La Pérouse (Jean-François de Galaup de)
Original title: La Pèrouse (João Franscisco Galaup de)
Entry on the eighteenth-century French navigator La Pérouse, who called at Madeira aboard the Boussole from 13 to 16 August 1785 on his way to the Canaries. It records the hospitality he received in Funchal from the English merchant Johnston, the French consular agent Monteiro and the English consul Murray.
French navigator of the 18th century. He arrived at Madeira aboard the Boussole on 13 August 1785 and left for the Canary Islands on the 16th of the same month. Sailing with the Boussole was the Astrolabe, commanded by Captain de Langle, on which the illustrious Monge had also embarked, although he went no further than Tenerife. La Pérouse was treated with great kindness in Funchal by the English merchant Johnston, who gave him, on his departure, 100 bottles of Malmsey wine, half a barrel of dry wine, and fruit preserved in syrup and in spirit (aguardente, distilled from sugar cane or wine). On 14 August he dined at the house of the Portuguese Monteiro, who was in charge of the affairs of the French consulate, having lunched that same day at the residence of the English consul Murray.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 01Place
Places mentioned · 04
Abroad
- Canary Islands
Spain. Next destination of the expedition after Madeira.
The Canary Islands are the archipelago neighbouring Madeira, with disputed accounts of their discovery. Tradition holds that their Béthencourt king sold them to Prince Henry in exchange for lands in Madeira. The Elucidário notes many contacts between the two archipelagos, including scientific visits, the Orfeão Madeirense's tour in May 1922 and the massacre of forty Jesuits in their waters.
- Funchal
Where La Pérouse was entertained during his stay.
The capital of the archipelago and seat of the principal captaincy, where settlement began; it was made a vila c.1451–52. Its bay, the widest in the archipelago, lies between Ponta do Garajau and Ponta da Cruz and offers sheltered anchorage, though its harbour had never been studied oceanographically. The Elucidário discusses it as a health resort with climate data and records the January 1906 disturbances, the Danish prince's visit in May 1846 and recent volcanic cones in the area.
- Tenerife
Spain. Where Monge left the expedition.
Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands. The Elucidário notes its celebrated Orotava dragon tree, felled by a gale on 23 January 1868, the introduction of the boganga to Madeira from there in 1836 or 1837, and the blending there of Madeira wine with cheap local wine. It was also a source of Canarian immigrants to Madeira.
People
People mentioned · 06-
French navigator who called at Madeira aboard the Boussole in August 1785.
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Commander of the Astrolabe, which accompanied La Pérouse's ship to Madeira in 1785.
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English merchant in Funchal who entertained La Pérouse and gave him wine, sweets and brandy on departure.
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Distinguished Frenchman aboard the Astrolabe who travelled no further than Tenerife.
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Portuguese in charge of the French consulate's business in Funchal, who hosted La Pérouse to dinner on 14 August 1785.
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English consul in Funchal who hosted La Pérouse to lunch on 14 August 1785.