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“ Let us now proceed to examine the conduct of 
the French towards us. 
“ Why, Bigorne, hast thou erected a palisade of 
large stakes, much more extensive and stronger than 
that which was erected formerly, without having 
deigned to ask permission of John Harre and the 
other chiefs? In this hast thou followed the an¬ 
cient usage? Speak—answer! — Hast thou offered 
them the smallest present?—But you observe silence— 
you blush—you are conscious of your guilt—-you 
look towards them—you beg forgiveness. Here, in 
thy name, I ask pardon of John Harre, our sovereign, 
who presides over this illustrious assembly, and these 
generous and invincible chiefs, for thy imprudence. 
We love thee, Bigorne; but never in future abuse 
our affection. Swear that thou wilt never commit 
the like faults. — Such errors will for ever alienate 
from thee, without hopes of return, the hearts of the 
inhabitants of Foule Point; and, to preserve them, 
take the oaths, that our interest and thine shall be 
hereafter the same. Ask, then, of thy chiefs here 
assembled, why, since the arrival of the last seven 
ships, the captains have still neglected to make the 
usual presents, which serve to promote a good under¬ 
standing in those exchanges which the whites wish 
to exist with Madegasses ? Why have not these 
vessels brought effects to pay the debts contracted by 
the French above a year ago ? 
“ We have sold them, on credit, according to the 
rules of fair dealing, provisions of every kind, without 
