258 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
Radama then rose, and related his origin, his descent 
from the line of former sovereigns, and his incontestable 
right to the kingdom; made known his intentions in regard 
to a future campaign, and assured them he wished not to 
take the people in a body to the war any more; that the 
last expedition had been a lesson on that subject; that 
henceforth soldiers only should go out to subdue the enemy, 
to quell disturbances, to subject the island to his govern¬ 
ment, to protect the innocent, and to secure peace and 
tranquillity in the empire. “ And for these reasons,” said 
Radama, “it is necessary that the army should be aug¬ 
mented. As to the number requisite, and the quota of 
men each district should furnish, that I leave you to deli¬ 
berate upon; at the same time, those who are not selected 
for soldiers, but who remain at home, must pay a tax to¬ 
wards the support of those who go to the war.” 
This address appeared to be cordially welcomed, and 
was loudly applauded. The king then requested that the 
men present who were willing to volunteer themselves for 
the service, should stand up, and form a separate body from 
the crowd. A great number instantly arose, and exclaimed, 
“ We are at your will and pleasure, and deem it an honour 
to serve in the army.” 
The officers of the Voromahery regiment were then sent, 
to arrange them in companies of fifty, and to ascertain the 
whole number. About thirty thousand persons were pre¬ 
sent at this kabary. 
In the course of a few days the king reported, that thir¬ 
teen thousand men had volunteered to serve in the army. 
By the month of March they had attained a respect¬ 
able proficiency in their exercises; and on the 25th a 
general kabary was summoned, to be held at a place near 
Ambohimanga, about thirteen miles from the capital. To 
