HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
527 
were, it was reported when the latest accounts of the island 
arrived, actively engaged in preparing to send another 
expedition against the formidable chieftain. 
The embassy to Europe, which reached the capital about 
the time that the defeated forces arrived from the north, was 
followed by Captain Garnot, who had conveyed the embassy 
to and from Europe, and who, it is stated, was charged with 
proposals from the French government, for entering into 
commercial and other relations with the native govern¬ 
ment. These, it is reported, were refused by the queen, 
who closed her transactions with the French captain, by 
paying him in dollars the sum due for expenses incurred on 
behalf of the embassy, and declined any mercantile dealings 
with himself, or those whom he was deputed to represent at 
the eapital. These proceedings, on the part of the queen, 
seem to indicate that the views of the government have 
not been directed exclusively to terminating the influence 
of the English in the island, but of all other Europeans; 
and that their object is, whatever ulterior views they may 
entertain in reference to the revival of the slave-trade, and 
other proceedings, to reject pertinaciously all foreign sur¬ 
veillance and control. 
The Missionaries at Mauritius, though deprived of the pri¬ 
vilege of labouring among the afflicted flock in Madagascar, 
cherished the tenderest solicitude for their welfare, and 
eagerly seized every opportunity of becoming acquainted 
with their circumstances. With this object in view, 
Mr. Johns proceeded to Tamatave in the month of July, 
1837, and was favoured to meet there with friends from the 
capital. The tidings of the steadfastness of the Christians, 
of their joy in believing, of their holy consistency, and faith¬ 
ful and persevering efforts to diffuse the knowledge of the 
Gospel among their respective households, relatives, and 
