TRANSCRIPTION
Citizen Mauge' was on the brink of death all day and ended his life at about
eleven o'clock at night.
[3 VENTÔSE, YEAR 10 [2 VENTÔSE, YEAR 10 - 21 FEBRUARY, 1802]
AT DAYBREAK ON the 3rd I gave orders for the yards to be cock-billed and the flag to be half-masted in order to inform Captain Hamelin of our loss. I also sent him a note asking him to arrange for those officers and naturalists who wished to attend the interment of our unfortunate companion to leave from the ship when our boat set off.
At nine o'clock I departed for the burial of a man whose death and dying words filled me with sorrow. A few moments before the end. he said to me: 'I am dying because I was too devoted to you and scorned my friends' advice'. But at least remember me in return for the sacrifice that I have made for you'.
As we left the ship all the guns fired a salute. When we were half-way to shore, a second was fired and a third just as we landed. The body of this naturalist was buried between two casuarinas and two eucalypts. On one of the former we placed a lead plaque upon which was engraved the following inscription:
Here lies Citizen Rene' Mauge', zoologist on the
expedition of discovery commanded by Captain Baudin
3 Ventôse, year 10 of the French Republic.
Citizen Mauge"s death is an irreparable loss for the expedition. This naturalist did not have the title of scientist, but, alone, he did more than all the scientists put together. Occupied solely with his work, he thought of nothing but performing his duties well, and I was never in a position to remonstrate with him on this head.
I realise with pain that he and Citizen Riedlé, the only two genuine friends that I had on board, have fallen victim to their friendship for me, this having been their sole motive in undertaking a voyage so fatal to them.
