478 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
Shortly after the period now under review, a report 
reached the capital that the small-pox had appeared in the 
northern provinces, and was destroying multitudes of the 
people. This induced the Missionaries to send to the 
Mauritius for some vaccine matter, to preserve their own 
families, and, if possible, to introduce it into other parts of 
the island. 
In the month of July, the Missionaries had received the 
idol above referred to. Mr. Freeman having been led to 
expect the arrival of Mrs. Freeman from England, went 
to the coast to meet her, and aid her in her journey to the 
capital. On reaching Tamatave, he found the lymph con¬ 
taining the vaccine had arrived, and, at the earnest request 
of Mr. Reddington, a friendly trader residing on the coast, 
he was induced to vaccinate his children, as a means of 
preserving them from the dreaded scourge then spreading 
among the people. A report of this proceeding was carried 
to the queen, in which it was said that he had inoculated 
for the small-pox. Mr. Reddington was required to remove 
into the country; the trade with the Europeans was sus¬ 
pended; and on Mr. Freeman’s wishing to return to 
Tananarivo, he was prevented until express permission was 
received from the queen. 
This occasioned considerable inconvenience; and though, 
when the requisite explanations were given, the difficulties 
were removed, the circumstance served to show the vigilance 
of the enemies of the Mission, and the readiness with which 
any advantage was taken of circumstances that might afford 
occasions for depriving them of the confidence of the people, 
or impeding their operations. 
Notwithstanding the frequency of occurrences equally 
unfavourable, the Missionaries cherished the confident 
expectation that their Mission would succeed, that the 
