ing, 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 ra