ent time, when it began to ebb; and at
22^h 15^m apparent time it was low water. The change, from ebbing to
flowing, was very quick, or in less than 5^m. The water rose and fell seven
feet four inches perpendicular; and every day the same whilst we continued
there.

[107] On this subject we are presented with a communication in the Biog.
Brit., made on the authority and from the materials of Sir Joseph
Banks. As that work is now probably in few hands, and as the
information itself is extremely interesting, it would be injustice to
the readers, in general, not to put them in possession of the facts of
the case. But the writer, not wishing to "extenuate or set down aught
in malice," prefers a fair copy of the entire passage, to any
imperfect, and perhaps scarcely unprejudiced abstract of its contents.

"Not long after Captain Cook's death, an event occurred in Europe,
which had a particular relation to the voyage of our Navigator, and
which was so honourable to himself, and to the great nation from whom
it proceeded, that it is no small pleasure to me to be able to lay the
transaction somewhat at large before my readers. What I refer to is,
the letter which was issued, on the 19th of March, 1779, by Monsieur
Sartine, Secretary of the Marine Department at Paris, and sent to all
the commanders of French ships. The rescript was as follows: 'Captain
Cook, who sailed from Plymouth in July, 1776, on board the Resolution,
in company with the Discovery, Captain Clerke, in order to make some
discoveries on the coasts, islands, and seas of Japan and California,
being on the point of returning to Europe; and such discoveries being
of general utility to all nations, it is the king's pleasure, that
Captain Cook shall be treated as a commander of a neutral and allied
power, and that all captains of armed vessels, &c. who may meet that
famous Navigator, shall make him acquainted with the king's orders on
this behalf; but, at the same time, let him know, that, on his part,
he must refrain from all hostilities.' By the Marquis of Condorcet we
are informed, that this measure originated in the liberal and
enlightened mind of that excellent citizen and statesman, Monsieur
Turgot. 'When war,' says the Marquis, 'was declared between France and
England, M. Turgot saw how honourable it would be to the French
nation, that the