I have spoken of slaves.  Although the government has abolished the exportation of slaves, slavery is still allowed in the country.  The slaves are generally people taken in war from among the inhabitants of the northern provinces.  People are also condemned to perpetual slavery for crimes by the government.  The Hovas, the name of the dominant tribe, of whom Radama was chief, have made slaves of great numbers of the tribes whom they have conquered.  We heard, however, that they are generally kindly treated.  Many of the Christians were condemned to slavery during the late persecutions; but the conditions made with those who took charge of them was, that they were to be kept constantly at hard labour.  We heard much of the admirable conduct of the Christians under all their persecutions.  Their heathen masters declared that they could be intrusted with any matter of importance, and were scrupulously exact with regard to all property placed under their charge, while among themselves they kept up the pure and simple doctrines which they had learned from the Bible itself.