88 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
came to make an oath to Madame Benyowsky. This was 
performed by moonlight, and purported that they would 
obey her orders, and appeal to her in all disputes and 
quarrels in which it was improper for men to interfere. 
The next measure adopted by the Count places his 
character in a favourable light, as it respects his designs 
upon Madagascar. It was no less than the proposal of a 
form of government, and a constitution on a liberal and 
enlightened basis, well calculated to promote the happiness, 
and to meet the exigencies, of a people just emerging from 
the savage state. The form of the government he pro¬ 
posed was as follows:— 
1. A supreme council.—This was to consist of thirty-two 
persons chosen from the Rhoandrians and Anacandrians. 
The council was to exercise all acts of sovereignty, and to 
possess the sole right, with the consent of the prince, of 
convening the general assembly of the nation; to watch 
lest foreign armies should make attempts against the liberty 
of the nation, by forming establishments on the shore; to 
render industry and trade flourishing; and, in short, to use 
their utmost exertions to secure the perfect prosperity of 
the community. 
2. A permanent council, provincial governors, and pro¬ 
vincial councils. 
This form of government was proposed by the Count in 
full kabary. It was difficult to make the chiefs compre¬ 
hend the plan; but as soon as they understood it, they 
approved of it, and, as soon as it could be adopted, the 
different members were appointed. 
It appears extraordinary that, at the same kabary, the 
Count proposed to go to Europe, to form a treaty of com¬ 
merce and friendship with the king of France, or some 
other European power, in order to obtain thence proper 
