324 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
viewed with reference to the great and immediate object 
of solicitude with his majesty’s government and the country, 
the final destruction of the slave-trade; to other general 
objects of our own, of a political and commercial nature; 
or to those connected with beneficial improvements upon 
Madagascar itself. 
“ That the great practical result in view in making the 
treaty with Radama, namely, the closing one of the greatest 
slave-markets in the world, was accomplished, had been 
ascertained, so far as regards any British trade in slaves, 
by the indisputable fact, that no instance had occurred of 
any new slaves having been introduced into Mauritius, 
nor even any attempt made to do so, for nearly three 
years. 
“ In the continued and steady pursuit of the objects I 
have stated, it appears to me, that previously to my quit¬ 
ting this part of the world, in which, through a long career 
of public service, I had uniformly maintained an intimate 
correspondence and connexion with Madagascar, a personal 
visit among the people of that island, and an interview with 
Radama, or his principal chiefs and governors on the coast, 
could not fail to strengthen, and draw still closer, if pos¬ 
sible, the bond of our friendship and alliance already 
formed; and might, perhaps, lead to our procuring farther 
guarantees against any attempt to revive the slave-trade, 
or carry the people of this country into slavery on the part 
of the French and Portuguese, or any other power or state, 
and under any cloak whatever. 
“ With such considerations, I determined to avail myself 
of the opportunity afforded during the voyage home, to 
accomplish, as far as possible, these desirable purposes. I 
accordingly landed at Tamatave, one of the most central 
and convenient positions for trade, on the 26th. This 
