211 
In order to supply the deficiency of clothing, the 
governor collected a number of the native women, 
whom he caused to be instructed in the weaving of 
cloth, which succeeded admirably, and ten of the 
volunteers were appointed to make these cloths into 
dresses for the rest. He also made a successful 
attempt at tanning leather; and as skins were to be 
had in great plenty, and there were several shoe¬ 
makers in the garrison, these wants were soon sup¬ 
plied. 
Some private vessels had arrived, by whom the 
colony was furnished with necessaries in exchange for 
rice, of which they had abundance. It appeared also 
that a small corvette had been sent from France, with 
workmen, and some supplies for Madagascar: unfor¬ 
tunately this vessel was wrecked before she reached 
her destination, and nothing was saved; so that at 
the end of two years, instead of having every want 
provided for by the government, the colony had abso¬ 
lutely received no assistance whatever from a public 
source, and the governor was under the necessity 
either of paying for those he could obtain, out of his 
own private funds, or of taking them in exchange for 
produce, at the pleasure of the owners. 
Towards the year 1775, intelligence arrived, that 
another powerful combination was forming against 
the colony by the chiefs of the Seclaves, who were 
endeavouring to excite against it the eastern 
nations; upon which spies were sent to ascertain 
the truth and the extent of the confederacy. The 
p c 2 
