245 
by the emissaries of the government of the Isle of 
France, it induced the chiefs to elect him sovereign 
of the whole island, and to invest him with powers 
superior to those of their most beloved monarchs; 
while, on the other hand, it propelled him to grant 
to the people a form of government and a constitu¬ 
tion, which effectually counteracted the exercise of 
tyrannical power. 
Cruelty can never be successfully laid to his charge; 
the anxiety he uniformly expresses at the sufferings of 
his troops, and the exertions he used to supply their 
wants—the satisfaction he expresses at having pre¬ 
vailed on some of the natives to disuse the practice of 
infanticide — the moderation he exercised towards 
those who had formed combinations against the esta¬ 
blishment, and the readiness with which he listened to 
the first overtures of peace, will, we conceive, effec¬ 
tually clear his character from such an imputation. 
Of his ignorance on some subjects we are unable 
to judge; but we think his proceedings in Mada¬ 
gascar fully entitle him to the opinion expressed by 
the French minister, “ that he had, during his travels, 
learned the art of treating with savage people. 5 ’ 
We will leave the reader to judge whether the 
charge of injustice is due to the count or to his enemies. 
And as to his extravagance, the French are by no 
means competent judges, not having given him an 
opportunity to display it. 
We wish we could exonerate him from every other 
failing; but justice constrains us to condemn the 
