CHAP. I. 
DESIRED RENEWAL OF TRADE. 
17 
had perhaps been deceived by those on whom they had de¬ 
pended ; while from internal evidence we were led to doubt 
the genuineness of some of the documents which had arrived 
from Madagascar. 
The accounts we obtained from the merchants, who readily 
communicated such information as they possessed, was more 
vague and unsatisfactory, and few amongst them seemed to 
place entire confidence in any of the rumours in circulation. 
All wished most earnestly for the renewal of the trade, and 
expressed their hopes that our projected visit might hasten this 
desired result. His excellency the governor very frankly com¬ 
municated to us all he had heard on the subject; and, deeply 
sensible of the advantages that would accrue to the colony 
from the importation of cattle and other supplies from Mada¬ 
gascar, he was naturally anxious that the prohibition on the 
trade should be removed, but could take no steps towards the 
accomplishment of so desirable an object. These views were 
shared by the Colonial Secretary, and Major-Greneral Suther¬ 
land, commander-in-chief of the forces, who kindly expressed 
his earnest desire for the success of our visit. 
c 
