CHAP. XIV. UNFRIENDLY REPOETS FROM EUROPE. 387 



among nations, and the increase of commercial and other 

 intercourse between the people of different countries, was far 

 more conducive to the prosperity of all, than any other course ; 

 and that the feelings of good- will towards Madagascar 

 cherished in England had been so fully reciprocated by the 

 consideration and kindness I had received since my arrival, 

 and that I trusted corresponding sentiments were cherished 

 by the French. I said that the existing friendship and vmion 

 between England and France would, it was most ardently 

 hoped, cause these two great nations to combine together to 

 show respect and friendship towards other nations, and thus 

 promote the prosperity of all. That as to the intentions of 

 the French towards Madagascar, I could not possibly know 

 anything ; that in some of the newspapers which I had seen 

 in England there had been statements about a hostile expedi- 

 tion to be sent from France against Madagascar ; but w^hether 

 there was any foundation or not for such statements I could 

 not say ; but hoped and believed that time would prove them 

 to be mere unfounded rumours. The only probable cause that 

 I had heard assigned, was the destruction of a settlement 

 recently formed by some Frenchmen on the north-west coast 

 of Madagascar. 



The chief said they much desired friendly and commercial 

 relations with all nations ; and in reference to the destruction 

 of the settlement, he observed that some Frenchmen con- 

 nected with Mauritius, or the Island of Bourbon, had come 

 and established themselves in their country ^vithout permission 

 from the government; had brought a number of men from 

 Mozambique, had cut down timber, had built a fort, and had 

 mounted cannon. That they had been told by the queen's 

 oflficer who commanded at the nearest military station, that it 

 was not permitted to foreigners to come and settle in the 

 country without permission of the government, and that they 

 must depart. That when they had refused to do so, the 



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