110 EFFECT OF THE APOLOGY. had caused such grief to those sovereigns, that they had said they would rather have lost ten thousand of their subjects, than such wise men.) Should you put to death any of these intelligent young people, who have been for years receiving instruction from the Europeans, I fear, Madam, you will be the loser, and be sorry for it. When once they are killed, you cannot purchase back their lives with money. These are my thoughts, Madam, and I cannot but tell them, whatever may be the consequence." After he had resumed his seat, a long silence ensued. At last the queen said, “ I thank you for your advice: I have indeed a father and a mother in you: you do not conceal from me what you think will be of service to the kingdom. We shall consider well what to do with them." Andrianisa then rose up, and after the usual apologies, said he very highly approved of the advice just given, and added that almost all the new things that had been lately introduced into the country for the good of the kingdom, had been introduced by the English; such as European discipline in the army, the manufactures of gunpowder,* soap-making, leather-making, improvements in the work of carpenters, blacksmiths, &c. &c., and that if any of the natives who had been placed under the instructions of the Europeans should be put to death for adopting their customs, their teachers would be deeply grieved, and it would become an occasion of reproach to the queen's country. * This was not quite correct. The art of making powder had been long known in Madagascar. Improvements were introduced by Verkey, a native of the country sent to England by Radama, and placed by the British Government at the Powder Mills, Waltham Abbey, for that purpose. EDICT TO THE EUROPEANS. 111 The other officers present, whatever might be their real sentiments, seemed to approve of what had been said, and indeed could scarcely do otherwise, at the time, as the queen herself appeared inclined to listen to the suggestions. The queen had also summoned some of the head people from the other districts to attend at the capital, especially those from Avaradrano; among these were Ramantavary and Rainilehimanga. These were not allowed to enter the court-yard; but were informed on their arrival that the queen was desirous of having their opinion as to the putting to death one or two of the most active among the Christians in each district. They had no hesitation in expressing their disapproval of such a measure. As so many persons of influence had now spoken in favour of the Christians, the queen it appears was somewhat shaken in her determination of putting some of them to death. On the Thursday morning a letter to the Europeans, forbidding their teaching Christianity, was drawn up, and they were summoned to receive a message from the queen, at four o'clock that afternoon. A few hours before the letter was sent, other officers were summoned to the court-yard to hear it read; and though there were many among them that could not approve of it, no one ventured to reply against it; they saw the measure was fully decided on. At four o'clock that afternoon the usual public service was held at the chapel at Ambatonakanga, and one of the natives was requested to conduct the meeting, and to deliver an address. The chapel was quite full, and the 112 EDICT. address was excellent, founded on the very appropriate 66 text, Save, Lord, we perish." It was the last public address ever delivered there. The officers then came to the residence of Mr. Griffiths, where the Europeans had met by appointment, to receive the queen's message. Ratsimanisa, the most inveterate enemy to Christianity, was at their head. His appearance indicated great excitement and determined enmity, as if actuated by some malignant power. There being no room for the whole party in the house, they entered the chapel; and after the usual forms of salutation, Ratsimanisa said, there was a letter from the queen to the Europeans, adding, "most of you understand the Malagasy language; if there are any here who do not, the others can translate it for them." The following letter was then read :— "TO ALL THE EUROPEANS, ENGLISH AND FRENCH. "Antananarivo, 26th February, 1835. "I INFORM you, my friends and relations, with regard to the disposition you have manifested towards my country, in teaching the good disposition and knowledge, I thank you for that; it is highly acceptable to me, for I have observed the disposition manifested by you to Radama, and also to me, that you have not changed. "And I also inform all you Europeans, that whilst you reside here in my country, you may, among yourselves, observe all the customs, (religious observances,) of your ancestors, and your own customs; and do not entertain any fears, for I do not change the customs of your ancestors, or your customs, for the disposition that you have manifested to my country is good: however, though I state that, if the law of my country be violated, the party is guilty, whoever he may be; nor is that done in this country only, but throughout the world, wherever the law of the country is violated, the party is guilty. "And further, I tell you explicitly, that if these people of mine should change the customs of the ancestors, and that which has been transmitted from the ancient line of my predecessors, and 'ANSWER TO THE EDICT. 113 from Andrianimpoinimerina and Radama, if they should change that, I utterly detest it, (laviko izany,) for that which has been established by my ancestors, I cannot permit to be changed: I am neither ashamed nor afraid to maintain the customs of my ancestors; but if there be good disposition and knowledge that may be beneficial to my country, that I assent to, but still the customs of my ancestors I cannot allow to be relinquished. "And hence, then, with regard to religious worship, whether on the Sunday or not, and the practice of baptism, and the existence of a society, (or societies,) those things cannot be done by my subjects, in my country; but with regard to yourselves, as Europeans, do that which accords with the customs of your ancestors and your own customs. But if there be knowledge of the arts and sciences, that will be beneficial to my subjects in the country, teach that, for it is good; therefore I tell you of this, my friends and relations, that you may hear of it. "Saith Ranavalomanjaka.” After receiving the message of the queen contained in her letter, the Europeans retired from the chapel to their houses, followed by many of the native Christians overwhelmed with grief and terror. To the letter from the queen the following reply was sent two days afterwards : “To Ranavalomanjaka : "Antananarivo, 28th February, 1835. "May you attain to old age, not suffering affliction. Madam, may you equal in length of days the human race. We have received your letter, brought to us by the officers of the palace, and we are happy to find that the disposition we have manifested in your country, and in teaching the good disposition and wisdom, has been acceptable to you. "Nevertheless, we are exceedingly grieved respecting your word, which says, religious worship is not to be performed by your subjects. For we know and are assured, that the word of God is beneficial to men, and the means of making them wise, whoever they may be, and that it renders illustrious and prosperous those kingdoms which obey it. And this teaching of ours, the word of God, together with teaching the good disposition, and the arts and sciences, are the purposes for which we left our native country. 114 REPLY TO THE ANSWER. "We, therefore, most humbly and earnestly entreat of your Majesty not to suppress our teaching the word of God, but that we may still have the means of teaching it together with the useful arts and sciences. "And with regard to your word, saying that we are not allowed to purchase land; we have heard the message, and submit to it; and we will not purchase land-for you, Madam, are the Sovereign of the Country. "May you attain to old age; and we pray to God to bless you. May you live long, and may your kingdom prosper, say we Europeans. In reply to the letter from the missionaries the queen rejoined as follows: "Tananarino, 2d March, 1835. "To Messrs. Johns, Freeman, Chick, Cameron, Kitching, Baker: "HEALTH to you. I have heard the message in your letter, and I say to you, 'Did I not expressly tell you, that with regard to the customs of your ancestors, they are not changed, that is, among yourselves, not even while you are here in my country? "And while you are here in my country, if the customs of your ancestors were changed, should you not be grieved? "And I tell you what I have already told you, that my people are not to do these things, for that which was done by my ancestors cannot be changed.' "Such is the message of the sovereign, which she has directed to be sent as an answer to the message in your letter. "Say RAINIMAHARO, Į 11th honour, Officers of The language of this letter is sufficiently evasive, for the missionaries had not hinted at any change being made in their religious customs, nor did they attempt to force any changes on the people. But it was manifestly useless to press any explanations on the attention of the government, as their decision was now deliberately taken, and authoritatively announced. |