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ARDS, Fsq., PLANTER OF JAMAICA, E5c. N a CONTAINING A REFUTATION OF HIS HISTORICAL SURVEY ON THE COLONY OF ST. DOMINGO, FRENCH ETC. ETC. : VENAULT DE CHARMILLY, BY COLONEL KNIGHT OF THE ROYAL AND MILITARY ORDER OF ST. LOUIS, PLANTER OF ST. DOMINGO, MEMBER OF THE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THAT COLONY; AND CHARGED BY HIS MAJESTY's MINISTERS AND THE PLANTERS, AND SIGN THE CAPITULATION FOR THE FRENCH PART OF THAT ISLAND TO REGULATR. LEUTENANT-OOYERNOR OF JAMAICA. WITH LIEUT-GENERAL WILLIAMSON, OK 0 * C T Printed for the AUTHOR, by BAYLIS, No. 15, Greville-street, Holborn ; Piccadilly; and BOOSEY, Broad- -street, Royal-Exchange. And Sold by DEBRETT, 1797. --- Page 8 --- ADVERTISEMENT edition was undertaken at the request of several of m3y friends, THE present would be better attained than by the original one zeho imagined that my object Mr. Edwards work is in English.- in the French Language, particularly as history of the Yellow alterations have been made, and -a CUTSO77 Some sliglit xoho has made Fever has been added, as remitted to me by a planter afTobago, researches On that pestilential disease, which was never the most particular its unfortunate introduction by the Erperiment known at St. Domingo before in Philadelphia some time it was aS accidental there, as its appearance frigate; against St. Domingo aS if since.-I Peoplé's? minds have been as much prejudiced attentive to that to that island: this has made me particularly it was peculiar to announce that it has enanhappy subject; and it gives me infinite pleasure tirely ceased its ravages. edition of 7n23/ scork, I have been credibly I beg leave to add, that since thefirst that in the Windvard Islands there are as many Englishmen employed informed, at Montserrat, where in the capacity of overseers as Scotch OT Irish, ezcept they are principally Irish. I Peoplé's? minds have been as much prejudiced attentive to that to that island: this has made me particularly it was peculiar to announce that it has enanhappy subject; and it gives me infinite pleasure tirely ceased its ravages. edition of 7n23/ scork, I have been credibly I beg leave to add, that since thefirst that in the Windvard Islands there are as many Englishmen employed informed, at Montserrat, where in the capacity of overseers as Scotch OT Irish, ezcept they are principally Irish. --- Page 9 --- P R E F A C E. events SEVERAL great have taken place since the first edition of my letter, all of corroborate the justness of my expressed belief, that a Peace with the French which impossible ; and Ithink no doubt can Republic would be possibly now remain of the good faith which the of Direétory bear in their negotiations. agents the The last Revolution of the 4th of September, is likewise sufficient cager partisans of peace, what degrce of confidence to convince the most contraÉted with can be placed in any treaty whatever such inen; who neither respedlposwer orlaws: not even those which created. How much then does a regular themselves have colledtion, government endangeritself in treating with such a as that at the head of the Direétory : who proclaim the faélious the people, and who at the same time sell thcm to other independance and sovereignty of satisfy their ambition, just as convenience suits their sovereigns : either to conclude treaties, or to had the boldness to arrest their purpose. Three members ofthe Diredlury have colleagues, and without a trial (nay even the semblance of a notwithstanding their infated bombast about juries) have banished them. trial, be served in the same manner, or one amongst them nore than Perhaps themselves will four others, to reign over a people rendered abjett hardy the rest, mnay assassinate the by terrar, The return of Lord Malmesbury, a second time sent away in the most England, ought to testify how dangerous it would be to treat insulting manner to Republic. conditionally with the French The signal vidtory of Admiral Duncan, is one of the most favorable events that been wished, and its happy conscquences invaluable. It has rendered could have arbiter of the seas, and reduced Holland from her rank England mistress and absolute among the maritime powers. The French government has too openly manifested its intentions, for Sovereigns, the most desperate necessity of submitting to a (who are not in would be disgraceful peace) to consent to such treatics, as nothing more than a public adhesion to principles, which contain the seeds of their destruttion, own The peace which the Emperor has accepted, and the conditions that form its than ever the intentions of the French basis, evince more Republic, to annihilate successively all the making use of each other till they eventually domineer powers 9f Eurepe, over the whole, The Republic affords a fresh and convincing proof, and leaves little to hope for the Cis-Rhénane the German Empire. The impolitic conduét of the re-establishment of French in Emperor forms new means of power to the government, obliging him to become the arbiter of the new Republics which created. The er rrors of the Continental likewise it has governinents add more pressing motives for England to reject a peacc wbich would have, relative to expence, all the inconveniences of as the instability and bad faith of the Direétory would force her war; , besides, the danger of necessarily to remain armed ; been able pestilential communication, which scarce any precaution known has to prevent 5 with pcace, it would most certainly destroy her doniestic tranquillity. arbiter of the new Republics which created. The er rrors of the Continental likewise it has governinents add more pressing motives for England to reject a peacc wbich would have, relative to expence, all the inconveniences of as the instability and bad faith of the Direétory would force her war; , besides, the danger of necessarily to remain armed ; been able pestilential communication, which scarce any precaution known has to prevent 5 with pcace, it would most certainly destroy her doniestic tranquillity. --- Page 10 --- P R E F A C E. Great-Britain may terminate an offensive war: that torthe only important asylum for privateers First, in taking possession of Guadaloupe, ment her trade in the Windward Islands. I think is very easy, fromt he the Conquest of St. Domingo, which mistress of her enemies coloSecondly, in compleating be seen in the sequel. Thus, kowledge Ihaseeft that colony, as will economical war. she confine herself to a defensive, nics, may (in their reports on the first day of the meetwith astonishment in the public papers, Mr. Bryan Edwards ; if sO, Il have read there said to have been delivered by avow that he had ing of Parliamens), a speech, it easier to aggravate his errors, than frankly to why fulminate it fully proves, that he judged lf I am wrong, I am open to deteôtion ;-but the French been misled in his information. colonists ef St. Domingo, but upon the culole ef I have oc. m10t only on the unxfortunate all the ill humour, which, perhaps, cruel and uonjust a manner, who had only lived a few colonists, in so errors? which every man and with casioned, in exposing his numberless have noticed to the public as myself, brave months at St. Domingo, could as easily (to say no more) SO far as to rank these Why carry his injustice Britain for four years, and who are the same advantage. who have fought under the standard of which they took : Why, I say, and loyal colonists, English subjeéts, by the oath of allegiance who never was a proprietor, nor numbered amongst VICTOR HUGuEs, whom he cited, How, in the does he rank them with a his crimcs, before his arrival at Guadaloupe? as t1nor ever known, but by an atrack? An attack as indecent a colonist, honorable, could hc conceive such that diétated the errors of the name of every thing and which indicates the spirit of hatred and jealousy merited by all the French colnists, and myself consider it as the effedts themselves to the book I now answer. My countrymen and grateful colonists, who, in devoting who have rendered against a people ef gercrous, have braze, scconded the plan of His Majesty's Ministers: the theatre of warto St. interests of Great-Britain, service in saving Tamaica, by carrying to the destruétion of the English nation the greatest which prompts Mr. B. E. to consent fear of St. Domingo Doming)-- - But the inconsiderateness it) where his fortune lies, in tle over colonies (if I may so express with some men predominates the English leaves no room to doubt, that vanity or cven garbeing re-cstablished, be that the colonies can be peomrseduaithfron, of enemies we theirinterest. For, let it not imagined, are defended; but the species with such means it is true, towns and forts It is the plantation establishments risons; ; combat, do not dircét their attacks that way. as long as the French Republic have now to views are dircéted. The sugar islands are, a lighted match. against whom their be astacked evith only poeder magazinci, cuhich may succeosfally mind exists, so many well convinced in his own then, that Mr. Bryan Edwards is now very the course of my answer, viz. I firmly helieve which Ithink I have clcarly demonstratedin THAT OF JAMAICA, of this forcible truth, OF ST. DOMINGO DEPENDS THE MOST THAT ON THE FATE THOSE TWO GREAT ISLANDS, IN AND ON THE FATE OF ALL THE EUROPEAN COLONIES PEOPLED WITH NEGROS) DEPEND THE ANTILLES. LoxDON, November 15, 1797. exists, so many well convinced in his own then, that Mr. Bryan Edwards is now very the course of my answer, viz. I firmly helieve which Ithink I have clcarly demonstratedin THAT OF JAMAICA, of this forcible truth, OF ST. DOMINGO DEPENDS THE MOST THAT ON THE FATE THOSE TWO GREAT ISLANDS, IN AND ON THE FATE OF ALL THE EUROPEAN COLONIES PEOPLED WITH NEGROS) DEPEND THE ANTILLES. LoxDON, November 15, 1797. --- Page 11 --- To BRTAN EDWARDS, Esg. London, May I, 1797. SIR, HaviNe had an opportunity of frequently, relative to the Colony of St. conversing with you you knew but very little of its Domingo, I found that badly informed with affairs, and that you had been that Island. respect to the events that have Indeed I believe I hinted this to happened in me you had an idea of writing its you when you told My history. curiosity was not, therefore, much excited Historical Survey ef the French Colony in the Island to read your However, on the 28th of March last, ef St. Domingo. of Parliament with whom I dined, being informed by a Member duced in your work, and, that my name had been introwas personal to me, he expressing a desire of knowing what Judge, Sir, produced your book. my surprise at the manner in which my name, after having been (without you mention recommended to you by one of any solicitation on my part) consequence visited your intimate friends; in you out of civility, and having at a common friend's. I desire having met you since swering you to be convinced you, I pay no regard to this that, by anonly to upbraid you with errors inconsistency. I wish Ihad to notice the personal to myself; but I am forced ill-grounded or malignant remarks those, who advised the British you lavish upon and most useful Cabinet to perform one ef the operations ef the present war. grealest After having attentively read sary, in justice to the Colony, your publication, I find it necesbrave and loyal inhabitants my own honour, and that of the cause of who have devoted themselves to the Great-Britain, that I should make aj public answer to it. B with errors inconsistency. I wish Ihad to notice the personal to myself; but I am forced ill-grounded or malignant remarks those, who advised the British you lavish upon and most useful Cabinet to perform one ef the operations ef the present war. grealest After having attentively read sary, in justice to the Colony, your publication, I find it necesbrave and loyal inhabitants my own honour, and that of the cause of who have devoted themselves to the Great-Britain, that I should make aj public answer to it. B --- Page 12 --- ( 2 ) Among other persons who, like myself, have Majesty's Ministers the great evinced to His Domingo, there are certainly advantages of an attack upon St. ted your remarks some who could more ably have on that Colony; refuwives and children tothe furious but, fearful of exposing their ders have rendered cruel-and vengeance of a people whose leadireétly attack --as you name being the person whom you most me the agent ef the inhabitants me personally-as you own and stile the gage you have thrown for of the Grande-Ansc-It take up in themost material me, to demonstrate that your points, teems with work, As I freely declare to you, Sir, and errors and injustice. voured, more than any_other to the public, that I endeament the great utility that person, to shew to the British Governpossession,of St. would accrue to the English from the words to convince Domingo, it may be proper for me to say a few my readers how SO as to deserve the confidence farIcould. speak of that of Colony, now, of the public at large. Government at that time, and; Afterhaving finished my studies at the ving travelledthrough University ofp Paris, andhain the beginning of the great part ofEurope, Iarrived at St. that American war. A few Domingo Colony was sufficient to make months residence in tance. Born with an aétivity me acquainted with its imporProvidence with a hardly tobe surpassed, and favored healthy and by to make myself perfeétly strong constitution, I was enabled During an uninterrupted acquainted with the affairs of the Island. say that Ihave, inthe full stay twice,of seven years each,I may sense ofthe word, travelled safely Country, having been engaged in overthe whole ministred several great some important suits, having adsequencein all estates, and having had parts of the Island, which have businesorgreate made conwiththe principal plantersin its various me acquainted the ambition also of quarters. Ifyouj join to that may judge if I was not becoming in the one ofthe richest inhabitants, you the resources of its situation of perfect information of provinces, and the advantages of its differens each,I may sense ofthe word, travelled safely Country, having been engaged in overthe whole ministred several great some important suits, having adsequencein all estates, and having had parts of the Island, which have businesorgreate made conwiththe principal plantersin its various me acquainted the ambition also of quarters. Ifyouj join to that may judge if I was not becoming in the one ofthe richest inhabitants, you the resources of its situation of perfect information of provinces, and the advantages of its differens --- Page 13 --- ( 3 ) knowing personally almost all the manufaétures: ; besides my civil; add to that, the generous hospiofficers, both military and as a single man. From all tality of the Creoles, and my independance that scarcely any inhabitant these reasons) you may easily conclude, of knowing its affairs than of the Colony had a greater opportunity mysclf. France at the end of the last war, I was grieved to Returning to which the the baneful effects of those poisonous principles, see for in America. I also saw, with deep concern, French had sought sect, created at first in the establishment of that philanthropic in Europe. I then visited Philadelphia, and finally transplanted from thence I went to England, where I remained a few months; Jamaica, where I also resided some time. re-established several Since my return, in St. Domingo, having under the necessity of plantations on my. own account, I was that related perfeétly. well informed of every thing making myself resources of the Colony to its utmost extent : to the commercial the arrangement of the accounts I also had, with Mr. de Marbois, Contraétors of St. Domingo. A long of one of the most wealthy and the Cape, enabled me still more to residence at Port-au-Prince: judge of every thing that passed. at the moment of the RevoluOn returning to my plantation, that I was nominated Member tion, it will not appear surprising, afterwards of the Province whereI of the Assembly of my Parish, of the General Assembly of St. resided, and, finally, Deputy Marc. of the Rights of Man, I foresaw, From the very first publication informed inhabitants, the miseries with the reasonable and well and misfortunes that awaited the Colony. which was, in a great Residing in the South part of the Island, of Jamaica, for indebted tothe English and the inhabitants measure, and being also, by several voyages, acquainted its establishment; ; views towards Great-Britain, toi with England, I early turned my of the Assembly of my Parish, of the General Assembly of St. resided, and, finally, Deputy Marc. of the Rights of Man, I foresaw, From the very first publication informed inhabitants, the miseries with the reasonable and well and misfortunes that awaited the Colony. which was, in a great Residing in the South part of the Island, of Jamaica, for indebted tothe English and the inhabitants measure, and being also, by several voyages, acquainted its establishment; ; views towards Great-Britain, toi with England, I early turned my --- Page 14 --- ( 4 ) ensure the safety of St. Domingo. This abandoned me; from the first moment of sentiment never once mnanifested it in my Parish, in the troubles, I constantly Assembly of St. Marc, my Province, and in the General continually direéted where all my thoughts and actions were The torrent of towards procuring the success of my plan. revolutionary ideas had too much head, not to force the wisest agitated every and I freely own, that I people to conform to circumstances; ; the was one of those who affected to possibility of an absurd independance; believe interests of the Island, to a still preferring it, for the Colony existing with the pretended more absurd idea, of a Sugar the people of the greatest influence Righits or Man. Unfortunately, lieve, from the remembrance in St. Domingo were led to bederived, of the commercial during the American war, from their advantages they with neutral increasing trade nations; they were in hopes, and might well exist independent, under pretended, that it European Powers. My the gencral protedtion ofthe could never take opinion has always been, that such a place, and that the Colony thing proteétion of a great ought to be under the judged to put it under metropolis; and that it would be wisely diversity of opinions the powerful patronage of England. The (mine being well frustrated all my plans, and obliged known) to embark with the me, meaning proprictors on buard the principal and well from two parties; one of which Leopard, with the view of flying bition, and the other looked saw in us the enemies of their am they thought of on us as enemies to that anarchy which establishing in our superb climates. my arrival in Europe, I soon perceived that Shortlya after still more SO St. Domingo, if a France was lost, and Colonies did not timely power interested to save her own succour her. Ther melancholy intelligence of the disasters first brought to Europe by the of St. Domingo were the only inhabitant, who Dapline, an English frigate. I was came to England, to substantiate that news ; the enemies of their am they thought of on us as enemies to that anarchy which establishing in our superb climates. my arrival in Europe, I soon perceived that Shortlya after still more SO St. Domingo, if a France was lost, and Colonies did not timely power interested to save her own succour her. Ther melancholy intelligence of the disasters first brought to Europe by the of St. Domingo were the only inhabitant, who Dapline, an English frigate. I was came to England, to substantiate that news ; --- Page 15 --- ( 5 ) news; a proof of which I found by 200 letters, delivered to me by Captain Gardner, who commanded that frigate. I think it is the epoch of 1791, which you cite : I had, at that time, the honour of seeing the Ministers of Ilis Britannic Majesty, and I proposed to them the means of saving their Colonies, by saving St. Domingo. The truth of my observations then, and which I have since repeated, arc inserted in the Memorial : which I submitted to Government. The revolutionary spirit, which had overturned the heads of the French people, furnished the justest and wisest reasons for the British Ministry to refuse an offer, which had been too late tendered, and had, on account of the conflagration of the Colony and the diminution of its revenues and produétions, become of too little importance to risk a war with the French. I repaired to Paris again; when soon, in 1792, the calamitous events, which affeéted France and the King, compelled me to look for an asylum in England. From that moment, I prediéted the certainty of a war, and, continually occupied for the welfare of fmy countrymen and of the first Colony of the world,Ireiterated my sollicitations to the British Government. In concert with other inhabitants I have never ceased proving to the Ministers of Great-Britain, that, if St. Domingo, the most considerable of the Antilles, was not saved, it would be impossible to save any of their Islands. War having been declared by the French in February 1793, then it was, that those, who had exerted themselves to preserve both the English and the French Colonies, were listened to. Many of them were no less zealous in the cause than myself; but, having the superior advantage of a thorough knowledge of the Colony, I was enabled to declare: 66 such and such things must be done; I zwill 46 undertakethem, or perish in the attempt.". The British Ministers cair judge whether I was SO fortunate as to maké good my promises : they were pleased to assure me of it, and His Majesty graciously C , then it was, that those, who had exerted themselves to preserve both the English and the French Colonies, were listened to. Many of them were no less zealous in the cause than myself; but, having the superior advantage of a thorough knowledge of the Colony, I was enabled to declare: 66 such and such things must be done; I zwill 46 undertakethem, or perish in the attempt.". The British Ministers cair judge whether I was SO fortunate as to maké good my promises : they were pleased to assure me of it, and His Majesty graciously C --- Page 16 --- ("6 ) his approbation of the condescended to testify to me, personally, that service. zeal and alacrity with which I exerted myselfin who has either advised, I shall speak of what I relate as a person has taken place at or seen executed, whatever erecuted personally, since the at the head of wohose operaSt. Domingo, ever English, You will then judge, Sir, whether tions I was, took possession ofit. informed than you and many others; Lought not to be better thing the Ministry shall I speak about every for as an eye-witness until towards the end of ordered me to do, ever since June 1793, That is the when I left the Colony to return to England. same 1794, mentioned in your work; it was also about the very period with the powers of the Colonists to come time, I was charged His feet, and to implore fresh here, and lay their vOWS at finish Majesty's what I had SO happily begun. assistance to enable them to thing that relates to St.. well informed in every As a Planter, work, and demonstrate its errors; Domingo, I shall answer your witness to every faét you advance, I and, finally, as a very aétive pretend to have happened take upon me to contradiét whatever you since the arrival of the English. who has forgot the I expeét but little justice, Sir, from a man, and to calumniate brave, generous, sacred duty of an historian, foreigners, who have faithfully grateful Colonists, and unfortunate which their honour as much as fulfilled those promises and duties, their interest diétated. who, I hope, will read this work, From a wise and liberal public fellow countrymen and the justice which is due to my I expect sensible of your injustice, truth and impartiality myself. Though and the public will be ourjudge. alone shall guide my pen, from Mr. Edwards' work are printed N. B. The passages quoted which they are extraéted. in Italics, with the pages from ers, who have faithfully grateful Colonists, and unfortunate which their honour as much as fulfilled those promises and duties, their interest diétated. who, I hope, will read this work, From a wise and liberal public fellow countrymen and the justice which is due to my I expect sensible of your injustice, truth and impartiality myself. Though and the public will be ourjudge. alone shall guide my pen, from Mr. Edwards' work are printed N. B. The passages quoted which they are extraéted. in Italics, with the pages from --- Page 17 --- ( 7 : PREFACE. therefore is confined aubolly to St. INtet preface, you say - The present publication visited tbat unhapty country soon" Domingo; concerning swhicb, baving personally connexions there which hate after tbe revolt ef tbe Negroes in 1791, and formed I a mass of evidence commorication ever since, possess supplied me witb regular and important docunents-Page ii. that are assertion, the reader might be led to think you In consequence of your with the colony : that a long residence at St. Domingo perfectly well acquainted concerns, its commerce, its administration, its has enabled' you to study its political its several manufactures : and finally, produce, and' all its other resources; F to visit to collect the important there several years, you had it in your power that by living various quarters of that extensive island ; the equiinstructions you speak ef, in thc residence in that too unhappy country, vocal manner in which you mention your have said : 6 during a few weeks resiwill induce orie to believe it. You should of immedithat remained shut up in the town Cape François 46- dence only I in 1791, I have, in a moment of great 6 ately after the rebellion of the Negroes, should have said that you could 4 confusion colledted all my materials;" you of the colony and town were, during that the inhabitants little see nothing by yourself; divided in several parties; that you could speak but your stay at the Cape, reader would then either. have guarded against your asserFrench, &c. &c. &c.; the tions, or wholly put your work byin its full extent the danger to which every And be saw (the Earl of Efingbam) such an example, if the triumph island in the West Indies would be exposed from should be complete.-Page iti. of savage anarchy over all order and government known what Lord Effingham perceived, why did' you not If you had yourself endeavoured to know whether the Minislay down your pen ? Why have you not Why have you not hesitated to accuse ters had not seen as well as his Lordship? being a. planter yoursclf, have you not them of levity and want of foresight ? How, providentially escaped from the pitied the unfortunate colonists, who, having nation that saved them from dedaggers of tbeir murderers, blessed the benevolent struétion : --- Page 18 --- - C B ) avoxved in all companies (at Cape François) coitbous And very earnest avishes svere world send anl armament to conscruple or restraint, that the British governuent surrender from the inhabitants.- tbe island, Gr rather to receive its voluntary quer Page X. had long foreseen all the misforThe sensible and rational part of the inhabitants of Man, would infallibly bring tunes which the publication of the pretended Rights for England to seize on and take and they unanimously wished that wise on St. Domingo, wicked and ill-designed people only opposed possession of the colony; the Amis des Noirs prevented the surrender measure, and the barbarous associates to unanimous vows of thc unfortunate inhabiof the island. that the British governuent surrender from the inhabitants.- tbe island, Gr rather to receive its voluntary quer Page X. had long foreseen all the misforThe sensible and rational part of the inhabitants of Man, would infallibly bring tunes which the publication of the pretended Rights for England to seize on and take and they unanimously wished that wise on St. Domingo, wicked and ill-designed people only opposed possession of the colony; the Amis des Noirs prevented the surrender measure, and the barbarous associates to unanimous vows of thc unfortunate inhabiof the island. Since yourself heard the forward as their advocate ? reduced to despair, why did you not come tants, Mr. Edwwards) is not recorded from the taini This circumstance (sbe atlention sbeunio Tbe reader of the foilonving pages cwill ambition of shewing my ozn importance. induce bim to make some allowance for discover its application : and perbaps it may cobich afterwards led to atthat confident expeltation of sure and speedy success, country, evith means tbat must. tempts by tbe Britisb arms, against tbis ill-fated in tbe they have unhappily proved, otberwise have been thonght at tbe timés as sequel inadequate to the oljet? in view.-Page xi. altogetber then shewn, could by no mcans be adThose marks of deference and respect but were looked on as a no claim to them; you dressed to you, as having personal too unfortunate fellow countrymen sent by the Governor of Jamaica ; my assist them. person their vOWs to those alone, who could effectually wished to convey height of their misfortunes, were not calculated Those vOWS expressed in the very When I renewed my soliciattract at once and fix the attention of the Ministers. will in due to had then undergone a total change : my answers tations, circumstances that you draw from your own amply serve to do away consequence time and place, I refrain from doing it now. idea. Therefore, the rebels with arms and even accused (ihe Spaniards) not only of supplying They were delivering zep to tbem, to be murdered, mary unbappy French provisions, but also of tbe territories, &c. receiving money planters auho bad Aed for refuge to Spanish these latter cbarges, bowever, no from the rebels as the price of their blood. Of proof was I believe ever produced.-Page xii. this cccasion, was investigated and fully proved The conduct of the Spaniards on several documents and authentic pieces Assembly of France by to the Legislative --- Page 19 --- ( 9 ) brought from St. Domingo; since that time, the dent or Governor of the Spanish territories, proclamation issued by the Presistill more those of Fort Dauphin, the horrid murders of the Gonaives, and executed under their (no doubt, ordered by them), but most vanced on that subject, very eycs, peremptorily shew that not too much certainly and that they were was adat St. Domingo. reallyguilty ofall the atrocities committed This Gentleman (Mr. Cudush) drew up, at my request, a sbort progress of tbe rebellion; ; and, after return account of the origin and correspondence. Many important P2y to England, favoured me with bis his fagts, whicb are given in tbis are authority.-Page XV. swork, given on Mr. de Cadush, from his talents and capable to furnish you with excellent knowledge of St. Domingo, was certainly not ignorant tbat be successively embraced materials, respecting that colony : but you are course, have attentively enquired into the truth digerent of parties, and you should, of have known the charge brought against his assertions. the origin and correspondence. Many important P2y to England, favoured me with bis his fagts, whicb are given in tbis are authority.-Page XV. swork, given on Mr. de Cadush, from his talents and capable to furnish you with excellent knowledge of St. Domingo, was certainly not ignorant tbat be successively embraced materials, respecting that colony : but you are course, have attentively enquired into the truth digerent of parties, and you should, of have known the charge brought against his assertions. You also ought to but that circumstance him, which he has perfectly well his alone, was a sufficient reason for a answered ; guard, and you might well beinduced to think prudent historian to be on would transmit to you, caprice, that in the notes and remarks he reasons made me believe that chagrin, or vengeance, might guide his pen ; the General Assembly of the your assertions, on the operations and many of colony, were to proceéedings freely own that it is the most exact partof imparted you by Mr. de Cadush ; I of the person you are indebted to for it; your book, and shews the merit and talents too much but the details and the reader circumscribed, and imperfect to serve for a particulars, are, by far, of what is absolutely history; it offers nothing to a Jight on the true and principal necessary to clucidate many facts, which throw trated at St. Domingo. causes of the horrid atrocities and may ravages perpeSucb are the autborities from wbence I have calamitous events wbich have it derived my information, concerning tbose I bave any credit with tbe brought to ruin. Yet Iseillfranily confess, 7Ey public as an autbor, I an not sure tbis work wvill thatif reputation-Page xviii. add to Your bare assertion will enable the reader writing on such documents and authorities, to judge how imprudent you were, in on some other information given you by three and town of the colony, filled collected, during a short residence of individuslsonly, a few After the with troubles, and the most calamitous weeks, in a perusal of this letter, the public I hopc will be events. franily confess, 7Ey public as an autbor, I an not sure tbis work wvill thatif reputation-Page xviii. add to Your bare assertion will enable the reader writing on such documents and authorities, to judge how imprudent you were, in on some other information given you by three and town of the colony, filled collected, during a short residence of individuslsonly, a few After the with troubles, and the most calamitous weeks, in a perusal of this letter, the public I hopc will be events. thoroughly convinced D --- Page 20 --- 10 ) the of St. Domingo, yore bave not studied that by publishing your work on colony as an author, the manner in which ocen reputation ; if you have any success respecting St. your demonstrate that you have very badly informed your readers, I shall that, by tbe means of a few agreeable phrases, you Domingo, will make tben fear may have too previously misled them. is tbat wy narrative, ifit cannot delight may All ibereforè, that I can hopes and expe8t at least instrust. ignorance of somie, and tbe monstrous wvickedness of I wwill expose the lamentable the present day, sobo, urging omwards schemes of otbers ; among the refurmers of in tbe condition of buman life,faster than nature perfedions and proje8ts of anendnent fire betaween the diferent classes. of mankind, allores ; are ligbting 7p a consuming xix. which nothing Dut bunan blood can ertinguish-Page information on the history of the I do not think that your natrative can give any the talent of writing agreeably alcolony. Would to God, that, prudently using instruct countrymen, on the danger lotted you by nature, you had empoyed it to strive your to propagate ! You would of the new ideas, which the reformers SO zealously all if you had endeavoured to unhave well deserved of your country, and of Europe, would be entitled to and schemes of those reformers ; and you fold the ruinous projeéts had your leisure hours, in proteéting your the gratitude of mankind, if you employed trom the rage of usurpers, who fellow citizens of Jamaica, and the other colonies, of civilized socicties, enjoying in Exrope all the advantages and pleasures families, scatquielly fire and sword among 3 or 400,000white coolyand premeditately carry trial in behalf of those unfortunate pcople, xwho were tered in the Antilles, to make a to procure their happiness. really happy before violent measures were adopted which you are not acquainted Could you not, sir, instead of describing a country, know to have been there perpetrated, atrocious crimes which you with, point out the ce pat an end not to your cvoeful exgeriand when pointed out, tell the reformers, which you have shed, but require no thirst woith that blood, 66 ments : quench your seek under the ashes, with which you have covered 66 more; and allow mankind to those wretched inhabitants, who have some means of relieving c6 this fertile land, byyou." Then mankind would have admired countenanced < escaped the carnage have been sanctified among the wretched Creoles, your talents ; your name would substantial glory, to which you can have no pretenand you would have acquired to and which you sct off, with the facts related you, sions by writing on erroncous title of Historical Notes. ents : quench your seek under the ashes, with which you have covered 66 more; and allow mankind to those wretched inhabitants, who have some means of relieving c6 this fertile land, byyou." Then mankind would have admired countenanced < escaped the carnage have been sanctified among the wretched Creoles, your talents ; your name would substantial glory, to which you can have no pretenand you would have acquired to and which you sct off, with the facts related you, sions by writing on erroncous title of Historical Notes. --- Page 21 --- ( II ) Let me not be understood occusion to the Slave Trade. botuever, as afirming that notbing is to be I scorn to have aitributed on this Unquestionably the vast annual recourse to concealment or falsebond. mingo, for many importation of enslaved Africans into St. French years previous to 1791, had created a black Dopart of that island, which*was population in thie xxii. beyond all measure white.Pages disproportionate to the Ifyou had been well with have known that the acquainted the events of St. greatest part of the Negros, who Domingo, you would years, prior to the revolution in were imported there for some were the very last to rebel: France, were brought into the Southern could no, the Africans were not parts, which they not understand these barbarous the first to take up arms : in our blood, nor be understood by them philanthropists, who imbrued themselves toes, whose passions were industriously : they could not understood those Mulatof barbarity, on account of that mixture raised, and who were already too lct of blood, which susceptible No, us say it, the Africans were flows in their veins. The Creole not the first, who murdered Negro, seduced by villainous. their masters.. ed) to spill their blood : Paul Belin, Jean emissarics, longed (though kindly treat-- others were Creoles. Let the Amis des Noirs François, Marechal, Toussaint, and many know that the suretcbed Africans learn to know mankind. Let them. Negros, who never make free with were, and still are, beld in contempt by the Crcole judices existed and still exist them : let them know, tbat distinctions more among the than and prethem know, that a Creole Negress Negros, among the whites: let whom she denominated the never granted ber favors to an African does he by name of Bosal: that a Creole Negro, now eat in the of Negro did not eat, nor those company an African ! Let the Anis philanthropists read and learn if possible, the des Noirs, let can account for its inconsistencies, let heart of man : but, until they wretched Negros, who knew no real them spare our blood, and that of those kind masters. misery, until they rébelled against their Such, sir, are the subjeéts on which it would have been all Europe, to have employed beneficial both for us and memoirs and critical observations your pen; ; to have performed this, there needed not to have : a feeling heart alone would have not forgot that yourself was a planter in the colonies.. sufficed, and. Having tbus pointed out the motives xubicb induced tive; tbe sources from wbence me to write tbe fuliowing narrahope wwill be answered by the PLY materials are derived, and tbe purposes which I the judgment ofmy publication ; it only remains for me now to submit it foi 3. readers-Dage xxiii, memoirs and critical observations your pen; ; to have performed this, there needed not to have : a feeling heart alone would have not forgot that yourself was a planter in the colonies.. sufficed, and. Having tbus pointed out the motives xubicb induced tive; tbe sources from wbence me to write tbe fuliowing narrahope wwill be answered by the PLY materials are derived, and tbe purposes which I the judgment ofmy publication ; it only remains for me now to submit it foi 3. readers-Dage xxiii, --- Page 22 --- 12 ) narration can be, even were it exact : th I do not see of what advantage your detailed : the sources from and causes of the events are not sufficiently in writing principles derived knowledge, were not pure : your designs which you have your unknown to the world, if those, whom you remain, and would forever remain and ifthey did not try to find out the reaendeavour to condemn, did not answer: answer, to prove, that you which induced you to write. I pledge myselfin my sons: such a work as that which you have submitted might have avoided publishing learn nothing: wherein nothing is fairly to public curiosity : by which we can for the mistakes you and in which no moral reflexion compensates canvassed, have made. I. HISTORY of St. DOMINGO.-Chaptbe discountenance wwbich tbe marAnd it must be attributed I presume to greater that in all the French islands ried state receives from tbe national manners, than in tbose of Great abound in far greater proportion to tbe whites, 1bese people Britain.-Page 2. would have discovered the reason of If you had travclled the colony over, you than in the British colonies : you there being more people of colour in the French, and in the manner the white workwould have seen it, in the fertility of the colony, in the difference of those, who mawere there paid: you would have seen it, : and, above men in St. Domingo, and those of the British colonies naged the plantations discovered it in the manner of their trade. all, you would have the and managers of You would have scen that at St. Domingo superintendants tben receirve a tentb part of the property being very well and highly paid (many tentb of of the produce, on paying a tenth next produce of the plantations, others receive a families, carefully brought up, but of efibe losess and expences) young men of good in order to get such employments. small fortunes, were sent to that colony, had particular care of of plantations, with means of making a fortune, them The overseers women of colour ; and very often rhey had brought the children they got by their freedom. The women in St. Domingo are up in France, and granted them in general mothers of numerous children. in proportion as they have The women of colour, are far from being disagrecable, of ships, and all others, who do less mixture with the blacks. Tradesmen, captains colonies, attach themselves to them, remain for any considerable time in the not give them a share of their profits. and previous to their departure, generally making a fortune, them The overseers women of colour ; and very often rhey had brought the children they got by their freedom. The women in St. Domingo are up in France, and granted them in general mothers of numerous children. in proportion as they have The women of colour, are far from being disagrecable, of ships, and all others, who do less mixture with the blacks. Tradesmen, captains colonies, attach themselves to them, remain for any considerable time in the not give them a share of their profits. and previous to their departure, generally --- Page 23 --- 13 ) In some of the English Leeward Islands, the In Jamaica, the Scotch are the Irish are esteemed the best tations ; both persons who most generally overscers. the one and the other being administer over' the planbrought mediocrity, repair to the colonies, in of up'in rigid ceconomy and great have scttled salaries; have hopes acquiring a limited fortune. French overseer they not the various resources of They or manager of a plantation speculating, which a men of extensive landed has ; the planters in St. Domingo being seers, to have as many flocks property, of generally allow their administrators and overtle, as they can well sheep, it is as many horses, marcs, mules, and otlier catlimited to a certain number bring up: not thus with the English overseers: : from Europe for their of cattle for their own use : all the they are have very few own consumption, and that of the provisions come opportunities of knowing what it plantation : thus, they means would have given them. is to speculate, which and still less of They are not rich enough for acquired granting freedom to their children, when keeping free women, proprietor of the plantation generally has they live with a slave; the &c... but they remain attached to the habitation those children educated as workmen, succeeding overseer generally and live happy, on account of the cares and services, which, in bestowing on the children of his These are partly the return, he expedts to be conferred on predecessor, his own. the French colonies; principal causes of there. being to which we may add many people of colourin the St. Domingo ; one will easily another, the many large cities, which are in which had constantly all the suppose it, O1. efledting, that there were four year round, a regular cities, company of comedians ; and that two or three other theatre, with each a pretty good performers from the other theatres adted towns had play-houses, where These cities where inhabited by occasionally. officers, by garrisons, of which the many wcalthy merchants, by civil and military Domingo; besides, by the officers of regiments the called colonial, were settled at St. cargo, became inhabitants, having merchant ships ; who, selling their own some years. Most of all these houses, warchouses, carriages, horses, buted much to increase the persons kept free female Mulattoes, which during Another number of the people of contrireason for the population of the colour. in the French colonies, to Mulattoes is, that these being marriedhere, than in the pessess babitations as well as the whites, more of qualified them bencfit his children, English islands; because the white planter, who are such during his life-time, caused them wished to property as he had a mind ; which to marry, and gave them laws did not allow him to he could not do by his will, as the French pring. grant more than a yearly provision for illegitimate offsE the population of the colour. in the French colonies, to Mulattoes is, that these being marriedhere, than in the pessess babitations as well as the whites, more of qualified them bencfit his children, English islands; because the white planter, who are such during his life-time, caused them wished to property as he had a mind ; which to marry, and gave them laws did not allow him to he could not do by his will, as the French pring. grant more than a yearly provision for illegitimate offsE --- Page 24 --- 1A ) of colour are in general more elegant in the Let us also observe, that the women which, doubtless, renders them more enFrench, than in the English colonics; contributed to this, because people sacrithat the opulence of the colony gaging; ; than they could doin the English settlements. time in ficed more for them, if you had resided any This-is what you would have discovered yourself, different habitations, to be enabled to St. Domingo, sO as to examine thoroughlythe of the inhabitants. There were, howerer, speak with propricty of the manners in the French, than in the English colomore white people of both sexes, married number, than they do in the because the planters reside there, in a far greater made by yournies, islands. I shall confine myself to that veryjust observation, who enbarked on English of the Assembly of St. Mark, self, that out of the 85 members and had between them 183 white children. board the Leopard, 64 were married, Mulatloes at 24,000, of tbe wuhites zere estimnated at 30,000, the as a distiné people In St. Domingo of bearing arms, andaccordingly, aubon 4,700 were men capable 2. de corps, they wvere very fornidable-Page aduated by an esprit of habitations as well as houseThe white people of St. Domingo, owners this estimation, you should have obestimated at. 30,800; but, in and the holders were of the Cape and Port-au-Prince, served, that the two colonial regiments neither were those who belonged to the royal of artillery were not included, number of tradesmen, such as macorps the crews of merchant ships, and a vast their of abode, were never navy, and others, who daily leaving places that the number ofwhites, sons, carpenters, one may venture to affirm, of which rated. Without exaggeration, anounted to more than 50,000 souls, usually residing in St. Domingo, militia of the colony (and that was not the tomore than 16,000 formed the white arms 5 as all persons in the law, phytality of them, who were capable of bearing all thosein either a military or as were likewise sicians and surgeons were exempted, all persons in the European navy and trade). employment, and, especially formidable 4,700 people sca faring ought not certainly to have deemed without Such a population scattered all over the colonial parishes, of colour, capable of bearing arms, were never s0, until the unhappy mowithout ammunition and energy ; they that strength, which chiefs, whites ceased to be united ; then they gained could do ment, when the who cmployed them; ; they never have any they owed to the different parties, their coalition with the Negros, they would thing alonc ; had it not been for half so brave as they : ifthe Negros had been for they are not of colour in all St. been soon annihilated, there would not have been left a single man them all allowed to procecd, if the Negros were desired to extirpate Domingo, and I can prove that, ceased to be united ; then they gained could do ment, when the who cmployed them; ; they never have any they owed to the different parties, their coalition with the Negros, they would thing alonc ; had it not been for half so brave as they : ifthe Negros had been for they are not of colour in all St. been soon annihilated, there would not have been left a single man them all allowed to procecd, if the Negros were desired to extirpate Domingo, and I can prove that, --- Page 25 --- 15 ) from the colony, they would do it in a very short mandate given for the purpose.. The Mulattocs time, and chcerfully execute the oft the differences of the Whites, and because their proved only dangerous, on account barbarous then that of the Negros, either Creoles villainy is by far morc cruel and or Africans. They enaéted the laws, nominated 10 all vacant offees and distributed the Lands, as they thought Crown proper-Page 2. It is surprizing that a colonist, distance not have known to a certainty, that a only 30 leagues from St. Domingo, could came from France : general never enactedone single law. All ediéts the complaints were often made by the colony sometimes registered a letter from the marine planters that the council of mere and simple orders of generals and minister as a law ; but the cept in cases of general police, and that intendants, never had the energy ofa law, exand pretensions of the two councils ofthe provisionally. You little knew the vanity which would never them colony, ofthe Senechals and inferior permit to subscribe to the judges, Generals named but provisionally to arbitrary laws of a governor. the marine ministers in France, in which vacant posts : one may rightly suppose that were careful of losing no opportunity of department were the French colonies, the general's choice was confirmed by the placing their own dependants ; sometimcs To obtain a grant of lands, it was minister, but generally it was not. and formalities, and the person, who first expedient fulfilled to submit to necessary expences the preference; ; to speak otherwise, these conditions always obtained of the colony. betrays an ignorance of the most common Jlaws If you meant to speak of the new grants of lands reunited striétly true ; but, it must be owned, that the to the crown, you are a robbery committed on the first reunions were deemed in the times that he who had sued grantee ; and though it may have colony, for the reunion, did not obtain happened somegranted to him. it, yet, it was generally Against tbe aluse of powver, thus extravagant and unbounded, the tain people baa no cerprotefion.