In consequence of the persevering efforts at discovery in the southern hemisphere, the French Government sent out M. Jean François Galaup De La Perouse, to make a voyage of observation and discovery round the world, in 1785. He sailed from Brest on the 1st of August of that year, with two frigates, La Boussole, commanded by himself, and the Astrolabe, commanded by Captain Langle, under him. The vessels were furnished with everything necessary to the success of the enterprise. A large number of books of science and natural history, instruments for astronomical and other observations, and in each ship an astronomer, mineralogist, meteorologist, geographer, botanist, and botanic gardener, as well as draughtsmen for the different departments. Great provision was made for preserving the health of all on board, and the objects of the voyage were laid down at such length as to make a complete volume, and constitute the first of the four volumes of the relation of the voyage. He was to follow the route of Captain Cook by Cape Horn into the Pacific. He was to pay particular attention to the Islands of the Pacific, as visited by Cook, and other navigators. To visit Pitcairn Island, the Society Isles, Friendly Isles, the isles of St. Bernard, and of the Handsome Natives discovered by Quiros, the Isles of Deliverance, and of the Arsacides discovered by Surville in 1769.