Colonial Intelligence.
The Times, 1824-04-05T00:00:00

(Fuosa the FRatrnjshire Tel grnph.) 1 We have ruch gratification in presenting our readers with the following extract from a letter, which reached us this morning, de- scribing the visit of Commodore Nourse to the South-East Coast of Afnica, the Slauritiur aud the isle of Madagascar. Thu events re- lated afi havnng occur ed at the last-named interesting island possess most importance.:..n n "Sflto~Cs'3Aw, (Cape of Good Hope)Jan.4. * A vessel being usder way for England, I will endeavour to give on a sketch of the late cruise. The Andromeahe sailed on the 29th of September last, with the intentioni of visiting Algoa anli Oelago bays,and Beribatooka (on the N.W. coast of Madagascar.) lVe arved at Algoacn the 5th of Oct., and at Delagoa on the lst of Nov. This is the place where the surveying vessels suffered so much fromn sickness about the same period last year. 'We found it perfectly healthy,but the natves almost in a state of starvation, which mnay be attributed to their natural apathy and indolence,and the apprehension they have of the designs of their neighbours, (the wandering tribes of Hollontontors). wa freqiuentlv make inroads on thenm, and de- stroy, 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 us any of the interior tribes. Though perfectly docile and inoffensive, they possess much low cunning and a principle of covetousness. From only the little intercourse they have had with the English, they are particularly desirous of being taken under their protection. The se- veral Kings would cede any territory for forts, factories &c. to en- sure the same. Their eagerness for clothes is unbounaed, as they always take c.are to furnish the back 'irst. We discovered an EnE . lislh h1issionary here (a Mr. Treadwell) slowlY recoverin frori {e- ver and dysentery. He had been but three months employed in his arduous task. He describes these people as a tractable race, but having no idea of a Supreme Being: if they worship any thing supremely, it is their foredthers. Te 31issionary is the only European there, and the Andromache's arrival was well timed for him. The Commodore very kindly and feelingly supplied him with such articles of refreshment aid nourishment as he could possibly spare anid mostlikely would tend towards the restorationof his hesalth. le had composed a vecabulary, 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 sdeas. T his we also experienced. Hfowever it i, to be hoped the enlargement of their mwindi will keep pace with his labours - for to istruct in celestial enjoyments of a future life those who have not the common necessaries of life in this, nor an understanding to com- prehend wbhy two and two make four, is an Herculean task indeed. " The Andromache arrived at Bembatooka on the 29th of No- vember, fortunatvly at a time when two advancing armies were within a few davs' march of each other_thearmy of King Radama and of King Adan Saul, of Bembatooka. The former is endeavour- ing to subjugate all this Sne island to his autliority, with the exulting view of putting down that nefarious and inhuman practice, slave traffic, and of substituting cnmmerce and agriculture in its place. The Commodore received a communication f'rom King Ra- dama, soliciting his kind interference as mediator between the said parties, and, in order to pre'vent the effusions of blood, permitting him to guarantee to the people of Bembatooka their lives and ro- perty, provided they would promise allegiance to Radama, an re- main at peace in their own country; in which object the Commo- dore was successful, and they hoisted Radama's flag instead of their owvn, and sent deputies to King Radama for its ratification. The slave traffrc has been, and still is, carried on at this placeto a very considerable extent; 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 extipation of the trade, nothing but it being decared felony, or an increased naval force in these seas, can possibly effect it. " The Andrornzache returned to this anchorage on the 29th of De- cember; found lying here the'Espiegle, Captain Chapman; the Ari- adne and De7ight at the Mlauritius." CDOLCIAL yNTELI (WE NCE.