264 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
and religion, of the Comoro Islands, with a view to the 
establishment of a Christian mission among them. 
The object of this prince in visiting Mauritius, was to 
solicit the interference of the English, to protect them 
against the attacks of the Malagasy, who, from the north¬ 
west of the island, had long been in the habit of making an 
annual descent on the Comoro islands, for the purpose of 
plundering the country, and of seizing the inhabitants, whom 
they afterwards sold into slavery. The humanity of Sir 11. 
Farquhar, and his correct views of what the welfare of Mada¬ 
gascar required, had already led him to make some stipula¬ 
tions on this subject in the treaty with Radama, though, in 
reality, the province of which Radama was chieftain had 
no connexion with the marauding parties, neither taking 
part in, nor sharing any advantage from them. 
During the month of April, 1821, Mr. Griffiths sailed 
from Port Louis, accompanied by Mr. Hastie and some 
European artificers. About the middle of May they arrived 
at Tamatave, and commenced their journey to the capital. 
Various messages and letters from Radama met the British 
agent on his journey towards Imerina, all conveying the 
same assurances of friendly welcome. On reaching Amba- 
tomanga, they were met by a deputation, consisting of 
Mr. Brady and a Malagasy officer, accompanied by Mr. 
Jones. By them it was stated, that although there was a 
general mourning at the capital on account of the death of 
the king’s grandfather, this would not prevent their being 
immediately received by Radama; nor were they to wait 
for the arrival of a good day , as the king was desirous of 
seeing Mr. Hastie, and the strangers with him, without 
delay. 
On the following morning, after a fatiguing journey of 
fifteen days, the party entered Tananarive, the usual 
