The search

When nothing further was heard from La Perouse after the expedition had left Botany Bay, the French government issued orders to overseas ambassadors and officials to find the missing frigates. 

The following decrees were issued from Paris by the National Assembly and enacted by King Louis XVI in 1791. The first, which came into force on February 25, commands all overseas French consuls and ambassadors to use their contacts to seek information about the missing ships. The National Assembly even offers a reward for any information leading to news about La Perouse.

The second decree was enacted on May 4. It states that the maps and information reported by the La Perouse expedition will be published at the government's expense. Any profits will be returned to La Perouse's wife as a token of the nation's gratitude to the esteemed explorer.