328 A VOYAGE TO Bo©k IX. 



fame condition in the ifland, v,;ith regard to recreation 

 and amufements, as if we had been at fea •, being 

 hardly permitted to go a-fhore *, the Portuguefe from 

 their natural fufpicion and jeaioufy obferved their or- 

 ders with fuch precife ftridnefs, that to go from the 

 fhore to the principal fort where the governor of the 

 iiland refided, was the only walk allowed : ^nd in this 

 he who went a-fliore was attended with three or four 

 foldiers, who never left him till he returned to the 

 boat, v/hich was immediately ordered to be put off. 

 Guards were placed in all quarters of the harbour 

 and on feeing any boat, they immediately ran to the 

 place they fuppofed fhe intended to land at, in order to 

 accompany the paffengers. § Theie difagreeable pre- 

 cautions, however, are to be imputed to the abrupt 

 fettlement made on this ifland t>y the French Eafl. In- 

 dia company, v/hen the Portuguefe retired from it ; 

 and now thinking it a place of great importance to the 

 French, they preclude them from any acquaintance 

 with the inland parts of the ifland, lefl; fuch a know- 

 ledge might facilitate the execution of their fuppofed 

 defigns, namely of taking it from the Portuguefe, and 

 fortifying themfelves in fuch a manner as not to be 

 eaflly diflodgcd. 



^5 The Portuauefe are very cautious in this refped, fearing; 

 grangers (hould know the fertiiity of an ifland, lb near to their 

 rich fettlements the Brasils, from which ifland a contraband trada 

 might be carried on, if there were a fettleiTient, or the governor 

 couid be bribed. But they take care to make the moft dependent 

 officer governor, and prevent the ifland from properly becoming 

 a fettlement, by permitting a woinan to liveon it. A. 



