HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
25 
of his government. Thither he set sail in a frigate of thirty- 
six guns, followed by a fleet of nine vessels, having on board 
La Fage and Caron, directors of the East India trade, an 
attorney-general, four companies of infantry, ten chiefs of 
colonies, eight merchants, and thirty-two women. 
The fleet arrived at Fort Dauphin on the 10th of March, 
1667, and the marquis immediately caused himself to be 
acknowledged admiral and governor of the French territories 
in the East. His first step was to effect a reconciliation with 
Dion Monango, a chief too powerful to be despised. By 
the assistance of La Case this was accomplished, and the 
chief swore obedience and fidelity to the governor-general. A 
regular supply of provisions was thus ensured to the colony, 
and their future prospects were rendered more encou¬ 
raging. 
Caron, who was a Dutchman, did not long remain in the 
island, but sailed, with a great part of the fleet, to take the 
management of Surat. 
La Fage continued at Fort Dauphin; and in Nov. 1670, 
another fleet, of ten ships, arrived, commanded by M. de la 
Haye, captain of the Navarre, a vessel of 56 guns. All these 
ships belonged to the king, to whom the East India Com¬ 
pany had now transferred the sovereignty of Madagascar, 
and were well equipped with the war complement of arms and 
men. Upon his arrival, La Haye was proclaimed admiral 
and general, with the authority of viceroy. Chamargou 
was appointed second in command, La Case major of the 
island. The Marquis Mondevergue, having the option of 
remaining in the island as governor, or of returning to 
France, chose the latter. From what he saw of La Haye, 
he appears to have been convinced that harmony could not 
be expected with him ; the wisdom and moderation of his 
own conduct but ill according with the warlike and arbitrary 
