HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
7 
the exclusive right of sending ships and forces to Madagascar 
and the neighbouring islands, in order to establish a colony 
or plantation for the promotion of commerce. Having ob¬ 
tained this patent, a society was organised, under the name 
of the French East India Company, and their first ship was 
sent out in 1642, under the command of Captain Coquet, 
who had previously been about to sail thither on his own 
account, and that of other merchants, for a cargo of 
ebony. With him were sent out two governors, Pronis and 
Fonquenberg, and twelve other Frenchmen, who had orders 
to remain, and await the arrival of a ship intended to sail from 
France in the following November. In their passage they 
anchored at the islands of Mascarenha or Isle of Bourbon, and 
Diego de Rois and took possession of them in the king’s name. 
They next made St. Mary’s island and the Bay of Antongii, 
of which they also took possession, and ultimately arrived at 
the port of Lucia, or Monghasia, in September, where they 
immediately established themselves. 
Pronis, who had received orders to take possession of 
Madagascar in the king’s name, and to form an estab¬ 
lishment on a suitable spot, capable of being fortified, and 
of easy and secure access, chose the village of Monghasia, 
at the extremity of the province of Anossy. This appeared 
to them a most eligible place, on account of the numerous 
herds of cattle which abound in the district, and the rice 
and other vegetable produce with which it was plentifully 
supplied ; as well as on account of the proximity of a navi¬ 
gable river which takes its rise at the foot of a mountain in 
the interior: timber was found in great abundance in the 
neighbourhood, and the harbour was protected by the little 
island of St. Lucius. 
In the year 1648 the settlement was reinforced by Captain 
Resimont, who arrived in the ship Lawrence with seventy 
