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ample resources for commercial and scientific specula¬ 
tion, come to be generally known, it will undoubtedly 
be visited by many who have hitherto been kept away 
by the dark character its inhabitants assumed, under 
the baneful influence of the slave-trade. Taught by 
bitter experience to doubt the sincerity of Europeans, 
and to consider them as their greatest enemies, the 
Madegasses have hitherto presented the appearance 
of a beast of prey—tamed, it is true, but possessing the 
power and disposition to revenge the first slight insult, 
frequently yielding to the suspicion that past treachery 
had excited, and anticipating such aggression where it 
was not intended. It was impossible that any effec¬ 
tual improvement could be made in their condition, 
while the slave-trade existed. Religion and morality 
could not be inculcated, while the example of the 
slave-dealers was so directly opposed to their dictates. 
Education could not be imparted to a people who 
were continually shifting their habitation, to avoid 
the attacks of their powerful neighbours. Agriculture 
could not be attended to when the crops were every 
day liable to be destroyed by predatory incursions; 
nor would any one have attempted to introduce 
the civil arts and manufactures under the bare pos¬ 
sibility of being carried into slavery. Now, how¬ 
ever, the desire of the natives for instruction may be 
safely gratified; improvements in agriculture, and a 
more extensive cultivation of the ground, will undoubt¬ 
edly take place. Artizans and manufacturers may now 
safely settle amongst them, having the certainty of 
protection from the civil power; and a cessation of 
