312 VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR. 



" fhip of the blacks ; they ought not even 

 to demean themfelves fo far as to feek for 

 ** it. I am a foreigner, and on that account 

 " ought to exert myfelf the more in order 

 *' to procure refped to the French flag. My 

 ** adininiflration will reftore to it that degree 

 " of weight which the weaknefs of my pre- 



** decelFors made it lofe. Such almoft was 



" the fubllance of Benyow^fki's converfa- 

 '* tion. He added invedives of every kind 

 *' againft'the illanders, whofe character lie 

 '* delineated under the blackeft and falfeft 

 ** colours. 



** We judged that an abfolute want of 

 ** pro vifi 0113 was the only motive which had 

 '* determined him to preferve peace. The 

 ** hatred and refentment of this revengeful 

 " man had given way only to the moft ur- 

 *' gent neceffity. M. Belcombej being much 

 *' alarmed on this account^ endeavoured to 

 ** infpire Benyowfki with jufter and more 



" humane 



