HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
68 
conquest, and inviting him to take charge of the expedition, 
with the title of Governor-General. Whether these over¬ 
tures arose from a previous application on the part of 
Benyowsky or his friends, or whether the extent of his 
knowledge, and his firm and enterprising character, had 
pointed him out to the minister as a fit person to direct 
such an enterprise, does not appear. But in his instructions 
to the governor and commissary at the Isle of France, 
Boynes expressed the greatest confidence in the individual 
to whom he had given the appointment. “ No person,” 
said he, “has appeared more capable of carrying his 
majesty's intentions into effect, than Mons. Baron de Ben¬ 
yowsky. In the course of his travels by sea, he has learned 
the manner of treating of savage people; and to a great 
share of firmness, he has united that mildness of character 
which suits a design of this nature.” 
In confirmation of this opinion, the minister, not approv¬ 
ing the plan which had been drawn up by one of the 
government agents, ordered the Count to draw up his own 
plan, which was approved both by the king and his 
ministers. 
The first step taken towards the accomplishment of the 
object, was, however, sufficient to secure its failure. In¬ 
stead of raising the necessary supplies in France, the 
minister devolved it on the government of the Isle of France 
to furnish all stores required for the colony; thus, in 
effect, making the Count dependent on his enemies, whose 
influence, he foresaw, would be employed to defeat his 
objects. Benyowsky remonstrated, but could not prevail 
on the minister so to modify the plan as to secure him 
against the disastrous effects of this ill-judged arrangement. 
The Abbe Rochon was at the Isle of France at the time 
of Benyowsky’s arrival, and appears to have shared largely 
