64 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
CHAR III. 
Renewed attempt of the French government to establish a colony in 
Madagascar in 1757—Liberal character of the plan—Occupation of Fort 
Dauphin by Mons. Maudave—Suspicions and hostility of the natives— 
Abandonment of the plan—Proposal by the French government to 
Count Benyowsky—Notice of his early history—His commission to 
establish a colony in Madagascar—Opposition to the project by the 
Authorities in the Isle of France—Great error in the arrangements of 
the French government—Benyowsky’s arrival at Mauritius—His recep¬ 
tion by the chiefs at Madagascar in 1774—Examination of the country— 
Erection of a fort and other public buildings—Negligence of the authori¬ 
ties in the Isle of France—Destitute state of the colony—Alliances of 
Benyowsky with the native chiefs—Settlement at the Plain of Health— 
Disaffection excited by emissaries from the Isle of France—Difficulties 
of the colony—Infanticide abolished by the natives—Confederacy of the 
Sakalavas against the colony—Victory over the Sakalavas by means of 
the cannon—Renewed confederacy amongst the Sakalava chiefs—Their 
defeat and submission—Loss of the vessels bringing supplies—Arrival of 
intelligence from France—Benyowsky requested of the chiefs to accept 
the sovereignty of the island—Arrival of commissioners from France— 
Departure of Benyowsky for Europe—His visit to France, England, and 
America—Return to Madagascar—He is shot by the French troops. 
In the year 1767, the attention of the French government 
was again directed to Madagascar, and a plan for the 
establishment of a colony at Fort Dauphin was presented 
by the French minister, the Duke de Praslin, to his master, 
and honoured with the royal approbation. It is stated by 
Copland, in his History of Madagascar, that he had an 
opportunity of perusing this document, and that it appeared 
to have been drawn up on liberal and enlightened princi¬ 
ples, and was designed to embrace the welfare of the inha- 
