VOVAOE TO MAPAGASCARv 53 



defend thenifelves by any other means 

 againft our bayonets and artlller)^ ? Tbey are 

 deftitute of knowledge and refources ; yet 

 we take advantage of their weaknefs to make 

 them yield to our caprices : they receive the 

 moft rigorous treatment in return for the 

 hofpitaUty which they have fo generoufly 

 fliewa to us j and we call them traitors and 

 cowards, when we force them to break the 

 yoke whh which it has pleafed us to load 

 them, 



Thefe melancholy truths are too well 

 proved, by the ruin of the different eftablilh- 

 mcnts which the Europeans have attempt- 

 ed to form in Madagafcar. 



In 1642^ Captain Picault obtained for 

 himfelf and aflbciates the exclufive privilege 

 of trading to Madagafcar ; and at the fame 

 epoch a grant of the illand was glyen to a 

 powerful company, by letters patent from 

 the crown, 



E 3 One 



