HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
507 
<s Some of these precious plants were carried to the islands of Seychelles, of 
Bourbon, and of Cayenne; but the greater part of them remained in the Isle 
of France; and all those which were distributed among private persons perished. 
" The care of the botanists, and their constant attention, preserved, at first, in 
the king’s garden, only fifty-eight nutmeg, and thirty-eight clove trees. In the 
month of October, 1775, two of the latter bore flowers, which were changed into 
fruit the next year. 
“ That which we have seen is small, dry, and meagre. If they are not improved 
by a long naturalization, the Dutch will only have had a false alarm, and will remain 
the masters of the spice trade. 
“ Sound policy has given another destination to the Isle of France. The quan¬ 
tity of corn there must be increased, and the crops of rice extended, by a more judi¬ 
cious distribution of the waters: it is equally important to attend to the multiplying 
of the cattle, and to the improvement of the breed. 
“ These objects, of the first necessity, were for a long time inconsiderable, 
although it was an easy matter to form pasturages, and the soil yielded twenty fold. 
Only a few years ago it was suggested to the government, to buy up, at a good 
price, all the grain which the planters might have to sell; and, at this period, the 
harvests were increased. If this plan be uninterruptedly followed, the colony will 
soon furnish provisions for its inhabitants, for the navigators that may frequent its 
roads, and for.the armies and fleets which circumstances will, sooner or later, bring 
there. Then this island will be the bulwark of all the settlements which France 
possesses, or may one day acquire in the Indies; the centre of all military opera¬ 
tions, offensive or defensive, which her interest will oblige her to undertake, or 
to sustain, in these distant regions. 
“ It is situated in the African sea, just at the entrance of the Indian ocean; and 
though very much elevated, its climate is temperate and wholesome. As it lies out 
of the common track, its expeditions can be carried on with greater secrecy. Those 
who wish it were nearer to our continent do not consider that if it were, it would 
be impossible to pass, in a short time, from its road, to the most distant gulfs of 
these regions, which is an inestimable advantage to a nation that has no sea-port 
in India. 
“ Great Britain sees, with a jealous eye, her rivals possessed of a settlement 
where the ruin of her property in Asia may be prepared. At the breaking out 
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