against all obstacles, and only failed in making the French settlement at Fort Dauphin a successful colony in consequence of the culpable neglect of the Directors of the First East India Company in France.

In 1653, having in vain looked for assistance from France, he determined, as the only mode of saving the colony, to return to Europe, and, with this intention, he left Fort Dauphin in a small vessel, which, being unable to make any way against the contrary winds then blowing, and the consequent heavy seas between Madagascar and the Cape of Good Hope, he was obliged to put back after being at sea for twenty days.

On his return to Fort Dauphin, he with difficulty restored his authority there, and overcame, as he had already done, a host of difficulties.

A.D. 1654.

In 1654 two vessels belonging to the Maréchal Duc de la Meelleraye, Governor of Nantes, and commanded by La Forest des Royers, called at Fort Dauphin with intelligence, but no aid, from France. The East India Company's period of concession, ten years, having expired, and not having been renewed, the Company was, of course, at an end at least two years before this date, and the Directors had not even given notice of this circumstance to their agent at Fort Dauphin.

The famous Foucquet, at that time ProcureurGénéral au Parlement de Paris, Surintendant des Finances, and one of those most interested in the French East

с

India Company, on whose nomination Flacourt had been sent out to the difficult position of agent in Madagascar, sent him letters by the vessels before mentioned, recommending him two priests, who were anxious to work in Madagascar for the benefit of France and the conversion of the natives to the Catholic religion; but not one word about the Company, nor any instructions for his guidance.

Le Sieur de Pronis, being on board one of these vessels in the capacity of an officer, was offered the government of Fort Dauphin, which he accepted. This appointment of the unfortunate Pronis again to the government of Fort Dauphin led to the most disastrous results, which were expedited by the impolitic conduct of Father Etienne, who fell a martyr to his inconsiderate endeavours to evangelise the natives.

In the midst of all these reverses the colony was able to maintain its position by the exertions of M. Levacher, who, by his spirit of conciliation and prudence, was enabled to do much with the Malagasy people, with whom he had connected himself by marriage. The Madagascar people, ever grateful, even to this day transmit the memory of his good deeds in many a tradition, in which he is named Lacase.

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CHAPTER III.

La Companie Orientale-Jean Baptiste Colbert-Inland Water Communication uniting the Mediterranean and the Atlantic-M. de Beausse carries out the Great Seal of France-Lacase made Major of the Island-The Company ceded to the King-Delahaie retires to Surat-Destruction of Champmargou and Lacase-M. de la Bretasche, son-in-law of Lacase, retires from the Island-Massacre of the French at Midnight Mass-Isle St. Mary ceded to the French-M. de Maudave-Measures of Conciliation-Abandoned by the French Government, he quits the Colony.

A.D. 1664.

IN 1664, a Second French East India Company was formed under the auspices of Colbert, called La Companie Orientale, which obtained all the concessions made to its predecessor in 1642.

The founder of this Company, Jean Baptiste Colbert, was at that time at the head of the Financial Department of France, to which he had been called by Louis XIV. at the express wish of Cardinal Mazarin, who, finding his end approaching, earnestly recommended the King to appoint Colbert Intendant of the Finances.

France is indebted to Colbert for establishing her trade with the East and West Indies, and for all the advantages which she has derived from that inland

water communication uniting the Mediterranean and the Atlantic; a prodigious work, begun in 1666 and finished in 1680. To Colbert France also owes the erection of the Academy of Sciences in 1667, and also that of the Royal Observatory of Paris, first inhabited by Cassini.

Fort Dauphin was to be the seat of government in Madagascar of the Company formed under such auspices, and the name of that island was changed to that of Eastern France.

M. de Beausse was sent out there in 1665, as Governor-General, and carried out with him the Great Seal of the King of France. This Seal represented the King in his royal robes, the crown on his head, the sceptre in one hand, and the hand of Justice in the other; around the seal was the following inscription:

"LUDOVICI XIV.

FRANCIÆ ET NAVARRÆ REGIS SIGILLUM, ADUSUM SUPREMI CONSILII GALLIE ORIENTALIS."

A.D. 1669.

In 1669 M. le Comte de Mondevergue arrived at Fort Dauphin as Governor-General, or Viceroy of Eastern France (Madagascar) and its dependencies, being Bourbon and the Isle of France. He brought with him six vessels, one of which carried 36 guns; two Directors of the Company; a Procureur - General; four companies of infantry; ten chiefs of colonization; eight merchants; and thirty-two men.

Levacher, known to the natives as Lacase, always anxious to assist his countrymen, established friendly relations between this force and the natives, and, for the first time since the arrival of the French in Madagascar, peace reigned. Lacase was rewarded with the title of Major of the Island.

But the Royal Company, with immense capital at its command, mismanaged its finances, like its predecessor, and prosperity was again put a stop to by sending out a new Governor-General in 1670.

A.D. 1670.

The finances of the Company were in such an unpromising state, that in 1670 the rights of the Company were ceded to the King, and the Company formed by Colbert, like its predecessor, ceased to exist.

The new Governor-General, Delahaie, appointed Champmargou, a former Governor, as second under his orders; and, although Lacase held his appointment as Major of the Island, still the advice of this true friend to France and Madagascar was not followed, which ended in Delahaie retiring ignominiously from Fort Dauphin, and passing with his troops to Surat.

Champmargou and the noble Lacase, deserted by Delahaie, fell into the hands of the vengeful natives, and perished one after the other.

M. de la Bretasche, son-in-law of Lacase, despairing of maintaining his position any longer, with the remains of the colony enfeebled by daily encounters with the natives, availed himself of the presence of