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Indiamen, and twenty-four large merchant vessels, 
all of which fell of course into the hands of the 
victors. Soon after, the Isle of Bourbon also was 
taken possession of by the British. 
As soon as these important posts were reduced, 
the British sent a detachment to Foule Point, and 
another to Tamatave, to take possession of the posts 
previously occupied by the French. # They found 
the natives well satisfied with the change that had 
taken place. Those who inhabited the western coast, 
had long been accustomed to receive visits from the 
British, whose Indiamen made a point of touching at 
St. Andrew’s or St. Augustine’s Bay, for the purpose 
of laying in a stock of fresh provisions and water; 
and the integrity and punctuality the natives always 
experienced in their dealings with them, had excited 
the most favourable opinion in their minds. This 
opinion, it seems, had long existed; for as early as 
the year 1720, when Drury was at Madagascar, the 
inhabitants of that part of the country which lies round 
St. Augustine’s Bay, looked upon the English as 
their best friends, while a Frenchman was sure to be 
massacred if he made his appearance. The change, 
therefore, which had taken place as to the possession of 
the two neighbouring islands, was very far from being 
disagreeable to the Madegasses, and they have ever 
since shewn the greatest respect towards the British. 
* The detachment sent to Tamatave, arrived in the sickly 
season, in consequence of which most of them were taken oft' 
by the fever. 
