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of touching at the island in their route to the Indies. 
The chief object they appear to have had in view 
was, to secure themselves a safe retreat, and a sup¬ 
ply of fresh provisions in their voyages; their whole 
strength being reserved for the acquisition and sup¬ 
port of establishments more to the eastward ; and it 
was left to the French to follow the example of the 
Spaniards in South America, and attempt to establish 
themselves by subduing the inhabitants. 
Their first enterprise was in ] 6 42, when a patent 
was granted by Cardinal Richelieu, to Captain Rivault, 
for the exclusive right of sending ships and forces to 
Madagascar, and the neighbouring islands, in order 
to establish a colony, plantation, and commerce. 
Having obtained this patent, Rivault established a 
society under the name of the French East-India 
Company, upon which the period, which at first was 
only two years, was extended to twelve. 
The new Company sent their first ship in March 
1642, under the command of Captain Coquet, who, 
it seems, was about to sail thither on his own and 
some private merchants’ account, to bring home a 
cargo of ebony. With him they sent two governors, 
Pronis and Fouquenberg, and twelve other French¬ 
men, who had orders to remain there, and wait the 
arrival of a ship which was to sail from France in 
November following. In their passage, they anchored 
at the islands of Mascarenha, or Isle of Bourbon, 
and Diego des Rois, and took possession of them in 
the king’s name. They next made St. Mary’s island, 
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