which has so long hung before them. 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. It is believed that this race, presenting so many
characteristics of the Malays, is the result of some piratical colony
here, established by chance or the desire of conquest. That the Hovas
possess a high degree of intelligence, and are capable of as much
culture as the Japanese or Mavris, is indisputable.
Thanks to the muskets and military instructors with which England
provided him, Radama was enabled to extend his conquests in every
direction. He was indeed fitted to be a ruler, and, a savage Napoleon,
he devoted as much time to improvement of his subjects as he did to the
increase of his territories. Though not a convert, he allowed the
missionaries to preach the gospel, to reduce the Hova language to
writing, and to translate the Bible. He permitted them to establish
schools, to import printing presses, to instruct his people in
agriculture and mechanics. They rapidly availed themselves of the
opportunity, and with mines of coal, iron, and copper in abundance, they
became skilful artificers.
Unfortunately, Radama died in 1828, in the prime of life; and, by an
intrigue in his harem, a concubine, Ranavalo, was proclaimed Queen of
Madagascar. The advance had been too rapid, and, as in Japan, there was
a large party of conservatives anxious to return to the old regime. The
new queen dissembled for a few years, but finally expelled the
missionaries in 1835. Idolatry was again resumed, and Christianity
stifled. A certain amount of commerce was allowed with Europeans, but
under severe restrictions. So necessary to the existence of the
neighboring colonists was the supply of food, that when in 1844 the
trade was forbidden, the English Government was obliged to yield. The
difficulty arose from the fact that an English vessel, the 'Marie
Laure,' kidnapped some of the Malagash. The Hovas seized one of the
crew, and then declared non-intercourse. In 1845, one English and two
French men-of-war attacked Tamatave, but were repulsed with considerable
losses.
Finally the matter was settled by the payment of $15,000 to the queen as
an indemnity, and this sum, raised by the contributions of the merchants
of Port Louis, was paid with the consent of the English Government.
Until 1861, there was no change in the position of affairs, except one
incident, which Madame Pfeiffer records. In 1831, a certain M. Laborde,
shipwrecked on the coast, was carried as a prisoner to the capital,
where he was kept in an honorable captivity. He taught the natives the
art of casting cannon and manufacturing gunpowder, and acquired a
considerable property. In 1855, he was joined by M. Lambert, a
Frenchman of wealth, and they became the favorites of the Prince Rakoto.
This son of the queen was at the head of the liberal party, as his
cousin, Ramboasalama, was of the conservative. The latter, nephew of the
queen, and brother-in-law of the prince, had been designated as heir
presumptive before the birth of Rakoto; and he had always the credit of
a design to contest the succession.
The visit of Mr. Ellis, an English missionary, in 1856, was the signal
for the intrigues which were about to commence between the French and
English. The prince was warmly attached to M. Lambert, but the English
hoped to claim him as a Protestant. Finally, as Madame Pfeiffer says, M.
Lambert attempted to create a revolution, seeking to depose the queen,
but he was discovered and banished.
In 1861, the queen died, and her son succeeded as Radama II, after a
short contest with his cousin. Having been on the island at the time,
and leaving it in the vessel which carried the new king's letters to the
colonial governments, the writer can testify to the intense interest
evinced by the French and English. It was confidently asserted at
Bourbon that Radama had placed the island under the protection of
France, and that French influence was to predominate. This proved
unfounded, but the court was the centre for incessant intrigues.
The new king commenced his reign under the happiest auspices. He was
very popular, and his reputation for kindness had soon caused many of
the surrounding tribes to acknowledge his supremacy. The Hovas had
spread from the centre toward the coast in all directions--to the
eastward they had subdued the Betsimarakas; to the westward, the
Saccalaves. Yet numerous tribes had remained independent, and held large
portions of the coast and the interior. The cruelty of the queen had
kept alive their animosity, but now they voluntarily came forward to
acknowledge her son and to be received into the Hova nation.
The people already had acquired a taste for European luxuries, and were
desirous of an extended commerce. As they were rich in herds and flocks,
in grain and fruits, as their forests of ebony, rosewood, and other
valuable woods were immense, as their mines yielded coal and iron,
perhaps even gold, they were ready and anxious to open their ports to
the commerce of the world. England and France both recognized the king,
sent envoys with congratulatory letters and presents, and appointed
resident consuls. The United States alone, unfortunately plunged in
civil war, neglected the opportunity.
