80 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
source. He had been under the necessity of paying for 
the few supplies he had obtained out of his own private 
funds, or of taking them in exchange for produce at the 
pleasure of the owners. 
Intelligence having arrived about this time, that another 
powerful combination was forming against the colony by 
the chiefs of the Sakalavas, who were endeavouring to excite 
the eastern natives in the same cause, spies were sent out 
to ascertain the nature and extent of the confederacy; 
and the return of these brought a confirmation of all that 
had been reported, with the fact that the enemy expected 
to muster thirty thousand men. 
This information rendered it necessary for the governor 
to send messengers to different, parts of the island to 
acquaint his allies, and to engage them to be in readiness 
against the period fixed for the campaign. 
After due attention had been given to various preliminary 
measures, steps more decided were taken for immediately 
entering the field. The number of troops belonging to the 
establishment was about 300, and the native allies amounted 
to 3,800 upon first setting out. These were divided into 
three companies, for the convenience of foraging; and upon 
their march each company received reinforcements to the 
number altogether of twelve thousand, so that the whole 
force with which they took the field was 16,313 men, 
leaving besides a strong guard at each of the posts. 
Every practicable arrangement having been made, the 
governor set sail with his little squadron, consisting of one 
hundred and ninety-three canoes, on the 30th of April, 
1776, and having landed at Hirbay, was presently joined 
by the allies. It was with the greatest difficulty that this 
army, drawing heavy cannon after them, effected their 
passages across the mountains, some of which Benyowsky 