--Page 3. Nothing but prejudice or ignorance could have advanced to position. The inhabitants would never have submitted you SO false a proyoke : with one dash of to live under such a tyrannica! most abject servility. I your pen, you bring a whole colony into a state of the assertion, challenge you to mention one single fact in excepting that of the embarkation of the support ofyour then saved the colony from council; and that expedient anarchy and confusion. The governor, and the tain people baa no cerprotefion.--Page 3. Nothing but prejudice or ignorance could have advanced to position. The inhabitants would never have submitted you SO false a proyoke : with one dash of to live under such a tyrannica! most abject servility. I your pen, you bring a whole colony into a state of the assertion, challenge you to mention one single fact in excepting that of the embarkation of the support ofyour then saved the colony from council; and that expedient anarchy and confusion. The governor, and the --- Page 26 --- 16 ) to the same laws in common with the rest ofthe the superintendant, were subject affairs, Or habitain all discussions relating to private property, inhabitants, tions. Governor) an absolute Prince, whose wwill, generally speaking, He was, in truth, (the person in the Colony, for causes constituted law : be wvas authorized to inprison any efwhich) he alone was tbe jiudge-Page 3. article : it is true, that the governorThis is as unfounded as the foregoing to appear before him ; but for general issued orders to oblige the indebted planter were, in general, wealthy, what reason ? because the inhabitants of St. Domingo manner. their Negros in a very imperious brave, and accustomed to command tbe slaves of a despot, they Whence it resulted, that, far from being, as you suppose, were not obeyed, and few often inclined to submit to no law : that the judges were house of a*rich planter. The consequence was, inferior officers durst repair to the the act ofj justice could hardly be carried into execution. were in the military service, As the greatest part of the French in St. Domingo without the assistance of civil officers, and deemed it an honour, it was usual that, or sentence of the judges, or pay whenever an inhabitant refused to obey a judgment commandant of his quarter, who his creditors, the general sent an order to the the latter held it an honour to repair immediately forwarded it to the inhabitant; in his reasons: ifthen alonc, without hesitation or delay, to the governor's, to give to the court ofjustice, the inhabitant was ordered to apply they were not approved, under arrest in town, on his parole : if Or to settle with his creditors, and to remain he was confined in a military against the inhabitant, there were heavy complaints with all due regard. prison, where he was treated duels, or who, by their bad and restless On some occasions, people who fought of the colony, were ordered to embark conduét, were inimical to the tranquillity upon the request of orders were rarc, and were only granted for France : but those the inhabitants themselves. otber autbority was valid without the Governor's On the otber band, no arrest ly any and to bold the courts approlation; thus, he had power to stop the course ofjustice, 3. in a slavish dependance 012 binself-Page ofo civil and crimninaljurisdidiou of the higher Your work is a chain of errors. Why did you not know that conviéts judges to be imprithe general and King's attornies, daily ordered the The courts, the great owners of plantations? : governor's soned as well as debtors, except sanétion ber band, no arrest ly any and to bold the courts approlation; thus, he had power to stop the course ofjustice, 3. in a slavish dependance 012 binself-Page ofo civil and crimninaljurisdidiou of the higher Your work is a chain of errors. Why did you not know that conviéts judges to be imprithe general and King's attornies, daily ordered the The courts, the great owners of plantations? : governor's soned as well as debtors, except sanétion --- Page 27 --- 17 ) sanction was never requisite, neither had he any right to impede the exccution any act issued from a court ofjustice. I repeat to you, that of little acquainted with the pretensions and tenacity of the Sir, you are but very you seriously believe they would have put up with such French civil courts, if too a gross abuse ; on the contrary, they often clogged the wheel of governmentt, on purpose to shew their power and importance. Never did governors interfere with criminal even were seldom present at the deliberations of the councils (a causes, they the King's representatives) except in Cases where the administration right they had as the colony was concerned. or intercst of 111 these officers were wholly independent ofthe civil porver, and owned no but tbe Governar-General, who could dismiss tbem at 1i snperior serve to0, tbat the counsellors beld tbeir scats pleasure. may be proper. 10 obby a very uncertain note B. temre-Page 4, You pass from one error to another still worse ! Why do not define readers what King's lieutenants were P you should have told you to your tary officers, who could have nothing to do with the civil them, they were miliin garrisons and the militia ; but, in power : they commanded vice, the King's attornies and except cases whieh related to military serseneschals would have made them sensible, that had no power whatever, cither over them, or the inhabitants. they You are also wrong, Sir, when you pretend that the King's lieutenants could be dismissed by the generals : you ought to have known, that they both received commissions from the King; and you should also know that, nnder the their government, a French military officer could not be deprived of his ancient without a court martial. The first French officer commission you might have head, would have saved you the trouble of setting forth addressed on that palpable and absurd to the least reader an error, which will appear discerning : if, in London, where there is every opportunity of getting such good information, you have how much more ought your readers to think have negleéted to do so, distance of 2000 leagues from ? you done it upon matters at a you Your ohservation on the counseliors is also an egregious mistake. their credentials from the King, as the military officers did their They received governor had no power whatever over them individually. brevets. The funétions, submitted to the controul of They were,. as to their they enjoyed the their own company; and, as to the same riglts as the otherinhabitants of the colony. rest, your readers to think have negleéted to do so, distance of 2000 leagues from ? you done it upon matters at a you Your ohservation on the counseliors is also an egregious mistake. their credentials from the King, as the military officers did their They received governor had no power whatever over them individually. brevets. The funétions, submitted to the controul of They were,. as to their they enjoyed the their own company; and, as to the same riglts as the otherinhabitants of the colony. rest, --- Page 28 --- 18 ) tbe hearing ofappeal causes ; but a hint from Sever members constituted a quarumfor to render much inrestigation umecesthe Governor-General wwas akcays suffcient not to determine) that, besides andit is asserted (sitb subat truth I pretend courts were sary : the executive porver, the members of those their slavisb dependance 07: and bribery.--Page 5. notoriously and shamefully open to corruption unbiassed readcr an author, who, without I submit to the indignation of every courts ofjustice, and who, withboldly presumes to attack respestable of the least proof, whatever, giving way to the wilful misrepresentations out anyinquiry or refleétion ly them, does not blush to publish who, perhaps, had been stignatised of those judges, who should individuals, what answer could he make to one should sue him such a paragraph ; reasons for his assertions, and challenge him to give even probable he would find himself under the same ? Unfortunately for the author, wherein he himself candidly for damages other parts of his pamphlet, he predicament as to many with the truth of what hc does now, that he is not at all acquainted owns, as rentures to set forth. provisionally troops and the militia, rere conmissioned but the The officers, both efthe regular and approlation: , subjedl to the King'sgleasure ly the Gocernor-General, kind.-Page 5. militia receirved n10 pay of any town-majors, that superior officers, such as King's lieutenants, of Youjust now said, discretion, who could dispose Sxc. were liabie to be changed at the governor's an absolute prince; ; employment, S0 far, that he was, in your own opinion, any pay, as well every of all troops, who received heres you own, that the appointment sandtion, whose commission was: absolutely were submitted to the King's P above all, as militia, reconcile teco fads S0 very contradiélory and, requisite. How do you of placing them SO near each other? how can you have the assurance selegedfrom the arng-Page 6. Iho alsrays tvas (the Gucoror-Geueral) Count d'Estaing, the often chosen out of the navy, such as The governor was officers in that corps, the Marquis ofVaudreuil Prince of Rohan, who were superior of St. Domingo, and others; finally, was likewise appointed Governor-General Commodore Count Peynier was Governorwhen the Revolution of France began, slender Kuoaeledge ofthe affairs General of the Colony. This plainly indicatesyowr without examining, regardless whether of St. Doningo ; you advance cvery thing you mislead your reader or not. -Geueral) Count d'Estaing, the often chosen out of the navy, such as The governor was officers in that corps, the Marquis ofVaudreuil Prince of Rohan, who were superior of St. Domingo, and others; finally, was likewise appointed Governor-General Commodore Count Peynier was Governorwhen the Revolution of France began, slender Kuoaeledge ofthe affairs General of the Colony. This plainly indicatesyowr without examining, regardless whether of St. Doningo ; you advance cvery thing you mislead your reader or not. --- Page 29 --- ( 19 ) IVhile the lozer orders among tbe IVhites derived the same adoantage from that 2i12distinélion xolich. Nature herself has legibly drazon betzeecn the 1lileconquerable and Black inbabitants; and from their wisible importance, in a couniry rebere, from tbe disproportion of the Ihites 1o the Blacks, the comnont safety of the former class depends altogetber 07! tbeir united exertinus-Page 6. Instead of writing a history, with which you are unacquainted, why did you not unravel the principle of that distinétion, which you own that nature has traced, of the necessary influence of all that is white in the colonies over every thing that befrom ? this true principle as it ought to longs to, or originates slavery By explaining be done, you would have deserved the unfeigned and lasting thanks of your country, and of all the Whites in the Antilles; but it was expedient to refleét and work on your own foundation : you preferred describing the most absurd stories, according to your own fancy, as will be seen throughout the following pages ofthis letter. I mean, however, only to account for in some degree, not to defend the condud ofthe Wbites of St. Domingo towards the coloured people, whose condition was in truth much worse than that of the same class in the British colonies, and not to be justified 071 any principle of example 0r reason.-Page 7. I call upon you to prove to the public what you advance ; which, if you do not, I shall invoke the judgment of all honest men on you. Produce more substantial proofs, than your mere ipse dixit, of the bad treatment experienced by the Mulattoes from the Whites ; or I shall give what you here advance, as a peremptory proof of the egregious ignorance with which the whole of your pamphlet is written. That the condition of the People of Colour was more wretched in St. Doningo iban in the English islands, I deny, and now appeal to tbe impartial reader. The free Man of Colour at St. Domingo enjoyed all the rights, which truly constitute the liberty of a man in society : he could inherit, sell, or purchase to wubat amoun! be pleased ; make his will, leave his residence, quit the colony, come back to it, bear testimony for or against the Whites and people of his own colour': he might marry, and transmit frcedom to his children: in short, he enjoyed every privilege that the Whites had ; he served in the militia as they did, for which he had no pay (they likewise had none). What then was the difference between free Men ofColour and free White Men ? I wiil explain it: : custom, afterwards sanctioned by law, ordained that the Whites should form themselves into companies of militia; that the Metis, the Quarterous, the Mulattocs, should be promiscuously incorporated : and thatthe free Negros, the Grifs, and the Marabous, should form distinét --- Page 30 --- 20 ) should be commanded by White officers. There companics : that the companies Colour from being judges or lawyers; but they was no Iaw that prohibited Men of hinder the Whites from the idea of being sO. The law did not never indulged neither did it forbid Men of Colour from taking marrying Women of Colour : alone and were the French in marriage : custom prejudice White women amongst service of militia consisted all the difference, which the only laws. In the distinet the Men of Codistinguished, in the civil and military employments, customarily the which the meanness of birth gelour from the Whites : add to this, prejudices nerally imprinted in the minds of the Whites. of hinder the Whites from the idea of being sO. The law did not never indulged neither did it forbid Men of Colour from taking marrying Women of Colour : alone and were the French in marriage : custom prejudice White women amongst service of militia consisted all the difference, which the only laws. In the distinet the Men of Codistinguished, in the civil and military employments, customarily the which the meanness of birth gelour from the Whites : add to this, prejudices nerally imprinted in the minds of the Whites. of the People of CoAs the French islands had no colonial assemblies, the rights started about discussed, and never was the necessity of the question lour were never the duration of such prejudices- Let the reader keep in limiting to any generation in common with all the French, under a monarchical mind, that the colony was, is necessary, ana there it was munerous. sebere nobility and military government, best of that can be adduced for the prolongation of the This last reason is the any mixture of blood in the different families, howprejudice, which lasted against the It should be remarked, that custom, ever opulent they might have becomne. of Colour should be in a distinét corps of becoming a law, only said, that a Man the advantages of The reader, after what I have just observed, mayJ judge militia. of the Men of Colour, in the French colothe Whites, and the disadrantages nies. of the Men of Colour in JamaicaLet us now consider the condition to manumize their They have, as in the French colonies, the liberty to marry, more than and make their will; but not to inherit children, to sell, purchase, but according to the degree of their 20001. currency : they cannot bear testimony circnstaucel ! They serve distinélly colour. Ifa man be degraded, surely it is in tbis fourth neither nor commanders; their generation in the militia; they are judges there is no antecedent advantage in only can be members of the colonial assembly; of the Men of Colour in that their behalf. All the difference is to the disadvantage without being subwhere he can neither inherit, nor be a witness, British colony, French colonies. What, then, are the laws of ject to conditions unknown in the or reason, in their the colony of St. Domingo that cannot be justified, by example withoft the Men ofColour? Does an author, who falscly alledges a fact, treatment descrve share of confidence : I to criminate unfortunate men, any out any proof, of the reader. l:ave the question to the determination and seretched than that oF In many respe6ls, tbeir situation swas ecen more degrading 7. tle euslucalNegros in any part of the If'est Indies.-Page My --- Page 31 --- 21 ) My task becomes every moment more arduous. The above mentioned truths the: falsity of this assertion. Discarding notorious and criminal malevolence, prove it to downright ignorance. Incensed as I am by this phrase, Ia am willing to impute myself with requesting myreaders to remember, that y016 are a party conI content and that you forwards no cerned agains! St. Domingo, as a Jamaica planter, bring proofs whatever of your absurd and ridiculous assertions. released from the dominion of individuals, set tbe free Men of Colour in all Alihough the French islands were still considered as the property of thepublic, and as public to tbe and tyranny of all tbose whom the acciproperty tbey were oboxious caprice treated dent of birtb bad placed over them. myreaders to remember, that y016 are a party conI content and that you forwards no cerned agains! St. Domingo, as a Jamaica planter, bring proofs whatever of your absurd and ridiculous assertions. released from the dominion of individuals, set tbe free Men of Colour in all Alihough the French islands were still considered as the property of thepublic, and as public to tbe and tyranny of all tbose whom the acciproperty tbey were oboxious caprice treated dent of birtb bad placed over them. By the colonial government they were as slaves in the striétest sense ; compelled, on attaining the age of manbood, 10 serve threeyears in a military establishment called. Marcchausée-Page 7. of the like nature ever took place. I appeal-to all those, who have been in Nothing the French colonies : Men of Colour were there full as free as the Whites. I have already said, that all free Men of Colour were. obliged, as well as the Whites, to serve in the militia ; such was the public duty to which they were. subbut there was, in a brigade of horse, composed of Men of Cojedt : every-parish, these brigades lour, denominated Maréchaussée: : in the cities and large boroughs, ; but in small parishes, they consisted of four men only. This were numerous; Men of Colour, but cavalry had a settled pay, and was commanded by brigadiers, their supcrior officers were Whites. The first part ofwhat you here. alledge is very true, and I should be very. wrong rare allowedi in your history, of paying homage to not to embracethe opportunity, your-veracity. which were chiefs emplayed as rangers in It consisted ofcertain companies ofinfantry, slaves. This establishment was afterclearing the woods of Maron OT runareay thas wards dissolved, and the companies disbanded: it appearings very prudently ly commumication with each other, a senseof comunoit interest the Mulattoes acquired, to render them to tbeir and ef common strength, which wus beginning fornidable empleyers.-Page 7. It may be easily seen, bywhat I have observed, that one reason of the great population of Men of Colour in St. Domingo was, that tradesmen, merchants, who remained there for some time, officers of trading vessels, the many overseers, who G --- Page 32 --- 22 ) that all the Whites, who resided for any time on were often discharged; ; in short, is called a menagere, that is, a woman, the plantations, had what, in the colonies, These women often became mothers. to take care of their apartments and effects. their children from the Many of those Whites had it not in their power to purchase ratification of their liberty, and pay the government the lawful fees of the from their master. planter, confined themselves to the purchase of their children them then they continued to maintain them, to bring up, The inhabitants, who sold them, that SO natural to the planters: and keep them on their plantations, with all goodness when they attained a trade, which would more than supportthem, they were saught this the old master requested leave from the commanthe age of twenty. At age, the of the parishes they dant, to enroll them in the Marécbaussée, or horse-patroles After three years duty in this corps, were paid out of the taxes called Municipal. to him who had finished his time, a the King granted, according to law, and gratis to all other Men of Colour, or ratification of his liberty, which cost considerably their parents. that what you deem a burden, was an advantage ; for The reader now perceives and troopers, on the taking of the allowed the brigadier: there was a compenation ratification oftheir liberty and &c. &cc. exclusive of the gratuitous Maron Negros, the parish pay. fulfilled by Men of Colour, which was in parThere was likewise a duty on foot, and also for the use ofthe councils and ticular designed for the police of the cities, the Maréchaussée. ratification of his liberty, which cost considerably their parents. that what you deem a burden, was an advantage ; for The reader now perceives and troopers, on the taking of the allowed the brigadier: there was a compenation ratification oftheir liberty and &c. &cc. exclusive of the gratuitous Maron Negros, the parish pay. fulfilled by Men of Colour, which was in parThere was likewise a duty on foot, and also for the use ofthe councils and ticular designed for the police of the cities, the Maréchaussée. An appointjurisdictions. They reaped the same benefit as therefore, Sir, venture after. How can you ment of this nature was eagerly sought the French colonies as slaves, in the stridlest to affirm, that free men were treated in cannot contradiét clear facts, the word? Where are your proofs ? you sense of proved by unquestionable regulations. have heard the idle tale of the fears, which occasioned I do not know wherc you where there were as inany free Negros as Muthe disbanding of the Maréchaussée, behaved very weil, that they were emlattoes. I can assure you that they in general and that the greatest part bodied, until the government ofthe colony was dissolved, them back since the English have inhabitants of St. Domingo have demanded of the taken possession of the colony. to the lurtbens eftheyear tern, they seere subject great part On tbe expiration efthat allotted for the repair of the bighscays, ofsuhich efthe Corvées: : a species oflabour moreoter to serve in the tvere insupportable. Tbey were compelled sbe hardshigs --- Page 33 --- 23 ) to wbich they belonged, without pay or allowance militia of tbe province or quarter ofibe commanding officers and kind, aud in tbe horse or foot, at tbe pleasure and of any themselves at their DT1 expences, with arms, ammunition, the obligel also to supply and the rigour xwith xwhich accoutrements. Their days of muster were frequent, their autbority 012 tbose occasions King's lieutenants, majors and aide-majors enforced 7. had degenerated into the basest tyrang.--Page over these people, ensily mistake, and really unpardonable, as you might Here is, an inconceivable of the Corvées, you represent the burthen have learnt better. By your description those who prescribed them : but, designedly to render more odious, as insupportable, think of you, when he finds that you are totally unacquainted what will the reader tbe Corvées at St. Domingo : I will here gire its cxwith the nature of the task of planation. were compelled to send annually to the public All the inhabitants in the colony oft their Negros, in proportion to the numworks, called Corotes, a certain number : they were employed in repairber of slaves registered, as being on the plantations pointed out to the commander of ing the highways of the parish. The surveyor latter sent to every inhabitant the the necessary repairs to be made : the was all the militia, share to work; or, ifthe labour considerable, assessment, which fell to his under the inspeétion of a certain the Negros sent to the Corvée, worked together, inhabitants likewise sent to direét themnumber of White overseers, who the who was an oflicer of They often repaired there themselves; an inbabitant, of the' district, to go weekly by the commandant the parish militia, was appointed and maintain good order among them ; all the and verify the muster of the Negros, to send to the Corvée; and the inbabitants, zwitbout exception of colour, wvere obliged without distinétion, with those of Negro slaves of the free Mulattoes were employed the commandant, to accompany the the Whites : a Man of Colour was appointed the works. who the who was an oflicer of They often repaired there themselves; an inbabitant, of the' district, to go weekly by the commandant the parish militia, was appointed and maintain good order among them ; all the and verify the muster of the Negros, to send to the Corvée; and the inbabitants, zwitbout exception of colour, wvere obliged without distinétion, with those of Negro slaves of the free Mulattoes were employed the commandant, to accompany the the Whites : a Man of Colour was appointed the works. by And when he had mustered the officer ofthe militia, in the inspcétion of Man of Colour on duty, the list of the Negros, he sent to the commandant, by the themselves to let them know that their absentees. He often sent to the inhabitants the direétion of the miThese men were not under of number of men wasincomplete. this Corvée; their duty and that of the officer jitia officers, when disengaged from succeeded by others. Sucb and such ouly the militia lasted a weck, when they were and on my honor, I on Men of Colour at the Corvée, was the burthen, imposed knew them do any other duty. he sent to the commandant, by the themselves to let them know that their absentees. He often sent to the inhabitants the direétion of the miThese men were not under of number of men wasincomplete. this Corvée; their duty and that of the officer jitia officers, when disengaged from succeeded by others. Sucb and such ouly the militia lasted a weck, when they were and on my honor, I on Men of Colour at the Corvée, was the burthen, imposed knew them do any other duty. They had declare, that, during 20 years, I never for there never was but one officer an equal right with the officers to be reimplaced, neither was there but one inhabitant of of the militia commanded for the Corvée, of indifference who he was. colour 072 guardin the week, and it was a matter --- Page 34 --- 24 ) of colour, who resided in St. DoOnce more, I declare that all free men every is in the English coloto serve in the militia, as customary mingo, were obliged &c. excepted. Militia corps of whatever nies, lawyers, physicians, surgeons, law to provide himself with arms, colour, had no pay, every man was by he served obligated in, which was absolutely optional uniform, &c. according to the company and the lower class were in inhabitants; the wealthy served in the horse, what with the likewise had their choice of serving in corps they the foot. Men of colour led them to give the preference to the preferred, and their inclination generally horse. even with the most trifling circumstances; ; in You are, sir, very little informed, review the militia, every tbree months, time of peace or war, there was but one of same, and took place on the four reviews in the year, and it was the that is to say of every colour. same day, for all the free people hold office, trusl, or employment, horvever isignifiThey avere forbidden to any public to sshichsome svere not even allosved t0 exercise any efthose prefessions, decant. They to De necessary. All tbe naval and military sort of liberal education is supposed and drcinity, wvere appropriated exclusively by partments, all degrees in law, physick, nor a lasyer, nor a physician, nor a tbe aehites. A Mulatto could not be a priest, Neither did the distinéion of COsurgeon, 79Y an apotherary, nor a schoalmaster. Indies witb the tbird generation. There was lour, terminate as in the British IVest wohite to any descendant that allorced the pricileges ef a person n10 lacu nur custom the origi. The taint in the blood teas incurable from an African, hosvever remote man, seho bad the smallest pretension to to tbe latest posterity. Hence, nO sehite or Mulatto ceomen : such a cbaratler xwould ever think of marriage with (l Negro and ri.-Page 7. have terminated in bis disgracs step sumuld inmediately here say, is partly true : to prove, I am eager to acknowledge that what the you necessity of contradidting you 5 but sir, how mortified I am to be under ofthese cmployno law which rendered the Mulattoes incapable there was actually the Revolution, they never dreamt of the prements and professions. Previous to never had received a suitable educatended misfortune of filling them, as they submissive to the laws, or respeétfully cation for it. They werc through gratitude tbeir liberty. It is only within a few rather the customs, under which they received bonds, which were the very basis of years, since the sect of reformers broke those laws in any part of the universe, socicty, that they wished for new advantages : no colonies in the Antilles, and better framed than thosc, which the European were particu- and professions. Previous to never had received a suitable educatended misfortune of filling them, as they submissive to the laws, or respeétfully cation for it. They werc through gratitude tbeir liberty. It is only within a few rather the customs, under which they received bonds, which were the very basis of years, since the sect of reformers broke those laws in any part of the universe, socicty, that they wished for new advantages : no colonies in the Antilles, and better framed than thosc, which the European were particu- --- Page 35 --- 25 ) particularly in St. Domingo, enjoyed to a degree of prosperity, unprecedented in the annals of history. When the Europcan planters left their native country, to go and inhabit the islands ofthe torrid zone, and when theyplaced their capitals in the acquisition of persons, of whom they stood in need, in their new establishments, they did it agreeably lo the laws of the motber country. If death has mown down a great many among them, whilstthey were accomplishing their design; if, by the perseverance and industry of those who escaped part of the dangers, the inhabitants of metropolitan cities, have arrived to such a degree of eminence, through the advantages accruing from commerce in the colonial commodities; they cannot attack tbe charter, which the Whiteshave purchased with their blood : and all the laws respedting their property, are as respedtable and ought to be as religiously observed, as those in virtue ofwhich the European proprietors possess their lands and their houses. To attempt to invalidate or overlurn tbis decree, would be sccking to annul tle first principle which constitutes the social law of all united people. Admitting even, that European nations have a right to make, in their own constitution, what changes they please, not one ofthem has a right to tell its colonies : Cc We shall regulate, at 1,500 leagues distance from us, what best suits the nature of 66 your property, and, at our pleasure, alter the foundation of your social con66 tract." You might and you ought, being a colonist, to have employed your talents, in defending our rights, telling the European nations, c6 ifyour principles alter,you may ce propose to us to adopt tbem ; Dct if, better judges of wbat maintains our possessions, ce and preserves our existence, and tbat of our families, we refuse to change tbe basis c of our constitution, rendered invariable by nature and necessity: ; tben we cease being 4 tbe same peoples we cease being your fellow citizens ; ze cease forming a part ofyour 46 nation ; we become a distina people 3 we break every bond that wnited LS lo you." This privilege isincontestable, and if the laws of slavery be absolutely necessary in the Antilles, the mother country cannot have the right to change them without our approbation. It is in that absolute necessity ofslaseryi in the colonies, that we must look for the origin of thel laws, customs, and prejudices, against the People of Colour. They are indebted for their existence to the humanity of those Whites, who, after having given tbem life, liberated tbem likervise from sluvery, to which they were by lars subjeéted. Those well informed travellers, who minutely examined the colonics, have observed that the prejudices of the Whites, against the People ofColour, are lawfully, absolutely grounded on the laws of personal safety : they bave seen that the Mulatto, H in the colonies, that we must look for the origin of thel laws, customs, and prejudices, against the People of Colour. They are indebted for their existence to the humanity of those Whites, who, after having given tbem life, liberated tbem likervise from sluvery, to which they were by lars subjeéted. Those well informed travellers, who minutely examined the colonics, have observed that the prejudices of the Whites, against the People ofColour, are lawfully, absolutely grounded on the laws of personal safety : they bave seen that the Mulatto, H --- Page 36 --- 26 ) restridlion imposed on him, which is by the has received his liberty under thc tacit that he would neither command nor judge his Europeans called a grejudice : he knew beteseen the master and the slave, which who was bis master. If tbe agrement have been executed, it would fatber, tbe latter, ougbt not to perpetwally in slavery, and the is so advantageousfor Men of Colour would have remained share in their never bave been begun. them with favors, by granting them a planters would not have loaded which are calculated to maintain subordiand by excepting those few only, riglts, those who remain slaves. how it was in nation among have employed your abilities in proving necessary classes of inhabiYou might, sir, subordination, among the various useful and the sugar islands to keep up in termed prejudices, is very and in shewing that, what is Europe to do them away, however tants, for no white planter ever attempted might, sir, have proved that even necesary; be to his children of colour. You if it attached he might Creoles would have done away the prejudices, depended the generosity of the necessary on account of the Negros, who; but they are absolutely Colour. Whereas the Whites, on them; hate and despise the People of showered down fathrough jealousy, them from the others, loved them, and thus distinguishing vors upon them. that the greatest number of these new people,. Finally, sir, you might have proved indebted for their existence to the generocalled Men of Colour, are entirely that, if those prejudices did have demonstrated, sity of the planters : you might bcen to renounce the pleasure of doing not exist, the planter would have obliged what often occurs, put the gond: you might, and ought to have, by explaining with the colonies and their customs, in readers, who are little acquainted Eurepean a state ofjudging for themselves. have told those who affect to be philanthropists, For example, could you not tbe dagger into our bearts, and that with success, to plunge so who have sought with an open and hospitable goodness, zeceived in a plantation the of the clithat, a stranger St. often gare way to influence universally displayed at Domingo, girl of fifteen ; that, becoming the and the allurements of a young Negro on condition that he would promate, he received as a gift, his child, had existed in father of a Mulatto, from thc King. If no prejudice the ratification of his liberty and carefully educated, if cure and if this child had bcen brought to Europe, the of 18 or 20, having. the colony, he bad profitel by it,, at age his (what is very uncommoa) become the equal of his master or successors, returned to the colonies, and in the interval, the mother of two or where his mother remained a slave, and proved he would promate, he received as a gift, his child, had existed in father of a Mulatto, from thc King. If no prejudice the ratification of his liberty and carefully educated, if cure and if this child had bcen brought to Europe, the of 18 or 20, having. the colony, he bad profitel by it,, at age his (what is very uncommoa) become the equal of his master or successors, returned to the colonies, and in the interval, the mother of two or where his mother remained a slave, and proved --- Page 37 --- 27 ) eliree black children, it would follow, that this Negro woman, aged 36, when her his 20th would be still in the prime of life, and well able to work son completed year, with her three black children. But, what would be the consequence, in the colonies, if the Mulatto becoming free, could also become the superior of his former master? Let us suppose, that, this mother encouraged by the condition of her Mulatto child, had, through her own bad conduct, or that of her children, brought on herself, or on them, a punishment, necessary to be infliéted for the support of order. Let the philanthropist what would the Mulatto, son of that black women have done, if he hapanswer, officer over his mother's master ? pened to be either the judge or commanding what would Where would this son' 's resentment stop? Let the philanthropist judge be the tranquillity of the colonies in a similar arrangement of things. And let them would be the conduét of brothers, sisters, nephews, and cousins, in tell us what the kindred of a free Mulatto, who might be the champion of his short, of all relations. Ofthe other circamstances, which I might adduce in proof ofthe necessity many class of in the colonies, I confine myself to this one. of an intermediate people Let the prudent and worthy man reflect on this example, and let the impartial man, if prejudices, which distinguish Men of Colour, from who studies mankind, judge, without the White man could not have White ones, are not useful ; as, them, granted one single liberty, without creating an enenyfer bimself. with Then, this new race of men could never have existed, because cohabiting from the first generation, it has lost the greatest part of that colour, the Blacks, it from Negros. Can the generous man, who bestows a great which distinguishes be blamed? kindness on a moderate stipulation,for bis own and bis family's safely, And, he who receives SO signal a favor, as liberty, is he not bound to fulfil this condition which not to be indulged as bis colour bourly rewhich only vexes bis vanity, cught minds him of the valuable present conferred on him by the Whites ? Let the philanthropist, who merits to be SO called; ; let the man, truly a friend to his fellow-creawhat the Europeans call a prejudice in the White Creoles. tures, now judge have rather than copying false or exagTbis is, sir, what you might explained, in anecdotes. The immense fortune of several People of Colour, every gerated of the colony, prove far better than all arguments, how truly happy and. quarter proteéted they were. 4Man of Colour being prosecutor (a cincumstance on trutb wuhich seldom occurred). muss time he obtained tbe conviction. of a: bave made out a strong case indeed, if at any White person-Page 9.. White Creoles. tures, now judge have rather than copying false or exagTbis is, sir, what you might explained, in anecdotes. The immense fortune of several People of Colour, every gerated of the colony, prove far better than all arguments, how truly happy and. quarter proteéted they were. 4Man of Colour being prosecutor (a cincumstance on trutb wuhich seldom occurred). muss time he obtained tbe conviction. of a: bave made out a strong case indeed, if at any White person-Page 9.. --- Page 38 --- 28 ) free from law suits concerning rights of possesThe courts ofjustice were never frce Mulattoes, and justice was admibetwecn the White inhabitants and the for Awce, sions, well as in the behalf of the Whites; ymoghtiok nistered in their favor, as of the Men of Colour, alzays protedud, and that the father and the White relations claims, which gave rise to many law often supported them in their ill-grounded suits. the law declared that if tbe distinéion belween tbe two classes, To mark more strongly to strike a Ihite person ef sbatever condition, a free Man of Colour presuned while a IVbite man for a similar assault on a free his right hand should be cut ef; fine-Page 9. Mulatto wwas dismissed 072 tbe payment of an insignificant) did, indeed, ordain the penalty which you The most ancient law of the colony all the time I resided at St. Dohave mentioned, but I must say, that, during taken more than once; ; which was, mingo, I never knew that offence to have place for the first time (very inof Suvannah. The Mulattoes were, simafter the campaign ofcolour; this was oneof Count D'Estaing's considerately) formed into regiments the first cause of the misfortunes of St. DoTo that must be ascribed at billiards politic plans. who had been a subaltern in his own corps, playing with. mingo. A Mulatto, him times, with the quexe which he played with un petit Blancs first struck many The commander of Petit Goave, The White man brought him before ordered a magistrate. the Men of Colour to be imprisoned being informed of it by the judge, and preventing thereby, the cieight days, taking the matter up in a military way, by no worse conseof it; and the affair was attended to the vil power having cognizance During a long abode at St. Domingo, prior quence than that punishment. instance I ever knew of a Man of Colour having preRevolution, this is the only sumedt to strike a White. White sent to prison, for having I must allow, that I have often seen people difficulty, obtained that justice struck Men of Colour, and have myself, without any for a Mulatto, who had been ill-used by a White. of Colour, were SO very little vexed, I now repeat here, that the free people White familics of their father, who assisted by the that they were always proteéted them in all their affairs. it be said with truth tbat the manners efthe In extentation ofibis horrible detail, may the oftheir laws ; ibus in the Mhite inhabitents, snftened, in some measure, sebich sererity swudd buse attended an éncase last mentioned, ibe aniversal ablurrence furcement been ill-used by a White. of Colour, were SO very little vexed, I now repeat here, that the free people White familics of their father, who assisted by the that they were always proteéted them in all their affairs. it be said with truth tbat the manners efthe In extentation ofibis horrible detail, may the oftheir laws ; ibus in the Mhite inhabitents, snftened, in some measure, sebich sererity swudd buse attended an éncase last mentioned, ibe aniversal ablurrence furcement --- Page 39 --- 29 ) forcement of the penalty made the law a dead letter. Manners, not ias,prevented the exertion of a power so unatural and so odious.-Page 9. You ought to have observed, that these laws had been established at a timc, when the colony was still weak, and could hardly support itself by it's own means ; that the force of opinion was then much more necessary. As you allow, that this law is become obsolete, why do you mention it, as a proof ofthe servility of the Mulattoes, since, on the contrary, the extinétion ofthe law proves, that opinions, respedting them, were altered on account of the natural, but too real partiality, which the Whites generally bore for the Men of Colour ? But tbe circumstance whicb contributed most to afford the coloured people of St Domingo proteélion, was tbe privilege tbey possessed of acquiring and holding property to any amount. Several of them were the owners of considerable estates,and so prevalent was the infuence of money throngbout tbe colony, thai many oftbe great ofcers in tbe administration of government, scrupled not secretly to become their pensioners. Sucb of the coloured people therefore as had happily the means ofgratifying the rvenality of their superiors, were secure enougb in tbeir persons, alibough tbe same circumstance made them more pointedly the objeéts of baired and exruy of tbe lorver order of the Whites.-Page 10. When a person proposes to write a history, can he reasonably bring forward an accusation of this nature, without adducing some proofs : Especially, when pcrsons of distinction, who ought to have been, and generally were chosen from among the best people, and those whom public opinion had never stigmatized, become the object of crimination. I can safely say, that, since my arrival in the colony, none of the public officers were ever accused of a crimc, which you so veryinconsiderately charge them with. But there is tbis misfortune altending this, and must attend all other systems of tbe same nature, that most ofits regulations (the Code Noir) are inapplicable to tbe condition and situation of the colonies in America. In countries wbere slavery is estallished, tbe leading principle 011 wbicb government is supported, is fear, GT a sense of that absolute coercive necessity, wohicb leaving no cboice of adlion, supersedes all question of right. It is in vain to dery tbat sucb aclually is and necessarily must be wbere is allowed. Every endeavour therefore to tbe case in all countries slavery tbe extend positive rights to men in this state, as between one class of people and other, is an attempt to reconcile inberent contradi(ions, and to blend principles together wlich admit not of combinsation-Tage 11, I fear, GT a sense of that absolute coercive necessity, wohicb leaving no cboice of adlion, supersedes all question of right. It is in vain to dery tbat sucb aclually is and necessarily must be wbere is allowed. Every endeavour therefore to tbe case in all countries slavery tbe extend positive rights to men in this state, as between one class of people and other, is an attempt to reconcile inberent contradi(ions, and to blend principles together wlich admit not of combinsation-Tage 11, I --- Page 40 --- 30 ) have explained ; as a planter, as a proprieThis is what you ought to thoroughly talents in establishing the tor of slaves yourself, you should have employed your should, by pointing out it's ncnecessity of a system existing in the colonies: you the aspersions of those, who, for cessity, have proteéted your countrymen against them; the truth have been endeavouring to ruin by proving these ten years past, of seeing the colonies under any other laws, of what you assert : that, to be desirous incoberent principles ; then, you but those already made, is aiming at the uniting of and had a just and lasting would have obtained the esteem of wise and worthy men, claim to the gratitude of the planters. the declamations of the sect of the for sir, to answer fully It was sO very easy you, and virtuous men whom they. have misAmis des Noirs, and to convince all sensible of the condition of the slaves, in our COled, by presenting them with a true piéture in and I will go still farther, lonies, in opposition to that of the same men Africa, in Europe. Why did you not with the condition of-the day-labourers and peasants repaired there for Negros to relate what happened in Africa, before the European time a tcdious sea war in Europe bring to our colonies, which is renewed erery readers the contrast of the suspends that trade ? Why did you not offer to in your Africa, and who are ever engaged wretched subjedts ofthe pettytyrants, who swarm butchered by the conqueror,. in wars ? Why did you not speak of prisoners and of cruelly those same prisoners, brought now before the European visited those countries, interested in their welfare, conto the Antilles, on a plantation, the master of which, which nature has denied the Netinually watches for them ; supplies that foresight, attach them to the new country they gros ; surrounds them with enjoyments, which remind them of their nainhabit, and assuages those sorrows, which alwaysnaturally Providence for his slaves. These in short, who is a second tive country; a mastcr, the French colonies ; and you pretend (but I facts arc striétly true, with regard to treated in the English colothat the Negros are better know not on what ground) been fairly stated ; they would have been nies. However, facts ought to have than the metaphysical reasonmore welcome to the greatest part of your readers, ( of the friends of the Blacks, which they answer successfully enough. the friends of the ings aétion worthy of you, to convince Doubtless, Sir, it was an of the injustice and exaggeration of Blacks, and all the European philanthropists, enabling them to compare the fears which the word slavery causes among them, that by of the slave planters in the colocondition of the free planters of Europe, with pointing out the Negro as certain nies. You would have removed their anxiety, by illness: : free from carc, and. ofhissubsistence and that of his family; nursed during the friends of the ings aétion worthy of you, to convince Doubtless, Sir, it was an of the injustice and exaggeration of Blacks, and all the European philanthropists, enabling them to compare the fears which the word slavery causes among them, that by of the slave planters in the colocondition of the free planters of Europe, with pointing out the Negro as certain nies. You would have removed their anxiety, by illness: : free from carc, and. ofhissubsistence and that of his family; nursed during --- Page 41 --- 31 ) seeing old age approaching, to labour, it is true, but comforted unaccompanied with wretchedness and misery: futurity do not disturb. in repose, by enjoyments which the fears subjeét At St. of Domingo, the Negro had a garden port of life : but, if dry ofhis own, which the duce, the weather, or any other accident, produced supplanter supported him and his family. On deprived him of its prowarehouse of provisions, in Case of every plantation, there was a nished with the best scarcity: there likewise was an a week, and medicines, and a physician, who attended hospital, furoftener, if required. The two or threc times each day in his garden, might bring Negro, by working only a quarter of an hour to have mares, which, in up pigs, poultry, &c. &cc. He was also yearly income, common with those of the allowed which was entirely his own. plantations, brought him in a If to these real facts you had added ture of the Negro's skin, which some observations, on the White gives him an physical namen ; transpiration piercing with invaluable advantage in work over the which his epidermis covers, he difficulty the cellular and tissue is not liable to the preserves that moisture, necessary for his greasy inflammatory and putrid blood, and to the Whites ; in diseases, which attack and less particular, to the Europeans, in whom prove fatal retained, which renders their blood more the radical humidityis thc. notice of your readers to the. moral inflammatory. If you had direéted convinced every unbiassed charaéter of the Negro; you man : in the first would have Negros were the only persons fit for such place, that, in lieu of natives, the under the Tropics and in the Antilles works, as the European establishments obliged to continual labour, ina require. 