King Radama, after considerably extending his dominions, died in 1828, when the policy of his successor towards the English considerably changed.  The Malagasy government having resolved to impose their own laws on foreign residents at the port of Tamatave, an English and two French ships of war went there to try and settle the questions at issue. Failing to do so, they attacked the port, which, however, was so well defended, that they were compelled to retire, leaving several of their number behind, whose heads were stuck upon poles on the shore.  In consequence of this untoward event, all intercourse with the English ceased for eight years.  Before that time the government had commenced a cruel persecution of the Christian natives, and numbers were put to death.  The effect, however, was very different from what was expected. Attention was drawn to the subject of Christianity.  Many of all ranks began to study the Bible and to acknowledge the truth, and among them was the queen's son, then only seventeen years old.  The queen was greatly averse to the new religion; and this, probably, was one of the causes which made her break off all intercourse with strangers, while she carried on the persecution against her own subjects who had become converts.  The patient way in which the Christians bore their sufferings induced many others to inquire into the truth of their doctrines, and ultimately to embrace them.  At last a reaction took place; the queen began to discover the ill effects of the restrictive system she had been endeavouring to establish, and once more showed an inclination to renew her intercourse with civilised nations.  Friendly relations with the British had again been established when we anchored before Tamatave.