XXviil INTRODUCTIOK. 



ikilful and experienced in every part of hk 

 profeffion, finding, however, that this evil 

 might be remedied, became very anxious to 

 accomplilh fo important an object. At 

 that time M. Poivre was intendant of the 

 ifles of France and Bourbon. That cek- 

 bmted man feeing all the advantages of M. 

 de Tromelin's proje£l, united with M. de 

 Steinaure, a general officer, highly worthy 

 of efteem both by his knowledge and vir- 

 tues, and who adled In the interim as go- 

 vernor, to requeft, in the name of the colony^ 

 of the duke de Praflin, then minifler of the 

 marine, the fpeedy execution of a plan 

 which would give the Iflc of France a fafe 

 harbour, where vefFels might be fheltered 

 from hurricanes. When the propofed 

 works were ordered, M> de Tromelhi fir ft 

 employed bimfelf in changing thc^courfe of 

 the torrents by dykes and channels, which 

 ferved to colled the body of the waters, and 



to 