2d. That men scarcely climate civilized, no proportion tothe averse to-it, and in a number, which bears through superintendants of that work, that these necessity; you would thus have. set the Negros wcre. to be slaves rope in their true point of view, where nations and governments of Euin regard. to their colonies, in the the very nature of things placed them, lutely renonncing the advantages Antilles; that is to say, in the alternative of absoIn short, accruing to them, or of their you might have said, that the supporting slavery. wants of men ; if you had made a Negros were groren up cbildren, with the you, by observing them, proper use of those talents, which nature sion you would have gave was implanted in their souls.. casily discovered that every childish pasFickle, generous; ; without foresight; inconstant, vain, timid, fearful, jealous, the moment : to these they unite superstitious, all and always guided by the impulse of thievish, liars, the vices of the slaves; vindictive, as all weak lazy, gluttonous,. On the whole, you would have beings are, injustice driving them to proved, that this race.of men is despair.. naturally good : and if: would have gave was implanted in their souls.. casily discovered that every childish pasFickle, generous; ; without foresight; inconstant, vain, timid, fearful, jealous, the moment : to these they unite superstitious, all and always guided by the impulse of thievish, liars, the vices of the slaves; vindictive, as all weak lazy, gluttonous,. On the whole, you would have beings are, injustice driving them to proved, that this race.of men is despair.. naturally good : and if: --- Page 42 --- 32 ) and all the observation, refleétion, perseverance, nature has denied them attention, over them, she has proved which give the Whites a superiority and even tbat uf other advantages in respeét to chnat.pboialaheniagee makes exceedingly kind to them them that exquisite sensibility for comen, which for tbe beart; for, she has allowed chem with ihe most tender affecion toils, and she has inspired You have proved, man forget sO many induces man to support every thing. might burnthcir children, which in their country, and on the that, if the Negros enjoy thosc advantages and barbarous governments of the Sir, of Africa, though nnder the despotic in the sugar planing sands their happiness must be still greater tyrants of that country, climate, 13 constantly refreshed by regular petty where the air, though in a like towards civilization, they partly tations, and where, having made hasty strides those of their native clibreezes; of European customs, without losing and, comparing it with enjoy the advantages well represented their lot in Africa, You might have you might have enabled your mates. they enjoy, under very different masters, of social life, to dethat which humane, and skilled in the knowledge in more readers, who are just, considered, there were few people general, cide, that, every thing duly colonies. happy than the Negros in the states of Europe, and paid great attention to I have travelled over the principal No people on earth have visited more habits and customs of the common people. have not remained unnoticed by the countries than the English ; the colonies do I appeal for the proof, foreign traveller, therefore, in particular, the peasants them ; to the English Antilles is not so woretched as the greatest part of to the that the Negro in the the slave he was in Africa, and subjeét The Negro is no longer on caprice, was the only in Europe. cruel whose will, founded arbitrary whims of a tyrant, defended against himself by personal law ; who is not even (as the planting colonist) principle of men in society. of the word; interest, the adting is a slave, according to the acceptation under the In the colonies, the Negro what is called a servant in Europe: to but heis, more properly speaking, not only to his existence, but even whose interest is attached, to those of his laws of a master, laws of a master, who is himself subjeét his happiness; , under the ordinances of religion, morality, and public and also subordinate to the of general laws, which country, moreover, under the proteétion make opinion. The Negro is, that violence and cruelty, which might awake to shelter him from are always his life. one ofhis master's an attempt on that, in the colonies, the slave becomes ofit, then If the reader hears, and looks upon himselfto be a member Icomfamily, is domes:icated therein, --- Page 43 --- 33 ) him, not with the barbarous inhabitant of Africa, but with every descripI compare and workmen in Europe, who are far greater slaves than the tion of day-labourers whose interest it is to proteét them, and Negrosi not the slaves of an individual, make whose negleêt oftbem is attended by loss on his side, doubly SO, as he must an advance to replace the loss of them ; but with those who are really slaves, to necessily and to svork, which they often find great difficulty in getting. --- Page 43 --- 33 ) him, not with the barbarous inhabitant of Africa, but with every descripI compare and workmen in Europe, who are far greater slaves than the tion of day-labourers whose interest it is to proteét them, and Negrosi not the slaves of an individual, make whose negleêt oftbem is attended by loss on his side, doubly SO, as he must an advance to replace the loss of them ; but with those who are really slaves, to necessily and to svork, which they often find great difficulty in getting. One of the chiefreasons for the establishment of men in society, is, theinequality of of mind, and health, which requires their of their means strength, adtivity closer union and the mutual aid of cach other ; that the weak might reap advantages from the superiority of the strong : it is, in short, the inequality of their means, to mankind an obedience to the laws of society, that they which has prescribed want, and idleness ; in short, from might be proteéted from oppression, jealousy, the misfortunes of a solitary being, and that he might the better enjoy. all the all Let the judicious observer reflect, whether it be the blessings of Providence. handicraft, who more enNegro or-the peasant, the day-labourer or the European the blessings of nature, through the channel of the laws of society. joys inhabits a country, the heat of which renders it useless for him to The Negro he is, thereprovide himself with that quantity of clothes so necessary'in Europe; better able to regulate his motions, He is, by the climate, invited to enjoy fore, known peasants ; water and coolness are the Neplcasures little among To the Europcan intense cold of Europe he is a stranger, he does gro's chief enjoyments. fire. Hc enjoys more of not sit during a great part of the year, near a solitary he his leisure hours, in summer time, to provide himself, nor is obliged, during winter, the melancholy prospeét, which presents itself, in the approaching against to the European peasant. take care and him and his family: The Negro's master is obliged to of, support times of bad harvest or famine, he must be fed; and, if he is forced to labour, in the goodness of the harvest, as it is his master's hc need not be uneasy respedling business to look to that. great part of the year, near a solitary he his leisure hours, in summer time, to provide himself, nor is obliged, during winter, the melancholy prospeét, which presents itself, in the approaching against to the European peasant. take care and him and his family: The Negro's master is obliged to of, support times of bad harvest or famine, he must be fed; and, if he is forced to labour, in the goodness of the harvest, as it is his master's hc need not be uneasy respedling business to look to that. without the least inquietude for his own and family's support, enjoys The Negro, under the most pleasant climate, and he has great plenty of the blessings of life good, wholesome, and varied food. administers him If the Negro be ill, a physician belonging to the plantation, the relief that benevolence can suggest. The best drugs, the best medecines, every commodious -convince the Negro, that intemost suitable regimen, a most hospital, and that the greatest rest and humanity induce the master to wish for his recovery, K --- Page 44 --- 34 ) uneasy about his family, futurity gives care shall be taken of him. By no mcans nor does it, in the least, add to his pains. him no anxicty, the labour, which is never exceedingly The climate is favourable to Negro's work for the next day, would prove a sure great. The privation of the Negro's colonies (as it cannot be done by another journeypunishment to the planter in the of uninterrupted pleasure. If the man). His children's births are, for him, days as if he laboured, and with Negro cannot work, he is fed, supported, and maintained, for his master a real loss, which inSO much care, that his not working becomes creases, daily with his illness. ideas, which plaguc philanthropists. The The Negro has no notion of those ofit in Europe, is of no yalue to him : he word liberty, in the sense and acceptation his master busy in the management of his knows that he was born to work, he sees far than his own; he is sub- : he sees his master's anxieties to be greater common laws of society, plantation custom, habits and sveakness, to the most missive through them, in consideration ofhis labour ; he devotes it and wishes only to be proteéted byt A stranger to the principal for the enjoyment of real happiness. with pleasure, wehich be prefers to his life. He wants of life, with rapture he enjoys pleasure, allowed him to work for himself, will proivas born an inconstant being : an hour and he loves his children to distraccure him as many soomen as bis passions require, he sees old age approaching, unaction. After having enjoyed life in his youth, those diseases, which the European eompanied seith cares, and never attended by peasants are overvhelmed with. respeét him (for tbe NeHis master loves and takes care of him ; his companions give him no uneasigTOS bear to old age the bighest deference); winter increase and hunger in his family: to his last sccs, without any emotion of pain, an ness : he that every attention should be paid him, to moments, his master's interest requires, the same care, and convince his children that they will, in their turn, experience and kindness due that their old age will receive from his gratitude, the recompence thcir life time ; old age, services. The labourers in the colonies are happy all to their a sure and comfortable port. especially, is to them readers, the comparison of the condiI now leave to the discerning and judicious tion ofthe peasant with that of the Negro. evince, that he is born observations on the nature of man, plainly The most simple Climate and individual constia slave to ceant, 10 labour, and of course to socicty. different societies, but every one of tution have brought in some changes in the and customs, which best suit them has sooner or later adopted those laws, manners, of which The colonies of the Antilles, had attained that degrec prosperity, them. readers, the comparison of the condiI now leave to the discerning and judicious tion ofthe peasant with that of the Negro. evince, that he is born observations on the nature of man, plainly The most simple Climate and individual constia slave to ceant, 10 labour, and of course to socicty. different societies, but every one of tution have brought in some changes in the and customs, which best suit them has sooner or later adopted those laws, manners, of which The colonies of the Antilles, had attained that degrec prosperity, them. --- Page 45 --- 35 ) was the best calculated for their evidently proved that the regimen they pursued, when compared with expeand. that abstractions and moral calculations, happiness, rience, are very often absurd. to observe in tbis, that in all the French islands the generaltreatIhave therefore only neither much better nor much tUOrSE, as. far as I could observe, ment efibe slaves, is diference there is, I tbink that they are bettban in those of Great Britain. If any animal among the Englisb. clotbed unong tbe Frencb, and allowed more food ter French treat their Negros wvith greater huThe prevalenut notion that tbe planters be 11. and tenderness than the British, I knoz to groundles-Page manity what you assert, that the prevailing and general noInform the public on ground tbeir Negros more kindly than the English, are false. tions of the French treating are, no means sufficient to conProduce your proofs : your mere thoughts by vince your readers. that the common opinion is ill-grounded : your You pretend to know yourself observations ; but, pray, when and knowledge is then owing to your own personal only made a stay of a few days at St. where have you made them ? Since you habitation; no one being then alDomingo, without being able to repair to any landed. You surely do not intend to lowed to go out of the town, wherein you observations you might have made during give your readers as exaétly true, the but disturbances and disorder prerailed. residence in a town where nothing have your knowledge with some proofs: : but since you published your Detail then your under the necessity of requesting the noticc of your reapamphlet without any, I am propensity to impeach and decide on your continual and inconsiderate ders on your yourself to the verdiét they must have already bare assertion, and moreover to submit pronounced against you. with some of the reasons, which enabled the French If you wish to be acquainted than the give me leave to observe : their Negros far better and kinder English, to usc residing much more on their habitations, than the English, 1st. That the planters by with their Negros. 2d. The produce accruing from are thereby better acquainted arc of course richer : and you ought to know that their land, being far greater, they around them feel the benefit of their opulence. rich people are inclined to make all less than the French have less means 3d. The English overseers receiving pay St. 4th. In that island, those expences, which the latter do at Domingo. of making of a vast quantity of land, allow their Negros more the planters bcing possessed of water. If to these you add ground for their private gardens, and a great plenty --- Page 46 --- 36 ) than the English planters from national charadter, are more willing of the reasons that the French their Negros, you will casily be convinced to the to communicate with that the Negros belonging which lead every unbiassed mind to acknowledge their masters, who more usually reside French colonies are more kindly treated by masters, who are unacquainted with than they are by English colonies. on their plantations, their residing out of their their Negros, on account of mostly in the French of seeing the Negros candid aeho bas had an opportunity in many paris of Yet no pergon, their condition seistb tbal ofthe peasantry Island and ef contrasting means the most caretchedef mankind. the Negros belonging which lead every unbiassed mind to acknowledge their masters, who more usually reside French colonies are more kindly treated by masters, who are unacquainted with than they are by English colonies. on their plantations, their residing out of their their Negros, on account of mostly in the French of seeing the Negros candid aeho bas had an opportunity in many paris of Yet no pergon, their condition seistb tbal ofthe peasantry Island and ef contrasting means the most caretchedef mankind. Europe, cuill tbink them ly any of bappiness and misery, and if bunan life, in its best state is a combination in sohieb notOn the sehole, of political society as relaticely good with the s0e are to consider that canuilition the lower classes are easily supplied suithstavding many disadvantages air of chearful contentedness animates ofhealhy subsistence, and a general markets, extenmeans we behold opulent towns, plentiful tbat tbe governall ranks of people-where cultivation-it must be pronsumneed sive commerce and increasing sulatever latent causes it might be oxing) French part of St. Domingo (to circunstances that bave been ment ofibe bad, as some oftbe SO praéticailly the licentioasness was not altogether TVitb all the abuses arising from stated might give TOom to imagine. andthe systent of slavery, the scale evidently preefporser, the corruplion o mauners evils and private grievanees thej side, and in spite efpolitical ponderated 011 favorable where visible.-Page 11. the signs of public prosperity were every You would have done mentioned the reasons of your assertions. talents for it, and the power I have alrcady this since you had much better by writing on subjeét, which I have endeavoured to unfold. of truth brings you to that confession, will you set yourself up as a judge Why, Sir, a total stranger at St. Domingo, and instead of trusting to of those laws with which you are unacquainted, has allowed you to make, why do you atthe observations which a little experience that facts are against your an ideal theory, to confess afterwards, have noticed, tempt to establish of St. Domingo, which you yourself theory itself? The prosperity ought to have convinced you that your and you own to be obvious every where, translated them ? Why did you not : why then, Sir, have you with the latent notes were erroneous had made you acquainted that wait until time and your own enquirics discovered there was none 3 but mention P You would have easily : since the prospecauses you in whatever you wrote on St. Domingo you alone were mistaken rity --- Page 47 --- 37 ) rity of that colony was entirely owing to public and natural causes either of the soil, laws, or industry of its inhabitants. The. meetings were beld in spite of the governor, and resolutions passed declaratory of the right ofthe colonists to send deputies to tbe States-General. Deputies were accordingly elededfor tbat purpose lo the mumber of eighleau.-CHAP. II. Page 14. You should havc bcen informed that there were but very few mcctings to chuse the deputies who were to be sent from St. Domingo to the States-General of France; that many inhabitants first wished to consider whether it was uscful to send any at all 072 this suljell : that many planters protested against that nomination, (I was of the number) , that lists came from Europe ready made and were privately signed ; that therc were only 4,000 names written down, more than half of which had not been signed by the real persons. . Page 14. You should havc bcen informed that there were but very few mcctings to chuse the deputies who were to be sent from St. Domingo to the States-General of France; that many inhabitants first wished to consider whether it was uscful to send any at all 072 this suljell : that many planters protested against that nomination, (I was of the number) , that lists came from Europe ready made and were privately signed ; that therc were only 4,000 names written down, more than half of which had not been signed by the real persons. You should have been informed that the judicious inhabitants, and especially those of the South, were averse to the sending any deputy to the States-General, on account of such a measure being quite contrary to the interests of the colony, which being itself overwhelmed with debts of ber Ot071, had no business to interfere with those of France. They were sensible that eighteen deputies only were too few to gain an influence over an assembly, who knowing us to bc rich, would not have failed to lay accordingly heavy taxes upon us. This was the motive, which induced several planters to protest against those lists forwarded through the colony, and which an inhabitant, express from Paris, handed about at St. Domingo. Whoever attempts to write on the revolution of a country ought to be perfedtiy acquainted with its very origin. Some oftbese were young people sent tbitber for education, others svere men of considerablet property. Unhappily there was too much to offer on the part of the Mulattoes-Page 17. Be consistent with yourself, Sir, and do not advance that the Mulattoes were sent to Europe for education, that they were possessed of considerable property in the colonies, to say, a few lines afterwards, that unhappily they had great grievances to complain of. attempts to write on the revolution of a country ought to be perfedtiy acquainted with its very origin. Some oftbese were young people sent tbitber for education, others svere men of considerablet property. Unhappily there was too much to offer on the part of the Mulattoes-Page 17. Be consistent with yourself, Sir, and do not advance that the Mulattoes were sent to Europe for education, that they were possessed of considerable property in the colonies, to say, a few lines afterwards, that unhappily they had great grievances to complain of. You are continually speaking of their misfortunes, and (as I have demonstrated) you only ground your reasoning on laws, either extinét, or which did not exist; and, finally, Oil mere fiétitious facts. In this disposition ofthe penple of France towards tbe inhabitants of their colonics in L, --- Page 48 --- 38 ) the 201b day of August, woted the celezhe West Indies, the national assembly on brated declaration oft rights-Page 17. all the misfortunes of the colonies ; the would-be To tbis ought to be ascribed name of that day... the 20th of Auphilantropists must rejoice on hearing the very St. and other colonies fatal day, when the destruétion of Domingo of gust was the doomed to death morc than 300,000 men every was pronounced ; and when were in the most excruciating torments. Such colour, the greatest part of whom expired miscreants who vainly attempt, by foolis the triumph of the reformers, and those natural equality, which does not, ish abstractions, to bring men back to a pretended for them to define. Are the did and which it would be impossible nor ever exist, imbrued in the blood of SO many unfortunate viétims, not ashes of the colony ? and are not SO many millions of men destroyed, sufficient for theirwoeful experiments through the whole world, sufficient by the poisonous doétrine they have propagated and the dreadful consequences which atthe falshood of their principles, the to prove where will they at last stop their cruel rage against tended them ? When and human race ? in the colonies as tbe declared sense of tbe supreme governTo premulgate such lessons their establishnens-Page 18. ment was to subuert the xohole system of which were quite absurd in Europe, were barbarous The pretended Rights of Man, and firebrand into the hands of the Muin the colonies, and have put the dagger of the Negros. These latter are stilliglattocs, who,afterwards, placed them in those what they feel, to a certainty, 15, norant of what was meant to be said to them ; but, tenderness, kind masters, who had for them a paternal that they have lost very of who wantonly spill their blood, whereas they are now under the awe tigers, whenever they please. maintained that it was calculated to convert And this measure crowned the cubole : they enemies, and render tbe solole their peaceful and contented Negros into implacable commotion and Hlodsbed.-Page 18. country a theatreef : but knew that the colony would be overthrown The Amis des Noirs certainly Amis des Noirs, who were downright Jasuch was their wish ; for, those pretended families of France had considerable property cobins, were convinced that the first all the means might have and they wished to destroy, at once, they in the colonies, to oppose their designs. the cubole : they enemies, and render tbe solole their peaceful and contented Negros into implacable commotion and Hlodsbed.-Page 18. country a theatreef : but knew that the colony would be overthrown The Amis des Noirs certainly Amis des Noirs, who were downright Jasuch was their wish ; for, those pretended families of France had considerable property cobins, were convinced that the first all the means might have and they wished to destroy, at once, they in the colonies, to oppose their designs. --- Page 49 --- 39 ) assemblies qvould lead me too A rerital ofthe condud and proceedings oftheseprocincial 19. much into detail. They difered greatly on many important questions.-Page of the provincial assemblies, that It is, however, in the conduét and proceedings of those disturbances, to the ought to look for the origin and causes an historian the devastation of the most flourishing colony. baneful cffeéts of which. was.owing discover in those assemThe discerning and judicious reader might also, perhaps, to take possesthe motives which led to a proposal for the British government blies, sion of St. Domingo. of all the privileges enMulattoes determined to claim without delay the full benefit in The large bodies ofthem (the Mulattoes) appeared joyed by tbe Whites. Accordingly 20. arms in different parts of tbe country.--Page and very little to be insurreétions of the Mulattoes were immaterial, The first what they were to lay claim to. By claimfeared ; none of them precisely knowing did they aim at : they had not the very first ing the rights of the Whites, what their condition. The Mulattoes when necessary notions to enable them to change is cruel, and too full aéted alone were beaten every wbere that race cowardly, wbatever may be they succeed in any attempt. A few individuals, of prejudices to more than substantial talents, the desaid in their behalf, owed to circumstances, grec of reputation they enjoyed. at Petit Goave, was not sO fortunate: Monsieur Ferrand de Beaudière, a magistrate Woman Colour, to zubom as sbe enamoured of a of This gentleman was unhappily had marriage. Apprehensive that, by possessed a valuable plantation, be offered 21. this step, he might be displaced from the magistracy-Page Ferrand de Beaudière had not acted, as a magistrate, for The unfortunate Mr. habitation near Petit Goave. He became almost six years before : he lived on his more than 60 years old, and enamoured of a pretty Woman of Colour 2 and being she was not rich, as obtain her otherwise than by marrying her (though unable to memorial which cost him his life, to lessen the prejuyou advance) he drew up the have relegated him in the class of. the Men dice that would, if he had married her, Ferrand had been long before forced to of Coloure It must be observed, that Mr. on as a man of very In general, he was looked give up his place as a magistrate. that him to write little judgment.. His love and partiality for Quarteronne prompted base to' which he presented to the Men of Colour, who were enough the memorial, --- Page 50 --- 40 ) but that they had received it from him.-This is confess that it was not their own, assertions. the truth; lctit be contrasted with your striétly received in France of the semper ofSt. Domingo In the mean subile, intelligenee was The inbabitants wvere very generally represented as towards tbe motber country. tbeir dependency, or to throw themselves muanifesting a disposition either to renounce 22. under the proteBion of a foreign poseer.-Page would have disinto the origin of those reports ? that they had received it from him.-This is confess that it was not their own, assertions. the truth; lctit be contrasted with your striétly received in France of the semper ofSt. Domingo In the mean subile, intelligenee was The inbabitants wvere very generally represented as towards tbe motber country. tbeir dependency, or to throw themselves muanifesting a disposition either to renounce 22. under the proteBion of a foreign poseer.-Page would have disinto the origin of those reports ? you the Why did you not enquire the disturbances, the wise inhabitants of covered that, from the beginning of which awaited on St. Domingo, whose only recolony had foreseen the misfortune that was interested in be underthe proteétion of Great-Britain, which source was, to put convinced of a constant truth, its : for they were thoroughly should be destroyed, the preservation viz. that if St. Domingo cannot be too often repeated, and that, in order to save its own colony, destruétion of Jamaica svould S0011 follose : ought tc take possession of St. Domingo. England French empire, but members of an that Ibey avere n0 longer subjedl to the It was said, indepeudent state.-Page 23. seemed to aim at a state of independency; , I freely own, that a few inhabitants had misled some sanguine persons, the of the colony and its prosperity of who, wiser but opulence the salutary effeéts of the cares thosc, This who, thereby, much prolonged it under thc proteétion of Great-Britain. and better informed, wished to put causes to which, the overthrow of St. of opinion may be deemed onc of the the British government dive ersity for, had it been entirely delivered to its own imDomingo is owing ; disturbances in France and in the colony, from the beginning of the and obtained those endeavours, which would, no doubt, have mcrited portance saved and preserved it. would have effeétually first measures with the orator ; and one oftheir. Tbe assembly concnrred in sentiment the hardships 1o sehich they seere sulject was to reliere tbe People of Colour from decreed that, in futsre, 7G greater duty should under the military jurisdiction : il was the ITites ; and the barsh autbority, in of tbem in the militia than from connarding i be required lieutenants, majors, andd ai.le-majors, 25. partieulur, nehich the King's scasdeclared oppressive and illgal.-Page the town, exercised over tbose peaple, of the colonial assembly, I think, Sir, you pretend to prore by that proceeding the planters knew the contrary; : of Colour were reaily very unhappy : but, that the People --- Page 51 --- 41 ) but, either parents or relations to the Mulattoes, they wanted to increase both their happiness and fortune, which the French laws, in somc circsamstances, opposed. That occasioned great inconveniences in the colonies ; itis on that account that the objeét of thc first deliberations of the assembly at St. Marc, was direéted towards improving the condition ofthe Men of Colour, in several points, susceptible of it; such as fixing the epoch when, as in the English colonies, the Man of Colour might cease being deemed an African; to find out means of enabling the Mulattoes to inherit their mothers' property, without being legitimated. As the momentaneous residence of the Whites in the colony, had induced the inhabitants to suffer (as necessary under such a climate as the Antilles) the concubinage which was there praétised; it seemed but just, that the offspring of such a connection should inherit their mothers' property, which was forbidden by the law (called coutume of Paris) that regulated the colony. epoch when, as in the English colonies, the Man of Colour might cease being deemed an African; to find out means of enabling the Mulattoes to inherit their mothers' property, without being legitimated. As the momentaneous residence of the Whites in the colony, had induced the inhabitants to suffer (as necessary under such a climate as the Antilles) the concubinage which was there praétised; it seemed but just, that the offspring of such a connection should inherit their mothers' property, which was forbidden by the law (called coutume of Paris) that regulated the colony. The laws of France prohibited natural children from inheriting the effcéts of their parents. Humanity and true philanthropy, and a still more naturalsentinent, had led many inhabitants, proteéting the Men of Colour, to consider it just to find out some necessary in the colonies, with the necessity of means of reconciling the prejudices representing the Mulattoes in the assembly, either by allowing them to chuse, among the Whites, a certain number of deputies, or, in a still more diredt way. I can assure you, that such a measure was a chief object of attention, and that the assembly was greatly inclined in behalf of the Men of Colour. It is true, that some King's lieutenants or town-majers, exercised over the People some of those in an serving of Colour oppressive authority, by compelling the cavalry to bc on duty for the service, respeéting the communications between the scveral commanders ; and custom, not law, had prescribed that a Man of Colour should be on guard at every King's officer who had the command. In the overthrow of all former notions and ideas, which took place in the beginning of the French Revolution, it seems ibai all departmental assemblies, surprisca at their new and sudden power, souglit to make a trial of it, against the ancient authorities, by plaguing and tormenting them : thisis the usual and natural mode of proceeding in a revolution. on duty for the service, respeéting the communications between the scveral commanders ; and custom, not law, had prescribed that a Man of Colour should be on guard at every King's officer who had the command. In the overthrow of all former notions and ideas, which took place in the beginning of the French Revolution, it seems ibai all departmental assemblies, surprisca at their new and sudden power, souglit to make a trial of it, against the ancient authorities, by plaguing and tormenting them : thisis the usual and natural mode of proceeding in a revolution. The assembly of St. Domingo itself was not free from such folly; and the aversion they had imbibed, in tlie colony, to the marine minister, who had till then governed it, added to the hatred all the inhabitants bore to the intendant of the Colony, (Mr. de Marbois,) caused an exaggeration in the lawful subjects of grievances, and induced the assembly of St. Marc to issue the decrce which you mention. M --- Page 52 --- 42 ) it, but the aversion to a few oft them, and officers certainly deserved the Some military some regard to, and attention for ameliorating especially the desire of shewing the to make it general against every condition of the People ef Colour, led assembly King's commander. to St. Marc, for tbe same purpose Port-au-Prince The sbip Leepard was bronghtfrom 35. (to proted the mprmentatite)-Page The arrival the truth of this faét. but very ill informed respeéting of St. DoYou are, Sir, event in the history ofthe Léopard at St. Marc was a very extraordinary to be here related : but I can affirm, of which are too long threc it mingo, the particulars with a view of protedting the assembly, which have that this ship, far from landing astonishing occurrences, real It was one of thosc many it forward, in every into a panic. and seem to have brought less Surtaken place since the Revolution, on board that ship, aeas neither respeét. The embarkation of the assembly members who were on board,1 ought to lcss unforeseen. As one of those ofthe Léopard was prising nor concerningit. Iassure you, that the arrival thât it was know every particular was SO far unable to proteét the assembly, quite unexpeéted. That ship of St. Marc. No human power could posimpossible for her to come into the bay risen. I shall only tell you, that, if you sibly have saved her, if a South wind had have been told, that the ship came to had wished to get true information, you would noticc of her departure for the entrance of St. Marc's bay, to give the assembly the King and the National Asand to wait under sail for her dispatches to the fear which seized on France, and that what followed was in consequence of was neither foreseen, sembly ; the assenbly, and that such an event some of the men:bers of nor even probable. of his condition, the cruel cerongs Here it wvas that hie frst learnt (Ogé) tbe miseries brethren wvere exposed in tbe WVest contumelies to sehich he and all his Mlatto IV. and and absurdity of that prgjuire-CHAP. Indies, and the monstronts injustice Page AI. themselves alone Ogé's misfortunes, whose The Amis des Noirs, may ascribe to could that young man belp being deceived, had turned. But how (which is about brain they sir, who are both a colonist and planter of Jamaica, deceived SO far, as to when even_yoit, St. have yourself been thirtyleagues distant from Domingo), facts, at a time when the prejudices ofthe advance and repeat vague and groundless Ogé may have been decontributed to the preservation of your property? colonies sir, to bave been soysursalf? ceived, but ougbtyo, des Noirs, may ascribe to could that young man belp being deceived, had turned. But how (which is about brain they sir, who are both a colonist and planter of Jamaica, deceived SO far, as to when even_yoit, St. have yourself been thirtyleagues distant from Domingo), facts, at a time when the prejudices ofthe advance and repeat vague and groundless Ogé may have been decontributed to the preservation of your property? colonies sir, to bave been soysursalf? ceived, but ougbtyo, --- Page 53 --- ( 43 ) Tbefirst zobile man tbat fell in their way they murdered On tbespot : a second of the name of Sicard met the same fate ; and it is related that their cruclty torvards such persous of their o2n complezion as refused to join in tbe revolt, was extreme ; a Mulo them, to liis wife and six latto man of some property being urged folloro pointed cbildren, assigning ibe largeness efhis) fumily as el motive for wisbing to remain quiet. This conduct was considered as contunacious, and it is asserted tbat not only thie man himself, brut tbe auhole of his family wvere massacred witbout merey.-Page 44. Such is, Sir, the effeét of the exaggerations of those who, being little acquainted with men, presume to destroy the sacred principles and basis on which socictics reSuch is the dagger put into the hands of those, whom the reformers sO ardently pose. wished to impose on. The murder of the unfortunate Sicard was owing to the hatred lofa prejudice 5 but, when the ill-fated Mulatto, pointing to bis wife and six cbildren, and, no doubt, alledging bis age, met the saine fate, 172 whose blood have the monsters imbrued their hands ? In their own, in that of a Mulatto, like themselves, who was without arms and defenceless. What opinion ought to entertain of you all the White cbildren, wbo have lost tbeir fathers andi mothers P What ought to think the fathers who have lost their children, and all those who are reduced toallthe horrors of want and misery, mournfully lamenting the death of their friends and relations 2 What ought to think all those, who overwhelmed by the atrocities, which they fell victims to, read in your pamphlet, that the misfortunes of the Men of Colour were sucb that Ogé and. lis associates could not help being revenged on those by wbon tbey were exceedingly oppressed. By your groundless assertions, yore are yourself guilty towards them and your country, whose subjeéts they are now, as well as you : the public will judge. tbe zubo made less resistance tban might have They soon invested camp of thie revoliers, been expected from nen in tbeir desperate cinoostancds-Iage 41. Had been exact in considering the conduct of the Men of Colour under you circumstance, you would easily have discovered that the foundation of their every of cowardice; the little resistance charaéter is a mixture every vice, governed by which astonishes you in men who, at the moment you describe them, were surrounded by the Whites, sullied already by the most atrocious crimes, and having to fear, suffered themselves to be carried off with less resistance than in every thing should have convinced you of a great fact one might have expeéted ; every thing truth, which is, that in what was executed on the part of tbe Men of Colour, nothing of importance was done by them, every of cowardice; the little resistance charaéter is a mixture every vice, governed by which astonishes you in men who, at the moment you describe them, were surrounded by the Whites, sullied already by the most atrocious crimes, and having to fear, suffered themselves to be carried off with less resistance than in every thing should have convinced you of a great fact one might have expeéted ; every thing truth, which is, that in what was executed on the part of tbe Men of Colour, nothing of importance was done by them, --- Page 54 --- 44 ) in more finesse and knavery than the Negros ; they The Mulattoes have general charaéter, which displays itself on all OChave moreover a barbarous and ferocious which I offer to produce, that I declare, that casions. It is from a thousand proofs, at St. Domingo since the almost all the atrocious aéts which have been committed executed, by have been advised, commanded, and still more frequently cowards Revolution, this proves more than any thing their cowardice, although the Mulattoes; and humanity in them can be adduced cruel. Few instances of kindness are always may be cited of the Negros towards their masin excéption to this rule, whilst many ters or towards the Whites. than the Man of Colour ; but he is braver, more The Negroisl by far more simple be said with truth that few traits of barbarity fecling, and more generous. It may theyare courageous, and very suscepcan be imputed to the Negros. In general themselves to be killed, if they cannot estible of attachment : they often suffer themselves or desert him. with their chief, rather than surrender cape tbat openly declared that it was a But Rigaud, the leader ofibe Mulatioes in qsarter, soould be until one class of transient and deceitful caln, and that 112 peace permanent, bad exterminated the other.--Page 46. people secret of the Amis des Noirs. A vain prejudice Rigaud has unmasked the grand destruétion of the colony was the plan could not be the cause of this hatred : the of the means of prewhich had been devised, as tending to deprive the Emigrants The Jacobins and their of the Revolution in France. venting the accomplishment that it was impossible the colony knew much better than the Mulattoes, enough not to disciples without the Whites; and the Mulattoes were ignorant could subsist Negros of the colonyin subjecthat their small number could not keepthe cubo bate tbem mucl perceive and that their weakness would soon engage the Negros, truth till it was tion : them. They did not discover this more than the Tbites, to destroy too late. that the Men of Colour were more severe towards It is proper to observe here, had been towards then ; and in general thc their Negros than ever the Whites was, that he should be sold to greatest threat that was pronounced against a slave, he could be made to endure. a Mulatto. In short it was the greatest punishment as Rigaud (even admitting The Mulattoes, too vain and too ignorant, in thinking that they were putting an cnd all their successes to be complete did not perceive succeeded in destroying the Whites, to their political existence : for, had they incorporated with the have found themselves in less than twenty years Negros, theywouid then ; and in general thc their Negros than ever the Whites was, that he should be sold to greatest threat that was pronounced against a slave, he could be made to endure. a Mulatto. In short it was the greatest punishment as Rigaud (even admitting The Mulattoes, too vain and too ignorant, in thinking that they were putting an cnd all their successes to be complete did not perceive succeeded in destroying the Whites, to their political existence : for, had they incorporated with the have found themselves in less than twenty years Negros, theywouid --- Page 55 --- 45 ) Negros, and the few that might have escaped the the hatred of the Negros, would have vengeance of the Whites of seen their first different from themselves.. The offpring of a colour, because he knew the small design of Rigaud which you mention was entirely number of his comrades. absurd; must consider him as By what you even say than three times pronouncing his own death; the White you sufficient in number and planters were more whole race ofthe Men of Colour, courage, as well as talents, to destroy the But if the Men of Colour ifthe Negros had not been called to.join them. vators, the Amis des Noirs, were incapable of making all these reflexions, tbe innorefleéted for them, and monsters called civil troops of Jacobins, particularly conunissioners, were sent from It Whites, who would have completed the Europe. is them, it is the lattoes. destruétion of the colony, and not the Mu4. sentence, on which it was impossible to sympathy, refect, but with wingled emotion of sbanve, indignation, and borror-Page 47. The sentence against Ogé may that have taken place at St. appear severe to a man ignorant of the horrors But Domingo and tle crimes this man you, Sir, admit all that accompanied his young committed. all the laws in the universe, the murdereri revolt ; and you know, that by ders had not Ogé either is condemned to death. How many murcommitted Gr caused 1o be was his punishment a disgrace to his committed In what respedt only underwent the penalties country 2 How can it inspire horror, since he by which the law and in fine those, who, like Ogé and his punished murderers, incendiarics, tims sufer more than a tbousand deaths. accomplices, had made their wretcbed wvicConsult the father who has escaped the merous families ruined by the ridiculous massacre of his family! Consult the nuprinciples of the innovators ! Consult vanity of the Mulattoes and the absurd and who, ruined and the children who have lost their suandering in countries far distant from tbeir parents, cessantly cursing the crimes for which Ogé and his heritage, are inUnite, Sir, with all good and sensible accomplices have been punished! have instilled into the atrocious minds men in eternally execrating the monsters who desolate the zone under which of the Men of Colour all the crimes which wretchedness of your fortune lies; ; and, above all, do not the my unfortunate augment have found in you more tenderness countrymen by suffering them to feel that they disasters! Oh colonist! Ob towards their tormentors than for their of Colour, by him planter / do not attenuate the crime in the Man giving reason to think that he may find minds in comprehend not the extent of his cruelties ! Europe that N who desolate the zone under which of the Men of Colour all the crimes which wretchedness of your fortune lies; ; and, above all, do not the my unfortunate augment have found in you more tenderness countrymen by suffering them to feel that they disasters! Oh colonist! Ob towards their tormentors than for their of Colour, by him planter / do not attenuate the crime in the Man giving reason to think that he may find minds in comprehend not the extent of his cruelties ! Europe that N --- Page 56 --- 46 ) the most formidable opponent to the prejudices and pre Barnave alone (hitherto his convidtion that anyfurtber interference of tbe tensions of the colonists) avowed tbe Hbite and tbe coloured people svorld be mother country in the question betzeen was entitled to greater respetas produaice of fatal consequences. Sncb un opinion colonial committee must be supposed 1o coming from a man sebo as president of the but he was beard svithout conhare acquired an intimate knoccledge ofibe subje8l, sidion-CHAP, V. Page 58. be every day, and in a different manner, to This is, Sir, what ought to repeated to the cruel Amis des Noirs, and the pretended philantropists of Europe, particularly but misapplied talents of this The distinguished still more to every government. to occasion refiexions concerning young man were too generallyl known not extorted from profound him : which was, that the the confession which the force of truth tbe lazs ef the colories, nor to motber country onght not to be desirous of regulating colours of men tbat inhabit interfere seith tbe lacs establisbed beleeen the that diferent tbose in Europe who are the best tbem. We ought never to cease repeating, knozs Dut little cbat concerns tbems informed concerning the affairs of the colonies, them as Barnave was ; who, being and are as much filled with prejudices against to admit it, after all his efof the colonial committee, was at last obliged president forts tothe contrary. rather than sacrifice one iota of our prinLet the colonies perish, said Roberspierre, ciples-Page 61. Amis des Noirs is known. Lel the calonies perish Thusthen the grand plan of the a colonist and planter yourself, sooner than their nece principles ! What, contained Sir, being in this impudent and cruel conhave you not discovered all the barbarity those who souglt lo sendyou,Jour fession : Why has not your indignation against the given your soul all the energy family, your friends andyour countrymen to this grave, tribe of persecutor's, who, in one necessary to andeceize the unicerse concerning all the colonies and their unfortunate word,have indifferently devoted to destruétion inhabitants? ridiculed with a great deal of unseemly Some ofthe ladies (as I seas told) even ofibe seretched crimanifestel by the English at the suferings mirth the sympatly wiwals-CHAP. VI. Page 7S. offer to those inhabitants who, in the height of This then is the graritude you misfortune, received you with such eagernes ! necessary to andeceize the unicerse concerning all the colonies and their unfortunate word,have indifferently devoted to destruétion inhabitants? ridiculed with a great deal of unseemly Some ofthe ladies (as I seas told) even ofibe seretched crimanifestel by the English at the suferings mirth the sympatly wiwals-CHAP. VI. Page 7S. offer to those inhabitants who, in the height of This then is the graritude you misfortune, received you with such eagernes ! --- Page 57 --- A7 ) What ! you bave been a busband and a fatber. ! you iavefriens ad'fellosu-ciltsens, and yet can have been unfecling enough in the midst of this deluge of disasters that overwhelmed the Cape, and of which you were witness, to employ your time in selecting a barbarous aspersion ! Instead of sharing the calamities of those that surrounded you, you have lived secure enough in the midst of SO many misfortunes to draw from them a calumny which you haye since refedted upon so litile as to venture to print. all disinterested and men, and tell them tbat amongst the I will appeal to fecling there unbappy peopie at the Cape, in the midst ef whom was Mr. BRYAN EDWARDS, wvas not one that badnot lost a father, a mother, a brotber, a sister, or some friend 01 relation. Alnost all had lost their property, andyel tbey received hin with kindness and eagerness. The father forgot tbe death efhis children, the child the loss ofits parents; the husband the loss of a cvife, perbups dead, dishonoured in tbe arms of tbe monsters ; the disconsolate mother forgot for a wbile the loss of ber daughters, delivered zp to a thousand torments more cruel far than death. But they forgot every thing, botb tbe loss of tbeir families and fortunes, in order 1o receive and ruelcome a stranfrom a generous nation ! In the midst of s0 much afflictions this stranger, cold ger and wretchedness their situation, zubich he kneze could not reach hint, to the miseries of employed himself in slandering thes women ! Let those to whom I have appealed, judge. Tbat the wbole body of the latter in St. Doningo bad solid grownd-of complaint and dissatisfadion, cannot be denied. There is a point at wehich oppression sometimes arrives, auhen forbearance under it ceases to be a virlue : and I shbould readily bave admitted tbat tbe adual situation and condition ef the Mulattoes in the French islands, wwould bave made resistance a duty,if it did nol appear frome xobat 1 have already related, that tbe redress of their grievances ocerpied the coyfirst deliberation of tbe first General Assembly of representatirues that ever met in St. Domings. -CHAP. VII. Page 81. Ihave already answered what you advance ; I here again request the proofs of what you venture to write, and I repeat, as 1 have already provedit, that the Mulattoes were more happy in the French than in the English islands. I wish for no other proof than your own words (in confessing that they had great property), and what you here add proves still more that the principles and attachment of the of Colour. Never did the annals of any Whites were very favourable to the Men irues that ever met in St. Domings. -CHAP. VII. Page 81. Ihave already answered what you advance ; I here again request the proofs of what you venture to write, and I repeat, as 1 have already provedit, that the Mulattoes were more happy in the French than in the English islands. I wish for no other proof than your own words (in confessing that they had great property), and what you here add proves still more that the principles and attachment of the of Colour. Never did the annals of any Whites were very favourable to the Men --- Page 58 --- 4S ) that of the Mulattoes towards their befurnish proofs ofi ingratitude equal to relatives. people all of whom where cither their parents or nefaétors, hearted task-masterto the themselves suho svere tbe bard It soas the Mulatto people Negros.-Page 82. one of the most ardent friends ofthe MulatPhilanthropists ! answer, yourselves, this assertion, and wheSir, ofthe proofs you have to support hitocs.