76 
MOSxlMBIQUE. 
had it not been for the conquest of the Isles of France and the 
protection thereby afforded by British cruizers. 
Another enemy about the same time also made its appearance on 
the side of Madagascar, which, though deficient in the means of 
equally annoying the Settlement, had notwithstanding done it 
considerable mischief. This foe consisted of a nation of pirates on 
the north-east point of Madagascar, called by the Portuguese 
Sekelaves^ but whose real name I have reason to believe is Marati,* 
which for many years back has been known to infest the Comoro 
Island s-t The following account by Captain Thomlinson, ex- 
tracted from his journal, gives a very interesting and forcible 
description of the melancholy situation to which their incursions 
have reduced the wretched Johannese. 
June, 1809. The people of Johanna are the most courteous 
and inoffensive I have ever met with, tendering every assistance 
to strangers, and with the greatest fidelity and honesty executing 
any commissions intrusted to their care. They have lately been 
much reduced by the natives of Madagascar, who annually 
invade the island for the purpose of procuring slaves, which they 
sell to the French. The other islands, Comoro, Mohilla and 
Mayotta, are nearly depopulated from the attacks of these 
marauders, and at this time Johanna from twelve towns is reduced 
to two. These pirates come over at the latter part of the south- 
* This I learned subsequently from the Arabian traders. The Sekelaves, 1 was informed 
by Cnptain Fisher and others who visited that part of the island, are subjects of the Queen 
of Pembetoc, residing on the north-western side of Madagascar. 
t Vide A Vo yage from England to the Red Sea, by Austin Bissell, R. N.^ 1798-9 ; 
^ published in 1806 by A. Dalrymple at the expense of the East India Company." 
