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Rhoandrians, and are greatly respected and even 
venerated by the people, who approach them with 
great reverence, and kneel down before them. Their 
title is hereditary, and they cannot be dispossessed of 
it by any means whatever—it ceases only with their 
lives. 
In the province of Ghalemboule, each town is a 
distinct republic, governed by its own laws, and pos¬ 
sessing the power of administering justice. Their 
filoubei is chosen from amongst themselves, and is 
no more than a president. They generally choose 
the most ancient men amongst them for this office, 
and his province is to see to the administration of 
justice, and deciding of all differences amongst the 
rest. These ffloubeis mutually assist each other in 
times of war, against those of another race; and if 
they ever quarrel with each other, and a war threatens 
to take place, those not implicated interfere as media¬ 
tors, and use every means to effect an accommo¬ 
dation. If this be refused, the mediators separate, 
leaving them at full liberty to act as they please. 
In Manatengha, Izame, and the Vale of Amboule, 
they are governed by a Voadziri, who is called 
Rabertau, or Great Lord; these are generally very 
rich in cattle and other provisions, and rank amongst 
the most considerable men on the island. They 
exercise sovereign authority and absolute power; 
but in times of scarcity, their subjects, knowing that 
they possess granaries replete with provisions, fre¬ 
quently assemble in great numbers, and seize their 
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