184 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. CHAP. VII. fixed his chief settlement at Antongil Bay, using Foule Pointe as one of his outstations or factories. The military force he had brought, the trade he offered, together with the industry, ability, and force of character which he manifested, secured him such influence as to induce the chiefs in that part of the island to enter into alliance with him, and in spired hopes of ultimate success. But the representations of the authorities of Mauritius induced the French government to send out a commission of inquiry, and after they had com pleted their task, Benyowsky resigned his commission and retired from the settlement and the service of France. > Before this time a report had been circulated by an old female slave from Mauritius that Benyowsky was the son of a sovereign of that part of the country, who had in former times been carried thither. The chiefs and people pretended to believe this report, and Benyowsky does not appear to have undeceived them. Under this impression they re quested him to assume the office and duties of their ruler. He had previously intimated his willingness to accede to their wishes, and being now free from his engagement with the French, he was shortly afterwards, in a large public assembly of chiefs and people, and amidst much form and ceremony, proclaimed sovereign of the tribes inhabiting Mahavelona and the adjacent country, and received their oath of alle giance. On the evening of the same day, three hundred fe males came by moonlight to Madame Benyowsky to take the oath of allegiance to her as their queen. The next day the new sovereign held his first kabary or grand assembly, and presented the constitution and form of government, which they adopted. Benyowsky afterwards proceeded to Europe, with authority from the people of Ma havelona and the adjacent country to treat with the King of France, or any other nation, to form commercial and friendly alliances. Failing in these objects with the French, he applied