-I am ignorant, to be believed, than those you have ther they give you greater reason to expect answer for it, that what you say is work. But I will therto made use ofi in your me ofit. The following are the very true : twenty years experience has convinced and still give, for their conduét towards reasons which the Men of Colour gare, better than we do, and that they their slaves; namely, that they know the wickedness Negros and vices, having more interbetter with all their The fact the Muare acquainted been bred up with them. is, course with them, and having the Negros have to serve them, for characlattoes mistake the hatred and disgust too and too little accuscices. But the Men of Colour are ignorant, and teristical in the human heart the justice of the impatience tomed to reflexion, to discover who see them freed from slavery, in order to horror of the Negros towards them, the libertine caprice of the conmon masters who become their masters, only through is the White. the Mulattoes, and the conof it zvas unly tbrongbibe agency and amThe Negros apprizedihat they could obtain a regular supply of arms nerions ofthose people in France, 86. their ancient aninositits.-Page mmovition,furgot 0r suspended what I have said in the preceding remark, and I will anYou here admit, Sir, of in the hatred and animosities which exist beswer for it, there has been no change too numerous to state here. I shall tween these two classes of men : I have proofs to lay them before the public in have an opportunity at some future period, perhaps the History of St. Domingo. the Mulattoes) that one party Gr tbe other', themselves or And publiely declared (tbe There tas 110 longer they said Thites, must be utterly destroyed and exterminated. an aleratice.-Page 91. answered. of which I have previously This declaration is a repetition Rigaud's, the error into shall add here, that the Mulattoes have already acknowledged whichI tween these two classes of men : I have proofs to lay them before the public in have an opportunity at some future period, perhaps the History of St. Domingo. the Mulattoes) that one party Gr tbe other', themselves or And publiely declared (tbe There tas 110 longer they said Thites, must be utterly destroyed and exterminated. an aleratice.-Page 91. answered. of which I have previously This declaration is a repetition Rigaud's, the error into shall add here, that the Mulattoes have already acknowledged whichI --- Page 59 --- 49 ) which they had been plunged, and that they felt their own destruétion proaching. Those that remain employ their power. in amassing great fortunes, that apthey in their turn may escape ; none of them expeéting to remain in the colonies after their own declaration, which will be certainly exccuted, whatever be the fate of the colonies, though not sO cruelly as you relate; but it will may be absolutely necessary that they quit it, ift they should not succeed in exterminating the Whites, and still more SO if the Negros were left to themselves and continued free ; for they would very: speedily massacre them all. And all parties as well anorg tbe Republicans and the Royalists, concurred 012 this occasion, in reprobating the folly and iniquity of the mewre-CHAP, VIII. Page 110. The civil commissioners Polverel, Santhonax and Ailhaud, had quitted France, charged by the Jacobins and the Amis des Noirs, to do evcry thing in their power to introduce this measure. The inhabitants of all parts were much surprised when it happened, although they werc forewarned by many. I had wrote to the colony ever since 1792, that this was the plan entrusted to thosc men sent to the colony. Vigorous measures might have been employed to preventit; ; they were pointed out : the number of ships, troops, &c. were described ; but that mad brained spirit that accompanied every thing that was done to prevent the evils of the Revolution, attcnded this circumstance as well as many others. You might have known that tlie colony had again been informed four months previous to the arrival of the civil commissioners, and have said, that it was the difference of parties that contributed most to prevent the effects of the measures pointed out and prepared. You to have mentioned the surprise of the Men of Colour when they learnt that ought had been tricked by the Amis des Noirs, and that they only served as adlive instru- they ments for executing their destruétive plan ; but it was too late, every thing ceded to the torrent. In tbe mean wbile the new governor (dEsparbis) began to manifest some sigus of dissatisfaclion and impalienet.-Page 111. The unfortunate Count d'Esparbès, was the most incapable man to govern a COlony like St. Domingo, particularly during a Revolution. The civil commissioners knew it well; this was the reason they demanded him. But if this gencral had had the smallest portion of talents, necessary for his situation, the civil emmissaries Q ; but it was too late, every thing ceded to the torrent. In tbe mean wbile the new governor (dEsparbis) began to manifest some sigus of dissatisfaclion and impalienet.-Page 111. The unfortunate Count d'Esparbès, was the most incapable man to govern a COlony like St. Domingo, particularly during a Revolution. The civil commissioners knew it well; this was the reason they demanded him. But if this gencral had had the smallest portion of talents, necessary for his situation, the civil emmissaries Q --- Page 60 --- ( 50 ) in their own net. It was proposed to Count d'Esparbès would have been caught have been done, at the time it was proposed; to have them arrested, and this might himself and immediately hours after it was too late, he was seized in twenty-four embarked. for more valuable and extensive informations To one of these gentlemen I am indebted, otber chamel.-Note d. Page 112. than I bave been able to collect tbrough any colleétion of materials relative to the I have already, Sir, answered your pretended I have only got through a third History of, St. Domingo, and its Revolution. of judging of the value and extent of part of your work, and the reader is capable much wanted new ones, particularly these materials. I shall again prove how you and how much wiserit would have in the inaccuracy of those you have made use of, which you will certainly regret the exccution of a work, been in you, to postpone to be reproached with a frivolity which having published, since it will cause you treat of. neither becomes your situation, nor the subject you how few the materials were that I cannot refrain from giving my readers a proof telling them, that during your you have succeeded in colledting at St. Domingo, by of the island, to adorn your stay there, you even neglected to procure a good map have taken Fadeni's, even withwork with : but, in order to supply the defect, you with him the subject. Imhis Your printer is now at law upon out permission. it is the most correct thing in your work: we may suppose perfect as this map is, he would doubtless have procured one more exthat had he been at St. Domingo, the island, why did not you proaét. Since you, Sir, wished to write concerning vide yourself with one : civil commissioners baving reduced Port au Prince, and On the 10tb of. June 1793, the the 114. Jacmel arrired at Cape.-Page concerning the History of the Colony of St. Domingo, Being desirous of writing have here stated what these civil commissioners and its Revolution, you ought to readers their character and were, and to have fixed the opinion of your respedting talents ; for they had a great deal of both. their courage, it was your duty, even As they had conquered Port-au-Prince by of their energy, since these wery conquefor the bonour of tbe Britisb arms, to speak abandon it 10 the English, without having ToYs of Port-au-Prince were obliged to that torerl, but from the sbole fired a single gur, and that they not only Redfrom colony. readers their character and were, and to have fixed the opinion of your respedting talents ; for they had a great deal of both. their courage, it was your duty, even As they had conquered Port-au-Prince by of their energy, since these wery conquefor the bonour of tbe Britisb arms, to speak abandon it 10 the English, without having ToYs of Port-au-Prince were obliged to that torerl, but from the sbole fired a single gur, and that they not only Redfrom colony. --- Page 61 --- 51 ) In stating what you ought to have said, I do not of the colony; : you mayj judge, and you will still pretend to give now the history whether I shall be capable of it when the time judge better, as well as our readers, continuc, as briefly as possible, to arswer all comes. In the mean time, I shall tated by the knowledge I have of your errors, My answers shall be dicwvilness. facts, as having been an active and adsising There exisied, it seems a decree of the National of an estate in the West should Assembly, enacting tbat 110 proprietor estate was Indies, bold the govermment of a colony, xwberein Iiis sitnated.-Page 114. You might easily have lcarned from the first mingo, that the law which you seem proprietor and inhabitant of St. Dowas, on the contrary, made to think was made by the National that by the French Monarch; ; Assembly, informed, this law prohibited a you might have been easily plantation in the colony he govetnor-general from holding any estate or precaution taken by the old governed; ; you might have observed, that this was a ing a planter, might have been government to prevent injustice, which a general, betempted to commit against his neighbours. Tbe proclamations abich they manifest a consciousness of published from time to time in palliation ef their of tbeir rwillainies, guilt, which could not be suppressed, and conduct, for wliich the day of retribution form a record take them.-Page 117. axvaits, but still lingers to overYou have published your work in March, predictions. You are even 1797, and you hcre still write history unacquainted with the most your you have published, The great criminals simple facts, relative to the escaped punishment, but on the Polverel and Santhonax, not only not state the reason, which is by contrary far were declared free from blame. You do treasures they carried off with them, more certain than your prophecy. It is. the France. This is what has destroyed those they sent to North America, and to filled, that Santhonax was your predidtion, whch is SO far from with his sent back in triumph to the he had being fulbarbarity ; and your note is as colony astonished tbere make Polverel die in somne surprising, as your. prophecy is midst of his friends and part of St. Domingo, when he died in France false,faryow in viétim to excessive comforted by medical art ; tranguil in but the doubtless pains, the consequence of his excesses at appearance, a a prey 1o remorse, ifit were possible for such St. Domingo; and a man to have any. being fulbarbarity ; and your note is as colony astonished tbere make Polverel die in somne surprising, as your. prophecy is midst of his friends and part of St. Domingo, when he died in France false,faryow in viétim to excessive comforted by medical art ; tranguil in but the doubtless pains, the consequence of his excesses at appearance, a a prey 1o remorse, ifit were possible for such St. Domingo; and a man to have any. --- Page 62 --- 52 ) you of these particuThere is not a single colonist, but what couldhareinformed of their country, ought at least to desirous of writing the history lars, which a man, know as well as them. deofthe Hhites has been entirely Newertbeless it appears certain that the population the it is estimated that if 12 and tbat not a single Ifbite was left at could Capes have been expected.-Note, stroyed, swere saced, it was more than or 1500 persons 121. relative to the event of the Cape.-Page declare to what you say here, and which you I beg of you, Sir, to notice whose veracity you place the greatest confidence. have received from a person in Whites is destroyed. The period is very esYou admit that the population of the Jamaica, before I began the necessary operasential; this was before my arrival at of the colony, and you allow, that there tions for putting the English in possession For a long time past there were scarcely White at the Cape. the remained not a single this You will perceive by the plantations belonging to dependency. that no Whites remained any upon answers, that you are not accurate in saying but it did not happen succeeding nearly caused their total flight; of the there. It had certainly the state of the town, and the wish all at once. You will remember In short you at least admit that the popucommissioners to call in the brigands. there. You will, however, soon bring lation of Whites has been destroyed borv cerong it cvas to propose to underthem to life again, in order to to prove of this fine colony. take to put the English in possession oftbe TVest noble island cuere considered as the garden The posessions of France in this soil, salubrity and cariety of climate, Indies : andfor beautifal scenery, riclness ef IX. Page 123. be deemed the paradise ef tbe Net worl.-CHAP. migbtjustly contained in this paragraph of your book, If, having well refleéted 022 the truths being a colonist and proprietor of a had deduced the necessary consequences, of the advantage of such an imporyou capable of judging its plantation, and consequently you had, as a legislator, considered to the mother country, seould derive tant colony ought to have felt the advantages Great-Britain to her by interests, you which has been delivered up possession of St. Domingo, talents in stating from keeping favourable events. Had you employed your such unforeseen and result to her from this possession, you would the imense adeantages sehich must planters in the diferent Mindreard have consoled and re-animated the hopes afthe anl sccept axay, by the rains, Islands, the soil of which being dried 1P, exbaustedy no colony ought to have felt the advantages Great-Britain to her by interests, you which has been delivered up possession of St. Domingo, talents in stating from keeping favourable events. Had you employed your such unforeseen and result to her from this possession, you would the imense adeantages sehich must planters in the diferent Mindreard have consoled and re-animated the hopes afthe anl sccept axay, by the rains, Islands, the soil of which being dried 1P, exbaustedy no --- Page 63 --- 53 ) no longer repays their labour the advantages their industry extent oftheir capitals requires. You might have shewn them merits, and which tbe world, St. Domingo, as a promised land, which waited the paradise of the new to triple their fortunes, and double the only their arrival in order of England. You needed aétivity of the manufadtures and only, Sir, to have allowed yourselfto have commerce truth, which wrests from you the true and precious confession been guided by which I shall make use of hereafter. you here make, and Of the territories wbich remained exclusively in possession of the Spaniards, my information is wery original conguerors, thhe inperfea-Page 123. Why, Sir, have you undertaken what was beyond cause you have written the History of Jamaica and the your power to perform ? Bewas it necessary that you should write the English Windward Islands, History of St. referring to such imperfedt materials as you acknowledge Domingo; and that, by the reputation you may bave acquired by publishing the fables you possess,_Jox should risk given you by two or three individuals, who or tales that have been you ? Can we imagine, that all were perhaps interested in deceiving can be contained in a dozen you really say concerning the History ofSt. this pages? You ought never to have written Domingo colony, as you are in the same situation with respect to the French concerning Domingo, as you acknowledge yourself to be respedting the part of St. say, you absolutely know nothing about it; for Spanish ; that is to ing it amounts to nothing, when it is certainly what you say concernonly half the size of that called the known, that the size of the French part is the French part, and Spanish : that the latter is more fertile than only wants cultivators, without to believe, covered with wild beasts without being, as you say, and seem the lands upon which they have Hates masters. The Spanish inhabitants own horned cattle and or Corails for their beasts and herds of horses, which are all marked and which they carried on a very considerable trade with perfeétly known, and with These noble the French part. plains only want cultivators, in order to a vances that may be made on them. This is in repay bundred fold the admight have Set forth, supported, and what, an intelligent work, you true friend of demonstrated. You would then have been man : your labours would have been uscful, and far from the gerous, they would moreover have been instructive being dangiving them ideas replete with errors. to your readers, instead of P. perfeétly known, and with These noble the French part. plains only want cultivators, in order to a vances that may be made on them. This is in repay bundred fold the admight have Set forth, supported, and what, an intelligent work, you true friend of demonstrated. You would then have been man : your labours would have been uscful, and far from the gerous, they would moreover have been instructive being dangiving them ideas replete with errors. to your readers, instead of P. --- Page 64 --- 54 ) The Buccancers.-Page 124. in order to support the common passages, which You speak of the Buccaneers, wish should avail as a proof of the after 56 many others, and which you who have SO1 repeat But it is not the Buccaneers punished punishment of the cruel Spaniards. who have retaken a part of the gold from the Spaniards; ; it is the Freebooters, the heart of St. Domingo, they tore these barbarous conquerors ; which, in very countries. The Buccaneers were from the unhappy inhabitants that peopled these establish themselves in St. Dowho sought to establish, and did is the first Europeans or had been Freebooters ; and it partiafter the Spaniards ; but all were celebrated: for mingo, have been (with SO much reason) cularly by sea, that their exploits the consequences of their maritime their conquests upon the continent, were only established themselves at Port-deexpeditions. It was long after, that they from their custom of and become Buccaneers, a name which originated thence called Paix, slowly, over a fire made with green wood, drying up their meat the Spaniards. Boucan, a custom that is still in use amongst which supplied them with They did not follow those great pursuits in became hunting, less produétive. They never subsistence and commerce, until freebooting of pillaging their ports with the Spaniards by land, but for the purpose attacked they were fixed too far from their establishments; their fleets. At St. Domingo, huntsmen of the two nations met each other. they only fought when the wbon in the year originally ofa body of French and English planters, They consisted had expelledfrom tbe island ef St. Chrustopber--Page 1629 a Spanish armament 124. barbarities of the Spaniards ; but, according to the I am far from approving of the of the Antilles they had discovered, and custom of those times, they took possession establishments. I approve of, and admire the where they had formed more Or less them but I do not admit, like you, Sir, of the Freebooters, who attacked ; a bistorian courage in justice. It is unbecoming philantbropic that their right was founded became masters of the Antilles, make consist in power. The Spaniards their with SO to right but the Freebooters, who attacked them through a cruel barbarity; descended from the Caribbees, and the aborimuch bravery, were not the avengers against those who atcountries; and the defence of the Spaniards gines of these historian should not, by his reflections, establish tacked them was legitimate. An suben have almost overprinciples in an age, and at a time theirfalsity such dangerous Europe to the brink oft ruin. turned and brought consist in power. The Spaniards their with SO to right but the Freebooters, who attacked them through a cruel barbarity; descended from the Caribbees, and the aborimuch bravery, were not the avengers against those who atcountries; and the defence of the Spaniards gines of these historian should not, by his reflections, establish tacked them was legitimate. An suben have almost overprinciples in an age, and at a time theirfalsity such dangerous Europe to the brink oft ruin. turned and brought --- Page 65 --- 55 ) f the government of Spain had been acluated af this time wvould indeed bave left those by motives of wvisdom, it Page 125. poor people lo range over thie wilderness unmolested.- You certainly, Sir, are verylittle acquainted with the fleéted very little upon the species of men of which human hieart, and havereFreebooters and. Buceaneers were the enterprising people called rope then was, and the composed and ; since, forgetting the state in which Euturers, you above all forget courage their passions which guided these surprising advenmen,that have history ; for you make them to be might been allowed to rove about the peaceable huntsthe nature and basis of the plans and Antilles, without recolledting undertake projedts which made these every thing. It was the desire of seizing extraordinary men Spaniards had found in the new world. It upon the treasure which the the Spaniards that defended. was the Freebooters that attacked and themselves ; and to have suffered They the were obliged to support this war in spite of have been giving them the desire and Buccancers to rove about the Antilles, would them. I notuithstanding tbis cruel means of seizing upon what might have suited become Buccaneers, had roar, which lasted ffiv years, the Freebooters, compelled Spain to cede a of might they not have done, had they been left part St. Domingo, what masters to ravage everything ? From a party oftbese adventurers (chiefty natives in St. Domingo derived its origin. of Normandy) the French colony from their associates in By wbat mieans they weere induced to danger, to relinguish the separate rice, and exchange the tumults gratification ef revenge and avais neither within of war for the temperate occupation of it my province nor ability to hsbandry, explain.-Page 127. The history of the Freebooters, formation whlch you pretend it is imperfeét as it is, would have given you thati inpelled you to write concerning that not of your business to possess. Who then has comto instruét for the sake of his St. Domingo? The duty of an author is his readers have been at to reputation, if it is not for the trouble and buy and read his book; ; expence by a pompous title, in order to be told in the they ought not to be deceived the means of keeping his promise. You course of the work, that hc has not of the Freebooters, their wounded, might easily have learnt, that the increase ries, their truces, and the habit of their children, the advantages of their viétoestablishment: : every thing would have hunting in the island, were the causes of their the reasons which first induced the given you the necessary clue for discovering neers at St. Domingo, and Freebooters to establish themselves as Buccaafterwards as cultivators. Port-de-Paix which they had not to be deceived the means of keeping his promise. You course of the work, that hc has not of the Freebooters, their wounded, might easily have learnt, that the increase ries, their truces, and the habit of their children, the advantages of their viétoestablishment: : every thing would have hunting in the island, were the causes of their the reasons which first induced the given you the necessary clue for discovering neers at St. Domingo, and Freebooters to establish themselves as Buccaafterwards as cultivators. Port-de-Paix which they had --- Page 66 --- 56 ) arrival at La Tortues was the first place they inhabited. The frequented since their Spanish planters to retire and settle upon terror they inspired caused the principal those lying at a distance from the capithe continent, and the rest to abandon known parts that at the Peace of Ryswick, the tal ofthei island. You might have easily called Liguana, whence Léogane were settled in the bay Freebooters or Buccaneers &c. These first beginwere numerous at Petit-Goave, derives its name. They and of St. Domingo. Besides, if you ningsare known to all the Creoles planters you ought to have done every were desirous of writing the history of this colony, of the country concerning which of the carliest foundation thing to inform yourself not say to the readers who have purchased you wish to write, in order thatyou may The reader deceived by your book, I bave not the ability to inform you. a your of his own vanity 9 he became dupeto yours, pretended views, was not the dupe concerning what you avow yourself ignorant because you were desirous of writing of. those Franand harbours in the Nortbern provinces the chiefsuere ofCape Of the fotons and Cape St. Nicolas. Ishall treat only of the first gois, Fort Dauphin, Port Paix, and the last-Page 130. necessary for you confess you have not the knowledge of In the preceding paragraph in this tell them you will not speak of two the information of your readers : you ofthe French colony; whyt then have you the principal divisions of the Northern parts consult in a situation to give you written, or if you wished to write, why not known people that Fort Daupbin in particuthe information you want : You should have its situation, &c. Portimportant on account of its produétions, Buclar is a quarter véry the more as being the first establishment of the de-Paix deserved your attention the forces in the Northern part caneers in the island, and the place where republican the English forces. under the command of Laveaux, in order to oppose assembled house, and converted (after the revolution) into a government The Jeszits' College and provincial assemblics.--Page 131. place of mecting for the colonial the trifing errors with which your book abounds, I should not stop, Sir, to expose readers upon their guard against assertions did I not think it necessary to putyour then, that since the extinétion of the of very different moment. I must tell you but a convent, is become Jesuits in France, their house, which was not a college in 1783, had the honour the government : and it was in this house that the governor, which Was long before the his Royal Highness the Duke of Ciarence, of receiving Ii revolution. the trifing errors with which your book abounds, I should not stop, Sir, to expose readers upon their guard against assertions did I not think it necessary to putyour then, that since the extinétion of the of very different moment. I must tell you but a convent, is become Jesuits in France, their house, which was not a college in 1783, had the honour the government : and it was in this house that the governor, which Was long before the his Royal Highness the Duke of Ciarence, of receiving Ii revolution. --- Page 67 --- 57 ) It was built ab tbe foot ofa mountain called le Haut du Cap.-Page 131. The town called Cap François was, and what remains of it is still, built upon a small plain, inclosed by a high mountain called le Morne du Cap, which foris almost a semi-circle ; the bay completing its chord or base. The Morne has only a narrow passage for the road that leads into the plain ; a great deal was obliged to be cut awayin order to make the road good, for at high tides or the overflowings of the river, the sca washes the foot of it. On the South, the Morne du Cap is joined by thc Northern mountains, which run along to the point of the rock where the Fort of Picolet is built, which defends the entrance of the road. Unfortunately for what you here advance, what is called the Haut du Cap is a village, at the distance of a small league from this town ; iti is situated upon a very small hill which you gradually descend till you come to the Hospital of la Cbarité, whichis a full mile distant from the Cape. If you had not announced that remained there, where you colleéted various materials which have assisyou ted in writing concerning the colony, one might have thought you had been deyou St. to have travelled ceived : but, intending to write about Domingo, you ought If S01 place the first town of the colony, and of all as an observer. you imperfeétly tbe colonies of the Antilles, where you have been, and where you assert yourself to have collected your materials in order to write your Historical Views on the History of St. Domingo, what ought such an error to be attributed to? I beg my readers will recollect this in other cases where you may not yourself have furnished mne with such strong proofs in order to refute you. I am obliged, Sir, to fulfil a very painful task in exposing the very numerous faults which your pretended Historical Views concerning my unfortunate country contain. If in the two preceding articles I have proved errors which you ought to been the that which follows is still more have avoided, having upon spot yourself, surprising. It is of another kind, and is equally inconsistent in an historian as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society of London to have committed. It is situated (the torn of Cape St. Nicbolas) at the foot of a bigh bluff called the Mole.-Page 131. All who have travelled and those who have only visited their own country know that a Mole is a projection or jutting out of carth or stone into the sea, whether of whatsoever extent, in order to break the waves, support natural or artificial, the weight of the ocean, and sustain the shocks of this raging element. A mole e --- Page 68 --- 5S ) from the main sea. That part of the then is any projedtion which separares a called port the Mole forms thc port. You never sea thus separated by the projedtion Mole St. Nicolas wassituated atthe foot ef a should have written thatthe town of St. Nicholas is formed bya very mountain called the Mole. The Mole of Cape called the peninsula, joining by tract of landrunning four miles into the sea, with the hills beeven the continent of the island of St. Doningo, with its largest part Mole is the peninsula on the North West; which, hind the Mole town ; the the North East, forms the gullet or bay of the chain of mountains on the island on of which is the finest port of all the the Mole, ncarly six miles long, at the bottom I shall now leave' our readers to - Antilles, and best sheltered from every wind. ole of Cape called the peninsula, joining by tract of landrunning four miles into the sea, with the hills beeven the continent of the island of St. Doningo, with its largest part Mole is the peninsula on the North West; which, hind the Mole town ; the the North East, forms the gullet or bay of the chain of mountains on the island on of which is the finest port of all the the Mole, ncarly six miles long, at the bottom I shall now leave' our readers to - Antilles, and best sheltered from every wind. have hitherto written, if you what confidence they can place in what you you in evejudge and how much they can depend upon make such mistakes as these, tenth chapter arc still more extraorthing that follows. The contents of your ry dinary. 012 the 3rd of June 1770, (Port-au-1 Prince) by a dreadful cartlquake It was destroyed been rebill.-Page 132. and bad nerer completels destroyed in 1770 was very inconsiderable; it has The town of Port-au-Prince double its former size, several streets having been entirely rebuilt andincreased to raised upon the sea shore. You might been formed for that purpose by causeway's this subjeét yourself, by rehave easilyr refuted the memorandums given you upon the has arrived since 1770; fledting upon the degree of prosperity to which colony the residence ofthe governorandbyr recolledting that Port-au-Prince was the capital, and the town where of the colony general and the intendant or sliminisestor-general should have considered that it did not rethe two councils had been united. You know that the houses are built with wood. quire twenty years to rebuildit, when you slares throngbout the colony 480,000.-Page 135. Ihichb makes thie monber of Negro he taken the trouble, Sir, to consult any planter of St. Domingo, at Had you state the number of Negros at 500,000, would have told you that you might account of, which have been entered least ;. for, besides those you have given an you must know that in the statenient of each plantation by the inhabitants, these that upon entered children and old men upon statements, general the planters nerer and furnish: a less portion of service to the they might have lcss duty to pay, in their statement only those who Corvée: a great many planters used to put would hare subjedted them to the would Maroon or desert, and whose capture --- Page 69 --- 59 ) penalty or confiscation of the Negros, if they had not been entered upon the statement of the plantation. The total walue at the port of sbipping, in liores e St. Domtingo, te'as 171,544.006.- Page 136. When a person wishes to inform the public of the produce of a colony, it is necessary to inform him of the entire nature and diversity of its revenues: after which, when he presents them with any estimate whatever, he should inform them of the number of years upon which the produce is calculated. After having produced the accounts upon which your estimate is founded, you should inform your readers that, without exaggeration, onc-fourth more might be added to the accounts of the average youj produce, which are calculated upon the amount of thc colonial produce that had paid the customs, &c. As a corredt historian, who really wishes to he useful tolis readers, you ought to mention the erormous contraband trade carried on at St. Domingo, whose immense coasts are cvery where open to the commnerce of Jamaica, Curaçao, and the American ships. As a colonist of Jamaica, you surely knew, and ought to have said, that three parts of the cotton of St. Domingo was smuggled into Jamaica ; that upwards of two-thirds of the crop ofindigo went the same way; that Curacao received a great part of the coffee from the Southern and Northern coasts, with some cotton, indigo, and white sugar; and that the Americans, from the North, likewise carried off a great quantity of contraband sugar and coffee. commnerce of Jamaica, Curaçao, and the American ships. As a colonist of Jamaica, you surely knew, and ought to have said, that three parts of the cotton of St. Domingo was smuggled into Jamaica ; that upwards of two-thirds of the crop ofindigo went the same way; that Curacao received a great part of the coffee from the Southern and Northern coasts, with some cotton, indigo, and white sugar; and that the Americans, from the North, likewise carried off a great quantity of contraband sugar and coffee. Continuing likewise your calculations, you will obscrve, that this must amount in value to upwards of 1,500,0001. sterling, which is a greater return than of the Windward Islands make to their mother countries; and which, for a commercial many and manufaéturing nation, is worth the trouble of reckoning, particularly by a writer holding a seat in the Senate of his country. I am induced to think, Sir, that you have made these calculations as well as me : certain reasons, which I shall discover to my readers at the end of this letter, will give room to suspect the cause of your not publisling them. must amount in value to upwards of 1,500,0001. sterling, which is a greater return than of the Windward Islands make to their mother countries; and which, for a commercial many and manufaéturing nation, is worth the trouble of reckoning, particularly by a writer holding a seat in the Senate of his country. I am induced to think, Sir, that you have made these calculations as well as me : certain reasons, which I shall discover to my readers at the end of this letter, will give room to suspect the cause of your not publisling them. For tbis difference various causes have been assigned, and adcantages allowed and qualities ascribed, to tbe French planters, which I centigre to prmounce, 012 full inguiry, had 19 existence-Page 136, You have certainly, Sir, hitherto displayed by far too much inaccuracy in what have written, to make yourself easily credited. You ought to have laid before you the public the proofs you have procured, and the information you speak of, since --- Page 70 --- 60 ) existed. contrary to what, by your own confession, generally you hazard an opinion assertion will not be admitted upon your bare word. Depend upon it, your and having resided more months at Jamaica than Being a planter, likc yourself, tell ycu, that the planters of this colony posyou did weeks at St. Domingo, I must that they draw a greater produce from their the qualitics attributed to them ; causes than those sess colonies, from many other lands than is drawn from the English and care with which they are watered at St. attribute to the art in the you veryimproperly readers reason to think, that all the plantations Domingo. You give your which is an error ; for in all the Northern French part of St. Domingo are watered, and the greatest province in the colony, part, forming the dependancy of the Cape, their lands. Those in the Western part are there are not six inhabitants who water watered; and in the Southern part more than the only ones that are almost entirely it does not appear that half the a third are not ; by which, when added together, you have not received the necesplantations are watered. Tbisisa proofthat The are the advantages, sugar information to enable you to determine. following the planters of Jamaica: sary which the inhabitants of St. Domingo possess over their more Sir, reside, or have resided upon plantations Ist, Almost all the proprietors of the master attaches the Negro than the English planters; the presence generally a more to his work. upon their soil than can be made 2dly, The proprietors make more experiments colonics where the proprietors do not reside SO frequently. the canes are in lying all in plains, 3dly, At St. Domingo the sugar plantations, where, being planted upon the replanted than at Jamaica ; and to more frequently the proprictor is obliged not to plant sO often, hills and in the mountains, SO violent under the Tropics, yet SO his land less; in order that the rains, not uncover the suckers thrive and the young canes sprout up, may necessary to make carth that has been newly dug up. all wash away the there has been an emulation amongst 4thly, For more than twenty years past, the in the which has occasioned greateatimprovementi the planters of St. Domingo, the fabrication of sugar. cultivation ofthe cane and of estates who had talents, presthly, The great salaries allowed to the managers who had added that established by the rich proprictors, desirous served these advantages furnishes the means of acquiring to those theory to practice which fortune of instruétion. that the situation of the plantations at St. DoIf feel no hesitation in declaring, difference in the produce, because the canes mingo is the principal cause of the being improvementi the planters of St. Domingo, the fabrication of sugar. cultivation ofthe cane and of estates who had talents, presthly, The great salaries allowed to the managers who had added that established by the rich proprictors, desirous served these advantages furnishes the means of acquiring to those theory to practice which fortune of instruétion. that the situation of the plantations at St. DoIf feel no hesitation in declaring, difference in the produce, because the canes mingo is the principal cause of the being --- Page 71 --- 61 ) being planted on a plain, those that are called tion of a new plantation) may, withoutir great canes (that is, the first producand rolled ; they yield nearly one-half inconvenience, be more frequently which sprout out from the more than the young replanted stock that has been sprigs (or the canes that, by planting more previously cut) ; whence it prove frequently, we have a greater results, incontestably that the prosperity of the produce, But, in order to shall bring proofs which to colony was owing to the account ought come within planters, I given to the assembly of your own knowledge ; one i3, the Shirley, on the 23d of November Jamaica, by one of its members, Mr. Colony of Jamaica there 1792. He says: 66 That Henry tions." are only 1047 small throughour the whole According to your account, there establishments, are and 767 sugar plantamingo; ; but there are 7743 small 793 sugar plantations at St. Doit does not consist in the qualities establishments. Whence arises this observed, that tbe extent you deny to tbe French plauters P difference, if of tbe French for it must be to be considered as the Cause of the colony of St. Doningo ought not by any means lands at. Jamaica which only wait for extent of its culture, since there are order to yield a considerable the industry and labour of the many adtivity, his produce. The qualities of the cultivators, in and courage in undertaking new French planter are, his his judgment in well establishments, his industry, his Another proof of the considering the proper culture for his soil. sobricty, superiority of the talents and Domingo over those of Jamaica, is, that the industry of the planters of St. ofthe necessaryl hands for cultivation, whilst former have almost ahunys been in want in Negros, both better and the English islands have always want of any. cheaper, and the English planters have abounded and adivity Nevertheless, the small plantations, which never been in of a people, have not increased prove the general industry with those of St. there in the proportion of shall add, Sir, Domingo. This is what in candor one-seventh that, after many you ought to have stated. I at Jamaica tends to diminish its observations, I think. the fabrication of clear sugar, agrceable to the produce; because, generally, in order to have sugar a enough; which makes a considerable eye, they do not lime it sufficiently, nor bake it The planters at Jamaica are not part of the sugar go into the sirups or molasses. in the rum proceeding from ignorant of this loss ; but they think the they recover it more and of a superior sirups: which, certainly by that means, for the considerable losses quality, but which, nevertheless, does not produces In the French sustained in the first fabrication of indemnify them colonies a good sugar, paid; ; in the English colonics a sugar-maker, or refiner, was sought after and well in great estimation, distiller, or a man that manages a still-housc best, is R molasses. in the rum proceeding from ignorant of this loss ; but they think the they recover it more and of a superior sirups: which, certainly by that means, for the considerable losses quality, but which, nevertheless, does not produces In the French sustained in the first fabrication of indemnify them colonies a good sugar, paid; ; in the English colonics a sugar-maker, or refiner, was sought after and well in great estimation, distiller, or a man that manages a still-housc best, is R --- Page 72 --- 62 ) lands in Jamaica might be watered, if the proI shall add here, Sir, that many and excellent track of land lying prietors pleased; ; and there is even a considerable of which no use is made for and Spanish-Town, having water, between Kingston of the planters of St. Domingo, who cannot culture; ; which excites the astonishment to this plain ; tbe state ofcehich is, I comprehend why the other lands are preferred of the planters of St. Domingo think, one of the best proofs of the superior industry over those of Jamaica. wwhile oftbe French sugar-lands Having made diligent enquiry into tbe average produce 012 the spor-Note F. Page 137. observed that the cane of St. Domingo is not, as at Jamaica, the You should have of other articles surpasses that ofsugar; only fouriahingprodudtien: that the produce of coffee, cotton, indigo, cocoa, &c.; for there are a great number of plantations M. de Marbois, and that of 1791 presented that, according to the account given by in the French part of St. Doby you, there are 8536 plantations or establishments account I have already mentioned as. mingo, and that at Jamaica, according to island the in 1792, there are only 1824 planhaving been given to the assembly of this working to raise the crops of the ofany kind whatsoever, tations or establishments have not thought proper to state, although you colony. I shall add, Sir, what you at the time a part of this colony hare written rclative to the History of St. Domingo of St. Domingo alone rebelongs to the English, which is, that the French part the produce returned by tbe turned to the mother country, in one year, DOUBLE WHOLE efthe English colonies in the Antilles. own calculation (or average, In order to prove it, Sir, I shall make use of your stated a and, balancing it with the account by planter; page 136 of your work); Shirley, member of the colonial assembly. of your countryman and friend, Mr. he to it, which i3, Jamaica, I shall relate what he states in the account presented that in the years Cwt. ofSugar. 1789 Jamaica only returned 5,130,636 been in the same space of time Add to this, that 2,563,228 cwt. have produced of colonies ; which makes the total amount sugar produced by all the other English Antilles to be 7,694,084 cwt. during the abore by all the English colonies in the that could contribate to four years, in which every thing was colleéted together raise these colonies to the highest pitch of prosperity. --- Page 73 --- 63 ) Without examining, Sir, upon what memorandums youhave founded your average, I shall content myself with remarking, that if to your calculation of the duce of sugar in St. Domingo you add one eighth for contraband trade, and 9 lb pro- in the 100 for the difference between English and French weight, you will find that the colony has produced in four years 8,140,804 cwt. of sugar, which is cwt. each year ; whilst Jamaica and the other English colonies have 2,035,201 produced annually only 1,923,521 cwt.; the surplus of 111,687 cwt. of the annual produce of St. Domingo may serve to balance the errors of the calculation, if there are Ifyou add, Sir, according to your average, the coffee, cotton, indigos, &c. 100 for the difference between English and French weight, you will find that the colony has produced in four years 8,140,804 cwt. of sugar, which is cwt. each year ; whilst Jamaica and the other English colonies have 2,035,201 produced annually only 1,923,521 cwt.; the surplus of 111,687 cwt. of the annual produce of St. Domingo may serve to balance the errors of the calculation, if there are Ifyou add, Sir, according to your average, the coffee, cotton, indigos, &c. any. ther, you will perccive that the produce of these togecommodities, amount to a sum of more than 95,000,000 livres of St. Domingo, being much greater than the anount ofits sugars. If you then add the contraband trade (which is easier carried 012) for these articles, you will find in the whole, wherewithal to furnish double the general produce of all the Britisb colonies ofthe Antilles; even including the three millions of coffee that was made in Jamaicain 1792, and likewise the produce ofthe other siall plantations, in all the English colonies. This obiservation is too important, for an historian to have passed over in silence-this objedt is oftoo much be laid before the eyes of the nation, for which political interest, not to a book is written, and under whose power, the inhabitants of St. Domingo, have voluntarily placed themselves. Such a truth clearly demonstrated must prove, better than any thing that can be said, the advantages of this fine colony, wobich is to0 little known in Europe, Being nearly tz0o thirds more than the general yielding of all thbe land in througbout Jamaica.-Note F. Page 138: cane, I repeat it, Sir, your confession is not sufficient in saying, that the lands of St. Domingo, produce twice as much as those of the colony of Jamaica. The whole English nation should be informed what the French colony of St. is, and the advantages it will be of to the commercial and Domingo really country, that may keep possession ofit. It must be observed, manufaéturing that if mother great colony is destroyed, all tbe other colonies, this fine and and sbare the particularly Jamaica, will necessarily speedily same fate; as a planter of that island, you to know fear it more than the Earopeans; the reflection ought and ought to have when you wrote the succeeding chapter.. stopped you And such in thhe days of its prosperity, wvas the Irench colony in the island Domingo : I bave now presented 10 PEY readers, botb sides thhe of St. 138. ef medal.-Page --- Page 74 --- 64 ) I have just read over, give but 2 very faint idea Certainly, Sir, the nine chapters The exhibition ofthe remains of one of the of the French colony of St. Domingo. is not giving an idea of its splendour : sun's rays going to be obscured by clouds, idea of what St. Domingo'was in like manner you have given but a very imperfect unknown to you, and for which during the time ofits prosperity; it is absolutely who have been there since its I appeal to the testimony of your own countrymen, has struck those who came there disasters. What has escaped from its overthrow, astonishment. Even its ruins residence in the English colonies, with and after a long have long resided at Jamaica, the most considerable have surprised those who wretched state to which the colonyis of your islands : and in the than any of the other most flourishing returned considerably more produétions, reduced, it has still English islands that have not been ravaged. the statc of St. Domingo, and informed yourself of present You ought to have of that superb colony have doubled your rethat the misfortunes of not to hare forgot ought to acknowledge that the diminution venues. As a planter of Jamaica you disasters ofthe Windward Islands have douthe productions of St. Domingo and the colony to the highest pitch of bled the price of your produce, and raised your cannot be very agrecable to you: prosperity. The re- establishment of St. Domingo is what has induced you to write your even seem to fear it: and Ibelieve this of this colony. You ought to have of that superb colony have doubled your rethat the misfortunes of not to hare forgot ought to acknowledge that the diminution venues. As a planter of Jamaica you disasters ofthe Windward Islands have douthe productions of St. Domingo and the colony to the highest pitch of bled the price of your produce, and raised your cannot be very agrecable to you: prosperity. The re- establishment of St. Domingo is what has induced you to write your even seem to fear it: and Ibelieve this of this colony. Ibg tbe you Views, and tothrow blame upon the proprietors at JaHistorical recolled, that, being a proprietor of a sugar plantation reader wvill once more tbe fale of St. Doninge, andit isyour permaica yone cannot be indiferent concerning being ingartial. sonal interest that has presentedyou from related nations the earth, the fasts schich I bave Great-Britain above all other of 120 comment.