Carte generale de la Terre de Diemen, …

It was Baudin’s charting of Tasmania and Bass Strait that spurred the British government to settle the island. Following his stay in Sydney to nurse his crew back to health from the effects of scurvy, Baudin proceeded to chart Bass Strait from the French camp on King Island. Governor King was concerned about the French presence in the area and ordered Lieutenant Charles Robbins on the schooner Cumberland to follow them and lay claim the island. On the evening of 14 December 1802, Robbins hoisted the British flag behind the French tents. In a letter to the King, Baudin related his opinion of the affair, stating &#8216That childish ceremony was ridiculous &#8230 I have no knowledge of the claims which the French Government may have upon Van Diemen&#8217s Land , nor of its designs for the future, but I think that it&#8217s title will not be any better grounded than yours &#8230 Everyone knows that Tasman and his heirs did not bequeath it by will to you&#8217. The British Government were concerned that a French base in the area would greatly interrupt communication with Port Jackson in the event of hostilities and in May 1803, Governor King sent Lieutenant John Bowen to occupy Van Diemen&#8217s Land. From Voyage de Decouvertes aux Terres Australes Complete chart of Van Diemen’s land. Important large scale chart of Van Diemen’s Land including Hunter Island and some islands of the Furneaux Group by Louis de Freycinet, commander of the frigate Naturaliste.