CHAPTER X.
March 1788 Departure of the French Ships--Death of M.Le Receveur--Return of the Supply from Norfolk Island--Description of that Place--Howe Island discovered.
10 March 1788 On the 10th of March, the French ships sailed from Botany Bay.

M.De la Peyrouse during his stay there had set up two long boats, the frames of which he had brought with him from Europe.

There had not been much intercourse between the French and English in this interval: both being too busily employed to waste their time in parties of pleasure.

Captain Clonard had waited on Governor Phillip with the letters which were to be forwarded to the French ambassador; and a few of the English officers had gone over by land about the same time to pay a visit in Botany Bay; both parties were of course received with politeness and hospitality.

Some few of the convicts contrived to abscond, and endeavoured to get admitted into the French ships, but were, with great propriety, rejected.