The king proclaimed freedom of religion, permitted the establishment of
schools, established freedom of imports and exports, and granted lands
to all _bona fide_ settlers.
It was with the greatest surprise, therefore, that we have learned, some
two months since, that a revolution has taken place, and that these fair
prospects have been darkened by the murder of the king. It seems that he
had made such lavish grants of land to his favorite, Lambert, that his
nobles rebelled. Lambert had been sent to France to obtain the regalia
for the coronation, and had organized a great company to hold these
concessions. Whether the feuds of the missionaries, Protestant English
and Catholic French, aided this, is not yet known.
It is clear, however, that the king and many of his personal friends
were killed, and that his wife, Rabodo, is the queen. She is the sister
of Ramboasalama, and probably represents the party of retrogression.
It is not, however, too late for our Government to recognize the ruler
of Madagascar, and to obtain those indispensable advantages resulting.
In time of peace, we shall have safe harbors for our merchant vessels,
and we shall open a new field for our commerce. In time of war, we shall
have these neutral ports as a refuge, and should diplomacy go one step
farther and secure us a coaling station, we shall be on equal terms in
the East with the other great maritime powers.
There is certainly no time to be lost. A single English steamer, flying
the confederate flag, can pass the Cape, can coal at Mauritius, or
rendezvous at Madagascar, and could then destroy more shipping than the
whole fleet of pirates has yet done. It is at least probable that our
national vessels would be refused permission to avail of Port Louis for
repairs or supplies. It certainly does not comport with the honor of the
nation to have to rely upon the churlish courtesy of England. Already,
too, we see it announced that Napoleon will find in the massacre of
French subjects a pretext to seize on the island. If our Government will
spare a single one of the cruisers which have so uselessly sought the
Alabama, it may, during the present year, negotiate a treaty which will
at once advance our prosperity in peace, and increase our strength in
any future war.
It seems strange, indeed, that our statesmen cannot learn that we must
hereafter abandon our isolated condition. England has taught us the
folly of continuing indifferent to her aggressions in the East, in the
hope that she will not interfere in the West. No blow can be more fatal
to her supremacy abroad than the knowledge that we have secured a point
where we perpetually threaten her line of communication with her
colonies.
We have written thus fully, because so few persons have had occasion to
consider the subject. It seems probable, from the latest advices from
Port Louis, that some envoy has visited the island, but what we require
is a more imposing display of our power. The new queen, who has assumed
the name of Rahoserina, is but a puppet in the hands of the council of
nobles, of which Rainivoninahitriniony is the chief. Formerly all honors
were held subject to the pleasure of the king, who could degrade his
servants at pleasure; but this power is now declared to be abrogated.
The powerful tribe of Saccalaves, always independent until the accession
of Radama II, refuses to acknowledge his successor. It may be necessary
to negotiate different treaties, perhaps, to protect American citizens
in case of civil war. It is certainly most important to show the natives
that we are really a great maritime nation. The time and position demand
the employment of an able envoy, and the presence of such a naval force
as may cause his mission to be respected.
Our last topic is to be considered. We do not advocate the establishment
of costly works by Government, or the acquisition of a colony. The laws
of commerce will provide the first, if only a proper protection is given
to enterprise. Let us obtain but a single port under the safeguard of
the American flag, and it will become a depot as flourishing as
Singapore. Private enterprise will speedily establish dockyards and
machine shops; for not only will there be an immense legitimate commerce
with the Malagash, but the port will be the great centre for repairing
and refitting our merchant vessels and whalers. The one thing needful,
we repeat, is prompt action by our Government, with the certainty that
the opportunity now presented will not return.
NOTE.--The latest advices from Madagascar, received _via_
Mauritius, throw a little light upon the revolution which resulted in
the death of Radama II. It seems probable that the late king had lost
the esteem of his people by his partiality toward his favorites, by the
concessions made to foreigners, especially to M. Lambert, and by his
vacillating course in religious matters. His private life was such as to
render it highly improbable that he had become a Christian; yet Mr.
Ellis, the English missionary, exercised a great control over him.
The late queen was buried at Ambohimanga, a little village where there
was a temple devoted to the chief idol. It seems that her son had
promised to keep this spot sacred from the intrusion of the
missionaries. Mr. Ellis most imprudently determined to preach there, and
though driven away once, obtained troops from the king, and succeeded in
a second attempt.