-Wage To lesson : and it is sucb a one as requires mayfurnish an important 138. in particular, the great Sir, to all Europe, and to England Why, not expose, of the finest colony present to the universe Why lesson which the misfortunes country to its interest and to whatit call forth the ideas and artention of your not present to herthe not seét ofthe Amis des Noirs ? Why has to fear from that cruel listening to innovators and their perfof what she must expeét, if, torches into her colonies ? example she suffers them to carry their flaming flourishing colony, the dious systems, exhibit to the English people the most within two Why not incessantly destroyed in a great measure effect of labour for mcre than a century, 6e consider St. country to its interest and to whatit call forth the ideas and artention of your not present to herthe not seét ofthe Amis des Noirs ? Why has to fear from that cruel listening to innovators and their perfof what she must expeét, if, torches into her colonies ? example she suffers them to carry their flaming flourishing colony, the dious systems, exhibit to the English people the most within two Why not incessantly destroyed in a great measure effect of labour for mcre than a century, 6e consider St. Domingo ; that fine : Why not repeat to them incessantly, colony ycars --- Page 75 --- 65 ) < colony. formed the glory of America ; the barbarians wvishedit to be destroyed, and a ever a warning voice 46 great part of it is 80. May this terrible example for prove the Antilles ! c6 for yourselues andyour families dispersed through different Why have you not employed your talents in repeating, in a thousand that, if the most considerable island is abandoned to the anarcby of a reshapes, wolted population ofslaves, such as that of St. Domingo, Jamaica will be destroyed soon after P Why, since you are incapable of giving yourfellow citizens all the necessary information, in order to prevent, by the. recital of our misfortunes, every thing which can make them experience them, why have you not wholly consecrated your labours in writing commentaries which your too imperfect account will not allow them to do ? But my readers being put upon their guard against your superficial knowledge, by what I have hitherto written, may appreciate thc whole of your work. I beg of them to lend me all their attention, as I am going to enterinto the ofmy undertaking. My answer to the 10th chapter of your most disagrecable convince part partisans and most sincere friends of its imperfecbook will finally your fections. Emigrations from all parts of St. Domingo bad indeed prevailed to a very greatextent ever since the revolt of tbe Negros in tbe Northern province ; many ofthe planters had removed with their families to the neighbouring islands, some of then had taken refugein Jamaica, and it was supposed that no less tban 10,000 bad transported themselves at various times to different parts of the continent of America-CHAP. X. Page 140. Before Ibegin to refute this chapter I must remind you, what you very well know, thati it was I who, if Imay so express myself, direéted everyt thing at St. Domingo at the time the English took possession of it. On that account, Sir, I am better able errors than any other person, I am obliged to call upon our readers to expose I continue your painful task, which truth and my attachment to my unfortubefore my must observe both to them nate countrymen have compelled me to undertake. I if have hitherto been of regligence and trifling in and to you, that, you guilty in what follows are still more so; what you have written concerning this colony, you for it is no longer upon some few and uncertain memorandums that you might and ought to have written the chapter containing the transactions of the English at St. Domingo, as many of thc officers who contributed to your country's success in that colony are in England ; the principal commanders are likewise returned--and yoa might have consulted them. have compelled me to undertake. I if have hitherto been of regligence and trifling in and to you, that, you guilty in what follows are still more so; what you have written concerning this colony, you for it is no longer upon some few and uncertain memorandums that you might and ought to have written the chapter containing the transactions of the English at St. Domingo, as many of thc officers who contributed to your country's success in that colony are in England ; the principal commanders are likewise returned--and yoa might have consulted them. --- Page 76 --- ( 66 ) in March, 1797, and General Williamson had returned Your work was published Colonels Whitelock and Spencer, and Captains to London near a twelvemonth ; of all classes who have been at St.. Mackaras and Smith, with many Englishmen of the finest and most useDomingo, and who by their labours have added a part resided in this of Great-Britain, have sincec ful of the colonies to the possessions then if any errors are found in this part of your country, You are totally inexcusable several times, I never refused to comwork; particularly if, after having seen you according to your own municate to you the knowledge I possessed, as having, With what confession, been sent express in order to condud this important operation. of book is that then will my readers learn that the tenth chapter your sensation errors. I shall. now refute you as an ocular and confidential: which contains the most furnish of erery thing I shall advance, witness. Ihereoblige myself, Sir, to proofs of calumnies against my unforinjustice and barbarity your in order to manifestthei vitb tbat loyalty, tbat frankness, and that bravery, wbich tunate countrymen ; wubo, without being conquered, even by: isn natural to them, gave themselves up to England them. Iwrite in England, Sir, and I call tbe excessive misfortunes that overcehelmed not that you have the of all impartial men if Ido prove down upon me vengeance of the Creoles and colonists suspeéted; who, unjustly wished to render the fidelity in their power to deserve the support of by their sacrifices, have done every thing them from the destruction to wubicb which has preserved that generous government their country bad' condemned them. tbat am for threm. Task not If my answer contains errors, it is I alone In responsible answering you, I amn cruel-- indulgence, Sir, bat that of your readers. the colony: your that various. interests have made you write. against ly affliéted, at finding of St. Domingo and its generous inhabitants.. well as Sir, what you hare. asserted in. I beg my readers. will recolleét, as you, this paragraph : it will. very soon serye to condemn you.. hacing otber objeés in wier bad repaired to Great-- The principal among the planters 140. Britain-Page of St. Domingo had then come: I must declare to. you that. not a single proprictor France. Those who have since comefrom the colony to England : all had been in unfortunate King. I came here: did not arrive here till after the disasters of our the rest could not till after: 1791, and was then one ofthe first to return : till the expressin Many had not even the. means (by taking the commencement of hostilities. could receive succour from the British. possession of the colony by the English) they 140. Britain-Page of St. Domingo had then come: I must declare to. you that. not a single proprictor France. Those who have since comefrom the colony to England : all had been in unfortunate King. I came here: did not arrive here till after the disasters of our the rest could not till after: 1791, and was then one ofthe first to return : till the expressin Many had not even the. means (by taking the commencement of hostilities. could receive succour from the British. possession of the colony by the English) they --- Page 77 --- I 67 had resided at St. Domingo, and were. but very imperfealy merchants ; few of those acquainted with the colonics. tbat So carly as tbe latter end of 1791 1t is a circunstance within nyy on kmosoledge betveen France and England) many of (long before the commencement of bostilities requesting that an armament migbt them had made application 10 the King'sMinisters Great-Britain' and receive" of the country for the King of be sent 10 take possession the allegiance of the inbalitants.-Page 140. I Ministers in 1791: had made propositions to the English Few planters and found myself here alone. The events came to England at that time, too well that it was wise to proand the misfortunes of the colonies have but prored in orderto prevent Ministers the taking possession of St. Domingo, pose to the King's but that of Jamaica and all the other' English colonies. not only its destruétion, since that period have too well proved how reasoThe events that have happened tbewar tbe Maroons at Janable this proposition was : Grenada, St. Vincent's, foreseen the ef misfortunes of the maica, answer for those who had announced and these obscrvations tot the English colonies. After this, if it was me who presented that the colo. ought to have proved to you Ministers, my conduct, my constancy that who did not cease to announce what has: nists were worthy of succour, and he, happened; would not deceive the King's Ministers. witb mucb greater confidence than trutb) that all classes They asserted (I am afraid themsekves under tbe English dominion, and that, Or of tbe people wisbed. t0 place the colony would surrender witbout a thefirst appearance of an English squadron, strnggle-Page 140.. if other than a colonial If an inhabitant unacquainted with the colonies, any to his $ this it might have been. attributed ignorance; planter had written phrase, could believe that there was an but that you, Sir, being,a colonist of Jamaica, Ministers what you assert, can scarcely inhabitant foolishi enough to propose to the what write, that all classcs of. be credited. How could any one attribute to them you under the dôminion. inhabitants in the colony were desirous of putting themselves had revolted, and. since they knew that the Mulattoes and Negros of Great-Britain, must defend itself? There 1S only one sensation, that it was" against them the colony that could have induced you to: that of personal interest as- a planter of. Jamaica, but let our refleéting readers: write in this. manner.. I shall make. no other answer; ; to such welljudge both you and the pretended propositions made,. by. forcigners, informed Ministers as those placed at thc head of the British government.- desirous of putting themselves had revolted, and. since they knew that the Mulattoes and Negros of Great-Britain, must defend itself? There 1S only one sensation, that it was" against them the colony that could have induced you to: that of personal interest as- a planter of. Jamaica, but let our refleéting readers: write in this. manner.. I shall make. no other answer; ; to such welljudge both you and the pretended propositions made,. by. forcigners, informed Ministers as those placed at thc head of the British government.- --- Page 78 --- 6s ) (one of tbe planters) was furnished seith disIn the summer ef1793 a Mr. Charmills Milliamson, tbe Linutenant-Gocensr patches from the Secretary of State to General (scith allowwance Commander inz Chief of. Jamaica, signifying the King's pleasure and the Gavernor's dire@ion) that he should accept terms of great latitude, bowever, to of such parts of St. Domingo, as solicited the of capitulation from the inhabitants proteétion of the British government.-Page 140. de before the scene of your work : this Mons. At last, Sir, you introduce me knew both by your friends and by what he Charnillyisn not unknown to you; and you with the French colony cf St. had said to you, that he must bc perfeétly acquainted what you have written yourself, Domingo. Itis) he, then, tbat requests you to recolledt should tbink it and aseful, the General Williamson should accept, if he proper the that St. Domingo as solicited tbe protedion of terms of capitulation of sucb parts of Britisb govermneni. the troops under his the Governor wvas authorised to detach from reAndfor that purpose be sufficient to take and commandin Jamaica, such a force as should thought until reinforcements of all the places that might be surrendered, tain possession 141. should arrive from England.-Page to send only Sir, that the gorernor of Jamaica was authorised You here admit, in order c to take and retain possession of all as many troops as should be sufficient, might arrive' from Engs the places that might be surrendered, until reinforcements own phrases, andthe contaken time tohaverefleéted upon your 6 land." Had you abstained from calumniating those who were fessions they contain, you would have and more completely that has been more fortunately charged with an expedition and even the King's Ministers tbemselues, exexecuted than those aho proposed it, pedled-Thatis what I shall prove hereafter. tbe instrudions cwith wohich he was entrusted, sent Mr. Charmilly baving thus delivered and tun in tbe distriaof Grande witbout delay to Jérénie, a small por! an agent 141. Anse, to chicb hie lelonged.-Page out to the sentences, you accuse those who have pointed been As, in the following respecting St. Domingo, seitb baving Ministers the advantages of an opcration I must here particularly set forth led aray and conduded by tbeir personal interest, in order no doubt to prove your accuthe errorinto which you lead your readers, first to Jérémie, to cebicb place be besation ; which is, that M. de Charmilly sent longed. 141. Anse, to chicb hie lelonged.-Page out to the sentences, you accuse those who have pointed been As, in the following respecting St. Domingo, seitb baving Ministers the advantages of an opcration I must here particularly set forth led aray and conduded by tbeir personal interest, in order no doubt to prove your accuthe errorinto which you lead your readers, first to Jérémie, to cebicb place be besation ; which is, that M. de Charmilly sent longed. --- Page 79 --- 69 ) readers, that I conduétedthe English to la Grandelonged. This phrase tells your that I thought of my Anse, in order to prove( (what you afereandahscdubumiye and that part of the colony in endeavouring tosave the dependency, I own interest, first. I must inform both you and our readers, that where my own propertylay, in this dependency; that Cavaillon, a parish on neyer possessed any plantation plantation. lies, is upwards of 50 miles from it the Southern coast, where my sugar. where there are only horsc roads; and by sea by land, over the double mountains, This insidious error is thc more notorious, as, it is upwards of 100 leagues fromit. the numerous planters of St., Dohad you wished to have informed yourself but among would have informed you that, with mingo in London, there is not one I was astranger at Jérémie. respeét to my property, the dificulties which doubt be expeled that some account sbould be given of It will n0 that was to be encountered, in this attempt to annex so were to arise, and the force 141. and valuable acolony to the British dominion.-Page great and have not been able to discover I have read you work over and over again, difficultics that presented themselves in the particulars you promise concerning the taken British Minister. The opposition to the execution ofthe determination in bythe imagination, and I shall which you give of the forces has only existed your the state but the event has proved it still better, for hereafter prove it by my answers ; without having been obliged to fire English troops were received in the colony either a cannon or a musket shot. on tender ground ; butif it shall appear, Lamsiell apprized that I am here treading wbose instance andentreaty the projea was it will, that the persons at in as unhappily or were themselves grossly deceived tbe adopied, EITHER MEANT TO DECEIVE, on this accasionwbich tbey made to the English govermmuent vepresentations Page 141. to act with precaution in this part of You felt,. Sir,e how much you were continued obliged to write at hazard. How can it be your work; ; but you have not the less thélhonour to sit in tbe first Senate in conceived that a colonist, that a man whe has who, by their attachthe unirverse, can be capable of.accusing people without proof, Yes, Sir, if you prove, have rendered the greatest services to his country? their ment, that those who solicited the Ministers to accept proas youassert you will, decivedathemaclves I readily jeôt, intended to deceive tbent, or have been grossly more than any person whatconsent to incur tbe punishment efe traitor ; for I.Sir, furnished the plans. to since the, year 1791, solicited, represented, and soever, T - , by their attachthe unirverse, can be capable of.accusing people without proof, Yes, Sir, if you prove, have rendered the greatest services to his country? their ment, that those who solicited the Ministers to accept proas youassert you will, decivedathemaclves I readily jeôt, intended to deceive tbent, or have been grossly more than any person whatconsent to incur tbe punishment efe traitor ; for I.Sir, furnished the plans. to since the, year 1791, solicited, represented, and soever, T - --- Page 80 --- the Ministers, in order to commence this which I undertook myself, I here declare great operation, the management of not bave been deceived, for I too well knew to you, and to all England, that I could if any person is guilty, it can only be the colony and its inhabitants; SO that, vered upto the indignation and me ; and if I am guilty, I ought to. be delitothe hatred of civilized public; I have a right to Europe. Produce just proofs not prove what expeét them, and I ask for them. But, if you advance ; if, on the contrary, the you do confirm how frank, loyal, and faithful, I have been continuation of my answers surpassed the hopes I had given-deem it ; if I prove that the success judge you, and if I not amiss if Iappcal to Great-Britain to guilty. I havestill give you up to those sensations I invoke upon if more reason to complain of you, as you myself Iam the Ministers, by your new situation, the means which might have known of as serving asa basis to the succcss oft the ought to haveb been furnished proposed projeéts. It is my province and my duty to place the failure tubich count. The bistorian wubo, in such has ensued 1o its proper accomunizationeffadh, is bardly less cases,from fear, favor, or afection, suppresses tbe sacrifices the interests of truth and culpable than tbe factious or wenal suriter, wbo the dignity of to Page 142. history the prejudices partyYou have here condemned yourself, Sir; that were proposed, and I am guilty: prove the want of success of the plans men entertain of your work, after but, if you do not, what opinion will just I know not, nor will I enquire, whatyou require of an historian ? rhe unfortunate planters of St. whether you have been induced to write against caused you to say, that tbe inferior Domingo, order through that spirit of party which has as they bad less claim to real merit; but of nobility exadted the more in proportion your work, that your personal I must think and believe, according. to much towards making interest, as a planter of Jamaica, has contributed nists and the colony. you express yourself as you have done respeéting the coloThe republican commissioners, as tbe reader has been from France 6,000 chosen troops, wubich informed, bad tronght with tber the colory, and tbe militia of the added to tbe national foree already intive Whites. All these country constituted a body of 14.or 15,000 amonniting in tbe wbole to efeca brought intosome degree of order and alout.23,000 efelices, were Before H begin to answer discipline, wverenvell arned-Page 142.. readers' ideas. In every thing you advance, it is veryi important to fixthe France- in page 109, you say that the civil commissioners sailed Joly 1792: : here you say, they were accompanied from troops, which, added to the force already in the by 6,000 choice colony and the militia of wbole to efeca brought intosome degree of order and alout.23,000 efelices, were Before H begin to answer discipline, wverenvell arned-Page 142.. readers' ideas. In every thing you advance, it is veryi important to fixthe France- in page 109, you say that the civil commissioners sailed Joly 1792: : here you say, they were accompanied from troops, which, added to the force already in the by 6,000 choice colony and the militia of --- Page 81 --- ( 71 Whites; you then add to these, the the country formed an army of 15,000 in page 20 of your work, amounted ef the Mulattoes, aubichyou say, men capable of bearing greatest part of the troubles, to only 4,700 which never existed : and in all, at the beginning add certain corps of Negro troops arms. You likewise well armed and disciplined: (although thus establish an army of 25,000 men, civil commissioners had proclaimed you of Negros till after the there were no corps of their liberty). assertion would make your readers ask for proofs them But sccing clearly that your men were assembled, you disperse advance, and where these 25,000 were divided throughout what you without informing us in what proportion they in order to establish the in all parts, ofthe colony ; which was very essential, Ministers had been SOthe three provinces which the English difficulties and dangers of the projeét to your own account, page and which was confined, according be Making licited to adopt, all sucb places tbat might surrendered. 141, to the taking possession of the difficulties you create at pleaof. your own words, in order to destroy forth that many of the planuse observe, that in page 140, you sct after the revolt of surc, I shall from the colony, with all their families, islands; that ters had emigrated part; that they were in the neighbouring had the Negros in the Northern that it was supposed that 10,000 planters retired to Jamaica; and of of Ainerica. some times, in various parts thelcontinent to taken refuge, at different of the Whites amount only 30,800. You forget that you made the population how could it furnish the numerous miAfter the emigration which you admit of, forces which you have thought and the powerful litia you give to. the colony, to establish an essential point; ; whichis, to create ? You moreover forget men exist. We will fix it at the proper when you make this army of 25,000 13th of September 1792, the time the period at the Cape, the arrival of the commissioners most favorable to your assertion. France and England, it did not take But the war did not then exist between it was not till the June followbetween the two nations till February 1793 ; that had been proposed to place the Ministers sent me to execute the projeéts execution being akways ing, that had adopted; the possibility of tbeir could them, and the plans they of-Jamaica : who, being upon the spot, sulje to tbe opinion of the governor and tbe complete success of auhich depended judge of the facility of their exccution, which, might arrive from Europc. what those difficulupon thesuccours in order to judge We must then fix ourselves at this period, Now I observe, in page 114 of your work, ties werc that were found in the colony. Port-au-Prinee and Jacmel (you are not: that the commissioners having subjeéted a very considerable emigration)" that this operation had likewise produced ignorant 3. the spot, sulje to tbe opinion of the governor and tbe complete success of auhich depended judge of the facility of their exccution, which, might arrive from Europc. what those difficulupon thesuccours in order to judge We must then fix ourselves at this period, Now I observe, in page 114 of your work, ties werc that were found in the colony. Port-au-Prinee and Jacmel (you are not: that the commissioners having subjeéted a very considerable emigration)" that this operation had likewise produced ignorant 3. --- Page 82 --- 72 ) on the 10th ofJune 1793. In page 115, you say, that ten days arrived at the Cape, and his brother in negociations and hostile preparations ; the governor passed the 20th of Junc, with a corps of 1,200 sailors ; that, assisted by the'mililanded on themselves in order to attack the civil commissioners, tia, &c. &c. they presented where they were defended by thc Men of who had taken refuge in the government, Colour, and a body of regular troops with one piece of camnon. the Sir ; have scen the court yard, or garden You have been at the Cape, you small number of troops belonging to the government, and you must know what a to soldiers would be too much embarrassed to be.able it can contain ; 1,500 cannon. If put toexercise : the forces shut up there, had only one piece of for you him, and that Galbaud brought, those that declared gether the troops will yourself see how inconsiderable those that the civil commissioners had, you and that after the battle which, at that time was the numbcr of all these troops, remain Ifto this according to you, was, ferce and bloody, there could not many. from the relate in page 116, as having taken place you add the massacre you thereto the 12 or 1,500 men which you say 21st to the 23d at night, adding the ships with General Galbaud, you (in thc note to page 121) retired on board which created, was very far will agree, Sir, that the army of 25,000 men you that, accordingto from being in existence. In short, recolleét, and you will perceive, of Whites, the whole or nearly the whole of the population your own confession, of the 23d of June, 1793 ; and in the Northern part was destroyed at the period which had really been formed, that no part of that army created by you, or ofthat the 24th of July, 1 delivered existed, when on my arrival at Jamaica on in order that he General Williamson, the packetswith which I was entrusted, to of the and plans accepted by the Ministers might judge of the utility projeéts in England. calculations, you should really have informed yourWithout making imaginary when, towards the'end of August, Geself ofthe quantiry of troops in St. Domingo, for the to take posWilliamson ordered preparations to bc made expedition neral would have lcarned that there were not 2,000 Eurosession of the colony. You that there was no militia of Whites pean troops in the wiole of the French part: that the small nunber of those who of Negros or Men of Colour ; nor any corps attached to the party of the civil commissiobore arms aéted as national guards formed and still less disciplined. You might ners ; but there was. no corps regularly were dispersed in the different have known that the two thousand regular troops of the colony in very small and incomplete bodies. You parts have lcarned that there were not 2,000 Eurosession of the colony. You that there was no militia of Whites pean troops in the wiole of the French part: that the small nunber of those who of Negros or Men of Colour ; nor any corps attached to the party of the civil commissiobore arms aéted as national guards formed and still less disciplined. You might ners ; but there was. no corps regularly were dispersed in the different have known that the two thousand regular troops of the colony in very small and incomplete bodies. You parts --- Page 83 --- 73 ) You ought, moreover, to Junc, which will ever be cclebrated have'mentioned in the the famous affair of the 1gth of rage, and patience, displayed by the inhabitants annals. of the colony, for the bravery, couthe whole colony. This event will ofla Grande-Anse, and which saved what few difficulties there prove, more than any thing I have plans'; it will likewise were to surmount, in order to execute the hitherto said, Men of Colour, the prove how much you have exaggerated the force proposed of diminution population ofwhich, on the of the as they have never since been 19th June, experienced such a was to be expeéted from able to recover, and what jeéts relative them, at the of little danger to the colony. commencement the execution of the proOur readers and you, Sir, should know, that the of Colour, accompanied 1gth of. June, by somie Negros, attacked 1793, 1,200 Men Rivaux, situated upon the coffee the post called the des ing from plantation of that name, in the Camp Port-au-Prince, to the town of. Jérémie. mountains leadby 3 or 400 ofthe brave White It was at that time only defended few of their slaves. The inhabitants ofl la Grande-Anse, hill, great house belonging to accompanied by a served as a guard house : thrice did the the planter, built upon the topofa this house, defended by a two-pounder, and Mulattoes come within pistol shot of At length, the commander of the Whites, thrice were they shamefully repulsed. of thc attack, having ordered a who had been wounded from the they were shut up, the Mulattoes general sally to be made from the houses beginning in which 500 dead upon the spot, and having were completely routed, leaving upwards of flight, without reckoning a considerable upwards of 200 wounded, who died in their with difficulty. After this number of others who saved lesson was severe, victory the Men of Colour never assembled themselves Anse saved andthey never will forgeti it. The alone ; the the colony by this battle ; and I can generous defenders ofla GrandeJamaica and all the colonies of the Antilles. venture to say, they that day saved These were the first inhabitants of the them in particular who have incessantly colony who received the English ; it is month after this honorable event, when I fought for them. It was more than a trembled at such great arrived at Jamaica. The defensive, having success, and they continually kept themselves commissioners Add to this likewisc, every thing to fear from the small number of upon the that there was only one of their partisans. colony, viz. PInconstante frigate, whlch ship war of any consequerice in the English at Jérémie, You was taken a short time after the arrival of much you have been deceived see, Sir, and the reader will observe as well as how the relative to the state of the you, colony, at the time GeneU defensive, having success, and they continually kept themselves commissioners Add to this likewisc, every thing to fear from the small number of upon the that there was only one of their partisans. colony, viz. PInconstante frigate, whlch ship war of any consequerice in the English at Jérémie, You was taken a short time after the arrival of much you have been deceived see, Sir, and the reader will observe as well as how the relative to the state of the you, colony, at the time GeneU --- Page 84 --- 74 ) it useful to his country, to execute the plans ofthe Minisral Williamson thought blessed by the planters, is here, as well as ters concerning it. This worthy general, them be consulted-they English officers who first went to the colony-Let many which us it is tbat deceives his readers. can tell of 240, you say, that it is only in the In the additional notes to your work, page liberty to the slaves) was Southern part of the colony that the decree (which gave work in 1797, you in execution. It is very amazing that, publishing your Northern part, in put that this law had been put in execution in the French should be ignorant St. Lucia, and in of the Western distridt, and in fine at Guadaloupe, its placed part readers must be the more surprised at this error, by being Guyana. Your of the work : it must prove to them how misinformed in a note written at the end which you write. you arc, concerning the subject upon probably tbat this offer ofliYet vast mumbers of all parts of the colony (apprehensise availed themselves ofit to secure a berty was too great a favor to be permanen) themselves of tbe natural fastnesses, whicb the retreat to the mountdins, and possess interior country afords-Page 143. retired into the mounWhere did you discover that great quantities of fortified Negros in the interior of the tains, and established themselves in places naturally does not contain any such place ; every country? The French part ofSt. Domingo contains no place of dificult access, part of the colony is perfedtly known : it establish tbemselves: ; the mountains not sobere a population of 100 Negros could of the island, which form the greatest being large enough in the two narrow points towards the Cul-de-Sac, is the renowned part of the French colony. In the centre, interseéted by many roads. Bring forward plain, perfeétly well known, beaten and did you not consult those who have the persons who have SO misinformed you : why ? General Williamson, or many inhabited the colony since the arrival ofthe English others, could have easily undeceived you. tbem, and it is believed that upoards ef Successirve bodies bave since joined in those recesses, into a sort of savage re100,000 have established themselves public-Page 143. of 100,000 indiviWho could have told you the absurd tale, that a population of the colony, and had: duals had assembled in the savage and inaccessible parts there formed a species of republic still more savage: P have scen and might bave You are a colonist, a proprictor of plantations, you and you can speak. You apebserved the Negros and the climate of the colonies, upoards ef Successirve bodies bave since joined in those recesses, into a sort of savage re100,000 have established themselves public-Page 143. of 100,000 indiviWho could have told you the absurd tale, that a population of the colony, and had: duals had assembled in the savage and inaccessible parts there formed a species of republic still more savage: P have scen and might bave You are a colonist, a proprictor of plantations, you and you can speak. You apebserved the Negros and the climate of the colonies, --- Page 85 --- 75 ) Negros ! No, you do not believe to believe in the assembling of 100,000 werite tbis sentence ; for, where pear from interest made you : it; ; some motive arising personal that could contain such a population could you first fix upon an inaccessible part land necessary for nourishing sO many peoHave you calculated the great extent of at a distance from all succour fornished plè in the retired parts of the mountains, in the Antilles, you must know how much by sea and commerce ? Being a planter number of Negros who could no longer get vegetable food is required to support a How could you admit of a and salt fish by commerce to add to their support. without mameat Negros under the. same government, sudden assemblage of 100,000 studied the light and fickle characland, you who ought to have of Negazines or cleared such enemies to labour ? A republic ter of this species of men who are colonies but what must laugh at the idea. ! there is no man who has been in the sincethe beginning of the misgros What, Sir, have you not examined what has colonies passed where the Negros revolted ? fortunes of St. Domingo and in the other faithful to the charachave not observed that the Negros, How happens itthat you with only one kind of government, Nature has given them, are acquainted ? What, Sir, are even ter which which is fourded npon implicit submission immense list namely, that lost upon you P Observe, read the the present facts and calamities of their most absolute Sovereigns ; they of their chiefs, or we should rather say, speak of a Republic for the Blacks ! be counted by dozens, and yet you may follows will perhaps discover to us your reasons. What wbere they subsist 01 the spontaLike that of the black Charaibes of St. Vincent caitle wbicb they procure by bunting.- of the eartb, and tbe wwild neous fruits Page 143. it is no longer the persons who the inhabitants of the colonies, error preIt is no longer whom I call on to judge of the you have travelled through the Antilles, who has refleéted upon human readers. The inhabitant of Europe, its resources, and sent to your considered the interests of his country, society; ; the man who! has unfortunate beings (unremittingly employed the wretchedness attached to SO nany will judge full as well as themselves and their families) here adin labour to support falshood and impossibility of what you the planter in the colonies of the of 100,000 men to the What ! can you venture to compare a population not by the spontaneons vance. families that live at St. Vincent's, fa small number of Caribbee which would not suffice to support a single produétions of the fruits of the earth, but who with much difasis proved by the Maroon Negros in our Colonies, and the roots andi mily, those they cultivate with corn and vegetables, ficulty live upon labour to support falshood and impossibility of what you the planter in the colonies of the of 100,000 men to the What ! can you venture to compare a population not by the spontaneons vance. families that live at St. Vincent's, fa small number of Caribbee which would not suffice to support a single produétions of the fruits of the earth, but who with much difasis proved by the Maroon Negros in our Colonies, and the roots andi mily, those they cultivate with corn and vegetables, ficulty live upon --- Page 86 --- 76 ) the spontancous fruits that can feed plantains which they plant : State to us, Sir, cattle please, and you will per100,000 individuals; add to them all the wild you and Jamaiofthe whole of St. Domingo ceive that the recesses and maturalfustnesses Consider a little what an extent of land is ca cannot support six thousand men. what havock a population, cqual to necessary to feed numerous flocks, and speedy fruits cf the earth, must occawhat you make SO easily live upon the spontaneous wild cattle in any part of the French COsion ; and likewise, that there are no more where all thc numerous herds lony of St. Domingo, nor indeed in the Spanish part, colleéted when necessary, have their masters ; and, although wandering, are easily These herds are much indeed is dene twice or three times a year. of which generally formerly were, and could not long suffice for a.population diminished to what they them, as they would be obliged 100,000 men, who must subsist principally upon fruits ofthe earth. to do if reduced to live upon the spontaneous reader would ask you how this You ought to have expeéted that the European with the sea ports, could extend their without communication remote population, means for bartering for arms, lead, powder, &c., hunting, and furnish the necessary articles for closthing their wives and which they would want, and the necessary will: ask whether at the approach of such a children ? The informed cultivator you of its establishment, and parrepublic the Spaniards would remain quiet spectators ticularlyi if they had given up their cattle to them ? with respect to themselves, The Negros, Sir, were SO far from acting SO foolishly inhabited, and they never quitted those parts that were most that I musti inform you (and had much trouble to do it) in that their despotic chiefs were solely occupied of ground in order to raise provimaking their new subjedts cultivate a few pieces children and women could be comsion, and that even none but the old Negros, in of the great number of planpelled to this work. I must inform you that spite walks they found there, the tations abandoned to them, and the numerous plantain misery from scarcity, do daily experience, the greatest Negros have experienced,and furnished them byt the Americans although they have been assisted with provisions little with the Negros, to the United States. You are but acquainted the rich belonging for it that it will never be those who have inhabited Sir : I will answer island in order to lead a plantations that will retire into the inaccessible parts chastisement, ofthe found much diffilife. The guilty Negro fearing a severe solicit his a savage into the woods : he never ceased to pardon, cultyin determiring to fiy hate solitude. when he had hopes of obtaining it ; for Negros Pru- with the Negros, to the United States. You are but acquainted the rich belonging for it that it will never be those who have inhabited Sir : I will answer island in order to lead a plantations that will retire into the inaccessible parts chastisement, ofthe found much diffilife. The guilty Negro fearing a severe solicit his a savage into the woods : he never ceased to pardon, cultyin determiring to fiy hate solitude. when he had hopes of obtaining it ; for Negros Pru- --- Page 87 --- 77 ) Prudenily declining ofensive wvar, and! trusting their safety to tbe rocky fortresses rehich nature bas raised around them, and from wbich, in mEy opinion, it will be 10 widertaking to dislodge themn-Page 143. easy A society of 100,000 Negros would be too well known, and the placc allow them for a retreat would be too considerable, not to contain a whole you In what part of St. Domingo then do you place the rocks and fortresses province. which nature has raised for them ? They exist only in your imagination and in history : for the very position in which you place them, carries with it the your sibility of raising provisions in the country sufficient for a population of imposmen, since the very elevated mountains beyond a certain height 100,000 provisions natural to the Antilles. produce very few Ofibe revoliedNegros on theNorthern province many but a desperate band, hudperishelefdueae and famine; amounting, as it was supposed, to upards to war, and pradised in devastation and of 40,000, inured murder, still continued in arms. These were ready to pour down, as occasion might offer, on all nations alike.-Page 143. I observe here, Sir, the same error that guided you in the enumeration of forccs of the colony. You veryjustly the the Northern observe, at first, that many Negros died in part among the rebels. Nevertheless, with a dash of the create an army of 40,000 Blacks, inured to war, and pen, you that might wish to settle in the island. ready to fall upon any nation How ! Sir, after having stated a circumstance sO strictly Negros died of sickness, true, that'many of the hunger, and in war, and by the cruelty of their chiefs, you add to the 100,000 Negros formed into a republican riors ! and, in admitting that hunger destroyed sociely, 40,000 wartô say, that 100,000 many Negros, you are not afraid individuals can live and exist upon the spontancous fruits of the eàrth-and all this, in order to make them fall upon those who mighit seize the island ! The best proof I Can give of your ill-grounded fcars is, that the upon no where attacked the English alone, that they attacked Negros. only them when led on the Whites, and accompanied by white soldiers and Mulattoes. The by ful chiefs among the Negros, never had 100,000 men under their orders. most power- Jean François is the one that assembled the greatest number. Biassou, Toussaint, Macaya, Maréchal, and a hundred others, never commanded 3,000 at once 3 and all these chiefs and their subjedts were always very jealous and of each other. I refer you again to consult those who have resided independent Domingo since the arrival of the English there. some time at St, X accompanied by white soldiers and Mulattoes. The by ful chiefs among the Negros, never had 100,000 men under their orders. most power- Jean François is the one that assembled the greatest number. Biassou, Toussaint, Macaya, Maréchal, and a hundred others, never commanded 3,000 at once 3 and all these chiefs and their subjedts were always very jealous and of each other. I refer you again to consult those who have resided independent Domingo since the arrival of the English there. some time at St, X --- Page 88 --- 78 ) suhon alone Gur dependence was placed, a large Coneerning tbe IVhite proprietors, on tban one balf of tbe schole, had qsisted proportion as we hareseen, perhaps more tbe cswméry.-Page 144. make the Whites in arms with yourself: two pages from this, you had the Pray agree declare, that half the population quitted amount to 15,000; here you and said, that seven-eights had quittedit; country. You ought to have known, for it is a positive fact. isbedfor tbe some there cvere, andoubtedly, auho sincerely Of those that remained, regular goverunent ; bret the greatest part restoration of order, and tbe blessing of swbo had notbing to lose, and charaler: they were men were persons of a different 144. shing 10 gain by confusion and anareby.-Page every in the wished for the re-cstablishment Certainly all the planters who were have colony, been in their name that the treaty of order and tranquillity, and it can only inhabitants of the colony; they wereits was madc. The others were not proprietary but I can affirm, that allthe White enemies : they kept to the commissioners' party; wished to belong to England. The fact colonists, whatever might be their opinion, of my answers will demonfurnished the best proof, and the sequel itself has strate it. of the effeés and estates of absent Not a fes of them had obtained possession 144. gropristors.-Page should be adduced. The Mulattoes and the When one advances a fact, the proof of the Whites. The plan commissioners had alone taken possession of the property but I here declare, that no which) Ishall soon discover to my readers will prove with it; the English) had been put in White (previous to my arrival at St. Domingo habitations of the absent or massacred planters. possession of the to be extbe most determined opposition z0as necessarily From people of this stanp, those of better principle, I am afraid but a very pesed, and urfortunately among The majority seem to bave cordially altached to the Englisb. small nomber were means the restoration oftheir estates and kad nothing in riete, but 1o obtain by any pessesions.-Page 144. those who ought to have and their partisans were not Certainly, the commissioners and it might be expeéted they would opdclivered up the colony to the English, extbe most determined opposition z0as necessarily From people of this stanp, those of better principle, I am afraid but a very pesed, and urfortunately among The majority seem to bave cordially altached to the Englisb. small nomber were means the restoration oftheir estates and kad nothing in riete, but 1o obtain by any pessesions.-Page 144. those who ought to have and their partisans were not Certainly, the commissioners and it might be expeéted they would opdclivered up the colony to the English, --- Page 89 --- 79 ) pose it; as to the others, they have proved by their expedted from them, conduét what might have becn . If after what we have hitherto read, we can be positions, we must be particularly SO at surprised at some of your proinformed you that the proprietary your ignorance oft the human heart. Who Englisb before tbey knew them? inhabitants of St. Domingo were atlached to the done for then P In what Why sboeld they be so P Wbat bad ceded men, in what socicty have Great-Britain kindness ? What other claim, than that of you found that gratitude preto the attachment of the colonists of St. personal interest, had England tion, SO strongly imprinted Domingo P Certainly, Sir, colonists by nature upon the seif-preservato solicit the British human heart, first engaged the to receive them among the number government to take them under its and made her accept this offer. The of its subjeéts. The interest of proteétion, Great-Britain French to a mother country that had planters were desirous of had in colonies; , and, consequently, the same having recourse preserving ther, in putting themselves under interest as they powerful one, in submitting themselves to the the protedtion of the most its government. most positive and prohibitory laws of England saw her interest in the acceptation of her right in making the necessary efforts in order prohibitory laws, and she was vantages offered to her. Read the to secure herself the immense adagain; : it is che basis of the contract capitulation I signed with General Williamson ditions with which was then made under Great-Britain ; if they have been reciprocal conThe sequel will shew if either executed, the contraét is fulfilled. the direct and personal interest hasfailed, of and wbo has failed ; but it was made for acknowledge it. each contraéting party, and I am not afraid to Ought you to be surprised, Sir, that few of the colonists English government, before they knew the were attached lo the what degree it would advantages of this government, and to Can we love that which contribute to the happiness of those who submitted to the we are unacquainted with. ? What it? power of Great-Britain, was sufficient was known of ing proteéted by it; attachment to make them desirous of bcthe should follow the first paternal care of governments, that attradets service ; and it is the governed. Who has felt this sentiment the fidelity and gratitude of hearts of the colonists of St. more than the sensible and grateful to Britain proveit. I have Domingo : The whole of their conduét and devotion observed in make the contrary be believed ; Ihave reading in over your book, that you endeavour to wish to be drawn, The shame oft vain sought for a proof ofthe inference you the failure in the attempt does not render you less - should follow the first paternal care of governments, that attradets service ; and it is the governed. Who has felt this sentiment the fidelity and gratitude of hearts of the colonists of St. more than the sensible and grateful to Britain proveit. I have Domingo : The whole of their conduét and devotion observed in make the contrary be believed ; Ihave reading in over your book, that you endeavour to wish to be drawn, The shame oft vain sought for a proof ofthe inference you the failure in the attempt does not render you less - --- Page 90 --- 80 ) guilty of it towards my generous countrymen, and the continuation of my answer will make it better known. In vain would you wish to throw some suspicion their integrity ; it is by facts, it is by their aétions they will support the upon tation which has long since distinguished them ; their frankness, their reputheir bravery, will always be the same. I am warranted in what I gencrosity, thing that has happened in the colony ; and I defy you, Sir, as well as say, all those by every who, like you, may be their cnemies, to produce a people who, not having been conquered, but who of their own accord, have submitted themselves to a foreign power, can have merited its proteétion more! Asa colonist ofSt. Domingo, and in the name of all, I call upon you to answer this challenge. But in the mean time, I appeal to the heart of the good, the generous General Williamson who governed, after having saved them, to saywhether he doubts their attachment and adherence ! Yes, the colonists of St. Domingo, will, for ages, pronounce the name of General Williamson with benediétion. He, Sir, has experienced whether they are susceptible of gratitude and fidelity. And why ? Because after having, in the name of England, fulfilled the political part of the contrac, agreed zupon with he merited tbis attachnent by his kindness, by his paternal care for them, and by bimt, the consolations be poured into their hearts; in short, it was by his universal benevolence. His name will never perish but with the colony, it is indelibly engraved in the minds of all the families of the planters of the French of the island. part Many oftbem under their ancient government, bad belonged to the lower order bles, and being tenacious o titles and bonours, i proportion as their ofnoreal distinélion were disputable, they dreaded the introduélion pretensions to laws and gozernment, sohicb would reduce them to the of a system of general level of the coilmunily.-Page 144. Had you written your book in another hemisphere, one might pardon the error you here commit, for one may be ignorant of that sehich has 10 relation to one's self; but, being SO near France, in the midst of your countrymen, informed of what existed there, and being surrounded by thousands of Frenchmen of the order of nobility, that you should write an error SO easily to be reétified; that you should say, that many of the planters of St. thel lover order of the nobles, is truly astonishing. There is Domingo belonged to could have informed no person but what you, that there was no inferior order of in France : that there were poor and rich, ancient and modern, but that their nobility were equal. You should also have learnt, that many of the proprictary inhabitants rights of what existed there, and being surrounded by thousands of Frenchmen of the order of nobility, that you should write an error SO easily to be reétified; that you should say, that many of the planters of St. thel lover order of the nobles, is truly astonishing. There is Domingo belonged to could have informed no person but what you, that there was no inferior order of in France : that there were poor and rich, ancient and modern, but that their nobility were equal. You should also have learnt, that many of the proprictary inhabitants rights of --- Page 91 --- 81 ) of St. Domingo, had the honour of belonging to the order of nobility; that many of the branches of families werc managers of the cffects, either of their younger their with greater pleasure to the parents or other planters ; entrusting property which management of men, who, to their talents, joined those principles of honour, have cver distinguished the French nobility. their motives were selfish, and their atlachment feeble, their exertions Tlis, as in the comoTL cause were not likely 10 be very strenzous or effracious.