248 
CHAP. XX. 
Lescallier's Visit to Madagascar.—His Object and Opi¬ 
nion.—European Influence in Madagascar.—Bory de 
St. Vincent's Visit.—His Opinion on the Colonization 
of Madagascar. — Reflections thereon.—Attempts of 
the British to reduce the Mauritius,'—fail at first,—but 
ultimately succeed.—Governor Farquhar takes Posses¬ 
sion of Madagascar.—Gives umbrage to the French .— 
English Settlement at Port Lauquez.—Massacre of 
the Colony.—Murderers executed.—Fresh Settlers sent. 
After the departure of Benyowsky for Europe, 
the French appear to have given up all idea of esta¬ 
blishing a colony at Madagascar; and consequently 
to have confined themselves to the maintenance of 
posts, for the purposes of trading with the natives. 
The importance of Madagascar, as a principal settle¬ 
ment\ was thus lost sight of through the jealousy of 
the government agents at the Isle of France; and it 
was considered as only worthy of being an auxiliary 
to the latter place, and as a depbt for the slave-trade, 
which continued to be carried on to a large extent on 
the island, notwithstanding the declarations of the 
French minister, that he considered it to have a bane¬ 
ful tendency. The French Revolution, which took 
place soon after, created full employment for the 
government while it existed ; and, amidst the horrors 
