526 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
him, he deemed it expedient to acknowledge, for the time, 
the supremacy of Radama; and though even then it was found 
almost impossible to make any very satisfactory arrange¬ 
ments with him, the conqueror trusted to the defenceless 
state to which he had reduced the people,* and to the 
garrisons he left in the country for its continued subjec¬ 
tion to himself; these, he supposed, would prevent any 
future annoyance from its chief. In this he was mistaken, 
Andriansolo soon found means to make himself the actual, 
though Radama was the nominal sovereign of the country, 
and, on the death of that prince, was among the first to 
alarm his successor for the stability of her power. Andrian¬ 
solo availed himself of an island near the coast, as a place 
of shelter when danger appeared; but often left it, and 
greatly annoyed the Hovas. 
At one time, the Sakalavas approached within a few days 
journey of the capital; several incursions were also made 
by the Hovas into their country, but without any substan¬ 
tial advantage to the latter. The Hovas now determined 
on more decisive and extensive operations than they had 
attempted since the first invasion of the country by Radama; 
and with a view of effectually breaking the power, and 
suppressing the spirit of revolt among the northern Saka¬ 
lavas, an army of 5000 men was, in the summer of 1837, 
sent against Andriansolo. This army was completely 
defeated, many of the officers and troops killed, and the 
remnant of the expedition returned in disgrace to the 
capital, without having accomplished their object. The 
government, notwithstanding, determined on making an¬ 
other attempt to cripple or destroy this resolute enemy, and 
* Radama had obliged them to deliver to his officers all the fire-arms in 
their possession. 
