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and brothers, recommended peace in the strongest 
terms. This speech, which was translated into 
Madegasse by Bigorne, seemed to make but little 
impression on the assembly. The orator, however, 
appeared fully convinced by it, and, by his ad¬ 
vice, the treaty was agreed to amidst general accla¬ 
mations. 
The conclusion of this treaty was .not a matter of 
small importance to the French. Their vessels 
near the island, were in the most pressing want of 
provisions : their crews consisted of six hundred 
men, for whose sustenance three oxen a day, and 
a proportionable quantity of rice, were requisite. 
They must therefore have complied with the con¬ 
ditions laid down by the orator, had they been 
enforced by the authority of the chiefs. We shall see 
in the sequel, that this was not much feared on the 
part of the French. 
The ratification of the treaty took place imme¬ 
diately, and was performed with the utmost solemnity. 
The orator slaughtered an ox, the blood of which 
was received into an earthen vessel, and a quantity of 
sea-water, pimento, pulverized gun-flints, a small 
portion of earth, and gunpowder mingled with it: 
these ingredients were moistened with tafia , a 
species of rum. Two leaden bullets were used to 
pound and incorporate with each other the different 
ingredients, which was thus rendered liquid. He 
then pronounced imprecations on those who should 
drink this potion, and afterwards break their oaths, 
