anslation of which letter will be found in the Appendix > this Report.*

It was the intention of Mr. Jones to have returned with [r. Hastie to the Mauritius after the conclusion of the eaty, but in consequence of a formal invitation from the ing, Mr. Jones had consented to remain at Tananarive, here the King has allotted to him one of the royal houses, his residence, with servants to attend upon him. Here was to enjoy the advantage of some good teachers, while deavouring to improve himself in the knowledge of the adecasse language.

According to one of the articles of the treaty concluded Mr. Hastie with King Radama, to which the Directors ve already alluded, twenty young persons were to be lected from among the Malegaches, to be instructed in eful learning and arts, under the patronage of the British overnment. Of these, ten were to be sent for that purse to the Mauritius, and ten to this country. Prince ataffe, brother-in-law to King Radama, has very recently rived in England, accompanied by nine of the Malegache uths so selected, and will probably attend the present eeting of the Society. †

Mr. Jones, in a letter addressed to Mr. Telfair, thus aldes to the sentiments of Radama, as to this part of the eaty :-"It appears to me (says he) that the King values e article which provides for the instruction of his subjects ore than any other part of the equivalent."

In another letter, addressed to the same gentleman, he serves-"The mother of Radama, conversing a few -ys ago on the advantages to be derived from instructing e people, sensibly remarked, that she would never agree a treaty where money was to be the main object, but ould support the plan proposed with all her might." ↑

*See Appendix, No. X.

+ Prince Rataffe, as was expected, attended the Meeting, companied by several of the youths from Madagascar, all of nom have since been placed by Government under the care of the ciety, to be instructed, according to the stipulations of the treaty. See Appendix, No. XI.

But not only is the King and the royal family anxious to promote the instruction of the people; the people themselves are also equally anxious that their children should be instructed. When it was understood at the capital that twenty young persons were to be selected for this purpose, a zealous spirit of competition was immediately manifested among the more respectable Malegaches, as to whose children should have the preference. *

The treaty for the abolition of the slave traffic, &c. was proclaimed at Tananarive, on the 11th of October last; and Mr. Jones, in a subsequent letter to Mr. Telfair, thus describes the joy manifested by the inhabitants on the

"Had (says Mr. Jones) His Excellency Governor Farquhar witnessed the transports of joy exhibited in the countenances of thousands around us on the 11th instant, when the treaty was agreed upon--the proclamation issued-the British flag, in union with that of Madagascar, hoisted-freedom hailed by thousands as the gift of the British nation-the guns firing-the music playing, and the people rejoicing,-the scene would, I think, have filled his mind with greater pleasure than he ever before witnessed-being himself the author of a treaty pregnant with so many blessings. When I went out (adds Mr. J.) to see the union flag, and all the people looking at it, with smiles in their countenances, my heart was filled with joy, and my eyes with tears."

The Directors are persuaded, that this Meeting will participate with them in the most lively feelings of satisfaction on the report of the intelligence from Madagascar now communicated. The slave traffic, they trust for ever, terminated, by a solemn treaty with the British Government, in an island containing a population of FOUR MILLIONS—the King of the largest and most civilized portion of it, confirming by the said treaty stipulations at once for the freedom and instruction of his subjects, inviting Protestant Missionaries, and others, from England, to diffuse among his people the blessings of Christianity and the arts of civilization-the people at large cordially concurring with their Sovereign in these measures, and hailing with unbounded transport and joy the public annunciation of the treaty,-are events which it is impossible

contemplate with ordinary emotions of delight. Nor will e pious mind refrain from supplicating the Almighty to -ant, that the abolition of slavery in Madagascar, may be e prelude, to its numerous and interesting population, of e blessings of moral and spiritual liberty, the only able foundation of civil and social happiness.

