VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAIt. JS^ 



fided over all his adions, he would have 

 found means to prevent you from carrying 

 on commerce, or having any intercourfe 

 with Madagafcar. 



The Malegaches, exhaufted by inteftine 

 wars, had lolt, daring the admhiiftration of 

 Benyowfki, almoftall their good qualities: 

 they were become bafe flaves, devoted to 

 the caprices of a ferocious and intractable 

 mafter. Under him the lands remained 

 uncultivated ; agriculture was negle^fted ; 

 and commerce interrupted had converted 

 into a defert, a country once fertile and 

 flourilhing. This artful man had fpread 

 the feeds of hatred and difcord among the 

 iflanders ; and his haughty and difdainful 

 gait united v^^ith his impudence and im- 

 pofture to overawe the muhitude. Through 

 features which difplayed pride and dupli- 

 city, one could ft ill diftinguifh a ferocious 

 jifpcd, capable of intimidating the moft 



intrepid. 



