HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
107 
M. Lescallier, These marks of civilization were, however, 
confined to the neighbourhood of the trading posts, for in 
the distant and inland provinces they still retained their 
primitive manners. 
After the visit of Lescallier, no other attempt was made 
by the French to establish a settlement in the island; the 
wars which succeeded the revolution giving full employ¬ 
ment to the national resources: so much so, that it was at 
one period in contemplation to extend the conscription 
law to the Isle of France, for the purpose of supplying the 
army at home ; and during the short peace in 1801 , Bory 
de St. Vincent was sent on an errand of this kind to 
Madagascar. At that period the emancipation of St. Do¬ 
mingo was completed, and the French government were 
desirous of supplying its loss by establishing a colony at 
the former place. The opinion which Bory de St. Vincent 
formed of the island was favourable to an enterprise of the 
kind; but he found, in the minds of the inhabitants of the 
Isle of France, strong objections to the formation of any 
settlement at Madagascar. It has already been seen to 
what an extent this jealousy could be carried; and it is, 
therefore, easy to believe that St. Vincent was not mis¬ 
taken in the prevalence of such a feeling, which, however, 
he combats with a degree of sound judgment and patriotism 
which we cannot but admire. 
66 Madagascar,” said he, “ is capable of being made the 
first colony in the world, and would supply the loss of 
St. Domingo, if the French government chose. It possesses 
advantages far superior in many respects to that unhappy 
country. It would form a fine military position in any war 
that might ensue in the Indies. Its productions are in¬ 
finitely more various, labour would be cheaper, its extent 
is more considerable, and it would afford a good retreat to 