As the nobles and the population were almost unanimously in favor of
idolatry, this course gave cause for great dissatisfaction. The more
devout, assembling near the capital, held daily meetings, and a disease
called ramanenra--a sort of nervous affection, such as has too often
accompanied revivals in Christian countries--appeared among them. The
nobles confederated under the lead of the commander-in-chief,
Rainivoninahitriniony, and remained aloof from supporting the king.
Finally, the king published a mysterious law, allowing individuals or
tribes to fight in the presence of witnesses--a law supposed by the one
party to encourage assassination, and by the other to tend to the
extirpation of the Christians.
The prime minister, in a letter written in English, explains the last
scene thus: On the 8th May, the chief officers requested the repeal of
these laws; the king refused; and the tenth day, a public tumult
resulted in the slaughter of the Menamaso, or native favorites of the
king. On the 12th May, the leaders, afraid to pause, strangled the king,
and proclaimed Rabodo queen, under the name of Rahoserina.
It is believed that no foreigner was injured; but the nobles have taken
an important step in proclaiming the new queen as direct successor of
Ranavalo--thereby ignoring the reign of Radama II. As the fundamental
rule of the Hovas had been that the title to all land was in the
sovereign and inalienable, the grants to Lambert and others are held to
be void. We believe this has not been officially stated, but Commodore
Dupré, who negotiated the treaty between France and Radama, says that
the treaty was almost unanimously rejected by the great council of
nobles, and was accepted solely by the king.
The last advices, 6th September, from Port Louis, are that the French
fleet at Tamatave maintains a semi-warlike attitude toward the Hovas,
not landing nor recognizing the authorities. Rumors are rife of the
intentions of the French Government to seize Tamatave, and apply other
coercive measures, unless the former treaty is carried into effect.
The case seems to stand thus: The emperor, availing of the weakness of
Radama II for his favorite Lambert, concluded a treaty, by which the
king was to entirely alter the laws of the kingdom, and to give the
French a controlling influence in the Indian Ocean. The people have
deposed their ruler, and refuse to be bound by arrangements made by his
will alone. Under ordinary circumstances, Napoleon would hardly brave
the anger of England in a matter in which the latter has so much at
stake. The prize, however, is well worth the effort. Any European nation
obtaining sole possession of Madagascar dominates the East. It is surely
time for our Government to awake to the importance of the steps now
being taken. It is not a time when the interests of the country can be
intrusted to the efforts of a consul or any inferior naval officer. We
ought to send an envoy with powers to negotiate a treaty, and with such
a fleet as will insure a respectful attention to our demands. The number
of American vessels which frequent the coasts of Madagascar is a
sufficient reason for us to interfere, without regard to the vastly
greater interests which demand that this island shall not become a
French colony. Our prediction that the confederate pirates would soon
sweep the Indian Ocean of our richly laden India-men seems in a fair
way to be accomplished; and where, save by the contemptuous forbearance
of England and France, can our cruisers find a port for supplies,
repairs, or information?
A VIGIL WITH ST. LOUIS.
[Greek: "Cheires men hagnai, phrên d' echei miasma ti."]
EURIPIDES.
O Friend, thy brow is overcast; but haply for thy grief,
Though all untold, a spell I hold to work a swift relief,--
A hallowed spell;--no rites we need that shun the light,
Thy taper trim; for we must read some dark old words to-night.
For I will, shall I?--from their graves call up the holy dead,
More mighty than the living oft such soul as thine to aid.
From Fear and Woe, through fears and woes like thine, they won release,
And through our still confronting foes once fought their way to peace.
'Twixt woe and weal, a balm to heal our every wound they found,
An outlet for each pool of strife, that whirls us round and round.
And if perhaps their childish time discerned not all aright,--
While Fancy her stained windows reared between them and the light,--
That in these clearer latter days 'tis given to thee to know,
Then seek the spirit they received, and bid the letter go.
Thy heart unto its Lord unlock; and shut thy closet's door.
The holy water of thy tears drop on the quiet floor.
Unclasp the old brown tome. The walls no more are seen. The page
I read; and we are backward borne far in a bygone age.
The spell hath wrought. To take us in, a tower and bower advance
Where grows upon our steadfast gaze the royal saint of France.
The bower full well a hermit's cell--with hourglass and with skull--
Might seem,--the hangings woven all of rocks and mosses full.
The floor is thick with rushes strown. Some resting place is there
Worn,--as amid the rushy marsh by stag that made his lair,--
Worn just beneath yon carven form, that bends in pain and love,
As if to bless, from its high place, and almost seems to move,
While round it in the wind of night the arras swells and swings,--
The viceroy's of the universe, son of the King of kings.
