HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
203 
should employ every practicable means to facilitate the 
commencement of a mission in Madagascar; and suggested 
to him the propriety of visiting that island, in order to 
obtain such particular information as might guide the 
directors in the measures they might adopt for the estab¬ 
lishment of a mission among the Malagasy. 
Dr. Vanderkemp arrived at the Cape of Good Hope on 
the 31st of March, 1799 ; and that he lost no time in seek¬ 
ing the information required, as well as cherished in his 
own mind a desire to commence the mission there, is evi¬ 
dent from his letter to the Missionary Society, dated May 
18, 1799, from which the following is an extract:— 
“ I have obtained here sufficient information about 
Madagascar, to conclude that a mission to this island would 
be a desirable object. They all confirm the accounts given 
by Colonel Burns. Should this mission be approved by the 
directors, I think it best to send at least three or four Mis¬ 
sionaries, as soon as possible, to the Cape, with orders for 
Capt. Robson* to convey them from the Cape to St. Austin, 
in Madagascar.” 
Dr. Vanderkemp then proceeds to inform the directors, 
that such Missionaries need not study the Dutch language, 
as the inhabitants w r ere in some measure acquainted with 
English; that a knowledge of the Malagasy language might 
be obtained at the Cape; and that a Mr. Truter, member 
of the judicial court, who had lived in Madagascar, would 
give ample information to any Missionaries arriving at the 
Cape in their way to Madagascar. After reaching the Bay 
of St. Augustine, he adds, “ there is an easy way of coast¬ 
ing, in large canoes, along the whole western side of the 
island, from north to south.” 
* At that time commanding the Duff, belonging to the London Mission¬ 
ary Society. 
