VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR, 295 



count, it is more difEcult to account for the 

 French nation thus confiding in, and em- 

 ploying, a ftranger whofe a 61 ions were 

 more than fufpicious. Several millions were 

 thus facrificed to a falfe and imprudent fpe- 

 cuktion, from which nothing could refult 

 but great evils to the Ifle of France, and 

 ft 111 greater to Madagafcar. 



A fimple recital of fadls conveys the mod 

 fevere cenfure upon the imprudent confi- 

 dence repofed in this adventurer. M. 

 Poivre certainly is freefrom all blame on that 

 account ; for he did every thing in his 

 power to guard his country again ft the 

 danger of being deluded by him. 



Bat let us hear the account of an officer 

 of dilHndion, who his every title to the 

 higheft celebrity. I am not allowed to men- 

 tion his name j becaufe, being now ab- 

 fent, 1 had not an opportunity of afking 

 his permiffion. This officer accompanied 

 U 4 M, dc 



