On  the  27th,  a  private  vessel,  the  St.  Vincent,
commanded  by  the  Sieur  Blanchard,  arrived  from  the

595


COUNT  DE  BENYOWSKY

isle  of  France,  laden  with  articles  of  trade  from  India,
which  were  well  calculated  for  the  trade  of  barter  for
rice.  I  therefore  directed  the  store-keeper  to  purchase
his  cargo,  for  the  use  of  the  establishment.  I  could
not  dispense  with  this  proceeding,  because  I  durst  not
give  up  trading  with  the  natives ;  because  the  conse-
quences would  undoubtedly  have  been  a  neglect  of  the
cultivation  of  the  country,  if  the  regular  trade  had
been  interrupted.
On  the  10th,  the  ship  Desire  entered  the  harbour,
with  the  news  that  Messrs.  Bellecombe  and  Chevreau
had  already  arrived  at  the  isle  of  France,  on  board  his
Majesty's  frigate  the  Consolante,  and  that  these  gentle-
men had  orders  to  repair,  without  delay,  to  Madagascar
This  unexpected  circumstance  convinced  me,  that  the
minister  had  determined  to  send  these  gentlemen  in
quality  of  commissaries,  to  secure  my  person,  in  order  to
pursue  violent  measures  for  the  reduction  of  the  islanders
by  force.  My  suspicions  were  at  last  justified  ;  for  I
received  a  letter  from  a  friend,  containing  information
that  these  inspectors  had  orders  to  bring  me  to  Europe,
in  case  they  could  be  assured  that  such  a  proceeding,  on
the  part  of  Government,  towards  me,  would  not  excite
the  natives  of  the  island  to  drive  all  the  French  out  of
their  country.  The  dependance  I  placed  on  the  attach-
ment of  the  natives,  set  me  entirely  at  ease  in  this
respect ;  but  I  was  strongly  affected  with  indignation
at  the  decision  of  the  minister,  and  determined  to  resign
my  charge,  in  order  that  I  might  have  it  in  my  power  to
serve  my  friends  more  effectually.