-Page 145. I have alrcady agreed with you, Sir, tbat the contrac agreed upon between the French planters and the Ministers of Great-Britain, was respeétively made through personal views; ; and I ain not afraid to repeat it here. But it is in my own name, and in the name of all the planters of St. Domingo, that I shall cali upon you to prove that their efforts were not vigorous and efficacious. Have Sir, consulted the Ministers, in order to know what were the conditions with you, which I set off, as you say, in the summer of 1793, charged with the neorders and instructions for delivering 7p St. Domingo to Great-Britain ? cessary Have bcen informed of the means which I found at Jamaica for fulfilling my instructions you ? Have you well considered whether some irresistible events have, or the to the Ministers? In short, do you conhave not, counteraéted plans proposed fine yourself to what you have written, in order to state what must have happened If I have hitherto proved that no one was SO ill-informed as at St. Domingo. written this I will answer for it that yourself, in cvery thing you have upon subjedt, SO what has there : as I shall prove by you are still less concerning realiy happened what is hereafter related. I first state, Sir, that the proprietary inhabitants of the colony have entirely, and more than fulfilled every thing they promised. A. coast of 50 leagucs in extent has been delivered up to 560 English troops; with the Molc town, the Gibraltarf the colonies, and not a single gun was fired. The troops, both officers and soldiers were quartered by the inhabitants of Jérémie at their own expence : at the Mole, they were lodged in the forts and barracks. Not a single English soldier was sent out of the town of Jérémie to guard la Grande-Anse ; the inhabitants continued (as they did befure tbey freely gave tbenselves up to Great-Britain) to defend their frontiers at all the posts, at the Camp-desRivaux, at the central camp, and at the Camp-des-Irois. What could they do more ? Y D troops, both officers and soldiers were quartered by the inhabitants of Jérémie at their own expence : at the Mole, they were lodged in the forts and barracks. Not a single English soldier was sent out of the town of Jérémie to guard la Grande-Anse ; the inhabitants continued (as they did befure tbey freely gave tbenselves up to Great-Britain) to defend their frontiers at all the posts, at the Camp-desRivaux, at the central camp, and at the Camp-des-Irois. What could they do more ? Y D --- Page 92 --- 82 ) No attack took place in any part, but wbat there tvere more French than they always set the example. Envya and jealousy will never succeed, in endeavour- English; 3 ing to make their courage and loyalty suspeéted, They furnished every thing for the service of government, that was of them. If their motives were selfish, what matters it? What could required do more ? they I now call upon you, Sir, in my own and their name, to say, wbat more tbe English have done. They did not go out of the town of Jérémie and the Mole. The war was continued and supported by the planters alone; : and it was at the expence of their blood, that they daily protected the tranquillity the English enjoyed in their garrisons. I speak as a witness. Produce others who can contradiét troops this truth, known to all the English and the whole colony. The commerce between Jamaica and la Grande-Anse, was soon established, and the commoditics of this dependency have since found their way to England. In the mean time, the colony was still supported by terror, and the astonishment occasioned by the arrival of 560 English troops, which had been multiplied to as many thousands, and by the stores and provisions furnished to the who themselves defended their property. I ask you again what could inhabitants, they do more : I add, Sir, that they incessantly did what was required of them, and I am the more certain of it, as I was the organ of every reguest ; for the two officers who commanded the St. Domingo expedition, could not speak French. Besides, I never quitted Colonel Whitelock ; and, as being member of the privy council at la Grande-Anse, I was the point of communication, through which passed. It is then, with truth I assert, that notling teas doue at which I every did not thing assist, nor no attack took place at which I was not present. I do notfnd that the number ef Frencb in armis, subo joined ZLS at any one period (1 mean of IFhite inhabitants) ever exceeded 2,000.-Page 145. When the English were put in possession of St. Domingo, on the 1gth of tember, 1793, there were not 2,000 Whites capable of carrying arms in the whole Sepof the French colony; and they only took possession of a small part where there were not 700 Whites fit to serve in a military capacity. But this number very quickly encreased, and I can demonstrate, that at the taking ofl'ert-su-Prince, there were upwards of 5,000 French colonists, bearing arms at the service of Great Britain, in the part then possessed by the I ready to enumeratc them, if necessary. English, am gth of tember, 1793, there were not 2,000 Whites capable of carrying arms in the whole Sepof the French colony; and they only took possession of a small part where there were not 700 Whites fit to serve in a military capacity. But this number very quickly encreased, and I can demonstrate, that at the taking ofl'ert-su-Prince, there were upwards of 5,000 French colonists, bearing arms at the service of Great Britain, in the part then possessed by the I ready to enumeratc them, if necessary. English, am --- Page 93 --- 83 ) Imust add, Sir, that Colonel Brisbane never had, before the month of August 1794, more than 50 or 60 English to defend St. Marc's: with what troops, then, did he do it for a great length of time ? At Léogane there were only 50 men with Captain Smith ; at l'Arcahaye, at the Vases, at the Boucassin, therc were only troops placed there occasionally for a long time ; wlen there were any they were never numerous, and always remained in their garrisons. Seek, Sir, for proofs to contra-. diet me-As to myself, Iappeal to the English army and to the whole of the colony. It were unjust, howvever, not to observe, that among them were some distingaishelindividuals, wbose fidelity rvas above suspicion, andwhose services wvere ligllyimportant. Sucb were the Baron de Montalembert, the Fiscount de Fontanges, Mr.de Sources, and perhaps a feau others.-Page 145. Sir, that there have been many indiriduals who have shewn the Ican assure you, attachment to the interests of Great-Britain. They are superior to your greatest and they despise your censure : but, if you will praise, you ought at least praises, it with exaétness. The bravery and the honcst charaéter of the Baron de to do but his serviccs are not more considerable than Montalembert are generally known; those of the officers he had the honor to command ; and you must be informed, that M. de Montalembert knew but very little of St. Domingo at the time the Engish took possession of the colony, of which he only became an inhabitant since the Revolution ; by having resided therc a year upon the plantation his uncle purchased at the beginning of thc troubles in France. When the expedition against St. Domingo was planned at Jamaica in favour of the English, he was gone upon an espedition which some ofthe French planters wished in favour the Spaniards. You ought to have known, that it was only to attempt of chance that brought him to Jérémie at the time it was taken possession of. He in the Pénélope which returned from escorting the ship that carried came frigate, tbe inhabitants devoted to tle Spanish party, ofsbich he was one 3 that having met us our to St. the brave and esteemed Captain Rowley was orat sea on way Domingo, with his ltwas this mcans that dered by the commodore to accompany us frigate. by the Baron de Montalembert found himself at Jérémie without having wished it, and the solicitation of his fricnds that he remained there; being a total it was only through with the The fact then is, that he wished to stranger to, and unacquainted place. serve Spain, and that it was ouly by chance that he served England; but he served her as a man of honour. All who had the honour of commanding the French did the same. M. le Comte o M. le Comte de *** the Viscount dc B*s*, the Chev. de Sevré, weho tvas afterseards killedabilst commnanding 3 M. de Boisneuf, wbo total it was only through with the The fact then is, that he wished to stranger to, and unacquainted place. serve Spain, and that it was ouly by chance that he served England; but he served her as a man of honour. All who had the honour of commanding the French did the same. M. le Comte o M. le Comte de *** the Viscount dc B*s*, the Chev. de Sevré, weho tvas afterseards killedabilst commnanding 3 M. de Boisneuf, wbo --- Page 94 --- 84 ) T:.25 likerise killed. Indeed, all the officers who nists of St. Domingo, did honor to the British commanded, and a thousand colotalembert cubo more than them arms, as well as the Baron de Mondence ought to hare shewn himsclf placed in him; a confidence still grateful for the conficolony, its inhabitants, their greater, as he was unacquainted with the The Baron de manners, and their political and commercial interests. Montalembert, however, rendered some rited your applause as did the aficersrnder bis service; and, if he meorders, andall the necessary to say, that thefidelity of the Viscount de colonists, it was unYou have never taken the trouble to inform Fontanges tas above allsopicion. colonist or officer to whom you migh: have yourself concerning him, for the first you, that, before the arrival of the spoken ofhim, would have informed of fidelityto the King of English at St. Domingo, he had taken the oath in Spain; that myself having made a naives, order to see him and press him to use his influence journey to the Goof the English, I found at his house the on his part in favor Spanish officer Fillanoca ; that acknowledged to me, he approved of TY attachment to tbe he frecly as to himself, he had taken the oath of British government ; that fidelity to the keepir, and would King ofSpain, that he should could consequently serve him to the utmost of see no inconvenience that would arise from his power; that he the colonyand the Spaniards the other the English haring one part of ; that he would that could be done that might be useful, and in join with me in every thing oft those we served; but that he should concert, for the respedtive intercst do. keep his oath, as a man of Ishall not enter, Sir, into the details of the honor ought to conversation ; I shail confine myself with operations which followed this has stridtly kept his word; : that he afterwards relating, that the Viscount de Fonranges to England, from whence he went to Jamaica, from thence repaired to Spain; that soon came was made licutenant-general in the service of the after his arrival here, he his son was received among His King of Spain, with appoinments; granted in reversion to his wife and Majesty's his guards; and a part of his son after his appointments I am ignorant cehether it was at the solicitation death, in the form of a pension, he had rendered her; what I can of Great-Britin, and for the services assert is, that, ifhe did not King of Spain, it was not his fault; but he has succeed in sercing Ilre faithfil to the King of England, whom he never been in the situation to be You could not have too much never promised to serve, Creole was not at St. praised the brave des Sources; this valorous taking of Port-au-Prince; Domingo when we arrived there, but came there soon after the fidclity and, since that time, he has not ceased to ge enerally foid among the planters of St. serve with that Domingo, sehose confidence tas merited, ; but he has succeed in sercing Ilre faithfil to the King of England, whom he never been in the situation to be You could not have too much never promised to serve, Creole was not at St. praised the brave des Sources; this valorous taking of Port-au-Prince; Domingo when we arrived there, but came there soon after the fidclity and, since that time, he has not ceased to ge enerally foid among the planters of St. serve with that Domingo, sehose confidence tas merited, --- Page 95 --- 85 ) merited, My countrymen will despise the which you have not named ; for, Irepeat it, perbaps relatcs to all those whoa they are superior to your praises, All tbese men were wwell educated, and nourished planters, on accorint of the indignities whichl the deep reseniment against the French from tben.-Note C. Page 145. class of coloured people bad, received Men sufficiently rich to participate in the were not unhappy, and could not be good education received in France youl have said. To the same more SO than the Negros, who were slaves, as duce facts and the allegations I sball always make tbe same Whites. prove indignities with which the ansavers; adIs shall confine mysclf to Mulattocs could reproach the less kind to the Mulattoes, the repeating to you, that, ifthe Whites had been would have been less colony would have been preserved; because On what follows numerous, less rich, and less informed. they had taken into his this note, concerning the Men of Colour whom Colonel White friendship as much as you, (to the great Brisbane planters), I remark, that he was very soon rewarded mortification of all the lattocs, who was his made for it. One of these Muin order to enter St. aide-de-camp, use of the word of command which Marc's, and make his comrades he had, nel Brisbane, their benefaétor. Hc greatly revolt against this very Coloany confidence in them. repented before his death having placed. A1 Cape Tiberon, 3 Or 400 Blacks were embodied named Jean Kina, wbo had served wvell and very early under a Black general, Herc is a man whom faillfully.-Noxe C. Page 145. Kina. Observe, above all, you that cannot praise too much ; the good, tbe brave Joln self concerning his tbis is a Negro ; that he incessantly master ; that every he interested himtress at Jérémic. He rested not thing gained he sent to his master and the Whitesand hisattachment: a moment without giving proofs of his misand to his masters, the whole of whose fidelity to now employs himself. This Negro is the honour of Negros he has sared, me among the Mulattoes a man that can be the men of his colour. Shew rous, sO honest, so brave; ; and who, above compared with him, and who is sO geneof Colour, whom he all, is SO well acquainted with despises as mucb as tbey hate bim. the Men General Williamson has done much for this worthy ground ; he and his soldiers will be Negro; he has sown in good stantly served in the always faithful to the Whites; ; they have coni, and since Camp-des-Irois, and at Cape Tiburon, before the always. at the advanced posts on the frontiers ofla English lost Grande-Anse. Z --- Page 96 --- 86 ) From tbis recapitulation, it is eviaent that tbe invasion of St. Domingo tuas an enterprise ofgreater magnitude and dificulty tban the Britisb government seem to have imagined.-Page 145. Hitherto, Sir, I see none of the difficulties you speak of, except those that may be created by your own imagination. I find you no better informed of the plans proposed and accepted by the English Ministers, for after having read your work over and over again, I do not perceire upon what authorities your recapitulation is founded. But I perceive, by the facts I have adduced in answering you, that the invasion was performed without trouble, without difticulty, without expence, and without a single gun being fired. the Britisb government seem to have imagined.-Page 145. Hitherto, Sir, I see none of the difficulties you speak of, except those that may be created by your own imagination. I find you no better informed of the plans proposed and accepted by the English Ministers, for after having read your work over and over again, I do not perceire upon what authorities your recapitulation is founded. But I perceive, by the facts I have adduced in answering you, that the invasion was performed without trouble, without difticulty, without expence, and without a single gun being fired. I saw Great-Britain the same week in possession of a track of land on the coast containing 50 leagues; I moreover saw her in possession of Mole St. Nicholas, the most advantageous port of ail the Antilles-and I only see these facts counterbalanced by your allegations, divested of proof. Considering the extent and natural strengtb of tbe country, it may well be doubted wbether all the force which Great-Britain could have spared would bave been sufficient to reduce it to suljedin-Page 146. In what consists the natural strength of a country, full of ports, roads, and and open on all sides ? where the English have been received without battle, bays, but with open hearts; and, above all, where, when they have been obliged to fight, they have not met with an hour's resistance : I shall hereafter answer the latter of the article I have here cited by facls, and in a manner that shall carry conviction part with it. And restore it at tbe same time to sucb a degree of order and subordination as to make it a colony worth holding. -Page 146. You publish your work in 1797; you ought to have known, that, in the wretched state of the colony, the exports, from that part possessed by Great-Britain, amounted last year to 2,000,0001. sterling. The trutb seems to have been, that General Milliamson, tosebom, as bath been obserced, the diredion and distribution of the armament was entrusted, and suhose adtive seal in the service of bis country was eminently conspicuous, was deceived equally with the King's Ministers, by the favorable accounts and representations of sanguine and interested individuals, concerning the exaggerated disposition of their countrymen, the White planters remaining in St. Domingo.- Page 146. --- Page 97 --- ( 87 ) Iam now come to the second personal attack made for myself, and shall leave your readers and the against me, Ishall answer son, you say, < was deceined witli publictojudge. General William- € accounts and exaggerated equally, the King's Ministers, by the favorable &c.-What representations of sanguine and interested you here say concerns me personally. I am the individuals," deceived both the Ministers and General only one who can have scnt by them into the Williamson, being the only person that was the General colony ; and I am almost the only one the utility and advantages which would who represented to possession of St. Domingo. I accrue to England from taking individual. In am, therefore, that sanguine and answering for myself, I shall confirm all interested given of your injustice in the proofs I have agnorant. censuring an operation of which you were totally First, Sir, at a time when governments people, what must your readers have require the entire confidence of the of Great-Britain with thought at your daring to accuse the Ministers Member of the British fickleness, inconsistency, and want of foresight ? a of Parliament to accuse, the Ministers of his Ought folly causing it to be supposed, that they have country, with the ceived by a few forcigners, who consulted suffered themselves to be debeen able to impose them only their own interest ? an operation of which you were totally First, Sir, at a time when governments people, what must your readers have require the entire confidence of the of Great-Britain with thought at your daring to accuse the Ministers Member of the British fickleness, inconsistency, and want of foresight ? a of Parliament to accuse, the Ministers of his Ought folly causing it to be supposed, that they have country, with the ceived by a few forcigners, who consulted suffered themselves to be debeen able to impose them only their own interest ? That they have upon concerning the might be of to England ? and that they have advantages which the colony by on exaggeration which was suffered themselves to be deceived have supposed that always open to deteétion P In short, how could you Ministers, whom all Europe, as well as ledge to have supcrior talents, could at once have Great-Britain, acknowEngland and its SO far forgotten the political interests of a foreign advantages, as to adopt the projects of some colony, without due consideration ?-I inhabitants of of England and to you, that I repeat it, Sir, both to the am one of those, who, with the people verance, since the year 1791, have never ceased to greatest perscsolicit the King's Ministers to fulfil the propose, to remind, and to colony of St. Domingo. If I have been bappy destiny of England, by seizing the these plans, and guilty, I am doubly sO, in charging myself with their proposing 6c is what must be done, and I will execution, For I have said : < This doubly responsible, both for undertake 10 execute it." It is I then that am the project and the want of success.-I upon me the whole indignation of call down fulfilled, and ten times fulfilled, Great-Britain, if I do not prove that I have being influenced by direét my promises to the Ministers, and that without honor has a any view of gain, except the reward right to expedt for an important service which a nian of This, I acknowledge, I have rendered to a powerful nation. This doubly responsible, both for undertake 10 execute it." It is I then that am the project and the want of success.-I upon me the whole indignation of call down fulfilled, and ten times fulfilled, Great-Britain, if I do not prove that I have being influenced by direét my promises to the Ministers, and that without honor has a any view of gain, except the reward right to expedt for an important service which a nian of This, I acknowledge, I have rendered to a powerful nation. expected, and do still expect ; as I shall prove that, A --- Page 98 --- 88 ) Dy devoting myself entirely to the success of my plans, I have succeeded in executing more than I have promised. Ishall enter into the particulars of my conduet in the briefest manner and there will only be left you the shame and regret of possible ; having sought to render a man of honor suspected, who has constantly shewn the grcatest zeal in serving your country. Honest men will judge me. I defy you, Sir, to answer by contrary proofs what I am now going to state. Ihad, as I have already told you, ever since the year 1791, endeavoured to demonstrate to the Ministers, that England, more than any other nation, wasinterestedin saving the colony of St. Domingo, in order to preserve bèr ow72 colonies. In I renewed, with others, my solicitations, with the approbation of a 1792, planters at London. After war was declared against Francc, in great number of previously 1793, what had appeared SO difficult, was then found to have become easy; ; and after much care, pains, and many memorials, terms were prepared here for the and I set off for Jamaica. colony, As I am not writing the history of the colony, but am merely answering what personally concerns mc, I shall only give an account of that which I can relate with honor ; without endangering those secrets which the confidence me requires me to preserve, and without speaking of the reposed in solicited in order to save the colony before I set out positive promises I had without accusing on my royage, and still less any person of the political events which have happened in events which may have prevented the execution of every thing that Europe; been granted to me. I shall speak only of what is known to all the might have of Jamaica ; of the troops which accompanied me to St. Domingo in inhabitants dition, which has proved SO successful ; in fine, I shall speak of the expewas publickly done and known by the whole colony and its every thing that above all, you should have been perfectly acquainted inhabitanis, and which, with, as you intended blisling an account of the colony. puIleft England in a packet boat, accompanied by two proprictors of St. one as my secretary ; the other was my kinsman, with my Negro servant.-I Domingo, not ignorant what would have been my fate had I been taken the was Being arrived at Barbadoes, I learnt that the attack by French, arrived at Jamaica towards the end of upon Martinico had failed. I July; where I heard of the dessruction and burning of Cape Français, and the flight of the White inhabitants. I likewise heard of the departure of General Galbaud, and the wretched there Domingo. state of St. The . one as my secretary ; the other was my kinsman, with my Negro servant.-I Domingo, not ignorant what would have been my fate had I been taken the was Being arrived at Barbadoes, I learnt that the attack by French, arrived at Jamaica towards the end of upon Martinico had failed. I July; where I heard of the dessruction and burning of Cape Français, and the flight of the White inhabitants. I likewise heard of the departure of General Galbaud, and the wretched there Domingo. state of St. The --- Page 99 --- 59 ) Tiepnordavepeling this colony contineedibe same, but the plans became ferent, I was received by General Williamson with that dif-, of heart, and that confidence, which make him beloved kindness, that openness to treat with him upon business, After by all who have occasion of which I was the bearer, and having communicated to him the. orders, my instruétions, of which he had a after having had three hours conversation with him, I perceiv red how duplicate, and stare of affairs bad lately changed, and how much the colony ar that time many new difficulties the state of the presented. Nevertheless the account of the affairat the des-Rivaur once more pointed out to me the means of safety; with CampJution and patience, all might yet be well, General Willinmson courage, resoreflect upon every thing I had just heard, and communicate begged I would sult of my hopes and fears, and to consider also of the best to him speedily the rcwhich would give us a little time, and which for several mcasures to be taken, of. reasons we stood in néed Imust herc stop again, in order to relate a fact which will ever deserve tude of the proprictors of St, Domingo towards the inhabitants of the gratiring five or six months, and particularly after the Jamaica. Duprincipal proprictors of St. fire at the Cape, many of the Northern Domingo took refuge at Jamaica, mostly from the part. They had scarcely arrived there when the Spaniards, who had their views, published, by the president or governor of the Spanish part of the certain proclamations, inviting the French proprietors to repairto him ; with colony, such sdvantageous and exaggerated promises, that they must have evinced of those who published them. In consequence of which the falsity there successively ; and the first news I heard on arrival many at inhabitants repaired an armament was preparing to carry the principal inhabitants my of St. Janaica, was, that were at Jamaica, to the Spanish capital oftheir colony. Domingo, Who Mr. Henry Shirley, member of the House of Assembly, at Jamaica, liberality, that will do eternal honor to his heart, with a had engaged the principal inhabitants, began a subscription, and join in it; in order to proprietors, and merchants of Jamaica, to procure a sufficient sum to equip 3 vessel and furnish it with every thing necessary for the voyage of the French colonists, who, rous of repairing to the capital of the Spanish colony, This might be desi-. the care of Mr, Henry subscription, through Shirley, very soon amounted to several thousand sterling, and when I arrived, every thing was ready for sailing. General pounds BOh, with his wonted humanity, had freighted a ship at the expence of Williamthe commodore appointed a frigate as convoy 3 arms, ammunition, provisions, government; and A 2 sufficient sum to equip 3 vessel and furnish it with every thing necessary for the voyage of the French colonists, who, rous of repairing to the capital of the Spanish colony, This might be desi-. the care of Mr, Henry subscription, through Shirley, very soon amounted to several thousand sterling, and when I arrived, every thing was ready for sailing. General pounds BOh, with his wonted humanity, had freighted a ship at the expence of Williamthe commodore appointed a frigate as convoy 3 arms, ammunition, provisions, government; and A 2 --- Page 100 --- 90 ) money, had been furnished to each every thing was ready for their inhabitant, out of the subscription. In fine, particulars the same departure, I two days after my arrival. Ilearnt all thesc been beforc-hand evening : saw with concern that the had with the English Spaniards long since with zeal, and that they had at last government ; that their agents had laboured thern part, almost in spite ef thenselees, persuaded many of theinhabitants of the Northem. I saw the Spanish by the insidious offers they had made to moment I perceived the agents ; I sawtheir proclamations, and from that some minds snare. I wislied to inform the very so prejudiced, that I was inhabitants, but, I found fer the armament to sail, and that for obliged to request General Williamson to sufand of which I informed the very wise and political reasons given to me, pally decided me was, the General, who approved of them. What princiniards failin their promises, engagement they made to rejoin LIS, should the missieners, andnot furnish the means for Spaaccording to the assurances given them attacking the civil comthey did not furnish the means for by the Spanish agents ; and if the English enterprize, The making an advantageous diversion in favor of could persuade the Barcn expedition sailed and returned to de Montalembert from Port-Royal, Nothing Happily for him, after the entrance of the going to the Spanish governor. board the frigate which served as freighted ship, he was received on bleness which the other convoy, by which means hc escaped the tain inhabitants on board the transport disagreeRowley'sarrival at the port, having landed experienced. On Capof his voyage to the Spanish in order to communicate the object new comers would not be well president, he discovered by his ill humours that the go, and was on his return when received. He continued to cruise about St. Dominof September. Whatever we discovered him near Jamaica, on the 15tht undertaken may have been the success of this solely by the generosity and kindness of expedition, it was colonists of St. Domingo will ever retain the planters of Jamaica. The forit. a perpetual remembrance and gratitude Whilst this was passing, General Gardner at Martinico. As to Williamson was expedting news from Admiral upon the state of the colony of St. mysclf, after having well considered and refleéted ia Grande-Anse, Isaw that Domingo, and thc conduet of the on them alone inhabitants of The two persons that depended the hope of saving St. assembly of the parishes of accompanied la me from England, were gone to Domingo. meet the my friends and the principal Grande-Anse, assembled at Jérémic, with letters for them to persevere, and direéted inhabitants of the dependency; in which I RS soon as possible. them to send me their full powers and instruétions encouraged considered and refleéted ia Grande-Anse, Isaw that Domingo, and thc conduet of the on them alone inhabitants of The two persons that depended the hope of saving St. assembly of the parishes of accompanied la me from England, were gone to Domingo. meet the my friends and the principal Grande-Anse, assembled at Jérémic, with letters for them to persevere, and direéted inhabitants of the dependency; in which I RS soon as possible. them to send me their full powers and instruétions encouraged --- Page 101 --- 91 1 Both before and after the departure of my friends for. Jérémic, I saw almost creinhabitants from St. Domingo, brought in by the Jamaica ry day some fugitive arrived from different privateers ; and, within five and twenty days 480 of them of the French colony, but chiefly from the Northern part. They escaped parts the from one evil to meet a worse; for they were inhumanly pillaged by privateers, who cast them almost paked upon the shores of Jamaica. General Williamson came forth to relieve these unfortunate inhabitants with a kindness worthy of the greatest culogiums, in granting to each thc pay of prisoners of war. The committce entrusted with the subscription money raised by the planters of Jamaica came forward also with a noble gencrosity to the relief of my countrymen. Some being left after the departure of the colonists for the Spanish part of St. money with Domingo, they begged I would undertake, as being personally acquainted the proprietors, to verify the wants and condition of each inhabitant ; and, at my request, they granted to cach a small weekly sum in addition to that allowed bygovernment. It was tbese kindnesses tbat saved the lives of a great nuber of fanilies of St. Domingo. By the arrival of so many prisoners I soon discovered a double plan, separatcly executed by the republican civil commissioncrs and the Spaniards ; namely, that of depopulating the French colony of all the Whites. The Spaniards attached the rich inhabitants by their advantageous proclamations : and those who, being young and vigorous, required nothing more than to fight in order to recover their property, they engaged to repair to the Spanish part; where they found" nothing that had been promised them, nor werc they allowed to return again into the French part. On the other hand the women, children, and old men were compelled by the Negros to quit the Northern part; : they embarked on board every thing that could reccive them. 66 We do not wvish to use you ill," said they, < Dut we zuill bave 10 < more Wbites in tbe colony. Retire and carry wilhyou as much of yous property as ce con"They even assisted them to embark the very goods which became a youe prey to thc, English privateers of Jamaica or Providence. I saw in this double manceuvre the plan, which I long knew the commissioners had laid to destroy the colony of St. Domingo, by driving away all the Whites and giving liberty to the Negros ; and I discovered in the conduét of the Spaniards their favorite desire of ruining the French colony: rather wishing to sce it pos sessed only by Negros, who would soon become like themselves, than to sce it inha- ce con"They even assisted them to embark the very goods which became a youe prey to thc, English privateers of Jamaica or Providence. I saw in this double manceuvre the plan, which I long knew the commissioners had laid to destroy the colony of St. Domingo, by driving away all the Whites and giving liberty to the Negros ; and I discovered in the conduét of the Spaniards their favorite desire of ruining the French colony: rather wishing to sce it pos sessed only by Negros, who would soon become like themselves, than to sce it inha- --- Page 102 --- 92 ) bited by suchadice and labarious people as the Frencb and English, I saw the time was precious, and that little remained for the colonists; some favorable circumstances that offered determined mc still more to take a decisive resolution. The friends I sent to Jérémie had been gone bur a few days, and could not be expected to return in less than twelve days or a fortnight.--I waited for them with impatience, when one evening a flag oftruce from St. Domingo was announced. I was considering what could be the occasion of it, when M. le Gras, a rich planter of the Northern part, and formerly one of the council at the Cape, disembarked at Kingston, where his wife and children had been for a considerable time. He informed me, that he came in the name of the inhabitants ofla Grande-Anse, to state their wretched condition to the governor ofJamaica, and to solicit assistance. He declared to me at the same time, that it was impossible they could defend themselves another month without assistance. In fact, he gave me all the necessary information; he confirmed me in my opinion, that there was no time to be lost in executing the orders of the Ministers, by assuring me that my two messengers would bejoyfully received, and that every thing I had proposed would be granted. A few days afrerwards, he informed me that his incention was not to return to St, Domingo, and that he gave up the mission with which he had becn charged, by the inhabitants of Jérémie, having no property in that dependency: thinking, acied he, that I was the most proper person to treat concerning this business. I suon dicovered that the Spanish agents had seduced M. le Gras, and that they flatrered him that his fortune and habitation, in the North and at Fort Dauphin, would soon be in the power of that government, I informed General Williamson of erery circumstance. At last, an American ship, taken by a privateer, brought in one day 120inhabitants of everyage and sex, masters and servants, who fled from the Northern part, where they had been compelled to embark. On the 12th of August I determined to ask the gencral to eXplain himself definitively, concerning what he could and would do for the salvation of St. Domingo, Iin consequence wrote officially a letter, which I carried to General Williamson at Spanish Town, in whichlinformed him, that there was not a moment longer to be lost : that I saw the plan of driving away and extirpating the entire population of Whires in the French colony of St. Domingo, was the end which the civil commissioners and Spaniards had in view ; that, witheut consalting together, they cach laboured to accomplish their purpose; that I begged him to read lis orders and my instructions, which were, lo take possession ofsuch part efSi. Dos mingo, as migbt be swillingto submit. I likewise begged of hin to give me rwenty-five soldiere not a moment longer to be lost : that I saw the plan of driving away and extirpating the entire population of Whires in the French colony of St. Domingo, was the end which the civil commissioners and Spaniards had in view ; that, witheut consalting together, they cach laboured to accomplish their purpose; that I begged him to read lis orders and my instructions, which were, lo take possession ofsuch part efSi. Dos mingo, as migbt be swillingto submit. I likewise begged of hin to give me rwenty-five soldiere --- Page 103 --- 93 ) an officer, and a Aag, with as much provisoldiers belonging to the English troops, to St. Domingo with this feeble sions and warlike stores: as possible; that I would go of the King of England, and force, and take possession of the colony in the name until the arrival of the there erect His Majesty's standard, and maintain my that ground, the brave inhabitants of J6forces sohicb were promised uS, at a fixed period : the inhabitants of the colony, rémie would receive me withjoy and join me;and that instead of flying to all in one part of St. Domingo, kuowing me to be established would range themselves under the the neighbouring islands, and to New-England, tbe last moment of vy life: observing, British flag, wwbicb I promised bim t0 defend to it the Negros would was the more necessary, as by good when that this measure would continuc faithful to their masters, they not be discouraged, and St. and that they were assembled should know that they did not abandon Domingo, they syauld bave the hope of sceing another ofthe colony; and that, above all, if he refused in part I him to give me an ariswer in writing, rethem again. In short, begged immediately for England. I here request, and to permit mc to set off again with the same sensibility I my the answer which General Williamson made, will assist you to save St. Dopeat then felt. 6 Yes," said he, < my dear Charmilly, I the interests of Great-Briand to C6 mingo : your attachment to your countrymen, and I will not only give you the twenty-five €6 tain, merit every effort I can make, ifthe commodore will transport them CG men you ask, but I will give you a hundred, become necessary." and cover their retreat, in case it sheuld me. 66 to St. Domingo, the this answer gave I knew better how to feel than to express who, pleasure in the manner in which he From this moment, I vowed to a man of fecling, rcturn ; I vowed to him, I say, request, intermixed a kindness I cannot with my life. granted my attachment and respeôt, which can end only an eternal gratitude, an me that from that day, he General Williamson crowned my wishes, by promising of losing their commissions, (which he did) all privateers, under pain to be would prohibit of the inhabitants, who miglit happen from pillaging the personal property that merchandize only should be on board the ships they should take, declaring deemed lawful prizes. this letter gives me of rendering public the It is with joy I take the opportunity and myself shall retain, for General Wileternal gratitude, which both the colony that it was by his orders that every liamson's kindness. I declare with pleasure, Port-au-Prince, and that at St. Domingo, until the taking of thing was conduéted and respectable chief, the care, the kindall the colonists have found in this worthy commander. His heart will bc ness of a father, and the proteétion of a generous B b declaring deemed lawful prizes. this letter gives me of rendering public the It is with joy I take the opportunity and myself shall retain, for General Wileternal gratitude, which both the colony that it was by his orders that every liamson's kindness. I declare with pleasure, Port-au-Prince, and that at St. Domingo, until the taking of thing was conduéted and respectable chief, the care, the kindall the colonists have found in this worthy commander. His heart will bc ness of a father, and the proteétion of a generous B b --- Page 104 --- 94 ) satisfied, when he learns, that the grateful colonists never mention his name, but with the sincerest wishes for his happiness. The homage I now pay him is as disinterested as my conduét towards him as alvays been. He isin Eondon ; it may be known of him, whether, among the numerous requests I made on behalf ofthe colony and its unfortunate inhabitants, (which he almost always granted) I addet onefor myself; and he can say, whether he has found any other person who has told him the truth with more force, disinterestediness, derotion, and attachment, towards himself, towards England, and towards the colony, than I have done at all times. As soon as he had kindly giren me his promise to succour St. Dominge, I immediately set out for, and soon arrived at Commodore Ford's, to whom I gave an account of my letter, ofthe kindness ofthe generalin granting me the 100 men necessary for the saliation of the colony, to go there to wait the arrival of other troops, and the conditions on which he agreed to it. He said to me, sith that frankness which charaéterised him, 6: I am very happy rin being able to second resoluc6 tion ; and to secure to it all possible success, I will not only prepare your c6 necessary in order to transport and conray the troops, and to guard everything the seK curity of the detachment which the governor has granted you, but if he will 6E even increase the number to 200, I will order all the necessary preparations for cc the expedition. Tryto persuade the general to grant tbem to the 66 there are the lcss risk they will run." He added many more you: things full more of kindness, and promised me, what he perfeétly executed afterwards, to do cvery thing in order to second my zealous endeavours to merit the confidence reposed in me. I feel a pleasure in relating that the rapid successes we met with in St. Domingo, were likewise owing to the great care taken by this worthy Admiral, and it is with a sentiment of sincere grief for him, that I lay this declaration O11 his tomb, as a mark of my gratitude and that of the whole colony. Satisfied beyond description, I returned without delayto Gen. Williamson, to whom I gare an account of every thing. c Well!" said he, c since the commodore will < undertake the care of200 men, you shall have them, myc dearCharmilly; youmay depend upon them, and that as soon as possible." We agrecdthat I should send back the ship that had brought M. le Gras, with the news of this intended succour, and the certainty ofits speedy appearance ; but thatit was necessary that they should immediately answer my first letters, and send me the full powers I had requested, before the general could suffer any thing to leave Jamaica; and, in the mean time, we might employ ourselves in making the necessary preparations. < undertake the care of200 men, you shall have them, myc dearCharmilly; youmay depend upon them, and that as soon as possible." We agrecdthat I should send back the ship that had brought M. le Gras, with the news of this intended succour, and the certainty ofits speedy appearance ; but thatit was necessary that they should immediately answer my first letters, and send me the full powers I had requested, before the general could suffer any thing to leave Jamaica; and, in the mean time, we might employ ourselves in making the necessary preparations. --- Page 105 --- ( 95 ) This, Sir, is the truth of every thing that passed. General London, be can contradiét me, and he owes it to his own Willismson is in liave advanced any thing contrary to truth; he charaéterto dos sa, if I thing I have just related as having oughit to have my letter. Ifevery true, can le have been deceived passed between General Willianson and me be coleny that by me : It was the extreme wretchedness of determined me to beghim to declare the which alone could save, as it has in effedt himself, andtake a decisive bart; Domingo. partly saved, the French colony.ofs St. You are unfortunate, Sir, in your reproaches! public will be astonished to find that this interested Certainly, both you and the you wish to speak, have proposed the indicidual; that 1, of whom execution, without ever plans, and offered to undertake to put them in my personal interest. In having made any stipulation with the Ministers Williamson. proof of which, I appeal to the Ministers and respeéting You, as well as any other person, General from them as shall appear to you necessary, in may receive such information order to verifywhat I bere advance, Iustead efthe) fewv huundreds of theni aohich aftersards the governor had reason to expec the resortedto Ibe British standerd, thousands-Page 146. support and co-operation of at least as muntyIt has been seen by my answer to the that the governor of Jamaica could preceding article, that it is entirely false expedt that the by more planters than remained in the English troops might be joined put in execution his orders to take colony; for the steps I took to press bim to preventing the rest of the colonists possession from cfSt. Domingo, were with the view of officers who commanded there.to quitting the island. I call upon all the of la Grandc-Ansej contradiét me, when I declare, that the inhabitants joined the English. I prove itin never quitted their barracks at Jérémie saying, that the English troops French inhabitants who except on very few occasions; : that it was the' that in every expedition the continued to defend the camps placed upon the and that in about six French were at least double the number of the frontiers; weeks after our arrival, the number of English; ; Jérémie, and at all the posts, was doubled, and that French inhalitants at soon after it was I tlis fatal emnfidence, the armament quadrupled. allotted for tlis posed ofe only the 131b regiment inportant espedition qeas conment of artillery, amotnting, affeot, seven companies of tbe agil, and a detachSuch was tbe tbat altogetber, 1o about 870, rank and force was to annex to the crown file, Stfor dity. egual in extent, and in natural strengtb of Great-Britzit a coxntry nearly Page 146, infuitely superior To Great-Britain itself- adrupled. allotted for tlis posed ofe only the 131b regiment inportant espedition qeas conment of artillery, amotnting, affeot, seven companies of tbe agil, and a detachSuch was tbe tbat altogetber, 1o about 870, rank and force was to annex to the crown file, Stfor dity. egual in extent, and in natural strengtb of Great-Britzit a coxntry nearly Page 146, infuitely superior To Great-Britain itself- --- Page 106 --- ( 96 ) If General Williamson had been consulted by you, he is too mucl the man of honor not tohave undeceived you respeding the confidence you attribute to him ; which could still less have happened, as he knew, what you ailow yourself, that the population ofthe Whites was diminished more than three-fourths; as much by the numerous cmigratiohs which took place before the massacre at the Cape, as by the massacre itselfand the flight of those that escaped from it. If you, who write in England, hare had imperfect informaticn respedting what was passing in the COlony, you ought to suppose that the general was too well informed not to know that the population of Whites there had almost become extinét. But he hoped (and the seguel has proved that he was not deceired) that the planters would hasten to return to the colony. The confidence which you attribute to the governor of Jamaica might have been criminal, and General Williamson has no reason to reproach himsclf with such strange negligence as what you attribute to him. The forces you mention were more than sufficient to fulfil the plans of governmment ; it was only in agitation to take possession of and retain that part of St Domingo which should submit, until reinforcements should arrive from England. These are your words, p. 141: 6c such a force as sbould be <6 and relain thanght suficient to take possession ofall the places that miglt be surrendered, until 66 should arrive reinforcements from England." It was not intended to take possession of the whole colony with this small body of troops; the Ministers never had such an idea; whichindeed you admit, for you say, that it was only to occupy sucb parts as sbould submit until the arrival of reinforcements. I must observe herc, to the honor of the British arms, that this small body of brave soldiers, assisted by the inhabitants, ilot only sufficed to take possession of and keep, during cight months, that which had been delivered up to them on their arrival, but likewise to take possession of more than a third part of this immense colony; and that they were capable of supporting themselves, during that timc, upon a tract of land upwards of a hundred and fifty leagues long, and to attack and often beat their enemies. I trust that our readers will readily admit, according to the truth I have here established, that, if the inhabitants of St. Domingo had not been eager to cone and fight under the British flag, the small number of troops, which you have yourself stated to have been sent to St. Domingo, however brave they might be, could not have defended and supported themselves from St. Nicholas Mole to Cape Tiburon during the space of cight months. The truth is (and I appeal to the testimony of the whole colony and the English army), that it was the inhabitants, arriving from all parts where they had taken refuge, who , according to the truth I have here established, that, if the inhabitants of St. Domingo had not been eager to cone and fight under the British flag, the small number of troops, which you have yourself stated to have been sent to St. Domingo, however brave they might be, could not have defended and supported themselves from St. Nicholas Mole to Cape Tiburon during the space of cight months. The truth is (and I appeal to the testimony of the whole colony and the English army), that it was the inhabitants, arriving from all parts where they had taken refuge, who --- Page 107 --- 97 ) who fought in defence of the frontiers and all the posts. After this, the most judiced reader cannot but allow, that it was them who preserved to the English prevernment that part of St. Domingo which had been delivered up to it. goSpeedy and efeual reinforcements from England were, honever, well to replace the troops zubich were removed from promised, as tions in St. Jamaica, as to aid the operaDowingo-Page 146. The reader will agree, after what you herc say, that it was with a very ill you exclaimed above, sucb was the force that was to anex to tbe crown Great- grace Britain a country nearly equal in extent to Greal-Britain since of agree that it was the reinforcements expeéted from itself, you SO readily the Europe which were to second operations at St. Domingo.