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country, at that time so fertile in resources, in less than five years secured him a happy & independent situation. Content with a moderate fortune, in the acquisition of which, he had not one; deviated from virtue, and having risen to an honorable post in the service of the company, he now began to turn his thoughts towards his native country. Still young, his heart was now insensible to the desire which vanity inspired of displaying before his family the rapid produce of his services, with a resolution, however, of returning to the East Indies, although not as the slave of necessity, but as ardently aspiring still to superior honours His father, informed of his good success; had condescended for two years past ⟨to⟩ acknowledge him as his son. He even wrote to him, and appeared to have got the better at last, of all his former prejudices. St Andre embarked with his whole fortune in paper. A truce concluded between the two rival companies for a year seemed to promise that security in his voyage, which could not permit him to defer it. This imprudence was the source of all his subsequent misfortunes. He was ⟨scarcely⟩