For Louis loves to leave his court, and lay aside his crown,
And to a mightier Prince than he to bow in homage down.
In this great presence learns the king peace, truth, and lowlihead;
Here learns the saint the majesty no earthly power to dread.
But now the king's mute voice it rings, and through the shades doth call:
'Ho, Sire de Jonville, come to me, my doughty seneschal!'
The rafters feel the tramp of steel; and by the monarch stand
Again the feet that by him stood far in the Holy Land.
'O Sire de Jonville,' to his friend and servant Louis saith,
'Hold fast and firmly to the end the jewel of thy faith.
Strong faith's the key of heaven; and once an abbot taught to me,
If will is good, though faith is weak, shall faith accepted be.
This tale he told[11]:
A Master old,--Master of Sacred Lore,--
Of life unsmirched, once came to him in straits and travail sore,
'What wouldst thou, Master?--What the grief that makes thee peak
and pine?
And comest thou to me?--My soul hath often leaned on thine!'
'Let each co-pilgrim lean in turn on each,' in anguish meek,
With tongue that clave unto his mouth, the Master then did speak;
But when the abbot led him in and lent his pitying ears,
Then tears came fast instead of words; words could not come for tears.
'O brother, weep no more; but speak, and banish thy dismay.
Of man is guilt; but grace is God's, that purgeth guilt away.
If all our little being's bound were filled and stuffed with sin,
'Twere nothing to the holiness His mighty heart within;
And in this wilderness of life there's no such crooked road,
But from it may a path be found straight to the throne of God.
The penitent that mourns like thee, that path will surely take.
What needeth but to own thy sin and straight thy sin forsake?'
'Yet must I weep. Mine inward plight is one that stands alone.
The outward ill the tempted wight may do or leave undone;
But when I to the altar go, to eat the sacred bread
And gaze upon the blood divine, that for us all was shed,
Still Satan stirreth up in me a heart of unbelief!--
This guilt must sure unmeasured be, save haply by this grief!'
The abbot's brows were sternly bent an instant on his guest:
'Dost thou--thou dost not, sure!--invite this traitor to thy breast?'
'The livelong day, though sore assailed, true watch and ward I keep,--
Keep vigils long as flesh can bear,--but in my helpless sleep--
Thronged heaven, canst thou no angel spare, to sit by me by night
And drive away the hell-sent dreams, that drive me wild with fright?--
I seem to spill with frantic hands, and spurn the piteous blood,
To trample on the blessed bread, and spit upon the rood!'
The abbot's cheer grew calm and clear: 'Now, Master, tell me true:
For aught that Satan proffers thee, such trespass wouldst thou _do_?'
'From his poor thrall he taketh all, and offers nought instead.
The Father's grace,--the Son's mild face,--are all I crave,' he said.
'For any threat of any fate, wouldst follow his commands?'
'The fiery stake I'd rather make my portion at his hands!'
The abbot's mien was bright, I ween, as 'twere a saint's in bliss:
'O fiend, 'tis well to seek for hell so pure a gem as this!
O cunning foe, that round dost go these heavenward birds to snare,
When every brighter line is vain, wouldst tempt them with despair?
Bethink thee, Master. War doth rage 'twixt Britain's king, we know,
And ours. Now tell me unto whom most thanks our liege shall owe,
When war is o'er? To him who, oft assailed but never quelled,
The castle of Rochelle upon the dangerous Marches held,--
Whose battlements must bristle still with halberd, bow, and lance,--
Or Montl'hery's, that nestles safe close to the heart of France?'
'Unto the warden of Rochelle. Thou'rt answered easily!'
'That stronghold is thy heart, but mine the keep of Montl'hery,
For He who giveth gifts to all, hath given me to believe
So steadfastly, that strife like thine my wit can scarce conceive.
From th' Enemy God keepeth me,--He knows my weaker strength,--
But suffers thee assayed to be for higher meed at length.
Then let us at our different posts His equal mercies own;
But they the sharpest thorns who bear may wear the brightest crown.'
Beside the kneeling penitent the abbot bent his knee,
Sent his own praise and prayers to heaven forth on an embassy,
Then raised him up, and saw that God had sent him answering grace;
The shadow of the Enemy had left his heart and face.
Calmly as warily he walked his fellow men beside,
A good, grave man. 'Tis said, at last a happy man he died.'
UNION NOT TO BE MAINTAINED BY FORCE.