-It is possible that this might be only irony. As tbe propositions or terms of capitulation had been previously adjusted betzween the people of Jérémie, ly tbeir agent M. de Charmilly and General Milliamson, it remained for tbe Britisb forces to take possession of the torun and harbour. Accor- only dingly the troops disembarked early the next morning. The British colours boisted at both the forts, with royal salutes from each, wbich Rere tbe conmodore and bis squadron, and the oaths were answered by taken by tbe resident witb of fidelity and allegiance were inhabitants, an appearance of great zeal and alacrily. --Page 147. The capitulation had been signed by General Williamson and myself, to the instructions sent me from Jérémie; ; which were found to be according by General Williamson, that he determined, after the $O satisfaétory most serious toincrease the 200 men be bad previonsly promised to 560, which consideration, artillery men, commanded by Captain Smith. amongst were 30 The Europa, a 50 gun ship, which had escorted the Jamaica New England, having returned about the convoy as high as beginning of September, Ford readily determined to embark in order to command and conduet Commodore the tion, particularly when he saw, by the arrival of many inhabitants from the expediwho came to solicit belp upon the same conditions as the inhabitants of la Mole, Anse, the service he could render his country, by Grandetaking possession of the most important military and maritime post of all the Antilles. On the 1gth of September, 1793, three months after don, one of the most my departure from Lonimportant quarters or distriêts of the colony ofSt. delivered up to the British forces, without risk, without Domingo was trouble, and without cxpence. C C the arrival of many inhabitants from the expediwho came to solicit belp upon the same conditions as the inhabitants of la Mole, Anse, the service he could render his country, by Grandetaking possession of the most important military and maritime post of all the Antilles. On the 1gth of September, 1793, three months after don, one of the most my departure from Lonimportant quarters or distriêts of the colony ofSt. delivered up to the British forces, without risk, without Domingo was trouble, and without cxpence. C C --- Page 108 --- 93 ) that it was with sincere joy the inhaIaffrm, and am in no fear of contradiétion, which they have since most rigidly obthe oath of fidelity, bitants pronounced served. received that tbe garrison at tbe Mole of Cape St. Ni4t the same tine information was fortress in like manner. As it qvas cbolas reere inclined to surrender tbat inportant inmediately direcled bis course tbinot to be negleded, the commodore tbe ala circunstance of the fortress and barbour, and received tber and 021 the 22d look possession 147. legiance of tbe officers and priates-Page would have known taken the trouble to inform yourself of facts, you asJéréHad you surrender of the Mole upon the same conditions that the agreement for the Jamaica; ; and that it was the importance of mie was entered into before we quitted brave Admiral Ford to undertake the superinthis acquisition that determined the the most important and finest port of the tendance of the expedition, which has put West-Indies under the dominion of Great-Britain. his he took possession of a post With the marines only, that were on board ship, have been able to have conquerwhich the whole force of Great-Britain would not worth ten times more than the sum where he found artillery and warlike stores would have said, had you ed; This is what you certainly the expended in the expedition. fact, and which is known by inform of such an important wished to yourself whole colony. in the people of England voluntary surrender of these places raised expegations witbout The tbe Frencb colony in St. Domingo xvould submit opposition. tbat the whole of Page 14S. of the projeéts, the plans, and the Had you taken the trouble to inform yourself when they dispatched me to Jamai- ( of Ministers, concerning St. Domingo, obtained within the hopes, known their astonishment at the successes would ca, and had you and without trouble, perhaps you space of threc months, without expence, had much to hope from such found that the wisest part of the English people have a favorable commencement. contains about cne bundred The tozn of Jérêmie is a place of 720 ingortance.-h the vicinage is not remarkably fertile ; mean bouses, and the country in wery any accoznt but coffee.-Page 148. groducing nothing of small towns in the colonies. Both the The town of Jérémie is like all the other there ; it is very wholesome h troops and officers were very well quartered Engli had much to hope from such found that the wisest part of the English people have a favorable commencement. contains about cne bundred The tozn of Jérêmie is a place of 720 ingortance.-h the vicinage is not remarkably fertile ; mean bouses, and the country in wery any accoznt but coffee.-Page 148. groducing nothing of small towns in the colonies. Both the The town of Jérémie is like all the other there ; it is very wholesome h troops and officers were very well quartered Engli --- Page 109 --- 99 ) and is SO situatedas to render an attack Anse to the English, the town very difficult. In delivering up la Grandewas to serve, and which did ofJéremie was nothing more than the point played, without serve, as barracks; and where the British which any danger to the troops. flag was disBut if the town be themselves a more useful inconsiderable, the plantations of this dependency form ward Islands. Your readers possession than many of the English colonies of the of consider a district will be very much surprised to find, that Windtance. producing as much coffee as la you should Before the revolution, this Grande-Anse of SO little imporwweight ofcoffee anmally, beside dependency produced upwards of twenty millions which was colleéted in the French sugar, cotton, and indigo, and almost all the cocoa and of the Cayemites, colony ofSt. Domingo. The distriéts of thc beginning of the newly cleared; which promised a considerable Plymouth wards of revolution, have since yielded it. I am produce at twenty-five millions wcight of coffee informed that trict of Jérémie, with a came last year from the upgreat quantity of single disJamaica (aehere so little enfee 1s produced) sugar, cocoa, &c., &c. A planter of disdain ; and such advantages for the British ought not to look upon such a crop with of the bouses serving as magazines for such commerce may make the noble produéts, forgot insignifcancy Unfortunately from tbe elevation of the surronnding beights, the against a porxverful attack by place is not tenable Had land-Page 148. you taken the trouble to have made the Mole, you would have known, that it is yourself still acquainted with the position of land than bys sea ; for nature. has So provided, more difficult to be attacked by men, cannot repair there with the thatsuch. an inconsiderable force as 500 has nothing more than a necessary ammunition to attack a rounds the Mole, simple dry wall for its defence. The land place which from the sea to the ravine is a which surRavets, that is to say, of very hard stony mountain, called Roche-àof which grows a forest of Indian stones, pointed and sharp ; in the interstices not admit of a fig-trees and all sorts of thorny passage. There is no road plants, which will one must travel, on all sides, a of by which cannon can be conveyed, and and under the torrid zone, without space upwards of twenty miles, on a sandy soil isa more secure defence than the best finding water, which, with the want of a road contrived fortifications. And 4 Mr. Duval An pledging himself 10 raise 500 men lo expedition was undertakenfor that co-operate in its redudion. purpose and Colonel Whitelock with most of all sorts of thorny passage. There is no road plants, which will one must travel, on all sides, a of by which cannon can be conveyed, and and under the torrid zone, without space upwards of twenty miles, on a sandy soil isa more secure defence than the best finding water, which, with the want of a road contrived fortifications. And 4 Mr. Duval An pledging himself 10 raise 500 men lo expedition was undertakenfor that co-operate in its redudion. purpose and Colonel Whitelock with most of --- Page 110 --- 100 ) arrived in Tiburon Bay 071 the Ath ef O8ober. the British force from Jerémie Page 148. verify, in order to be able to speak of There are facts which we must ourselves Morin Duval was to be suspeéted by the them : such is the one you mention. previous to their arrival. I must say, that English, on account of his pretensions guard againist him ; but I am his conduét I was obliged to be upon my and that he owing to declare, that Morin Duval was punêtual, The likewise bound in truth to of the men he had promised. had assembled at the Post of Trois, a great part them; and this brave Negro had good and honest Negro John Kina was amongst with which he had been supupwards of 280 men with him, of his own colour, these Negros ; I was senthe different inhabitants. I assisted in reviewing soldiers upon the arrival plied by which John Kina made to his at sibly struck with the speech made the striétest search in order to come of the English. I bere declare that I to at the knowledge thing that passed, because it was my duty get the the truth of every of Morin Duval, who. commanding a post upon of the conduét and actions I mistrusted him, and might do us much mischief. have frontier of la Grande-Anse, us from the mischief he might examined all his actions, in order to preserve that I dechare that the men he promised donc. It is from respect to truth then, were assembled at the Camp-des-Irois. other, the English had a melancholy But on this occasion, as on almost every French declarations and assurances. how little dependence can be placed on - proof, Page 149. this fresh insult which you have given I do not thinki it necessary, Sir, to answer all Frenchmen. The folly of this rethe colonists of St. Domingo as well as to your readersto judged by a have occasioned you to have been completely of the colony must inhabitants ( proach hereafter write will prove still more that the the What I shall and constant fidelity, merited protedtion have, by their entire attachment, them. Your readers, Sir, will be more just of the generous nation that supported for the faults of a few individuals. Inthan to calumniate a whole colony when better informed of refrain from imagining, that even yourself, reproach dced I cannot will not hesitate to retract the unmerited what has passed at St. Domingo, my countrymen. and cbloquy with which you have stigmatized The for he was not able to colleé 50 meni. Ducal 72. ver made his aspearance, than bad been represented, TUus fornd to be far more furmidable and eneny's force supported for the faults of a few individuals. Inthan to calumniate a whole colony when better informed of refrain from imagining, that even yourself, reproach dced I cannot will not hesitate to retract the unmerited what has passed at St. Domingo, my countrymen. and cbloquy with which you have stigmatized The for he was not able to colleé 50 meni. Ducal 72. ver made his aspearance, than bad been represented, TUus fornd to be far more furmidable and eneny's force --- Page 111 --- 101 ) and the gallantry of our troops proved snavailing against superiority of mimlers, they were compelled to retreat zvith the loss of about 20 nen killed and wourded.- Page 149. Ihave the most positive proofs that Duval repaired to the post agreed upon, but the wind prevented us from hearing the appointed signal. All the English army knows, that I did not leave the commander of the expedition for a who, not speaking French, I had promised not to quit. Thus I single can declare moment that ; nothing was either ordered, or done, without my knowledge. In Thave not obliged myself to write the history of the answering you, that has there colony, nor of evcry thing happened since the arrival of the English; it may be casily known whether there be any onc who can speak ofit with more knowledge than me. The time will come when every thing will be proved. Ishall for the that Morin Duval, with John present remark, of Kina, repaired to the post agreed upon; but a picce cannon, which we discovered whilst at sea, direéted upon the fixed for landing, compelled us to land at three miles distant from the placc place ; that place was hid by a mountain ; SO that instead of appointed making our landing goodby seven or eight in the morning, it could not be begun till near one in the afternoon; and it moreover failed, by an event common in war, by the arrival of a reinforcement of cavalry from Aux Cayes which appeared upon the shore at the time the boats for debarking began to quit the ships. Time will discover the particulars of the whole of this affair. I shall only observe, that Morin Duval, neither having scen nor heard of waited in a very dangerous position, without eating or drinking till the us and did not return to his camp, (distant above ten miles from the post he had erening, pied,) until night, very much fatigued, and after having run the risk of occutacked himself. being atThedefeat and discouragement sustained in tbis attack were tbe more as sickness began to prevail to a great extent in the army. The season grierously the felt, was unfavorable in tbe higbest degree for military in of year Page 149. operations a tropical climate.-- The reader will here judge with what attention you write. You you said that we did not arrive at Jérémic before the 19th of forget, Sir, that ing ; that it was on the 4th of October that the first affair of Septemberin Tiburon the evenwhich makes only fifteen days. You should have known that of all thc took placc, came at the timc of the first troops that expedition to Jérémie, not one was sick till the end of D d in of year Page 149. operations a tropical climate.-- The reader will here judge with what attention you write. You you said that we did not arrive at Jérémic before the 19th of forget, Sir, that ing ; that it was on the 4th of October that the first affair of Septemberin Tiburon the evenwhich makes only fifteen days. You should have known that of all thc took placc, came at the timc of the first troops that expedition to Jérémie, not one was sick till the end of D d --- Page 112 --- 102 ) February, when we set off for Léogane, which makes which tine there were only two soldiers near six months, during had been given over from the time of buried, who died ofconsumptions, and they becn very ill. Inform yoursclf, Sir; consult their quirting Jamaica, where they had will find that Iam right. the returns of the hospitals, and you The rains svere incessant, and the constant and unusual duty to sehich tbe soldiers, from the smallness fatigue, and extraordinary jest, co-operating witb the state of their number, were necessarily subPage 149. oftbe sweather,produced tbe most fatal consequences. At what period, and of what place do weather was almost you mean to speak? At Jérémie, the Oétober, generally fine, and the air cool. You forget that November, December, January and September, agrecable months at St. Domingo. Ask February, are the coolest and most tell you that he was never SO well in the colonies Licutenant-Colonel Spencer, and he will that he speedily recovered, and that the as at Jérémie, where he arrived ill; duty there, never quitting their barracks English which troops performed only garrison town; and the French inbabitants alone were in the best houses in the frontiers. performed the service of the camp and the The sudden appearance of a reinforcement in St. produced however a considerable Domingo, tbongb small in itself, belief that tbe British effet among the French planters, by a government was noruseriously resolved to inducing --Page 130. follow up tbe bloz. Had you been informed of what had known that, faithful to passed at St. Domingo you would have in my engagements, I was continuing to execute the plans entrusted incessantly occupied, day and night, was prepared in order that the to ne ; that accordingly evcry thing civil greatest part of the colony might revolt commissioners, and range themselves under the of against the course of November, the time when the reinforcements power Great- Britain, in the kopes that zeere not realised; ; and the forces which were to arrive. But tee had anncunced for a fixed time, not were necessary, and which I had tical, for the civil commissioners arriving, the situation ef many persons became criNobody began to. beinformed, and the complained, because, as you say yourself, the dangers increased. vinced that the British government had resolved inhabitants were conzing the whole colony. (according to its interest) upon sei- of November, the time when the reinforcements power Great- Britain, in the kopes that zeere not realised; ; and the forces which were to arrive. But tee had anncunced for a fixed time, not were necessary, and which I had tical, for the civil commissioners arriving, the situation ef many persons became criNobody began to. beinformed, and the complained, because, as you say yourself, the dangers increased. vinced that the British government had resolved inhabitants were conzing the whole colony. (according to its interest) upon sei- --- Page 113 --- 103 ) In the beginning of December, tbe parisbes of Jean Ralel, St. Marc, Arcabaye, and Boucassin, surrendered On tbe same conditions as had been granted to Jérémie ; and their ezample was soon follorved by the inhabitants of. Léogane. All tbe are risbes siluated on the North side of the former paBight. Liogane on tbe 150. Sowtb.-Page At last we could put it e0 no longer, and it was necessary it should burst the beginning of Decemnber. The forth at parishes you mention shook off the yoke of the commissioners and gave themselves up to Great-Britain. The should draw from what you herc state, destroy what you have consequences you ce that we have had, upon almost said page 149, every occasion, a proof of the 66 could be placed upon the declarations and assurances of the little reliance that French." Your account here proves more in favor of the colonies, than any thing I can add to it. The defeat whicb 0t17 troops had sustalned in tbe late attack of that served only to animate tbem to greater exertions, but @ considerable time important post, elapsed, before tbe expedition t0ok place.-Page 150. unavoidably This interval was four months. You forget, Sir, to say, that the Irois was four leagues from Tiburon. Camp-desProbably, as no English soldier ever performed any service at the posts upon the frontiers, during the four months that elapsed between the first and second attack upon Tiburon, you do not think it necessary to speak about it: but from what you have written in pel me to inform you that you ought to have known, that page 149, you commonths, five or six hundred French were alonc, without during these four intermission, at the Campdes-Irois, the niost unhealthy of the colony ; because, for greater security, it was thought most proper to fix the fort in the centre of the marshes, which situation at the expiration of some months caused many fevers, and occasioned the death of many of the planters ; that there were several engagements, in which the were brigands always beaten. During these battles the English troops remained quiet in the town and fort of Jérémie. You should have known that it was only upon the sentation made by the privy council of la Grande-Anse, that the second attack repreagainst Cape Tiburon was determined upon ; because the inhabitants wearied of being sick, and secing their friends and relatives die in the midst of the marshes where they were placed, requested they might go and seize the post of Ti buron, whose situation was more wholescme; the commodore camç there with bis ship. 3: always beaten. During these battles the English troops remained quiet in the town and fort of Jérémie. You should have known that it was only upon the sentation made by the privy council of la Grande-Anse, that the second attack repreagainst Cape Tiburon was determined upon ; because the inhabitants wearied of being sick, and secing their friends and relatives die in the midst of the marshes where they were placed, requested they might go and seize the post of Ti buron, whose situation was more wholescme; the commodore camç there with bis ship. 3: --- Page 114 --- 104 ) You should likewise have added, that the commodore stood out to sca, and that he left the management of the attack to one ofthe most aétive and brave officers of the English navy, Captain Rowley; this attack was well dircdted, and as well executed by the troops under the command of Lieutenant-Coloncl Spencer. The interval bcing emplayed in securing the places wbich bad suvreniarel.-Page 151. Cerrainly, the time was well employed ; but you might have stated every that orght lo bave been done, and every tbing that was nst done ; and you thing have known the reason why. Above all, you should have been consistent. might Since you wished to Cast suspicion upon the conduét of the inhacitants of the colony, page 149, it was not necessary to say, that much time was employed in putting the places delivered "p into a state of defence. Who delivered them up? they delivered up? It seems to me that it might have been Why were known it; casy for you to have and, as an historian, you ought to have felt that it was to have stated it. your duty The enemy appeared in considerable force, and seemed to wwvait the arrival of the British seith great resolution, but a ferw broadsides from the sbips soon cleared the beach.-Page 151. It is difficult to shewmore courage, more ardour, and more zeal, than Colonel Spencer constantly displayed, in cvery attack committed to his charge. In this affair he had only six companies of grenadiers and chasseurs : it was Jand and take possession of a house the brigands had retired to. necessary to descent, overthrew the enemy, and carried the house in They made the difficult an instant : it will ever be to resist the bravery and impetuosity of this officer, who is beloved by all that know him. generally By the possession this port On the Soullh, and that of the Mole of Cape St. Nicholas 072 the North-IPestern part of tbe island, thie British squadron commanded tbe rigalion of thbe wbole ef that extensive bay, sehich forms the Bight nathe capture ofthe furts, shipping, and town of Port-ax-Prince fLiogane, and Frencb seemed (the metropolis ofthe colony) more tban probable 011 the arrival of a daily expelted with much anaiely from large armament, not England.-Page 152. You admit yourselfby this, that on the 3rd of February, 1794, the masters of thc whole of the bay of Léogane, English were cxcept Port-au-Prince. How then could ight nathe capture ofthe furts, shipping, and town of Port-ax-Prince fLiogane, and Frencb seemed (the metropolis ofthe colony) more tban probable 011 the arrival of a daily expelted with much anaiely from large armament, not England.-Page 152. You admit yourselfby this, that on the 3rd of February, 1794, the masters of thc whole of the bay of Léogane, English were cxcept Port-au-Prince. How then could --- Page 115 --- 105 ) could you before say, in page 146, that General Williamson interested men, and tbat the inhabitants bad not made had been deceived by the expelt from tbem P Observe upon the map the size of efforts they had a rigbt 1o months after their arrival, the English the bay, which, within four were in possession of-consider this coast; and, recolledting that after having delivered it extent of defended it, tell me what the brave and up, the planters continually selves to Great-Britain, could do generous inhabitants who had given themmore 2-I shall add to their reflexions. nothing but leave our readers In tbe mean while (the reduced state and condition oftbe enterprise) tbe commander in cbief conceived troops not admitting %f great toron anL idea ef obtaining of Port-de-Paix, an important station to the possession of the vate Eauseardef St. Nicholas uigociation.-Rage 152. by priHad this affair been well conduéted, it orders of the commander in chief, who. had certainly would have succeeded; but the and which I translated into written his letter to Laveauxin English, it, could he have thought that French, it were striétly obeyed ; he would not have sent would have been delivered to the manner in which it was. This was either General Laveaux in wished to play Colonel a malicious trick, that an officer Whitelock, or at least business clumsily managed. The tozon was commanded by Laveaux, an old general in the French Colonel Whitelock addressed binself by letter, which he service, to xebon sent zvilb 5,000 pounds lo be paid lo him in afag and effered Page 152. person, 011 his delivering "p the post General Laveaux whom you state to be old, is not so. He is ofa ly, and was captain in a regiment of dragoons in the French a very good famivolution : he was overwhelmed with dcbt and service, before the Reconduét; this is what made him its covered with humiliation for his bad cellent bargain of it. Colonel partizan. He despises it, but he made an exWhitelock was not in fault in Isayagain, that it was ill any part of this affair; ; conduéted : not by him but another to serve his country and spare human blood by officer : he wished from Port-de-Paix by sea, and could : he was upwards of 120 miles distant cuting them were only give the first orders ; the means of necessarily at the dircétion of the officer exedressed. to whom they were adColonel Whitelock seems, howvever, to bave mistaken the charader not only a man of distinguished bravery, but of Laveaus, wwbo teas of great probily.-Page 152, E e him but another to serve his country and spare human blood by officer : he wished from Port-de-Paix by sea, and could : he was upwards of 120 miles distant cuting them were only give the first orders ; the means of necessarily at the dircétion of the officer exedressed. to whom they were adColonel Whitelock seems, howvever, to bave mistaken the charader not only a man of distinguished bravery, but of Laveaus, wwbo teas of great probily.-Page 152, E e --- Page 116 --- 105 ) of General Laveaux, in the manner you It is very diverting to hear you speak the malicious trick intended against do. You ought to have known, that owing to General Laveaux in the middle of Colonel Whitelock, the letter was presented to that he commanded; ; in of all the White troops of the garrison to cbat be the day, presence obliged, according but to act as he did; being he had no alternative, letter aloud to his soldiers. He would be very zerote in bis answer, to read this give him; you mayjudge of him by much astonished at the austere charaéter you of Five Hundred. It was there of him at Paris in the Council tributhat lately given last, C Laveune, wwho has established a revolutionary said, on the 28th of May auho wrote in Vendémiaire, in the 3rdyear, a letter <6 nal at Port-de-Paix; Laveaux rid the Wbites and strip thei oftbeir property; C in suhich he proposed to get ofall for getting rid ofa all tbe delivered to Santhonax a prejed, signed, 66 Laveaux, aubo Laveaux, equally abhorred by tbe 66 Mulattoes, and wbich Santhonas published; After this, I leave our readers to determine 66 Hbites and the Men of Colour." concerning your, judgment! the troops under the from tbe wismanagement of one of the transports, 154. Unfortumately Baron de Montalembert could not be landed.-Page command of. the whole was intoxicated This is very true ; the captain of one of the transports himself well; and alof the King Grey, behaved perfeétly day; but the captain 200 men, who continued the whole day though we could not land, we kept at bay Hence it resulted; us every moment to make our descent. a of in ambush, expecting not to cffect our landing, we kept corps that although we had the mortification which prevented them from reupwards of 200 Negros and Mulattoes in check, tiring into the fort. he could no longer defend it, placed a quantity For the officerccho cowmumnded,fuding the brildings, which was fired by an 21amdolher combustibles in one of oft poseder in the explosion-Page 154: fortnate brigand, seho perished the of the commander, contrary to rights This was a piece of infamous perfidy from the coast of Africa, who, accordof war: his order was executed by a Negro : for,the unhappy man set all knew not the effect of gunpowder which was ing to appearance, but to an artillery waggon, fire, not to the powder that was in a room, in the fort. thc of the housc, that served as the guard-house placed under gallery Frenchmen who arrived first, besides He was killed as well as thirteen English or the officers you have named. of the commander, contrary to rights This was a piece of infamous perfidy from the coast of Africa, who, accordof war: his order was executed by a Negro : for,the unhappy man set all knew not the effect of gunpowder which was ing to appearance, but to an artillery waggon, fire, not to the powder that was in a room, in the fort. thc of the housc, that served as the guard-house placed under gallery Frenchmen who arrived first, besides He was killed as well as thirteen English or the officers you have named. --- Page 117 --- 107 ) Aplace called Bompard, about Afteen miles from St. You no doubt meant to Nicbolun-Page 155. cerning the History of St. say Bonbarde. Since you were desirous of writing conhave informed Domingo, it might not perhaps have been your readers of the cause useless to as the Mole, and how, and by whom it ofthe establishment of So important a post words to supply the deficiency. was established. Permit me in very few During the war which was terminated by the of nearly established themselves in the of peace 1763, the English had inhabited, the soil which surrounds it port the Mole St. Nicholas, which was not a place of shelter of it, particularly for being arid and without water. They made there, and sailed again their privateers. The English ships entercd in some parts of the island quietly, of as the English and French still do in time of been appointed Cuba. At the peace, the Count war, governor of the French of St. d'Estaing, having what happened during the war; ; he caused colony the Domingo, was informed of and he even examined it himself. Hc port of the Mole to be inspeéted, situation and strength, both for the readily comprehended the importance of its tained an order from the minister for colony and for France, and in consequence obéstablishments. In order to ereéting the fortifications and the necessary alty had determined them people it he settled the Acadians whose to quit their country, when it was there, loypower. He afterwards caused a certain number of given up to a foreign and in ordcr to draw some German families to settle there; he made it the only frec commerce, in and secure a resource to the port the colony, which inhabitants, ing it a considerable staple town. The very quickly succeeded in makfew miles distance they become a little neighbouring lands are very arid, but at a Acadians and Germans, who succeeded better; ; they were divided amongst the and some European fruits, such as in culivating many excellent végetables the inhabitants of the Mole for grapes and figs. The peace of 1783 ruined obtained : the Americans of the United permission to go to Port-au-Prince, to the States, having Nicholas Mole ceascd to be an important Cape, and Aux Cayes, St. staple town. 4 detachment f200 men from tbe diferent divisions, one of wbicb was commanded corps, were ordered 012 this service in tvo cer already mentioned, tbe otber ly Major Spencer, tbe brave and adlive offiby Lieuenan-Calonal There are Markbum.-Page 155. have informed many Englishmen here who have been at St. who you, that the detachment ordered Domingo, could only intended as a cong-de-main in order upon this expedition (which was to punish the treachery of the inhabitants aple town. 4 detachment f200 men from tbe diferent divisions, one of wbicb was commanded corps, were ordered 012 this service in tvo cer already mentioned, tbe otber ly Major Spencer, tbe brave and adlive offiby Lieuenan-Calonal There are Markbum.-Page 155. have informed many Englishmen here who have been at St. who you, that the detachment ordered Domingo, could only intended as a cong-de-main in order upon this expedition (which was to punish the treachery of the inhabitants --- Page 118 --- 108 ) of no more than 300 men, the greatest part of them of Bombarde) was composed the garrison duty of the Mole with the marines, from the different ships performing under the orders of Colonels This detachment was in fact, this affair, regular troops. There were only two Frenchmen concerned in Spencer and Markham. who had contributed to put the English in posM: Deneux, the major of artillery, at the Mole with Coloncl Whitelock, session of the Molc, and mysclf. I was I and readily his and at a distance from my eorps. requested agrecably to request, volunteer in thisexpedition, or rather as aide-de-camp to obtained leave to serve as a charaéter no one admired whose determined and enterprising set Colonel Spencer, satisfied at having me with him. The detachment more than myself. He was had fifteen miles to march in the woods and off at nine o'clock in the evening : we and arrived at the opening of the mountains. We performed it without difficulty, that we were going to attack, where the redoubt was situated wood into the plain, at the moment they were rclieving guard : at about three o'clock in the morning, that in a moment after we saw the alarm we were then very near to it, insomuch, minute. Whether we were discovered by some gun fired, which was repeated every the noise of a corps of 300 men marching quickly, patrole or advanced post, or by marched with fixed bayonets); in short, or by the noise of the soldiers arms (for we failed from the mowhatever might be the cause, a great part of our that projeét we had to attack by night discovered : for it should be known, ment we were and having three pieces of cannon, and we 150 old German soldiers, intrenched, Markham took half the detachment, to attack the had none. The brave Colonel it by the gate. The enemy sufredoubt in flank, whilst we went to attack direétly having thrice called qui vive ? within half gun shot : their sentincl fered us to arrive cried England! We then received a fire perfeatly Colonel Spencer, at the third time, much order and briskness, that we were well diredted, which continued with SO officers, however, were advanced the Several of the obliged to give up enterprise. but too few in number. We as far as the ditch, supported by some ensued. grenadiers, I was at the side of the ditch, were obliged to retire, and disorder which served as a rampart, and was woundten fcet from the entrenchment, this instant I experienced the greatest piece ed by several musket shot. At the plate of my belt, and another of good fortune, a ball coming flat upon that was in my pocket, which caused falling against the barrel of a brass pistol, action, was my life twice miracucontusion. Thus, in the same only a considerable four wounds besides. I with some difficulty lously saved, after having received still firing from behind a hedge, but whose rejoined a party of our men, who were position rampart, and was woundten fcet from the entrenchment, this instant I experienced the greatest piece ed by several musket shot. At the plate of my belt, and another of good fortune, a ball coming flat upon that was in my pocket, which caused falling against the barrel of a brass pistol, action, was my life twice miracucontusion. Thus, in the same only a considerable four wounds besides. I with some difficulty lously saved, after having received still firing from behind a hedge, but whose rejoined a party of our men, who were position --- Page 119 --- 109 ) position was a very bad' one ; I apprized them of it. ments met Colonels Spencer and We retired, and in a few momy situation : it was resolved to abandon Markham, who were extremely mortified at sccing employed ourselves in retreating and our projedt. Day light appeared, and we jn the dark, and during the attack. collecting our people, who had wandered about slightly wounded in the Major Deneux, one of the Had the Germans thigh; 9 he did not rejoin us till we were on the number, was tage. The perceived our disorder, they might have attacked high road. retreat was hastened: : grievously, us with advancaused myself to be put on horseback, and remained though not dangerously wounded, I guard ; but when we were no longer in for a long time in the rear with my servant, and arrived at the danger of pursuit, I went on beforc commander with our ill town, being the first who the dressed. I then received success, after which I went home to acquainted tention a part of the reward I was most get my wounds every one wished to shew me, for I was ambitious of, by the atas by all the army and navy. visited by the whole town, as well There were only sixtecn men killed and causes contributed to this loss; the twenty-six taken prisoners. Many night, by troops that were principal was, that our attack was made in the were received. If tbere fatigued, and astonished at thc manner in which them to the public withi are any others, time and history will no doubt transmit they I cannot, Sir, refrain impartiality. from quainted with all the particulars reproaching of this you, for not having made yourself acto your countrymen, one of the affair s for you would have communicated which will confer an most courageous military traits of the present war, who, to the everlasting honor on the brave and greatest courage, united the most young Englisb ofieer, mind. I shall endeavour, however, determined charaéter and presence of We were obliged to make to supply your negligence. our retreat rather enemy might not perceive the disordcr, which precipitately, in order that the had thrown us into. We had no this attack, made during the treat : the drum, nor any means of indicating a night, consequence was, that many of our general reA young and brave officer, a licutenant in people strayed from us. Infantry, M. Garstin, who the first regiment of the Royal us, belonged to the detachment of his English found, at day break, that he had strayed with corps that came with pany. He, for a long time endeavoured eight men belonging to his comthem to the town, and followed to find the road, in order to return with from it; ; when, towards the middle several paths which led him still farther distant of the day, he fell in with a German F f patrole, in people strayed from us. Infantry, M. Garstin, who the first regiment of the Royal us, belonged to the detachment of his English found, at day break, that he had strayed with corps that came with pany. He, for a long time endeavoured eight men belonging to his comthem to the town, and followed to find the road, in order to return with from it; ; when, towards the middle several paths which led him still farther distant of the day, he fell in with a German F f patrole, --- Page 120 --- 110 ) consisting of six men, who desired him to surrender : he refused, and threatened to fire upon the patrole if they attacked him. Secing his determination, tented themselves with following him, but he still they constrayed more from the road ; the republicans informed him of it, continually advising him to surrender, which he as constantly refused. The Germans, fatigued with having followed him SO long in the sandy and dry plain, (which the young officer with his cight men had travelled over). on the approach of night retired. Being thus left alonc, these brave men continued to wander; distressed with hunger and thirst, and overwhelmed with fatigue, it was not till after two days and a night, that they arrived by the chance at the landing-place of the platform, two oftheir greatest with fatigue, and companions having died hunger, thirst : for they found nothing but the fruit of Indian trees and aloes, wherewith to supply their pressing wonts. At this which fig one placc, was of the republican posts, the establishments ofwhich had been destroyed three weeks before, by Caprain Rowley, they found an old fishing boat that had been deserted ; these brave soldiers, guided by their young lieutenant, embarked, and posed themselves to all the dangers ofthe sea, after having experienced all that exbe suffered by-land, being without provisions, without fresh water, without a can and with bad oars. They arrived on the morning ofthe third day, at the entrance sail, of thc gulph or bay of the Mole, from whence the fishermen brought them to the town. You may easily form ajudgment of their situation. I cannot conceive. how this instance of courage, perseverance, and the most determined and best ported conduct, can be unknown to you and to England. I am even supat whiether, the time, General Williamson was informed of this action, ignorant to be compared with any that the history of the present war worthy posterity. may transmit to I have the greater reason to think that hc was suffered to remain ignorant as it was only by accident that he Jearnt that I had been wounded. The ofit, mander had given him an account of what had happened in this affair, and had com- detailed the number of English that were killed and wounded; ; but, we Frenchmen (Major Deneux and me), he no doubt did not conceive himself being to inform him of every thing that had happened to us ; although, Jike obliged I was a licutenant-colonel in the English army, and was with him at the him, time, for the public service. I have reason to complain of you, Sir, and to solicit the just readers to direét their attention towards you, by requesting them to observe your partiality (xnworthy of an bistoriun) in favor ofthe King's ancient subjects, to the prejudice of the new ones, who became such by choice, Deneux and me), he no doubt did not conceive himself being to inform him of every thing that had happened to us ; although, Jike obliged I was a licutenant-colonel in the English army, and was with him at the him, time, for the public service. I have reason to complain of you, Sir, and to solicit the just readers to direét their attention towards you, by requesting them to observe your partiality (xnworthy of an bistoriun) in favor ofthe King's ancient subjects, to the prejudice of the new ones, who became such by choice, --- Page 121 --- 111 ) For you ought to have known, Sir, that with a feeble check at whilst a part of the English de Bombarde, a part of the French troops met Léoganc, covered themselves with troops at the fort off'Accul being composed only of the inhabitants glory; ; but it'is possible that thesc tered into the English service, of the colony, and Frenchmen who troops, (in the British Legion formed had enDomingo), and becausc they were commanded in order to servej in St. happened I say, that you thought the recital by a French officer; it may have SO in your Historical Survey, of this action ought not to be vered, that it would concerning St. Domingo; ; or you inserted too completely perhaps mayhave discoto the negligence and contradiét what you have advanced, relative backwardness of the troops. Whatever may have been inhabitants, in joining the you with partiality, and to your reasons, Ithink I have a right to English that the republicans, supply your forgetfulness. I must inform reproach voured underthe command ofone of you then, Sir, to seize upon the important the licutenants of Rigault, endeaor 1,500 men of differcnt colours, and post offAccul de Léogane ; that he colleéted 12 the lives ofs so many brave men prepared to attack the fort, which had they were themselves ; when, on the day preceding the cost of which attacked by Baron de intended attempt, 150 belonged to the British Legion, Montalembert, and with only 400 men, tants forming the militia ofLéogane. the rest consisted of the inhabiThe brigands being charged with fixed lost a piece of cannon, and left bayonets, were completely beaten ; victory caused them to make upwards of 300 dead upon the field they from them a retreat, which for a long time cleared ofbattle. This as neighbours, and from their the from dependency its consequences, might have been incursions. This action, SO important Bombarde, and would have placed in the scale against the received proved, tbat at all points, failure at from Europe, we did not continue althongh no troops had Deen trary, that no opportunity was lost for upon the defensive ; but, on the conI am ignorant, Sir, whether this attacking the enemy. for the commanding officer affair was ever known to General was not at Williamson, was not a single Englishman Léoganc when it happened; 9 and as there glory upon this occasion, he among the,400 men, who crowned themselves with land, and might have thought it a matter unnecessary to inform her ofit. ofindiference to EngThis affilling loss zeas bnt ill soon afterwards acguired by compensated, the by the very distinguished bonor, sulich soas Cape TYburont, wwho were few British troops that had been left in atiacked on the 161b possession of anornting to upnvards of April, by an army of brigands, 42,000.-Page 155, occasion, he among the,400 men, who crowned themselves with land, and might have thought it a matter unnecessary to inform her ofit. ofindiference to EngThis affilling loss zeas bnt ill soon afterwards acguired by compensated, the by the very distinguished bonor, sulich soas Cape TYburont, wwho were few British troops that had been left in atiacked on the 161b possession of anornting to upnvards of April, by an army of brigands, 42,000.-Page 155, --- Page 122 --- 112 ) here, of the most unjust partiality; I am moreover obliged to accuse you owed the same justice to all the subjects and to remind you thar, as a writer, you thatt they had submitted to her laws but ; whether it be, belonging to Great-Britain time You owe it particularly to the brave, for a few months, or for a long past. who were the first that imloyal, and ever aétive inhabitants of la Grande-Anse, and received the English as brethren piored and accepted the British government, at St. Domingo. will confer immortal honor upon the brave The affair you have just mentioned, of the colony, as well as upon tbe small numCreoles, and the valiant inhabitants of their labors in this memoraofficers and soldiers, who partook ber of Englisb ble aétion. to have informed your readers that there You ought, Sir, as a faithful historian, of Tiburon, and not by your dolefulness, were only sixty Englishmen at the post the state of the English army and the consequence you thence draw respeéting wwork, signifes only the men born in (crbich in this passage, as in the rest of. your killed and wounded were all suffered it to be thought, that the England) to have English. I owe itto the memory of one of the bravest, most Although not an historian, yet that served the English cause in St. Dominactive, and most deroted French officers, from grateful countrymen, render him that justice which is due to him, your go, to served the King, whom he had chosen for his Sovereign, for the zeal with which he whilst fighting the enemy he had sO and in wbose service he aas lately Killed, Secré sohom I xeish to speak; all who often conquered ; it is the Chezalier de of of possessing the most deknew him, know that he had the well-merited reputation termined courage. in which he gives an account ofthis affair to Colonel In publishing his letter, reader will bestow on each the share of glory he Thitelock, the just and impartial in garrison at Tiburon, amounted recolleéting that the number of English merits, only to sixty men. commander of the colonial Copy of a letter from M. le Chevalier de Seuré, commander in chief of His troops at Tiburon, to Colonel Whitelock, Britannic Majesty's troops in St. Domingo. < Sin, (and who has deterarrived this morning in our porl 6 Captain Roberts, who furnishes mc with a secure and speedy opportu- & mined upon sailing to night) nity the just and impartial in garrison at Tiburon, amounted recolleéting that the number of English merits, only to sixty men. commander of the colonial Copy of a letter from M. le Chevalier de Seuré, commander in chief of His troops at Tiburon, to Colonel Whitelock, Britannic Majesty's troops in St. Domingo. < Sin, (and who has deterarrived this morning in our porl 6 Captain Roberts, who furnishes mc with a secure and speedy opportu- & mined upon sailing to night) nity --- Page 123 --- 113 ) 6 nity ofinforming you of the < gands upon our particulars of the attack made posts, two hours before day yesterday by the briAt half after three my light. c6 army of at least 2,000 advanced post, placed at the Vegie, was < ers; they brigands, having with them two field surprised by an surrounded both the fort pieces of four ce with difficulty that I could and the town at the same instant. pound- It <c ported the retire into the fort with my was <c The enemy's fire for a long time, before I was in garrison, where I supbrigands had every in a situation to <6 it on all sides, and thing their favor; they saw the return it. as it was not day light, we could fort, they commanded engagement lasted two not distinguish them. Ce great battery, hours, when two casks of powder The and entirely dismounted caught fire upon the c This unfortunate circumstance killed it, blowing the guns out of the fort. 66 while discouraged the or wounded twenty of my men, and for a < lently the garrison ; they soon recovered upon I ordered themselves, and fired vio66 the road near the enemy. river; some of John Kina's Negros to sally 66 upon the heights. they defeated the brigands, and forced them to retire upon 6 Ithen made a sally with about 200 66 the side towards the men, Negros and Whites, and marched G command of one to Mr. town, dividing my forces into two columns. I on < self. I mounted in order Philibert, and continued at thc head of the gave the 66 their to inclose their rear, and to other mypieces; ; but tle first endeavour to seize C succeeded in column, not being able to mount in time, the upon 66 I carrying off their cannon, brigands was not able to pursue the 66 sac; SO much were flying enemy, farther than the 66 hours. my men fatigued with incessant plantation Genfighting during five cc About 100 of my men fell 66 killed upon the spot; victims in this engagement, of whom i 100 were wounded, of thirty were must have at least 500 men mnany them mortally. Ithink cc found dead incapable of bearing arms or they c6 upon the field of battle ; and the dismayed ; 150 were are so covered with blood, that roads by which they retreated 66 wounded, they must have had a very considerable number 6e The Englisb troops condudled c6 them every where. themselzes with that courage which charaderizes <c vexed you have recalled Captain Hardiman is deserving of the highest I 66 lents and him ; it is difficult to praise, am virtues, replace him, on account ofhis taG g of bearing arms or they c6 upon the field of battle ; and the dismayed ; 150 were are so covered with blood, that roads by which they retreated 66 wounded, they must have had a very considerable number 6e The Englisb troops condudled c6 them every where. themselzes with that courage which charaderizes <c vexed you have recalled Captain Hardiman is deserving of the highest I 66 lents and him ; it is difficult to praise, am virtues, replace him, on account ofhis taG g --- Page 124 --- 114 ) in the difafter the I wrote to all the commanders c Immediately engagement, send ie some réinforcements ; I expeét some 6 ferent parts of the dependency, to by the presence of the Alligator < every moment ; but I am much strengthened <e frigate, which arrived this morning. cc I am, with respeét, &c. (Signed) C Le Chevalier DE SEYRÉ." Tiburon, April 7th, 1794. order of Colofrom the original at St. Nicholas Mole, by This letter was printed the colony, and I am in nel Whitelock ; it was at that time distributed throughout which will serve for the possession of a printed copy of it, with many other pieces, it shall arrive. when the proper time for writing History of St. Domingo, convince your readers of your unjust partialiThis letter, above all, will serve to according to your own account, for you ought to recolleét how few in number, You should have ty; the troops which you call by the name ofthe English army. or four times were the French colonists, bearing arms, were three said, that in all parts more numerous than the English. at this time, in all parts of St. Domingo, did not, 1beThe aubole of tbe Britisb force number by 120 meuns suffcient to garrison tbe lieve, amount to 900 efestice m211, a diminuction which precuiledamong them, could glacesin our possession, and the rapid classes of the French inhabitants, lo dispirit not fail to altrad abservation among all as had bitberto stood aallies and encourage our enemies. Such of the planters our themseles bostile, and desertions svere frequent from most lof, now began to declare 156. of the parishes that had surrandered-Page who, after the English were in possession What must the French have thought, arrive : of the colony for seven months, saw no reinforcements had ofa considerable part who had conduéted them there, and who What a difficult part had be to act, confidence in the reinforcements continually exhorted them to place the greatest information upon what to arrive from England ? Had you reccived any order that werc would have learnt every thing that was done, in passed at St. Domingo, you had' been raised; and, SO far from calumniating to preserve the confidence that had gained and preserved such a capithose who, by their most perfeét attachment, that nothing was spared, neither tal possession to Great-Britain, you would have said, to counteradt the invoyages, pains, promiscs, solicitations, nor assurances, party, who continually detrigues of the republicans, and those of the Spanish Had you reccived any order that werc would have learnt every thing that was done, in passed at St. Domingo, you had' been raised; and, SO far from calumniating to preserve the confidence that had gained and preserved such a capithose who, by their most perfeét attachment, that nothing was spared, neither tal possession to Great-Britain, you would have said, to counteradt the invoyages, pains, promiscs, solicitations, nor assurances, party, who continually detrigues of the republicans, and those of the Spanish --- Page 125 --- 115 ) clared that England only wished to ruin tbe colony, and had it: they adduced as a proof, the desolate no intention of keeping pear but little if condition in which it was left. It will astonishing, several persons and aphave suffered themselves to be affrighted discouraged, should three individuals might have been persuaded to desert from soine parishes ; two or sO, but they were not planters. Eight months had now elapsed since the surrender not a soldier bad 4f Jérémie, and in all tbat arrived from Great-Britain; . and the want interval, visions, and necessaries was grievously of camp equipage, profelt-Page 157. It: always happens, Sir, that after your accusations mingo, comes a proof that against the planters of St. Doculpated them. You you ought not to have suffered yourself to have ingivc the true cause of their ring eight months no succours arrived, and discouragement yourself; duif other colonists would have had SO much every tbing wwas wanted. I know not St. Domingo had. Save a few patience as the generous inhabitants of trifling exceptions, there was tion, nor even complaints in the part that had neither insubordinayou to reward their zcal and fidelity by submitted to the English. Ought your injustice ? And although the regiments newly arrived did not cxceed 1600 whom 250 were sick and convalescent) tbe mien in tbe whole (of subject of complaint. --Page 157. defciency of nunber was no longer the You acknowledge yourself, that only 1,600 men arrived, of were not fit for service, and the courage of the which upwards of 250 longer complained of not being sufficiently inhabitants was such, that they no do you hope to persuade your readers into numerous to defend themselves. How fidelity, the attachment, and thc what you say, page 146? And, if the sincere, what could such a small courage of the colonists had not been true and months number of troops have availed cight after the taking possession ofSt. them, arriving You should have said, that, during this Domingo : every age and scx, had returned into the interval, upwards of 4,500 planters of this was the cause of their and parishes possessed by the English ; that maining in the strength, not the small number of their troops regarrisons. The wbole under the immediate command of Commadore Ford.