Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
that the lands which they happen to discover are portions of their uni-
versal domain . . . Captain Marchand, following the example of his nu-
merous predecessors, thought it incumbent on him to take possession,
in the name of the French nation. . This ceremony which would be only
ridiculous from its inutility, if it were not contrary to the law of nature
and of nations, was performed by fastening with four nails, against the
trunk of a large tree, an inscription containing the name of the ship
and of the captain and the act of taking possession of the island by the
French.
3
Fleurieu was less critical, though excessively arch, about anoth-
er aspect of the
Solide's
visit to the Marquesas:
Among the islanders brought by the canoes from Santa Christina
and La Dominica, was a pretty considerable number of women and
young girls: the greater part were remarkable for their youth and
beauty. Their looks, their gestures, and repeated allurements, left no
doubt of the motive of their visit; and the men who accompanied them,
vied with each other in their eagerness to serve them as interpreters,
and to make a tender of them to their entertainers. The ladies were
admitted on board, and were welcomed by some young seamen of the
southern provinces of France, whose senses six months of fatigues had
not been able to deaden. At first sight, negotiations were begun; and
the contracting parties not opposing to each other any dilatory or
evasive clauses, they presently flew down between decks to conclude
the treaty . . . Let us throw a thick veil over what is passing. I shall
only say that, on the approach of night, the young Mendoca belles were
seen to re-appear on deck, loaded with nails, small looking-glasses,
little knives, coloured glass-beads, ribbands, bits of cloth, and other
productions of our arts, which they had bartered for the only commer-
cial article that they had at their disposal. Often, in the sequel, they in-
troduced less mystery into their traffic; they have been seen, without
