PHILLIP'S COMMISSION. 33 part of the territory not included in Cook's boundaries, or 1787 not actually occupied by the English. Had the exploration of the southern coast, made by Baudin in 1801-2, not been anticipated by Flinders, it is difficult to see how the right of the French to occupy the territory they claimed could have Territory been denied ; still more so had La Perouse thought proper FUnders. to explore to the southward of Pointe de Hick, instead of passing his time idly in Botany Bay. In that case the territory now included in the boundaries of Victoria and South Australia might have been added to the French dominions. The reason why he did not do so may, perhaps, be found in the statement made by Collins when referring La to his departure.* He felt so little interest in the country opinion of that he did not think it worth his while to examine it. ^^^ French opinion on that subject, however, was considerably changed in 1800, when Consul Bonaparte despatched the expedition under Baudin for the purpose of making dis- coveries — apparently with a view to the annexation of all the unoccupied territory that could be found. The Terre Napoleon, which figures so prettily on the map published with Peron's Voyage, is a significant illustration of the great Emperor's ambition.
- " On or about Monday, the 10th of March, the French ships sailed from
Botany Bay, bound, as they said, to the northward, and carrying with them the most unfavourable ideas of this country and its native inhabitants ; the officers having been heard to declare that in their whole voyage they nowhere found so poor a country nor such wretched, miserable people. " — VoL i, p. 20. Digitized by Google
