The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-20 00:00:00

MADAGASCAR.

The Government at the French Island of Reunion
has received from Tananarive the following commu-
nication which emanated from the Government at
Madagascar :

" Tananarive, Feb. 27.

"For some time past the people murmured against
the existing. Government. The partisans of the
King, cleverly taking the advantage of the general
discontent, made a new appeal to the friends of
Radama 11., and soon formed a great plot, into
which entered the ex-Minister, Rainiooninahitriniony,
whose wealth, his innumerable slaves, and the terror
of whose name rendered him redoubtable, even after
his fall. Alarmed at a conspiracy to which the co-
operation of so powerful a man assured so much
chance of success, the Government held itself on the
defensive, and caused the most minute inquiry to be
made. At the outset four officers, of noble families,
who were arrested on suspicion, revealed the com-
plicity of Rainooninahitriniony. These officers stated
that he had distributed a sum of £3OO amongst the
partisans of the King, and that he had decided to
execute his design on a festival which fell on Feb. 23
and the succeeding days. His culpability estab-
lished, only a favourable opportunity was sought to
effect his capture. It was too dangerous to arrest
him at his country house, where he was in the midst
of his slaves, and where frequent meetings took

place.
" Under these circumstances, his uncle Rainibesa,
who commanded the executioners of Rada= 11.,
succeeded in separating him from his followers,
and in bringing him into the city. He had scarcely
arrived there when he was surrounded in his house
The people were immediately convoked, when
the scenes which ensued reminded all of the
days of 1863,which it was feared would recommence.
This was on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 17, a
day on which the greatest market of the year is
held at Tananarive. As night fell the crowd dis-
persed, and the report was spread that the ex-Prime
Minister had been assassinated. It had been decided
in fact that he should be put to death as soon as he
reached his house, but his brother again succeeded
in saving him. On the same evening he was exa-
mined for the first time, and formally denied his
participation in the plot. He persisted in his de-
nials the next day, and demanded to be confronted
with his accusers. His brother, in reply, told him
that he should not carry the affair any farther for
fear of finding such overwhelming proofs that would
prevent him from obtaining the favour of his life.
However it may be, Rainiooninahitriniony was not
condemned to death, and a report was issued to the
people stating that he had been found guilty of a
crime which merited death, but that in consideration
of the services rendered by his grandfather, his son,
and himself formerly, his life would be spared, but
he was sent into perpetual banishment. The report
ended as follows :---‘ If in future he or others com-
mit similar crimes, the Queen will have no pity, and
will punish with death all who are guilty, even if
obliged to execute the fifth, the quarter, or even the
third of her subjects.'
" The ex-Minister was permitted to take with
him a sum of money and 36 slaves. His secondwife,
who was no stranger to the evils of which he was
formerly the author, received the order to accompany
him in his exile. The place assigned to him as a
residence is three days' journey to the southward of
Tananarive, and he will be guarded by 200 soldiers,
who will answer for him with their heads. He is
forbidden to leave the village which is to be his pri-
son. The four officers arrested were condemned to
undergo the same punishment, and have been con-
fined to the same village."