PEYROUSE, or PEROUSE, JOHN FRANCIS GALOUP
DE LA, the celebrated but unfortunate French naviga-
tor, was born at Albi in the year 1741. His fa-
ther intended to train him up to a maritime life, for
which purpose he sent him, when very young, to the
marine school, where he became enthusiastically attach-
ed to his profession, and ambitious to emulate the fame
of the most celebrated navigators.
He was appointed midshipman on the 19th of No-
vember 1756, behaving with great bravery in that sta-
tion; and was severely wounded in the engagement be-
tween Hawke and Conflans, on the 20th of November
1759. The Formidable, in which he served, was tak-
en, after a vigorous resistance; and it is probable that
Peyrouse reaped some advantage from his acquaintance
with British officers.
He was promoted, on the 1st of October 1764, to
the rank of lieutenant; and as he abhorred a life of ease
and idleness, he contrived to be employed in six differ-
ent ships of war during the peace that subsisted between
Great Britain and France. In 1716 he was promoted
to the rank of master and commander. In 1779 he
commanded the Amazone, belonging to the squadron
of Vice-admiral Count d'Estaing; and when that officer
engaged Admiral Byron, the post of La Peyrouse was
to carry the orders of the admiral to the whole of the
line. He afterwards took the sloop Ariel, and contrib-
uted to the capture of the Experiment.
In the year 1782, La Peyrouse was sent with the
Sceptre of 74 guns, and two frigates of 36 guns each,
with some troops and field-pieces on board, to destroy
the English settlements in Hudson's Bay, which was
easily accomplished, as nothing was found on shore to
oppose the smallest force. Having destroyed the settle-
ments, he learned that some of the English had fled at
his approach into the woods. He generously left them
provisions and arms to defend themselves against the
savages.
In the year 1785, he was appointed to the command
of some ships employed in a voyage round the world,
which unfortunately proved his last. Of this voyage, as
far as it was accomplished, full accounts have been al-
ready published, from which it is manifest that Peyrouse
was admirably qualified to discharge such a trust. He
was an experienced and skilful seaman; a man of ma-
thematical and physical science, uncorrupted by that
false philosophy which disgraced many of his attend-
ants, and capable of the utmost perseverance in every
commendable pursuit. To these excellent qualities he
added caution and courage, with a disposition truly be-
nevolent towards the savages whom he visited. Most
of the calamities attendant on the voyage, with the ex-
ception of the last, were occasioned by the disobedience
of his officers, or their neglecting to follow his advice.
The last dispatches of this great and truly excellent
man were dated from Botany Bay, February 7. 1788;
and since that period, no account of him has been re-
ceived which is entitled to the smallest credit.