Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-04-09
SELECTIONS,
FROM LONDON PAPERS REcElPE1
1T THIS OFFICE.
THE ISLE OF FRANCE.

more than thirty one leagues IN CMCuHioi-
ence, about eleven in length, and IN BREADTH
having surface which measures 432,oSo d.
ores. 1t is described as extremely healthy,
fertile, and Astounding with the most romantic
scenery. r
The population of the contiguous isles OF
France and Bourbon ID said to have been l2l,
600 in the year 1899, OF whom great proper
,;on are NEGRO slaves and the military force
consisted of 5000 men. Raynal informs US,
that in the year l7e5, the population OF the
Isle of France, was as follows :---l,a6s white,
people, besides the troops; 1857 indians or
free negroes and 1881 slaves. Since that
period the population has probably very con-
siderably encreased.
The principal harbor of the island is Port
Louis, which is situated IN 20, 10, soash lat.
and S. long. east from Paris. The tides are
not very pecceptible, those OF the equinox ris-
ing not more than three feet.
With regard to its produce, the following
arc the most recent details. The soil OF the
island is very diversified. Although by It's
climate it is adapted for all colonial produc-
tons, it has not equally answered all the Oil
fcrent kinds of cult ;ation which the mh;ol.
tants have endeavorsd to nasuraiZe. ne
plantations OF coffee were the FIRST adopted
but other objects of cultivation, such as cot
ton, having appeared more profitable, coffee
has not become so general as 1t would othef-
wise have been. The natives pretend that
thcr colft2 is superior to that OF Moka. ne
cotton, In its turn, has likewise been neglect
ed, because the cultivation of indigo WIS be-
come more popular Several sugar planta-
tons have succeeded. One Of their COVER
nors, NJ Poivre, formerly found means TO
introduce plants of the nutmeg, cloves, sc.
from the Dutch Spice Islands. The asperi-
ment, however, did not prove successful; Tor
Raynal tells us, that most OF the plal:ts aicd,
and the rest were rot likely to bear ,r'lit
The principal advantage which the French
derived from the island was, that it served as
a point from which our commerce might be
successfully annoyed in the Indian seas The
fatal experience of the East India company,
and of the private traders on the coasts Oh Co.
rolnandel and Malabar, has proved that no.
thing could be better adapted tor attaining
that object. 1t served as the place OF rendez-
vous for French irigates, where they could De
refittcd, and where they might retire with
their plumber. 1t Was depot OF captured pre-
duce, and In this view was resortcd to by Amc-
rican traders, who brought that produce to
Europe which the French were unable to con-
yey in their own merchantmen. The destruc-
ton of such nest of marauders is the prlncl-
pal advantage that VIC can derive from the
CONQUEST III our hands it is impregnable, as
long as we command the seas, and, perhaps,
NAV be rendered station OF some import
ance.
The Able Rayna! gives the following view
Of the political and commercial advantages OF
this important island:
* The Isle of France must always be allow
ed to be one Of the most valuable possessions
for any nation DESTROYS of trading to Asia It
is situated in the African seas, Just at the en-
trance of the Indian Ocean. As it lies liz
tie out of the common track, It's expeditions
can be carried On with greater secrecy. Rose
who wish it was nearer OH continent. 60 not
consider that If i, were SO, it would be iInpos-
sibie &c reach the coasts OF MaiaOar and Coro-
mandei in mouths time, and the most dist
ant sulphs in two months at most, which Is an
inestimable advantage to a nation, who, Ike
the French, have DO seaport IN India. This
isi:nd. though in the same latitude Is the blr-
rem and scorching coasts of Africa, is tempe
| rate and healthy The soil is stony, but tole-
| rably fertile. Experience has shewn that 1t
| will produce most of the necessaries, and even
i Of the luxuries, of life. Whatever it may
want, may be supplied from Madagascar and
! from Bourbon, where the inhabitants have
retained their simplicity of manners taste
| for husbandrv.
Great Britain sees with a jealous eve her
! rivals possessed of settlement which may
prsve the ruin of her hourishing trade with
Asia. At the breaking out of war, her ut
most efforts will certainly be aimed at colo
ny that threatens her richest treasures. What
| a. misfortune for France should she suffer
herself to be deprived of it"
! A letter from an officer Of Engineers, at Ca
diz, saws" We suspect that the French army
before this place has lately been considerably
weakened, and that more men have joined
Massena than Lord Wellington is aware of
Depend upon it there is some ruse de Suerr,
going on. The French are about to make Z
desperate attempt in Portugal; and more mer
will be found on their side than is set dozv'
for them. The newly invented Seville NOR