54 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
he gained the universal confidence and esteem of the na¬ 
tives, who would gladly have detained him amongst them. 
Such being the means by which the pirates obtained 
influence over the people of Madagascar, it is not to be 
wondered at that the names of men whose characters were 
stained with innumerable crimes, should long be held in 
grateful remembrance by a people so ignorant of their real 
motives and principles. Amongst those who claim this 
tribute of respect, was Tamsimalo, the son of a corsair 
notorious for cunning and plunder. His mother was the 
daughter of a powerful chief; and although no extraor¬ 
dinary event distinguished his reign, which commenced on 
the demise of his father, he was buried in the island of 
St. Mary’s in the year 1745, and his name was long held 
in high estimation by the natives. 
Tliis prince was succeeded by John Harre, his son, 
whose power was more circumscribed, and whose miscon¬ 
duct brought upon him the contempt of his subjects. He 
made FoulePointe his place of residence, leaving the go¬ 
vernment of St. Mary’s to his mother, and to a sister 
known by the name of Betia, a woman justly celebrated for 
her beauty and fascinations—qualities which were indicated 
by her name, Be signifying 66 much,” and tia, “ affection.” 
Shortly after the death of Tamsimalo, the French East 
India Company formed a settlement at St. Mary’s, and 
Monsieur Grosse was ordered to take possession of the 
island in the Company’s name. He was accompanied in 
performing this ceremony by Betia; and as such an honour, 
according to the customs of the country, belonged to the 
widow' of the chieftain, whose sovereignty was generally 
acknowledged, the haughty and imperious mother of John 
Harre publicly announced her determination to be revenged 
for this insult to her dignity and rank. Grosse appears to 
