uld not be visited by any ship under the
commodore's orders. Mr. Hope replied that the cartel had not come out in
consequence of this proposal, nor had the boat reached the shore at the
time; and this point being clearly ascertained, a communication was
opened, and I applied for a passage to the Cape of Good Hope. It happened
fortunately, that the Otter sloop of war was required to go there
immediately with despatches; and the commodore having satisfied himself
that no engagement of the commissary opposed it, complied with my
request. Next day I took leave of Mr. Hope, to whose zeal and address I
owed so much, and wished my companions in the cartel, with her worthy
commander, a good voyage; and after dining with commodore Rowley,
embarked in the evening on board the Otter with captain Tomkinson.

On bidding adieu to Mauritius, it is but justice to declare that during
my long residence in the island, as a marked object of suspicion to the
government, the kind attention of the inhabitants who could have access
to me was invariable; never, in any place, or amongst any people, have I
seen more hospitality and attention to strangers--more sensibility to
the misfortunes of others, of what ever nation, than here--than I have
myself experienced in Mauritius. To the names of the two families whose
unremitting kindness formed a great counterpoise to the protracted
persecution of their governor, might be added a long list of others whose
endeavours were used to soften my captivity; and who sought to alleviate
the chagrin which perhaps the strongest minds cannot but sometimes feel
in the course of years, when reflecting on their far-distant families and
friends, on their prospects in life indefinitely suspended, and their
hopes of liberty and justice followed by continual disappointment; and to
the honour of the inhabitants in general be it spoken, that many who knew
no more than my former employment and my misfortunes, sought to render me
service by such ways as seemed open to them. The long continuation and
notorious injustice of my imprisonment had raised a sensation more strong
and widely extended than I could believe, before arriving at Port Louis
to embark in the cartel; when the number of persons who sought to be
introduced, for the purpose of offering their felicitations upon this
unexpected event, confirmed what had been before said by my friends; and
afforded a satisfactory proof that even arbitrary power, animated by
str