ral Henry Warde, and Captain Rowley, on the part of the British; and on the morning of the 3d, signed and ratified at head-quarters, by which the whole island, with an immense quantity of stores and valuable merchandize, six large frigates, three smaller ships of war, five gun-boats, three captured lndiamen, and twenty-eight merchant vessels, were surrendered to the English, whose total loss in accomplishing the conquest of this important colony did not exceed 150 men in killed and wounded[1].
- ↑ No person could entertain a more accurate idea of the value of the Mauritius, in a political and commercial view, than the Abbè Raynai; who, as long ago as the middle of the last century, expressed his opinion as follows:
“The isle of France must always be allowed to be one of the most valuable possessions for any nation desirous of trading to Asia. It is situated in the African seas, just at the entrance of the Indian ocean. As it lies a little out of the common track, its expeditions can be carried on with greater secrecy. Those, who wish it was nearer to our continent, do not consider that if it were so, it would be impossible to reach the coasts of Malabar and Coromandel in a month’s time, and the more distant gulfs in two months; which, to a nation, who like the French, have no sea-port in Hindostan, is an inestimable advantage. This island, though in the same parallel of latitude as the barren and scorching coast of Africa, is temperate, and comparatively healthy. The soil is stony, but tolerably fertile. Experience has shewn that it will produce most of the necessaries, and even some of the luxuries of life. Whatever it may want may be supplied from Madagascar, and from Bourbon; where the inhabitants have retained simplicity of manners, with a taste for husbandry. Great Britain sees, with a jealous eye, her rivals possessed of a settlement, which may prove the ruin of her flourishing trade with Asia. At the breaking out of a war her utmost efforts will certainly be aimed at a colony that threatens her richest treasures. What a misfortune to France, should she suffer herself to be deprived of it!”
Fatal experience has proved that no position could be more successfully adapted to the annoyance of British commerce in the Indian seas, than the Mauritius, while in the possession of France. It served as a place of rendezvous for the enemy’s cruizers, where they could be refitted, and whither they might retire with their plunder. It was a depot of captured produce; in which view it was resorted to by American traders, who brought that produce to Europe, which the French were unable to convey in their own merchantmen.
By the 8th article of the definitive treaty of peace between France and the allied powers, signed at Paris, May 30, 1814, the isle of France was ceded in full property and sovereignty to his Britannic Majesty. In our hands it is impregnable, as long as we command the seas, and may, perhaps, be rendered a station of some importance.