In conformity to an intimation in the Report of last year, e Directors had already sent out Mr. David Griffiths, from e Seminary at Gosport, with a view to assist Mr. Jones an attempt to revive the Mission in Madagascar. He iled from Gravesend, for the Mauritius, on the 25th of ctober last, in the Albion, Captain West. The highly enuraging intelligence which has been recently received om Madagascar, has induced the Directors to adopt preninary measures with a view to the sending out to that and, with as much despatch as possible, at least one ditional Missionary, who will probably be accompanied two or more artisans. †

In a letter addressed to the Directors, His Excellency overnor Farquhar makes the following observations, in ation to the events which have been just communicated ncerning Madagascar :

'In my opinion, never was so boundless and favourable a field own open to your pious labours. A people without any nanal religion or superstitions of consequence to combat, consistof about four millions of souls, ready as well as capable of eiving instruction, under the will of a monarch who is as eager obtain it for them, as you can be to grant it."

Mr. Jones describes King Radama as manifesting a kind d affable disposition, and as possessing talents of a perior order. He has acquired a knowledge of the ench language, and speaks some English. He is very sirous that the latter should be generally taught throught his dominions.

Mr. John Jeffreys, from the Academy at Blackburn, together h four artisans, are shortly expected to embark, in the Columbo, ptain Richardson, the same vessel that conveyed Prince Ratafse England, and by which he proceeds to the Mauritius, on his urn to Madagascar.-(25th July.)

1

7

WEST INDIES.

UNITED COLONY OF

DEMERARA AND ESSEQUEBO.

GEORGE TOWN.

Providence Chapel.-Several members of Mr. Davies's church have been removed by death: many others have been since united to it. Belonging to the congregation are many young people and children, bond and free, who are diligent in learning the Scriptures, Catechisms, Hymns, &c. About 170 free children attend Mr. Davies every Saturday afternoon, for religious instruction. The number of negro children, from the country, who receive instruction, and attend, for this purpose, in companies of 100 each, alternately, on successive Sabbaths, is about 1000. These are all catechised, and several of Mr. Davies's former pupils assist in the work. "It is a cheering sight (says Mr. Davies) to Missionaries to see the children of the heathen, whom they have taught, grow up to help them in instructing other poor heathen children in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. This animates and gladdens our hearts amidst our tribulations."

Mr. Davies has opened a place, where the Gospel is preached to the negroes, at Belair, a plantation situated about midway between George Town and Le Resouvenir. He and the brethren, Messrs. Smith and Mercer, preach alternately at this place every fortnight. The number of negroes who attend on these occasions usually amounts to between 200 and 300.

The Directors are concerned to state, that the labours of Mr. Davies have been, of late, frequently interrupted by indisposition.

Mr. Elliot's Chapel, in Cumingsberg.-No particular communications, relative to the state of Mr. Elliot's church and congregation at this place, have been received during the past year.

Ebenezer Chapel, on the Coast west of the Demerara Ever.-The attendance of the negroes at this chapel, nich has been lately erected, is good; and Mr. Elliot is couraged by many pleasing proofs that the Gospel is not eached to them in vain. Among others, he notices an dent change of conduct in some of the négroes, and eir earnest desire to become members of the church. . Elliot observes, that the spirit of opposition which merly prevailed here is now greatly subsided. Several the Planters manifest towards him a friendly dispoon, and have contributed more than £20 towards the pense of the chapel.

Mr. Mercer, during the past year, has been usefully ployed in preaching the Gospel in various places, viz. asionally at Providence Chapel, in consequence of the eated indisposition of Mr. Davies; at Belair, situated the coast east of the Demerara River; at Belle Vue, ated about seven miles up the river, once a fortnight; asionally at Fort Island, and, when not otherwise ened, at his own hired house, in George Town.

bout three months since, Mr. Mercer commenced aching in the island of Leguan, having received persion from a gentleman of considerable influence and ectability, to instruct the negroes on his estates. Mr. cer is encouraged by the prospects of usefulness in uan, and has it in contemplation to reside there. Until emoves from George Town, he will continue to preach nately at Leguan and Belle Vue.*

Irs. Mercer employs a portion of her time in the superdance of a small school, the children of which she instructs in the principles of Christianity and in inguna Meir off bezenquai rum esw dollw he brethren in Demerara derive equal gratification encouragement, from finding that the negroes who rẻo

Since the Report was drawn up, communications have been ved by the Directors, from which it appears that Mr. Mercer's val to Leguan is, at most, very problematical, bet 2**