196 
withheld. These accumulated evils weakened the 
colony, and weighed down the health of the 
governor, so that he was obliged to retire to the 
Isle D’Aiguillon for change of air. 
On his return he found, with regret, that the 
lieutenant-colonel and fifteen volunteers had died 
during his absence of a fortnight, and that many more 
of the troops were ill. This induced him to send a 
detachment up the river Tingballe, in order to find a 
situation more healthy to which he might transport 
the invalids. M. Marigni, who commanded the 
detachment, after sailing about nine leagues, came to 
a spot called by the natives the Plain of Health, 
which appeared suitable for the purpose, being at a 
distance from the marshes, very extensive, well shel¬ 
tered, and commanded by a mountain, on which a 
fort might be constructed: here they built houses, 
and an hospital for the convalescents. In the 
meanwhile, the most pressing representations were 
despatched to the Isle of France, of the distressing 
case of the colony, accompanied by an order for those 
things which were necessary; but it appears, the 
government of that place cared little about the colony 
at Madagascar, and were pre-determined not to 
render it any assistance. 
During the summer, the governor lost his only son 
by the fever; and at the same time his Major, De 
Marigni, died, regretted by every one : he himself had 
a second attack, which obliged him to repair to the 
Plain of Health, with thirty invalids. 
