HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR, 
377 
hastened back to the king, and demanded the apprehension 
and punishment of the thieves. <c The criminal,” said 
Radama, “ has already presented himself; and pleading 
former services, I have forgiven him.” The nobleman was 
vehement in his expressions of dissatisfaction; but Radama, 
showing the absurdity and injustice of the custom, ex¬ 
plained the stratagem, and proclaimed that the custom was 
abolished, and that henceforward he would reward those 
whose services were deserving of it. 
In cases where there is no law, custom, or precedent, the 
word of the sovereign is sufficient. He can issue orders and 
proclamations, commute or mitigate punishments accord¬ 
ing to his own will, without being answerable to any one; 
for as the popular idea is strenuously maintained, that 
the king can do no wrong, few are disposed to dispute 
his authority; and if it should be disputed, woe to the 
daring offender! It was not uncommon for Radama to 
give orders for secret executions. He had his confidential 
servants about him, and his spies in every town. He him¬ 
self, disguised for the purpose, was accustomed to go about 
amongst his people in the character of a spy. These pro¬ 
ceedings, however, were severely condemned by Mr. Hastie, 
whose opinion had great weight with the king. 
With regard to foreigners, traders are allowed to reside 
on the coast for any period of time; but are held amenable 
for offences to the native government. At the capital, 
where the circumstances of foreigners were different, a regu¬ 
lation was made by Radama, that Europeans guilty of any 
infraction of his laws should be sent out of the country. 
A few cases have occurred during the last twenty years, 
in which the laws of the country have been put in force 
against foreigners. In 1821 , an artisan from Port Louis, 
not in connexion with the Missionary Society, was sen- 
