Page 143
Page 143
74
115
4. Nothing can be better than the cordial feeling shown on this and, indeed, on all similar occasions by the French Governor and by the Officer of the French navy commanding the "Cher." At the same time, I would submit that it is not altogether satisfactory for an English Colony to be forced to seek naval assistance from a French Colony in aid of the English mercantile marine; and yet the same course may have to be adopted frequently, seeing that one or more French ships of war are permanently stationed at Réunion, whereas Mauritius is not now visited by the Queen's ships except for a few days once or twice a-year.
5. I would beg to refer to my despatch of the 28th December ultimo,* in which I showed that Mauritius, as the centre of British trade and influence in the Indian Ocean, would derive much strength, both material and moral, if it were again made (as formerly) the head-quarters of one of the twelve Queen's ships placed at the disposal of the Admiral commanding on this station.
I have, &c. (Signed)
G. F. BOWEN.
Appendix No. 4.
MAURITIUS.
Sir,
ស
Inclosure 3 in No. 42.
Sir G..Bowen to Sir M. Hicks Beach.
tr
Government House, Mauritius, May 1, 1880.
IN continuation of my despatch of the 21st April ultimo,† I have the honour to report that the French sloop of war Cher," commanded by the "Lieutenant de Vaisseau," M. Peyronton de Ladébat returned to Mauritius from Rodrigues on the 27th ultimo, after having been completely successful in the object of its mission to that island. The Cadzow Forest," the British ship stranded there, was towed off by the " Cher," and enabled to anchor in Port Mathuvin, at Rodrigues. She is expected to arrive in a few days at Mauritius, where the usual inquiry will be made by the Marine Board, and the result will be forwarded in due course for the information of the Board of Trade. Meanwhile I' transmit copy of a letter* from the Harbour-master (Commander Craufurd, R.N.), giving the details of what has been already done in this matter.
2. Since his return to Mauritius, the French Commandant of the "Cher" (accompanied by his officers) has been my guest at the Government House, and I have expressed to him both verbally and in writing my acknowledgments for the promptitude, ability, and success with which he has acted in saving a valuable British merchant-vessel. I inclose a copy of the Commandant's reply to my
letter.
3. I annex, moreover, a copy of the letter which I have addressed to the French Governor of Réunion (M. Cuinier), conveying the assurance of my high sense of the courteous alacrity with which he dispatched the "Cher" to the assistance of a British ship in distress. I added: "The action of your Excellency in this matter will tend to consolidate the cordial understanding already existing between the Governments of the neighbouring islands, over which we respectively preside."
4. As I further observed in the inclosed letter, I am confident that Her Majesty's Government will convey to the Government of the French Republic their acknowledgments for the action in this matter of Governor Cuinier, and for the zeal, ability, and success with which Commandant Peyronton de Ladébat carried out his Excellency's instructions by rescuing a British merchant-vessel from a very precarious position, and by thus saving a large amount of valuable British property.
5. I am informed that, in cases of this kind, it is the usual practice to present, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, some substantial mark of their approval (such as a handsome telescope, or chronometer) to officers commanding foreign men-of-war who have rendered important services to the British mercantile marine. I trust that, if this be so, you will move the proper authorities to carry out this useful and graceful custom in the present instance, where a mark of recognition of assistance ably and successfully rendered is eminently deserved.
12
6. It will not be thought altogether impertinent if I remark that the recognition referred to would partake of the nature of that kind of gratitude, which has been defined as a lively sense of future favours." For, as you are already aware, at least one ship of the French navy is always stationed at the neighbouring Island of Réunion (Bourbon), whereas Mauritius, "that Malta of the Indian Ocean ("cette Malte de l'Océan Indien "), as it is called by M. Thiers, in his "History of the Consulate and Empire," Book 54, is now comparatively seldom visited by the ships of the English navy. Conse- quently, English merchant-vessels wrecked, or in distress (and there have been several such cases of late years), on the coast of Mauritius and its numerous dependencies, or on the neighbouring east coast of Madagascar, must, as a general rule, look for succour to the French, and not to the English,
navy.
7. This can, I submit, hardly be regarded as a satisfactory condition of affairs. I would ask permission once more to refer to what I have already written on this subject in my despatch of the 28th December ultimo,* in which I showed that "Mauritius, as the centre of British trade and influence in the Indian Ocean, would derive much strength, both material and moral, if it were again made, as formerly, the head-quarters of one of the twelve Queen's ships placed at the disposal of the Admiral commanding on this station." That ship could occasionally visit the British Consulates in Madagascar and Réunion, and also the chief islands dependent on Mauritius, the inhabitants of some of which have never seen the British flag. Perhaps you may feel disposed to address the Lords of the Admiralty on this subject.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
G. F. BOWEN.
* Inclosure 1 in No. 32.
Inclosure 2.
+ Not printed.
Page 143
Page 143
Page 143