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began to fear the profitable intercourse they had so 
long held with that island would soon cease. Another 
circumstance also probably influenced his mind on 
this occasion. The Isle of Bourbon, as well as the 
Mauritius, was deeply involved in the slave-trade, 
which the British government had renounced ; and 
Governor Farquhar made no scruple of avowing 
his detestation of that abominable traffic. Now it is 
very possible that De Lozier might suspect that some 
exertions would be made to effect the abolition of 
the slave-trade in Madagascar, should the British, 
with their growing influence, gain the ascendancy 
there, which would materially affect the French 
dealers in human flesh and blood. It therefore 
became him, who was placed there to protect their 
interests, and who had no troublesome scruples upon 
the subject, to enter his protest against Mr. Farqu- 
har’s proceedings. The event fully justified his fears, 
and we will give him his full share of credit for 
vigilance and foresight, however deficient he may 
have been in humanity. 
Be this as it may, we find the worthy Governor 
Farquhar, steadily persevering in the course he had 
adopted, and without regarding the clamours of those 
who wanted to be his enemies, exerting himself to 
promote the welfare of every honest man under his 
protection.* 
* This task was attended with no little difficulty; much 
opposition was made to the regulations, and at one period a 
conspiracy was formed and nearly matured, for extirpating the 
s 2 
