The Sun.
London, England, 1824-04-05 00:00:00

INTERESTING COMMUNICATION.

The following is an extract from a letter, de-
scribing the visit of Commodore NOURSZ to the
South East Coast of Africa, the Mauritius, and
th• Isle of Madagascar. The events related as
having occurred at the last-mentioned interesting
island possess most importance :

" Simon's Bay ( Cape of Good Hope), Jan. 4.

" A vessel being under-way for England, I will endeavour to
give you a sketch of the late cruise. The Andromache sailed on
the 29th of September last, with the intention of visiting Algoa
and Delagoa Bays, and Bembatooka (on the north-west coast of
Madagascar).—We arrived at Algoa on the sth of October,
and at Delagoa on the Ist of November. This is the place
where the surveying vessels suffered so much from sickness,
about the same period last year. We found it perfectly healthy,
but the natives almost in a state of starvation, which may be
artributed to their natural apathy and indolence, and the ap-
prehension they have of the designs of their neighbours (the
wandering tribes of Hollontontors), who frequently make in-
roads on them, and destroy, carry off, and make spoil of every
thing. We found many of the natives living on roots and a
sort of long grass; they were all in a state of perfect nudity,
and perhaps as barbarous as any of the interior tribes. Though
perfectly docile and inoffensive, they possess much low cun-
ning, and a principle of covetousness. From only the little
intercourse they have had with the English, they are parti-
cularly desirous of being taken under their protection. The
several Kings would cede any territory for forts, factories,
&c. to ensure the same. Their eagerness for clothes is un-
bounded, as they always take care to furnish the back first. We
discovered an English Missionary here (a Mr. Treadwell),
;lowly recovering from fever and dysentery. He had been but
three months employed in his arduous task. Be describes
these people as a tractable race, bat liaving"no idea of a Su-
preme Being if they worship any thing supremely it is their
forefathers. The Missionary is the only European there, and
the Andromaches arrival was well timed for him. The Com-
modore very kindly and feelingly supplied him with such arti-
cles of refreshment and nourishment as he could possibly spare,
and most likely would tend towards the restoration of his
health. He had composed a voc ibulary, and had acquired
some knowledge of the language, but bitterly complained of
the difficulty in making these people comprehend his meaning,
from a want of ideas. This we. also experienced. However,
it is to be hoped the enlargement of their minds will keep
pace with his labours : for to instruct in celestial enjoyments
of a future life those who have not the common necessaries of
life in this, nor an understanding to comprehend why two and
two make four, is an Herculean task indeed.

" The Andromache arrived at Bembatooka on the 29th of
November, fortunately at a time when two advancing armies
were within 'a few days march of each other—the army of
King Radama, and of King Adan Saul, of Dembatooka.—
The former is endeavouring to subjugate all this fine island to
his authority, with the exulting view of putting down that ne-
farious and inhuman practice, Slave traffic, and of substituting
commerce and agriculture in its place. The Commodore re-
ceived a communication from King Radama, soliciting his
kind interference, as mediator between' the said parties, and, in
order to prevent the effusion of blood, permitting him to gua-
rartca to
tut, pcopie or irlbatooka, their lives and propert-

provided they would promise allegiance to Radama, and remain
at peace in their own country; in which. object the Commodore
was successful, and they hoisted Radaina's flag instead of their
own, and sent deputies to King Radama, for his ratification.—
The Slave traffic has been, and still is, carried on at this place
to a very considerable extant; but as there is every disposition
on the part of King Radama to annihilate it, it is to be hoped
the above concession will check it in a great measure; but as to
an entire extirpation of the trade, nothing but its being declared
felony, or an increased naval force in these seas can possibly
effect it.

" The Aclromache returned to this anchorage on the 29th of
December; found lying here the Espeigle, Captain Chapman;
the Ariadne and Delight at the Mauritius."