64 VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR. 



have only attempted to avenge themfelvea 

 for our feverity ? If Flacourt knew better 

 than Pronis how to enforce obedience from 

 the French under his command, he did not, 

 however, fliew that he was much better ac- 

 quainted with the principles of the laws of 

 nature : he was unjuft and cruel towards a 

 people, who being the proprietors of the 

 country, ought to have ^ven laws to him, 

 inftead of receiving them. But let us leave 

 FlacQurfs Hiftory to thofe who may have 

 courage to read it ; and let us fee vrhether 

 his fucceffors were lefs inhuman. 



Fort Dauphin was burnt in 1655, and 

 was not rebuilt till the year 1663. Cha- 

 margou, who was then governor, fent La 

 Cafe to explore that part of the ifland wliicli 

 lies to the north of the country of the Mata* 

 tanes. This coramiffion La Cafe executed 

 with much intelligence* It may not be here 

 improper to give fome account of the cha- 



rader 



