VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR. 201 



of vigour and a<!iivity. It would be as jdif- 

 ficult to foretel the period when it will end 

 as to eft i mate the ravages to which it has 

 given rife* Of all the evils and all the 

 diforders occafioned hj the pirates, the 

 greateft, without doubt, is that of having 

 introduced the ilave-trade into Madagafcar ; 

 and yet I iliould think I difgraced my pen, 

 did I allow myfelf to trace out the picture 

 of the atrocious cruelties they exercifed, and 

 the infamous ftratagems they pra£tifed. The 

 flave-trade is an inftitmion fo much the 

 more abominable as the evils which it pro* 

 duces are fcarcely felt by thofe who derive 

 profit from them. It would feem as if it 

 required long ftudy and meditation to dif^ 

 cover that liberty is conneded with the 

 effence and dignity of man ; and that it is 

 the height of injuftice to have converted it, 

 if I may ufe the expreffion, into a faleable 

 commodity. If thi^ truth does not make 



that 



