HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
325 
place, which, previously to, and during the suspension of 
the treaty with Rad am a, had been the great resort of slave- 
dealers, we not only found totally clear of them and their 
demoralizing influence, but the most praiseworthy zeal and 
vigilance were conspicuously exercised by the native chiefs 
and people themselves, to prevent any attempt to evade 
the laws, and the provisions of the treaty for the abolition 
of the slave-trade. 
“ The reception we met with, and the progress of im¬ 
provement everywhere visible, were to me matter of no 
less astonishment than heartfelt gratification. After having 
received a visit from the chief of the place, Jean Rene, and, 
salutes having been exchanged, we landed. A well-accoutred 
and very respectably disciplined body of soldiers, forming a 
detachment from Radama’s army, was drawn up on the 
beach to receive us; and their conduct, and the regularity 
of all their exercises and evolutions, marked at once a con¬ 
siderable degree of sagacity, subordination, and sense of 
propriety. 
“ We proceeded to the chiefs house, and shortly after 
he requested us to accompany him to the kabary, or 
assembly, which he had prepared. Arrived at the spot, 
being in a small plain just in front of his house, we found 
several hundred natives, with their respective chiefs, seated 
on the ground, forming a circle, in the centre of which 
were piled some thousands of pounds of yams, sweet pota¬ 
toes, and other farinaceous roots, besides fruits of various 
kinds, all the production of their soil. One of the elders 
immediately advanced, and made a very eloquent speech, 
expressive of the high veneration and respect of the Mada¬ 
gascar people for the king of England, of gratitude for the 
many benefits he had so liberally bestowed on their nation, 
and of their anxious hope that he would continue his fos- 
