CHAP. XIY. 
UNFRIENDLY REPORTS FROM EUROPE. 
887 
among nations, and the increase of commercial and other 
intercourse between the people of different countries, was far 
more conducive to the prosperity of all, than any other course; 
and that the feelings of good-will towards Madagascar 
cherished in England had been so fully reciprocated by the 
consideration and kindness I had received since my arrival, 
and that I trusted corresponding sentiments were cherished 
by the French. I said that the existing friendship and union 
between England and France would, it was most ardently 
hoped, cause these two great nations to combine together to 
show respect and friendship towards other nations, and thus 
promote the prosperity of all. That as to the intentions of 
the French towards Madagascar, I could not possibly know 
anything; that in some of the newspapers which I had seen 
in England there had been statements about a hostile expedi¬ 
tion to be sent from France against Madagascar; but whether 
there was any foundation or not for such statements I could 
not say; but hoped and believed that time would prove them 
to be mere unfounded rumours. The only probable cause that 
I had heard assigned, was the destruction of a settlement 
recently formed by some Frenchmen on the north-west coast 
of Madagascar. 
The chief said they much desired friendly and commercial 
relations with all nations; and in reference to the destruction 
of the settlement, he observed that some Frenchmen con¬ 
nected with Mauritius, or the Island of Bourbon, had come 
and established themselves in their country without permission 
from the government; had brought a number of men from 
Mozambique, had cut down timber, had built a fort, and had 
mounted cannon. That they had been told by the queen’s 
officer who commanded at the nearest military station, that it 
was not permitted to foreigners to come and settle in the 
country without permission of the government, and that they 
must depart. That when they had refused to do so, the 
c c 2 
