190 
CHAP. XVII. 
Slate of the Colony on its Arrival—Hostility of the 
Natives—Conspiracy of the Officers—Distresses of the 
Colony—Ravages of the Fever—Want of necessary 
Supplies — Report' respecting the Governor's Origin — 
Invited to act as Mediator — Offers, of Service from the 
Sa?nbarives—War with the Seclaves—Their complete 
Defeat. 
Upon the count’s arrival at Madagascar, he found 
the shore lined with chiefs, who expressed great 
satisfaction at seeing him; the detachment which he 
sent forward, having in some measure dissipated their 
apprehensions respecting his intentions towards them. 
The force which he had required was three hundred 
men*, with the proper officers and appointments, and 
two vessels of one hundred and twenty tons burthen : 
but many of his men were left sick at the Isle of 
France; and he had the mortification to find, upon his 
arrival, that those whom he had sent before were in 
* It is a strong proof of the moderation with which the count 
proposed to act in his new appointment, that he requested only 
three hundred men might be sent with him, whereas the French 
minister proposed twelve hundred. His reason was, that the 
object of the expedition went no farther than to establish posts 
for commerce, and that so great a number as twelve hundred 
men, would excite suspicion in the minds of the native chiefs. 
