«d6 voyage to madagascaje* 



troduced the flave-trade into the north-eaft 

 part of Madagafcar* This we are told by 

 all the traditions of the countr)^, and it was 

 confirmed to rae by La Bigorne. It was 

 iiot> however, without caufmg much trou- 

 ble and diforder that they were able, about 

 the year 1722, to overcome the averiion 

 which the Malegaches had for that horrid 

 traffic. Before this epoch feveral European 

 fhips had nnade vain efforts to induce them to 

 fell their prifoners and malefaQors. Their 

 negociations for this purpofc, inftead of be- 

 ing attended with fuccefs, were rejected 

 with indignation, and fometimes puniihed 

 in an exemplary manner when they ven- 

 tured to employ ftratagem or force. The 

 pirates were too well acquainted with the 

 intrepid fpirit of the Malegaches to ufe thefe 

 means ; and they were fenfible that they 

 were too few in number to fubdue them, or 

 to dilate to them concerning a trade which 



they 



