302 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
of arms, and some articles of furniture brought from Europe; such as tables, chairs, 
and glasses of the first manufacture; with a palanquin very commodiously con¬ 
trived and lined with crimson velvet. M. Reglade supposed that these things had 
been brought by the pirates, who formerly cruised off the coasts of this island, 
and infested the Indian seas. 
<£ The King appeared to have absolute sway in his dominions; and if his subjects 
did any thing that was unjust or insulting to the French, he punished them with the 
greatest severity. The French found that the country produced both cotton and 
silk, of which they sent samples into France, that were approved; and people, 
properly qualified in those branches of manufacture, were sent to bring them to 
perfection. On ascending a river they came to a large rock of crystal, with which 
M. Reglade loaded several boats : he made presents of it to several persons of dis¬ 
tinction, who set an high value upon it. In the bay, where there is excellent 
anchorage, there is also a small isle, which is very fertile and commodious for the 
refitting and repairing of ships; and in which the princes of the country have per¬ 
mitted the French to form an establishment. There are several Arab families settled 
among them, who construct small vessels, and trade from thence with Persia and 
the Red Sea, touching in their voyage at the Isles of Mohilla and Jounna for re¬ 
freshments. Mr. Reglade was of opinion that the people of those islands send ships 
also to trade in different parts of Madagascar. 
‘ 4 The Arabs are the only inhabitants of the island who know how to navigate in 
the open sea; and they serve as pilots to the ships which are approaching to, or 
departing from the coast. The last French ship that was among them having taken 
one of these Arabs aboard, was run aground: the Captain, being alarmed for the 
safety of his vessel, in the first transport of his anger, declared he would complain 
to the king, and have his head cut off; whereupon the Arab drew his poniard, and 
killed the captain and one of his officers; he then leaped into the sea and was 
drowned. Those who remained in the ship, disengaged her, and returned to the 
Isle of Mauritius: since that event, the trade with Madagascar has ceased. 
Port Dauphin, which was the first establishment that the French had formed at 
Madagascar, has long been abandoned, and the inhabitants of the island have driven 
them from another, which they had formed at Foule Point. This circumstance was 
occasioned rather by the bad conduct of those to whom the French Company had 
entrusted their affairs, and the indiscreet manner with which they treated the 
