Beyond the logbook of an American ship preserved at the Peabody Museum, which provides a description of Mahajanga in 1792, the earliest available texts on American trade in Madagascar consist of two passages from the journal of James Hastie, written during the expedition of Radama I against the Boina (Boeny) region in July 1824. Hastie noted the presence of three American ships in the port of Mahajanga and ensured their goods would be protected.
In the second passage, Hastie explains that Americans imported weapons, ammunition, iron, glassware, pottery, sweets, furniture, and fancy goods, as well as silver dollars, which they largely sold to Arab traders. In return, they procured beef, leather, ebony, sandalwood, local handicrafts, and elephant tusks from the Arab merchants.
In a 1966 conference, historian Jean Valette noted that 19th-century sources are the most reliable, particularly those from 1828 onwards. Records from Salem, Massachusetts, mention the departure of the American schooner ‘Spy’ from Mahajanga in June 1828. Malagasy archives contain correspondence regarding the stay of this vessel, owned by the well-known Massachusetts shipowner Andrew Ward. Governor Ramanetaka attempted to negotiate the purchase of the ship for Radama I’s fleet, but the deal fell through as the ‘Spy’ departed before the King could finalize the terms.
The work ‘New-England Merchants in Africa’ by historians Bennet and Brooks highlights that Madagascar held a significant place in American activities between 1802 and 1865. This trade was primarily managed by merchants from Boston and Salem and was closely linked to activities on the East African coast, particularly Zanzibar. This explains why American trade was concentrated on the West Coast of Madagascar, while the French and British dominated the East Coast due to their proximity to Mauritius and Reunion.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-25 05:39:02 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/une-grande-place-malgache-dans-les.html