; on this, De
Langle ordered the men in the rowing-boats to be ready to fire on
the natives, but not to do it until he ordered them. Some
altercation happening at this juncture, in consequence of their
pressing so close upon the French, probably occasioned a blow
with a club from one of the natives, which was instantly taken as
a signal by the rest, and the massacre began. The natives were
armed with short heavy clubs, by which means they rendered the
fire-arms useless. Orders were given to fire the swivels, etc.
in the rowing boats, but it was too late, although the natives
fled the moment they were fired, dragging the dead bodies after
them.

It was supposed that thirty of the natives were killed in this
unfortunate affray. Tho