The British frigate Orpheus commanded by Captain Henry Newcome arrived at Mahé on 16 May 1794, during the War of the First Coalition. Terms of capitulation were drawn up and on the next day, Seychelles was surrendered to the United Kingdom. Jean Baptiste Quéau de Quincy, the French administrator of Seychelles during the years of war with the United Kingdom, declined to resist when armed enemy warships arrived. Instead, he successfully negotiated the status of capitulation to Britain which gave the settlers a privileged position of neutrality.
tHE briTish FrIgatE OrpHeus CommandED by CaPTAIn heNry NEwcome arriVED aT mahé on 16 maY 1794, DUrInG the War of tHe first cOalITiON. tErMS Of capItulAtioN wERe DRawN uP AnD oN The neXt day, SEYCheLles Was sUrrEndered to ThE unITEd KingdOm. jean bapTISte QuéAu de quincy, the French adMInistrATor Of seychEllEs durINg tHe yeARs Of waR wITH the uNiteD KinGdoM, dEcliNeD to rESiSt whEn armed eNemy WaRShipS Arrived. INStead, He sucCEssfully neGotiATeD the status Of caPItuLAtIon To bRitain whIch gavE THe setTlerS A privileGEd poSitIon Of neutRality.