HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
53 i 
the destruction of the colony, they deserved death ; at the same moment one of the 
agents narrowly escaped being killed by the discharge of a pistol, and the other was 
preserved by the Commissioners of the Colonial Assembly, who at that instant were 
treating with them. 
The inhabitants, informed of this event, and seeing the soldiers remain quiet in 
their quarters, contented themselves with insisting on the immediate re-embarkation 
of the agents, a requisition to which the members of the commission acceded: and, 
having persuaded the agents to submit, they accompanied them in person, in order 
to preserve them from the general indignation: and, in this manner, conducted them 
on board a sloop, which had been just ordered to receive and take them to the 
Phillippine islands. This destination had, without doubt, been preferred, as being 
one of the most remote places from France. This order had. been obtained by the 
Colonial Assembly from General Malarlic, who, during the whole of this tumult, 
was present with them. 
The sloops Le Moineau, having, in twelve ho,urs,. received all the necessary stores 
for its voyage, got under sail for its destination; but, on the morrow of their de¬ 
parture, having dressed themselves in their directorial costume, they harangued the 
crew, and soon induced them to mutiny against the captain, and consent to return 
to France, after having put in at Madagascar, to take in the stores necessary for so 
long a voyage. 
The colony, thus freed from the presence of the agents, gave themselves up to 
transports of gratitude towards the military.chiefs and troops who had refused to'shed 
blood. Every one eagerly contributed voluntary gift? in favour of the soldiers, and 
good order was re-established under the administration of the constituted autho¬ 
rities. An advice was sent immediately to France, with an address of the Colonial 
Assembly, as well to the two Councils as to the Directory, giving an account of the 
dismissal of its agents, and representing it in'a manner, as may be supposed, the 
most favourable to themselves. 
The imminent dangers to which every one had been exposed, from the sudden 
emancipation of the slaves, with which they had been threatened, had, in a moment, 
rallied every one, as it were, to the common standard, and produced this union of the 
whole colony, for the immediate dismissal of its' agents. Every one congratulated 
himself on such an happy event, and entertainments were given on the occasion 
throughout the colony. 
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