HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
529 
Els several members of the Colonial Assembly. However, on a signal being given 
from the mountains, announcing the arrival of this French squadron, they all hast¬ 
ened to the port; but although some general measures had been taken to prevent 
the entrance of any one into the colony, without the permission of the Colonial 
Assembly, the division of Admiral Sercey was already anchored at the mouth of the 
harbour; and the agents, dressed in their directorial costume, had left the ship, fol¬ 
lowed by a company of grenadiers, belonging to the transport troops which they had 
on board, who were commanded by General Magalon. 
The officer commanding the pinnace of the harbour remonstrated in vain with 
the agents against their landing, until they had received permission from the Colo¬ 
nial Assembly, subscribed by the Governor-general. 
No force being prepared to oppose the landing of the agents, they received 
no interruption, and the people, having assembled in crowds to meet them, flatter^ 
ing themselves that they brought orders favourable to the colony, they were con¬ 
ducted, with all possible respect and ceremony, to the Colonial Assembly, which had 
assembled in haste at the usual place of their session. 
Being admitted as agents of the directory, their speeches on the occasion were most 
flattering for the colony, as they announced that they were charged with a commission 
from the Directory, which had no other object than the real happiness and prosperity 
of the colony. They were accordingly received in the most respectful manner. 
However one of the members of the Assembly, more courageous, and possess! ng 
more forethought than the rest, demanded if there was not also a commission 
named to receive from the agents the orders and instructions with which they w'ere 
charged, and to give an account of them to the Assembly. 
This question was evaded by the agents, who that very evening were installed in 
the government-house. 
On the following day, 19th July, they reviewed the two regiments, the 107th and 
108th, which formed the old garrison, and caused the battalion, of about eight hun¬ 
dred men, and two companies of artillery, which they had brought with them, to be 
landed. At the review they flattered the soldiers, and seemed to blame the colony, 
on account of their receiving their pay in paper. Their discourse soon spread 
abroad, and began to confirm the fears of those who were alarmed at the arrival 
of persons, who, by their great powers, became the arbiters of their fate: they 
had, indeed, been already struck by the evasion of the agents to produce their 
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