What are these two pitiful islands
in comparison with the great, wealthy, and fertile island which, lies to
the west of them? In time of peace they are convenient points in the
great lines of commerce; here the disabled vessels of all nations find a
resting place. In time of war they are strongly entrenched positions,
liable to capture by any nation which can secure a base for operations
against them. Madagascar, on the other hand, stands fifth on the list of
islands in magnitude, is situated in the latitude most favorable for
agriculture, and abounds in every kind of material wealth. A harbor on
its coast, with the whole island as a depot from whence supplies can be
drawn, would be a source of strength more than sufficient to
counterbalance the works of half a century's growth at Mauritius. We
have only to see, therefore, if such a concession can be obtained for
this country.
We have said that repeated and ineffectual attempts were made to subdue
and colonize the island. Numerous tribes, of widely varying origin,
people the island, some black as the blackest negro, others of the Malay
or Arab type. For centuries they had been engaged in domestic wars, when
in 1816 the English Government agreed to recognize the chief of one
tribe as king of the island, on condition that he would suppress the
foreign slave trade.
The chief thus selected was Radama, king of the Hovas, a tribe occupying
the centre of the island, and the one which ranked highest in the scale
for intelligence.
Pages:
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172