362 
These transactions did not take place without attracting 
the observations of the French Catholics at the Isle of 
Bourbon. That the English heretics should have thus 
gained the favour of a monarch, in a country which a few 
years ago was frequented by themselves alone, could not 
fail to alarm them. Accordingly we find the French 
priest, (we suppose the Sujierior ) at St. Denis, in that 
island, wrote a very flattering letter to the king of Ova, 
requesting permission to send Catholic misssonaries to 
instruct his subjects in the Roman Catholic religion ; and 
informing him that there were a number of them at 
Bourbon, ready to come over as soon as they had received 
his Majesty’s permission.” But the “ English heretics” 
had, indeed, got the start of them, and the king wrote a 
very spirited answer, assuring them in the strongest terms 
that he “ would never give his permission to such an 
interference—that he had entered into an alliance with the 
British nation, and, consequently, wished to have British 
protestant missionaries to instruct his subjects, and that 
such only should have his permission, as well as protection, 
throughout his dominions.” 
We cannot here refrain from expressing our indignation 
at the meddling conduct of these monks. Their govern¬ 
ment, after having held partial possession of the island for 
upwards of a century, during which their political and 
religious tyranny alienated from them the affections of the 
natives, and ultimately caused their violent expulsion,— 
had traded with them for another century and a half, 
during which no attempts had been made to enlighten or 
civilize them, or to convey religious instruction to their 
minds. While the French were allowed to partake of the 
profits of the most iniquitous trade that ever disgraced 
human nature, the moral state of these islands was of no 
consequence to them, nor did they make a single effort to 
christianize them. But as soon as they found that the 
British were likely to introduce Christianity under another 
