HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
67 
attention of the curious; and, so far as they indicate the 
true character and habits of the author, may assist in 
forming calculations as to the kind and degree of influence 
he would be likely to exercise upon the natives of Mada¬ 
gascar, amongst whom he was for several years a resident. 
In early life, the Count had taken an active part in the 
political affairs of his own country; and falling under the 
displeasure of the Russian government, was banished to 
Siberia, whence he speedily effected his escape, by engaging 
a number of his fellow-sufferers in a conspiracy of so daring 
and extensive a nature that they finally left Kamtschatka in 
possession of two ships, and at the head of more than a 
hundred men, of whom he was elected commander. 
After enduring all the strange vicissitudes incident to a 
voyage commenced under circumstances so unusual, and 
touching at several places, Benyowsky at last sold his ships 
at Canton, and, embarking himself and his crew on board 
two French trading vessels, arrived at the Isle of France 
in the year 1772. 
Here his reception was not the most favourable, and his 
stay was consequently short; but on his departure from the 
island he intimated the probability of his applying to the 
government of France for a commission to establish a colony 
in Madagascar. This design appears to have been treated 
by the French at the Isle of France with ridicule and con¬ 
tempt; and a letter was written by the intendant, to the 
French minister of marine, greatly to the prejudice of 
Benyowsky. 
Upon his arrival in France, after his various and sur¬ 
prising adventures had obtained publicity, the French 
minister, Mons. de Boynes, informed him of the intention 
of government to make another attempt to establish a 
colony at Madagascar, for the purpose of trade rather than 
f 2 
