HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
235 
At a public meeting of his ministers and people, where 
the king laid the proposals of the governor before them, he 
was, as might have been anticipated, wholly unsuccessful 
in obtaining a favourable hearing in relation to the renewal 
of the treaty. Another public council was, however, con¬ 
vened for the same purpose; but before Mr. Hastie accom¬ 
panied the king to meet his people, he requested a few 
minutes’ private conversation with him, when he asked 
Radama what he had to hope for from the meeting, telling 
him that with him alone Great Britain sought alliance— 
and he alone continued the inhuman traffic. The British 
government sought no emolument, and had no motive but 
the good of his country; and that he, Mr. Hastie, trusted his 
conduct would make generations to come venerate the 
name of Radama as the saviour of his people and the 
founder of their freedom. Mr. Hastie then gently asked 
what resources he had, or when he could obtain what was 
offered to him, and entreated that he would not divest him¬ 
self of the power of protecting a people who now adored 
him, but who must fall, if he did not accept the means 
offered him, which he, of course, could not expect, if the 
English abandoned him, and by other means suppressed 
the traffic. 
He replied that he was well convinced of the propriety of 
all that had been said. He clearly saw the advantages and 
disadvantages; “ but,” said he, “ why did you not come 
back when you promised ? Why bring me to my present 
dilemma ? I made a solemn engagement with you. You 
broke it. I then made an engagement equally solemn with 
my subjects—they have strictly observed their part. Put 
your hand here,” said he, placing his on his heart, “ and 
say what am I to do ?” 
Mr. Hastie replied, that he was to value the lasting wel- 
