184 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. chap. vii. 



fixed his chief settlement at Antongil Bay, using Foule 

 Pointe as one of his outstations or factories. The military 

 force he had brought, the trade he offered, together with the 

 industry, ability, and force of character which he manifested, 

 secured him such influence as to induce the chiefs in that 

 part of the island to enter into alliance with him, and in- 

 spired hopes of ultimate success. But the representations of 

 the authorities of Mauritius induced the French government 

 to send out a commission of inquiry, and after they had com- 

 pleted their task, Benyowsky resigned his commission and 

 retired from the settlement and the service of France. 



Before this time a report had been circulated by an old 

 female slave from Mauritius that Benyowsky was the son of 

 a sovereign of that part of the country, who had in former 

 times been carried thither. The chiefs and people pretended 

 to believe this report, and Benyowsky does not appear to 

 have undeceived them. Under this impression they re- 

 quested him to assume the office and duties of their ruler. 

 He had previously intimated his willingness to accede to their 

 wishes, and being now free from his engagement with the 

 French, he was shortly afterwards, in a large public assembly 

 of chiefs and people, and amidst much form and ceremony, 

 proclaimed sovereign of the tribes inhabiting Mahavelona 

 and the adjacent country, and received their oath of alle- 

 giance. On the evening of the same day, three hundred fe- 

 males came by moonlight to Madame Benyowsky to take the 

 oath of allegiance to her as their queen. 



The next day the new sovereign held his first kabary or 

 grand assembly, and presented the constitution and form of 

 government, which they adopted. Benyowsky afterwards 

 proceeded to Europe, with authority from the people of Ma- 

 havelona and the adjacent country to treat with the King of 

 France, or any other nation, to form commercial and friendly 

 alliances. Failing in these objects with the French, he applied 



