147 
island would certainly have placed him in the same 
rank with the conquerors of America; but what he 
would have gained in celebrity, he would have lost 
in esteem and veneration ; and the proposal alone has 
left a stain upon his character, which all his good 
qualities will fail to obliterate. 
In 1666, the French East-India Company, having 
extended their views, appointed the Marquis de Mon¬ 
de vergue to the general command of all the French 
settlements situated beyond the equinoctial line. 
This, of course, included Madagascar, which place 
was appointed the seat of his government. Thither 
he set sail in a frigate of thirty-six guns, followed by 
a fleet of nine vessels, having on board La Fage and 
Caron, directors of the East-India trade, an at¬ 
torney general, four companies of infantry, ten 
chiefs of colonies, eight merchants, and thirty-two 
women. 
The fleet arrived at Fort Dauphin on the 10th of 
March, 1667, and the Marquis immediately caused 
himself to be acknowledged admiral and governor- 
general of the French territories in the East. His 
first step was to effect a reconciliation with Dian 
Manangue, who was a chief too powerful to be 
despised. This was accomplished with the assistance 
of La Case; and that chief swore obedience and 
fidelity to the governor-general. This step insured to 
the colony a regular supply of provisions, and their 
future prospects were thus rendered more promising. 
Caron did not remain long on the island; he sailed 
l 2 
