HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
301 
and manufactures, as the only means by which the nation 
could be improved, and their wants satisfied. He spoke 
largely on the subject, and concluded by saying, 6S Surely you 
will exert yourselves to raise your children from a level with 
Caffres. We must no longer be classed with the Mozambiques. 
Our friends declare that we were not born to be slaves.” 
He then ordered some wheat, oats, and grain, with a large 
quantity of mulberry-cuttings, to be distributed amongst 
the chieftains, exhorting them to use their utmost endea¬ 
vours in the cultivation of each, and promising a premium 
to the district which should excel. 
The chieftains expressed much satisfaction on receiving 
the seeds, and declared their willingness to observe the king's 
instructions. After which, agreeably to the custom of the 
country, they commenced betting, or laying wagers with each 
other, on the success of their particular modes of multiplying 
these articles, and the assembly broke up amidst shouts of 
thanks to the king. 
It has been already stated, that it had long been a custom 
with the chieftains of the Hovas, to allow persons who 
had rendered any important service to their ancestors, or 
to the state at large, to claim exemption from punish¬ 
ment, in case of such individuals transgressing the laws. 
Nor was this immunity confined to single individuals, but 
extended to every member of their family, as well as to 
their descendants. Persons thus exempted were so numerous, 
and petty thefts consequently so common, that a great por¬ 
tion of the population of Imerina, indulging their natural 
indolence, might be said to live by practices of petty theft. 
The evils arising from this circumstance having been 
represented to the king, and a statement made to him that 
the abolition of such usages, with the honourable recom¬ 
pense of deserving men, would tend to his own glory, and 