--Page 158. This brave and valiant officer, was at that time cease employing himself in the very ill; he, however, did not He had for a long time blockaded preparations for the attack upon Port-au-Prince, the port, which contributed greatly to dis- scx, had returned into the interval, upwards of 4,500 planters of this was the cause of their and parishes possessed by the English ; that maining in the strength, not the small number of their troops regarrisons. The wbole under the immediate command of Commadore Ford.--Page 158. This brave and valiant officer, was at that time cease employing himself in the very ill; he, however, did not He had for a long time blockaded preparations for the attack upon Port-au-Prince, the port, which contributed greatly to dis- --- Page 126 --- 116 ) courage the commisioners, and facilitated colony. our enterprise against the capital of the Audtbe land forees under the orders of General Ibite Aleftfor consisted of 1465 rank and duty-Page 158. Itis proper to remind you that there were only command of General White. You 1,465 English soldiers under tlie the nuimber of French inhabitants ought at least to have inforied your readers of exceeded two thousand, : you would have been surprised to find that it Yous should likewise have St. Mark's, Liugane, Jérémie recapitulated how many there were in arms at the (where there were no longer Mole, Cunp-des-ltisus, tbe Cump-di-Contre, and any English troops), the was known that Rigault was to above all, at Cape Tiburon: for glish should besicge Port-au-Prince. endeavour to make an attack there, whilst the En- it thousand of them under arms. I You would be surprised still to find ncar two sary, can furnish you with the can assure you, Sir, it was SO ; and, if necesupon this subject; and account, for I have been had, stridtly unremitingly employed glish possessions in the colony, speaking, continually been surreying the Endence appeared to be particularly during the Jatter months, when confi. ments. You declining, owing to the delay in the arrival of perceive that your calculation, the reinforcerespect to its accuracy I refer to the page 103, differs from this. With Ispeak of. English who were at St. Domingo at the time Major Spancer zith 300 British and about 500 shore on the exening witbin a mile %f tbe fort seith of the colonial troops was put o7 tbe side ef the land. 1 most tremendous orders to commence an attack on a deluge of rain wbich as it thunder storm arose accompanied zoitb overpowered the sound oftheir Iwas fortunate oppronch-Page 159. enough to recover from my wounds White, and to be able to join Colonel before the arrival of General the 31st of May the fort was cannonaded Spencer's detachment with my corps. On frigates, which entirely dismantled it the whole day by two men of war and two it remained and on the side next the sea ; but on perfect, an assault at least was the land side proached, and a storm was requisite to turn it. Night brave Colonel coming on ; a council of war was held between apSpencer, the Baron de the nius (a man %f snch perfelt talents and Montalembert, cool myself, and an officer of gcImean CaphuinMarkaras, bravery as cannot be shose adivity tras akcays such, that he surpassedby knezo hon any one ; lo bepresent on the side next the sea ; but on perfect, an assault at least was the land side proached, and a storm was requisite to turn it. Night brave Colonel coming on ; a council of war was held between apSpencer, the Baron de the nius (a man %f snch perfelt talents and Montalembert, cool myself, and an officer of gcImean CaphuinMarkaras, bravery as cannot be shose adivity tras akcays such, that he surpassedby knezo hon any one ; lo bepresent --- Page 127 --- 117 ) sent every wbere, wben a gun was fred. Wilb sucb success). The advice given by one of uS, zuho was aficers one can never fasl of mate ofibe country, was, to attack with fixed perfealy arguaintedaith the cliquantity of rain, which generally falls, would bayonets, at the time when the great using fire-arms and cannon. The action of prevent the men in tbe fort from Captain Daniel praised, it was executed with a courage and alertness which cannot be sufliciently nor. History will no doubt one day give will always do him hosaid is sufficient for the present. further particulars ; what I iave here Thepossessinn of Fort Bisoton by the determinedibefote of tbe capital zuhich wwas evacuated enemy onthe 41h of Jwne-Page 159. We continued in Fort Bizoton till the 4th of June : the army, which was coming from waiting till the great body of sea, made its l'Arcahaye, one part by land and the approach on that side lying towards the of other by Itwas foardaysin-marching six and plain the Cul-de-Sac. the 4th of leagues, was but three from the June, at ten in the morning, we town, when, on with Colonel Spencer, for Port-au-Prince, began our march from Fort Bizoton, order to from which we wére only threc occupy a post upon the heights behind the town. milcs, in a Mulatto woman informed us that the "Having marched half way Spencer, (with whom, as he could not Republicans had abandoned it; Colonel speak French, I found a pleasure in aide-de-camp) begged of me to take 50 of the cavalry of thei serving as which had joined us: at Bizoton the day after the inhabitants of Léogane, the fact. I executed this order. Two inhabitants fort was takcn, and go and ascertain arrived without difficulty at the ditch of the who marched before us as guides town situated under the gate of Léogane. One ofthem jumped into the ditch and fort, called the Jet down the bridge, the other having entered the fort joined us at the same instant with that what the woman had told us was true. I sent the happy news lonel Spencer, and took possession of the fort, to give an account to Coder one of the cavalry to examine having previously taken care to orsimilar whether we had not reason to fear to that at Fort de l'Accul. Nothing was then some villainy after Colonel Spencer and all our detachient had discovered; but halfan hour as coming from a cellar that was much entered the fort, a cry was heard and a very concealed; the door was Negro was found in the midst of several barrels of broke open, ways thought that this unhappy man had been gunpowder. 1 have alceding night, in order to set them on placed tbere erer since the fire at a certain hour, but that his preextinguished ; for therc was not found even the of match was appearance fire. H h detachient had discovered; but halfan hour as coming from a cellar that was much entered the fort, a cry was heard and a very concealed; the door was Negro was found in the midst of several barrels of broke open, ways thought that this unhappy man had been gunpowder. 1 have alceding night, in order to set them on placed tbere erer since the fire at a certain hour, but that his preextinguished ; for therc was not found even the of match was appearance fire. H h --- Page 128 --- 118 ) Being acquainted with the town I was diredted to go and take possession of the Fort of the Hospital which was likewise abandoned ; there I discovered that the plan of the republicans, was to blow up all who might have presented themselves at this post. I found a train of powder reaching farther than a gun could carry, beginning at the powder magazine, where there were cleven barrels of powder, several of which had the bottoms knocked out, and a quantity of strewed powder about the fioer ; this train reached to the thickets behind the fort. It appearsthe commissioners thought we should attack theni sooner, and that this train of powderhad been laid for a long time past. The rain had defeated their fatal projedt, forI found it wet through to the ground, the surface of it only being dried the sun. by Igot off my horse and ordered six men to dismount; we swept the door with our hands and handkerchiefs, and watered the front of it, which I shut, and immediately gave an account of this trifling operation to Colonel Spencer. As there appeared upon Fort Robin an assemblage of 2 or 300 men, who, our entering Fort de Léogane, lowered the republican flag, but who had negleéted upon sending some of their people to us, Colonel Spencer direéted me again to go and reconnoitre them, whilst he put himself in a state of defence at the door of Fort de Léogane. Itook a detachment of 80 cavalry with mc, and repaired to the foot of the fort, having caused the gorernor-generals (or the King's) house to be examined as we went along : it was completely pillaged and abandoned. Arrired in the street facing Fort Robin I sent twoof the cavalry to tell those who composed the assembly to lay down their arms and to send some oftheir officers. Two of them came, and informed me that they refused to fy with the commissioners, and that they surrendered with joyto the English troops. I then went up with them into the fort, and took possession of the guns. As those that remained with us were far more numerous than oursclves, I told them to go into the guard house leaving their arms at the door, which they all didimmediately, and with the appearance of great content. I then sent to inform Colone! Spencer,who dispatched the Baron de Montalembertto take possession of Fort St. Joseph, which commands the gate of the town leading into the plain of the Cul-de-Sac. A detachment of troops from Léogane was sent to Fort de Ste. Claire. Thusin the forenoon of the 4th of June, 1794, the English were in possession of Port-au-Prince, without having fired a single gun. The commodore who had brought the ships towards the road at the time we set offfrom Fort Bizoton, took possession of the Fort de l'Islet, and sent an English flag on shore, which Ihoisted at Fort Rubin in the place where the republican one gate of the town leading into the plain of the Cul-de-Sac. A detachment of troops from Léogane was sent to Fort de Ste. Claire. Thusin the forenoon of the 4th of June, 1794, the English were in possession of Port-au-Prince, without having fired a single gun. The commodore who had brought the ships towards the road at the time we set offfrom Fort Bizoton, took possession of the Fort de l'Islet, and sent an English flag on shore, which Ihoisted at Fort Rubin in the place where the republican one --- Page 129 --- 119 ) was displayed an bour before. An we remained at our posts till six o'clock, express was sent by land fo the grand army, and I cannot here forbear when General White arrived. oficer, in thie King of England's mentioning to you, Sir, the pleasure I felt at being the who first caused the service, who entered the capital of the Arst this Englisb Rog to be hoisted at colony, and happy event, as a reward Port-an-Prince. I consider to save St. Domingo from its procured for me ly fate, for all my labors and anxietics entire destruétion. The commissioners themselves, with many of tbeir adherents, made their momtains.-Page 160. escape to tha There are secrets which cannot bc then, whether the in expeéted to be discovered; : I cannot assert the time we remained commissioners, at Fort Bizoton the numerous flags of truce they sent, commodore to suffer them to retire without attacking it, had not agreed with during the wvithout them, from Port-au-Prince with their followving on condition that they should neither enormous riches, shipping. Ifit be SO, one cannot but approve of the burn the town nor the me, as well as to all the colonists commodore's wisdom ; but to Port-au-Prince to Jacmel, it will acquainted with the colony, and the road ing themselves with the immense ever. appear surprising, that they succeeded in froms savpersons of every age, sex, and colour, convoy in of 200 loaded mules, with 1,500 or 2,000 acquainted with the truth ; this is what their train. Government no doubt is quences which it would be to prevents me from deducing all the consedefend the planters of St. right state to the public, since I am obliged to in good faith assisted the English Domingo from your accusation of not having adively and and those who, like troops; ; and being likewise obliged to me, proposed and advised the defend myself, English might be put in possession of the projects and plans by which the shall know more about it. At I colony-lnt a day xwill come wben tve after thie capture of present, request you to observe, that there were, well armed, and Port-au-Prince, more than 3,000 men assembled in that ready to undertake any thing to town, colony. complete the conquest of the The situation of the town of Port-an-Prince in itself, it is surrawndedlyf has already Deen noticed unhealthy Zowr-CHAP. XI. Page fortified 161. beights zubich command both the lines and harNever was Port-au-Prince there. The new houses considered as unhealthy before the on the sea shore werc English arrived great part of the town, and the air damp, but they were burnt with a having a freer circulation, the town cannot be un- - town, colony. complete the conquest of the The situation of the town of Port-an-Prince in itself, it is surrawndedlyf has already Deen noticed unhealthy Zowr-CHAP. XI. Page fortified 161. beights zubich command both the lines and harNever was Port-au-Prince there. The new houses considered as unhealthy before the on the sea shore werc English arrived great part of the town, and the air damp, but they were burnt with a having a freer circulation, the town cannot be un- - --- Page 130 --- 120 ) which is the hill of Fort Robin, the healthy. Only one oft the heights is fortified, have occasioned such great ravages other forts are in the plain. The disorders that. I shall hereafter state the not be ascribed to the situation of the town. must they ought to be attributed. cause towhich tbe towun, made their the beights) the enenty on tbeir retreat from amHere (in of receiving regular supplies oj men, stand in the cell furmded confidence sea 071 the Southern coast, Aux Cayes, a port mitions aud nevessaries, from Port-ax-Prinse by a very easy" road about forty distant only from the tosen of wiles.-Page 162. but Negro troops, badiy Sir, thiat the brigands were nothing had Ican assure you, and without cannon, and if they any armed and dressed, without discipline, You here commit a surprising error in were not able to bring it against the town. whichisi in faét only40 miles' from Portmistaking the town Des Cayes for Jacmel, above another. In your note you enau-Prince, by a road in the mountains one Mulatto Rigaud commanded, with tirely confound the town Des Cayes, where the and other Mulattoes commanded. Les Cayes de Jacmel, where Monbrun, commanded Bornéo, is the capital of the Southern part The town Des Cayes where Rigaud Jacmel is in the Western dependency. If you of the colony : but Les Cayes de it might have been of to look in your chart you will easily perceive the advantages to have profited by this sucafter taking the capital, the English and to the colony, who were assembled at Port-aucess, and to have sent a part of the 3,000 men, In the events of war there arc Prince, to finish what had been sO happily begun. take advantage of; when lost they are which we should know how to opportunities seldom, if ever recovered. svere constanily poured into tbe eneny's camp.. And from both those sources reinforcements 162. Page deserved only the name of assemblies of Negros. With The camps of the enemy we took the strongest of hundred men of the Legion and as many inhabitants, we found nine one called Néret, in less than a quarter of an hour, where the comthese camps, had been brought to this spot by field pieces which we carried off ; they road not extending farther they missioners at the time of their flight, and the themselves carriage five minutes in these camps : left them. The brigands never supported hundred men, without once being able over three in two days with four we passed to fire a single gun. The With The camps of the enemy we took the strongest of hundred men of the Legion and as many inhabitants, we found nine one called Néret, in less than a quarter of an hour, where the comthese camps, had been brought to this spot by field pieces which we carried off ; they road not extending farther they missioners at the time of their flight, and the themselves carriage five minutes in these camps : left them. The brigands never supported hundred men, without once being able over three in two days with four we passed to fire a single gun. The --- Page 131 --- 121 ) S The brigands received no reinforcements. I again of August 1794, they never had a single repeat, that, before tlic month Prince, in which they supported themselves camp in the dependency of Port-aufor a quarter of an hour. On tbis account, the British commanders found it tbe lines, and raise additional entrenchments indispeisably necessary lo strengtben aehicb fronis the and works 012 that side of the toren mountaius.-Page 102. I shall say nothing of the danger there was of the brigunds; ; the colonists never had Port-an-Prince being attackedly myself with observing, that, when any uneasiness about it. I shall content within the compass of its lines 131 we took possession of the town, there were hearing pieces of cannon mounted in you,. Sir; one would believe that the batterics. After vided and well armed with trains of artillery, brigands had disciplined troops, prowaymen that rifled travellers. whilst they were nothing but highIt was fortunate for the Britisb army, that the French almost as much as our own. Port-au-Prince troops supered by sickness time in our possession.-Note B. Page 163. would olberaise have been but a sbort Permit me, Sir, to ask you of what corps and of what kind troops were composed, and where of men these French formed into you place tbem P There were no White regiments but at Port-au-Paix, and the troops at Aux Cayes; the revolted Negros, of which I remainder of some companies numerous, and could not attack Port-au-Prince have given an account, were not not being able to convey any by the double with cannon, not having any, and were in a very bad state. In fact, they moudtains ; in general, their arms could there be sickness in an army that did could not be called an army; ; how then What you say, Sir, in the not exist? am answering), is the text, (to which you thought proper to add the note I kept during ten continuation oft that inaétivity in which the days, who were in good health, and satisfied, 3,500 troops were Port-au-Prince; ; ifJacmel had been after the taking of at an end; ; if, if, if, if, &c. &c.; taken, as was then proposcd, the war had been sider, Sir, with all my readers, what one might add a great many. Conknowledge of St. you have said of me, and that I have a Domingo, and am acquainted with perfect there, &c. &c. every thing that happened The frigate (the Experiment) in auhich tbey were conveyed became a bouse of pestilence, -Page 163. I - the taking of at an end; ; if, if, if, if, &c. &c.; taken, as was then proposcd, the war had been sider, Sir, with all my readers, what one might add a great many. Conknowledge of St. you have said of me, and that I have a Domingo, and am acquainted with perfect there, &c. &c. every thing that happened The frigate (the Experiment) in auhich tbey were conveyed became a bouse of pestilence, -Page 163. I - --- Page 132 --- 122 ) the sickness at St. Domingo. The arrival of this frigate This is the true cause of bringing the pestilential of the misfortunes to the colony, by was the source greatest brave men. distemper that carried off sO many in the British army afier their arrival, that n9 less than So rapid cwas the mortality 600 rank and file met an untimely death, xvitbout a con40 oficers and upsuards of in tbe short space of fwvo montbs ufter tbe test sith any otber enemy tban sickness, surrender oftbe focn.-Page 164. was never known at St. Domingo it was The sickness called the yelloww fever and it was tbe Englisb themsekves brought by the English frigate the Experiment: ; It is a. scourge to which who introduced the disease into our unfortunate colony. but in a much less proportion, the inhabitants are viétims as weil as the English, of living is different, as the indeed, than amongst them; because the manner better, and by processes less violent, French physicians treat the tropical diseases Ycllow Fever, is a real pestilence, brought than the English. La Fievre Jaune, or This ship staid SO long at Bulam as to from Bulam to Grenada in the Hankey. what is called in England the gaol discontract a disorder, sui generis, similar to were in on board her: where they from the crowded situation the people with temper, before they could be accommodated on shore, when, remained many months the master and mate, or the mate and another a very few exceptions, they died; the at Grenada. THE CLOTHES man, were all who remained alive when shiparrived PESTILENCE WERE SOLD BY AND BEDDING OF THOSE THAT DIED OF THIS wasspread cver the whole of PUBLIC AUCTION ; and, bythat means, the contagion the islands and great part ofthe continent. the 3,500 troops which were at PortI am again obliged to repeat, that, if part.of been ordered to march, a lcss quantity of au-Prince after the town was taken, had &c. Fewer men would have perished, soldiers would have been colleéted therc, &c. of the consequences. Sc. &c. I leave our readers to refleét and to judge Great-Britain, none arrived until Ibatever troops cere promised Or expeged from Horneck had taken the command.- the expiration ef seven months after General Page 164. Horneck did not arrive at St. DoItis very essential to observe, that General belonging to the second mingo till the 15th of September 1794; that the troops after; that, after the taking reinforcement did not arrive there till seven months nineteen months elapsed of the colony on the 19th of September 1794, poisession leét and to judge Great-Britain, none arrived until Ibatever troops cere promised Or expeged from Horneck had taken the command.- the expiration ef seven months after General Page 164. Horneck did not arrive at St. DoItis very essential to observe, that General belonging to the second mingo till the 15th of September 1794; that the troops after; that, after the taking reinforcement did not arrive there till seven months nineteen months elapsed of the colony on the 19th of September 1794, poisession --- Page 133 --- 123 ) before the complement of men promised for the drawn the result, which is, that, arriving colony arrived. You should have cient to finish the conquest; by divisions, their number was not suffiFrench planters did all in their every thing should have convinced you, that the colony, and to diminish the difficulties, power to accelerate the capture of the whole of the expedition ; that they braved themselves fatigue, with and dangers, of the English in this from your impartiality which, I fear a fidelity that deserved that by all sensible readers, who know not to assure you, will be rendered to justice them how to appreciate their loyalty. While Colonel Brisbane was followving zp bis successes in the Men of Colour in the town of St. Marc, a distant part of Arlibonite, commissioners, and Anding tbe town itself seduced by the promises of the French mises ofneutrality, and, on tbe 6tb of without troops, had violated their proRepublit.-Page 165. September, taken zp arms 012 the part oftbe How happens it, Sir, that you are not informed that there remaining at St. Domingo in September were no commissioners ing of Port-au-Prince. How 1794 ? they set off in June, after the takBrisbane was deceived by the happens it also that you are ignorant that Colonel Mulattoes, whom he They were very sensible he could not hadspoiled by too much confidence? must attribute their revolt long remain in error at St. Marc's to but concerning them; ; we mixture of perfidy and atrocity. nothing their charaéter, which is a This young officer had been often advised to be but hc thought that courage would make upon his guard against them : reason to think SO by the up for every thing. He had still had loaded with favors and advantages he SO casily obtained over the traitors whom greater he kindness. The garrison, consisting of above 40 British small fort 072 tbe sea-sbore, which tbey convalescents, tbrew themnselves into a frigate came to their relief from tbe Mole gallantly defended for lz0o days, wben a Mulattoes, of Cape St. Nicbolas. The bowever, was transient. Colonel Brisbane triumph ef the tbe land, and recovered tbe attacked theni 072 tbe side fotm.-Page 166. of You forget to say here, whether it was with the sick defeated the Mulatto traitors, and obtained soldiers only, that Brisbane get to tell us wbere the population of Whites a complete triumph over them ; you formost considerable in tbe colony, and the belonging to the ton, wbich is one ofibe It would be well lo knoro the militia, retiredto, and who were ibe French names of all zubo Red. You runasuays. Legion was at that time, of which forget to say, where the Captain Brisbane, of the agth infantry, was with the sick defeated the Mulatto traitors, and obtained soldiers only, that Brisbane get to tell us wbere the population of Whites a complete triumph over them ; you formost considerable in tbe colony, and the belonging to the ton, wbich is one ofibe It would be well lo knoro the militia, retiredto, and who were ibe French names of all zubo Red. You runasuays. Legion was at that time, of which forget to say, where the Captain Brisbane, of the agth infantry, --- Page 134 --- 124 ) was Lieutenant-( Colonel. Just and reasonable men cannot fail to blame that partiality, which continually renders you unjust. Knowy with our readers, that here, as well as at Cape Tiburon, it was the French, commanded by Colonel Brisbane and some French officers, who defeated the brigands; and nol forty concalascent soldiers. Allow, Sir, that it is absurd to write (howerer cowardly may be the race of the Men of Colour), that forty men, sick or conrcalascent, could resist them, and er'en obtain any trizmph whatever over them. Allow still more, Sir, that, owing to your unjust pre-possession, you have suffered yourself to be strangely deceived ; since you assert, in page 162, that the received regular supplies of men, ammunition, &c. which made it enemy necessary to fortify' the town of Port-au-Prince ; (* of receiving 6; of regular supplies ef mhen, ammunition, Ec. On tbis account, the Britisb comimander it c foxnd indispensably necessary to strengtben the lines, Ec)." If they were SO powerful, how do manage to make a garrison of forty English concalascent soldiers enter into a fort, you defend themselves there, and then make them quit it afterwards, in order to fight these same Mulattoes upon the arrival of a frigate ; without adding whether the frigate had brought any considerable reinforcements, in order to attack these said men : who, a few pages back, you made SO dangerous, that it was necessary to fortify at an excessive expence, the lines of the capital? Being joined by the fugitice Mulattoes they soon repassed the river, and hacing in the beginning ofOctober obtained possession of trvo oul-posts (St. Micbael and St. Raphael) they hadprocured plenty of arms and ammunition, and noto threatened so formidable an attack on the toten of St.. Marc, as to excite the most serious apprebensions fori its safaty.--Page 166. What do you understand by out-posts ? Do you mean to speak of two posts standing without the town of St. Marc ? Explain yourself; for the two postsof St. Michael and St. Raphaël, lie within the Spanish colony, and one of them wards of sixty miles from St. Marc's, and the other upwards of seventy-five, isup- and it is necessary to traverse the double mountains by the worst roads imaginable. You must likewise observe, that these two small boroughs belong to the Spaniards whoever at St. Domingo, says a small Spanish borough, means the poorest place you can possibly imagine in the world; I have seen them such in the colony's flourishing days, judge yourself what they must be since the troubles in the French part, whose inlabitants no longer purchase their cattle. I assure you, that what ammunition they could bring from the pillage of those two outi-posts, could not have isup- and it is necessary to traverse the double mountains by the worst roads imaginable. You must likewise observe, that these two small boroughs belong to the Spaniards whoever at St. Domingo, says a small Spanish borough, means the poorest place you can possibly imagine in the world; I have seen them such in the colony's flourishing days, judge yourself what they must be since the troubles in the French part, whose inlabitants no longer purchase their cattle. I assure you, that what ammunition they could bring from the pillage of those two outi-posts, could not have --- Page 135 --- 125 3 have suficed them for an attack upon St. What you say about serious alarms that Marc's, and above all, a formidalle one, of St. Marc and St. Domingo laugh were entertained, will make the colonists heartily. Aud wuhappibi, in all other parts of ibe colony, tle apparent, as not only to invite atlacks from tbe kecakness of the British was So ande conspiracs in the posts in our enenty, lnet also to encourage revolt Coloncl Brisbane had scarcely drazun pozsesion-Page tbe 166. anltranguillity in the Mwlatises from St. Mare, and restored order French inbalitants ton, before a dark conspiracy weas agitated under British protection, to cut bim among some of the Was it after ef: Note C. that the having been masters of the colony for more than English were still afraid oftheir twelve months, of the colonists $ observe them possessions there ? It could not be the fault every part of thbe frontiers, the every of where established in camps, Figbting upon prietary inbulitants, and consider posts the which are composed of none but the properishing without having seen the English soldiers shut up in the garrisons, and begun to lose their courage, it enemy. Admit at least, that if the planters had fortunate situation. You have was much less their fault, than that of their unticulars of any conspiracy formed not, however, laid before your readers, the Among the by thei inhabitants of the pargreat number of Whites that returned to colony. less, must have been many bad men, St. Domingo, there, doubtnies as their and who, not being planters, consider prey, who are themselves a the coloexist some villains scourge to all the colonies. There troubles of the among them, who, enriched by their first might colony, might wish for a return of those pillage during the profitable to them. times, which had been so But ought a writer to confound this vile horde colonists and inhabitants, who have with the brave and and for the SO long fought for the safety of generous support of tbe power of their have informed readers Great-Britain inz the P property, your what kind of men colony You should conspire. they were who were encouraged to An historian, who pretends to be SO well informed preface you are, ought to have becn as you have assured us in who conspired able to have named those French your against Colonel Brisbane. Itis not inhabitants vaguely to accuse all the of enough, in order to be believed, not to call an planters a distriét; ; one should be individual, who comes into a town particularly careful, tant, or who may even come there only for a short time, an inhabiupon some plan for a conspiracy; : sent perhaps K k --- Page 136 --- 126 ) by the republicans, in order to get ridef enemies whom they dread, and have reason to fcar, knowing their valour and whom they the brave Colonel Brisbane. adtivity; that was the case with That valiant, but young colonel, had greatly alienated the confidence of inhabitants of St. Marc, by his connections and ridiculous the tbe Men of Colour; for he lived upon more intimate preference in favor of terms with the ever any White (particularly,a French oflicer) had Mulattoes, than to have donc. ) by the republicans, in order to get ridef enemies whom they dread, and have reason to fcar, knowing their valour and whom they the brave Colonel Brisbane. adtivity; that was the case with That valiant, but young colonel, had greatly alienated the confidence of inhabitants of St. Marc, by his connections and ridiculous the tbe Men of Colour; for he lived upon more intimate preference in favor of terms with the ever any White (particularly,a French oflicer) had Mulattoes, than to have donc. The inhabitants of St. Marc done, or would have ventured complained of Brisbane and his inexperiencc : many quitted the town on that account ; but I shall never think that any planter entered into a conspiracy against bim ; they all rendered qualities ; andIv willanswer for it, that ifany one of them had had justice to his of him, he would have openly demanded cause to complain sarisfaétion of them, as man of honor: but no one w2s capable of. cowardly becomes a against him. wishing to conspire If be bad succeeded the loss of the ruhole of the British at would bare been arny Port-au-Pringr, inesitable-Page 167. Had you been acquainted with the situation of Fort Bisolon, would known, that it in no respeét defends you have distant. On examining this it Port-au-Prince, will from which it is a leaguc post, be found, that its is in fending the great carriage road leading from utility oniy deIIad this town been attacked, it would have Léogane been to Port-au-Prince. was, which Captain Grant SO well supported defended as Fort Bizoton bad post as Fort Bizoton was defended with the against 2,000 brigands. If such a what feeblc garrison it would might not have been done at Port-au-Prince, whose contain, mented by the great quantity of peopie who, assembled strong garrison was aug. in the possession of the English : there, after the rown was You forget, Sir, that in page 161, you say the enemy had retreated the mountains behind Port-au-Prince, and that they received into men, ammunition, provisions, 8cc. from Aux regular supplies of mel 667 receiving regular supplies Cayes; you mean to say from Jacof mien, amaitiont, and necessuries"). prevented Rigaud following that road, or passing even behind Fort Nothing in order to go to Port-au-Prince; he had neither interest Bisotor, ing Fort Bizoton, if he had wished to seize nor advantage in aitackstillis, of all the country round it. upon the town; he was master, as he He could attack it then, when and how he pleased, without possessing Fort Bizoton, --- Page 137 --- 127 ) But you determine, I am ignorant why, that if ing Fort Bizoton with two thousand Rigaud had succeeded in carry. was inevitable ; you forget that the brigands, the eutire loss of tbe Englishi army most numerous of any in the whole English. garrison in that town was always the English soldiers in good health, who colony, would and that there were a great number of what you say, forty sick or corrvalescent at least have been able to have done Makc yourself mer had done at St. Marc's. casy, Sir, there was a very Prince, and there were likewise good English garrison in Port-anfacts, knew how to defend themselves. many French planters, who, as I have proved times that number, that. It will neyer be 2,000 by will take brigands, nor ten nor White troops with them. Port-au-Prince, provided they have no cannon His intentions were knozun, and his Englisb ship of war coulid have been projed might have been defeated, if any one Aux Cayes, from xohence be spared to watch bis motions off tie harbour ef proceeded, conveyedhis artillery, ammuvition, howvever, withoul interruption, in Bis andprovisions. He his armament sailedfrom Aux Cayes on tbe 23d preparations for the atlack, and You should have of Decenber-Page 167. -au-Prince, provided they have no cannon His intentions were knozun, and his Englisb ship of war coulid have been projed might have been defeated, if any one Aux Cayes, from xohence be spared to watch bis motions off tie harbour ef proceeded, conveyedhis artillery, ammuvition, howvever, withoul interruption, in Bis andprovisions. He his armament sailedfrom Aux Cayes on tbe 23d preparations for the atlack, and You should have of Decenber-Page 167. tbe arrival tbe asserted, Sir, and, often repeated to your of Englisb as St. Domingo, the readers, that since in tbe aduinistration and French have been absolutely governient of the that fassive up to Great-Britain, the commander in chief colony; having given themselves interior and exterior operations from that moment direéted all tho according to Bis themselves to execute the orders given' them. pleasure. The French confined Certainly, if a small frigate had been sent to could have taken this post. Do proteét Tiburon, Rigaud never tants, who never had the you put this fault to the account of the inhabicolony gives power of defending the colony but land itselfup to a powerful country, iti is by ? When a by sea. Where then wcre the English particularly to have its protcétion. small squadron ? You should have ships ? How happened Rigaud to have a to your readers. There are other put these questions, and have answered them why, at the time many questions that might be put : for ing off the port Fort-au-Prince of was attacked, was not a frigate or a corvette example, sioners with their Jacmel, or towards Altavala, in order to carry off the cruistreasure, at the time they were their commisHistory will, doubtless, one day, establish.the making escape ? protcétion. small squadron ? You should have ships ? How happened Rigaud to have a to your readers. There are other put these questions, and have answered them why, at the time many questions that might be put : for ing off the port Fort-au-Prince of was attacked, was not a frigate or a corvette example, sioners with their Jacmel, or towards Altavala, in order to carry off the cruistreasure, at the time they were their commisHistory will, doubtless, one day, establish.the making escape ? may be attributed to those who have committed truthi of things, SO that the faults. assure you, that they will not fall them; ; in this case, I previously 1pont my companions. --- Page 138 --- 128 ) lbe garrison, consisting ofonly 480 men, made a rvigorous defence for faur days, tehen haring lost upczards of 300 of their mumber, and finding the post 110 longer tenable, the surcivors beaded by their gallant commander, lientenant Bradford of the 23d regimnent, with snesampled bravery fonght their way for five miles and got savs 10 Irois.-Page 168. You have already seen by the copy of the Cheralier de Seure's letter, that it was he who commanded at the post of Tiburon ; a lieutenant of infantry only commands a feeble detachment of his corps, and the Chezalier de Sevré was the commenderin chiefin this distriét, and at this post ; for you will not accuse the English commander in chief of leaving the chief command of such an important frontier post to a young man, who, although very brave and courageous, was ignorant of the resources of a country unknown to him, and being with a people whose language he was perhaps unacquainted with. Add to this, Sir, according to what you say yourself, that it was Lieutenant Bradford who commanded, you prove that the number of English soldiers was very small; for a lieutenant cannot, by martial law, command more than 50 men ; now you admit that therc were 430 men : you ought then to have said, that there were but few English in garrison at Tiburon, commanded by Lieutenant Bradford, but that the greatest part of the garrison was composed of the brave and loyal inhabitants of la Grande-Anse, under the command of the Chevalier de Seuré, who, for a long time had commanded at this post ; and with which he was the better acquainted, having been born in the neighbourhood, and where also his property lay. Alas 2 Iloto many oft their. youthful associates in this sothappy car.-Page 170. The day will doubtless arrive, when the history of what has passed at St. Domingo, will discover the causes of the misfortunes that happened there, after the island was placed under the proteétion of England, and will point out those which afterwards interrupted her successes. I shall then make such observations as would at present be too long for an answer to this sentence. The diseases in ahicb S0 many gallant men bave perisbed, is commonly knocon by tbe name ot theyellos fever.-Note F. Page 170. It is very essential, that I should repeat to our readers, that the Yellow Fever was known onlyby name at St. Domingo, before the arrival of the English ; that it was not really known there till eight months after they had taken possession ofJérémie. It afterwards interrupted her successes. I shall then make such observations as would at present be too long for an answer to this sentence. The diseases in ahicb S0 many gallant men bave perisbed, is commonly knocon by tbe name ot theyellos fever.-Note F. Page 170. It is very essential, that I should repeat to our readers, that the Yellow Fever was known onlyby name at St. Domingo, before the arrival of the English ; that it was not really known there till eight months after they had taken possession ofJérémie. It --- Page 139 --- 129 ) It was brought by an English ship of war, the Experiment, after tinico; it was the English themselves who introduced' the taking of Marand which is this scourge into the generally more fatal to them than the French colony, and habits ofthe two nations contribute much colonists. The reginen in the remedies toit, but more than all the difference employed by the physicians. I shall adduce a proof generally known. The brave and amiable ham, one ofthe best informed officers in the British Colonel Markcahaye fell ill ; he was soon in the army, being in garrison at TArlish physician that attended greatest danger, and given over by the Enghim, and the delirium had at l'Arcahaye two days after the already begun. I arrived him after my landing, I endeavoured commencement of his illness; ; on my going to see to persuade him to care of the French physicians. He would place himself under the not, and two over by his physician. I then pressed his friends days after he was given M. de la Croix, a physician who had lived who surrounded him to call in he had obtained a merited twenty-five years in St. Domingo, where in fevers incidental reputation on account ofhis great experience, to the colonies. I went to fetch this worthy particularly who immediately. After having considered the for man, came me it was almost too late; but, that he, however patient some time, he convinced patient should be entirely would try, on condition that the the given up to him. The first thing he was to drugs, that covered the tables to be taken out of the did, order ordered his own bed to be brought in the and patient's room : he next room, had it nel's, to whom he himself administered such relief placed near the colofirst three or four days, he did not leave him for as he judged necessary. The him out of and a moment, on the fifth he declared danger ; on the fifteenth the Colonel was restored to such a debilitated state as is difficult to his friends, in to dress himself. describe, not being able either to or During this time many soldiers were interred get up many officers died at l'Arcahaye. every day, and These reflexions and observations are not written in the spirit in autbority ; nor (if 1 knocu myself) is there bias ef accusution against men any of party seal on Page 170. wyjudgment. You only indiredtly accuse the men in power ; but why, before incorreét notes, did you not endeavour to inform you publish such of that trifing and yourself whether they were guilty negligence you tax them with, in ceived by persons, who, according to in pretending that they were det5c. and instcad of you, page 141, either meaut lo deceive, or, injuriously- writing against the Ministers and those who advised L 1 ution against men any of party seal on Page 170. wyjudgment. You only indiredtly accuse the men in power ; but why, before incorreét notes, did you not endeavour to inform you publish such of that trifing and yourself whether they were guilty negligence you tax them with, in ceived by persons, who, according to in pretending that they were det5c. and instcad of you, page 141, either meaut lo deceive, or, injuriously- writing against the Ministers and those who advised L 1 --- Page 140 --- 130 ) the plans, why not, I say, have taken the necessary time to inform yourself whether the Ministers were deceived ? Why not have endeavoured to gain ofwhat was done : You might have learnt the substance of intelligence have advanced in your and my answer to what you work, you would not have deceived the public. The historian, who SO inconsiderably advances matters of such importance, has reproach himself perpetually; for many readers, having neither the time reason to inclination to investigate what has amused or nor the be led away by their first surprised them, suffer themselves to judgment, which always leaves an difficult be removed, because it forces him who had admitted impression to every thing the an author, to accuse binself of and upon word of imprudence ; it is with difficulty that threefourths of mankind recover from their first prejudices. I am farfrom asserling that the situation and resources of Great-Britain to afford a greater body oftroops for service in St. Donings, at the. tvere such as than tbe number thai tvas actually sent proper momnent, tbiller.-Page 170. Why not have refieéted upon the situation in which Great-Britain then and has since been in ? Why not, I say, have colleéted information was,' sources, and tbe means she teas able to employ Above all, did concerning the reyourself concerning those who why you not inform were requested to execute the In short, Sir, why not have done the Ministers the proposed projects taken a long time to consider the justice to think that they had projects and determine upon the thought to be advantageous to Great-Britain ? And plans they them ? Andcbether why not have been informed of events efgreater moment did not prevent the means of their plans, at the time intended, as being the important nioment in order to make executing theni succeed? In short, why do you accuse, as you do, in pages 141, 145, 146, the generous ine habitants of St. Domingo, who have unremittingly and faithfully served both the interests of Great-Britain and the colony : Why do you accuse the colonists who advised the operations relative to St. Domingo ? Ipresune not to intrude into the national councils, and am seell apprised that alliances and pre-engagements of the stute teere oljecls of important consideration existing to His Majesty's Ministers. Neither can I afirm that the delays and obstructions rehich the arrival at the scene ofattion of some ofthe detacbments, until the return prevented of tbs sickly were axondable.-Page 170. season, of Great-Britain and the colony : Why do you accuse the colonists who advised the operations relative to St. Domingo ? Ipresune not to intrude into the national councils, and am seell apprised that alliances and pre-engagements of the stute teere oljecls of important consideration existing to His Majesty's Ministers. Neither can I afirm that the delays and obstructions rehich the arrival at the scene ofattion of some ofthe detacbments, until the return prevented of tbs sickly were axondable.-Page 170. season, --- Page 141 --- 131 ) In every page you furnish those you have accused with against yourself, and you prove that a little reflexion would the strongest arguments prevented you from have sufficed to have what you say in what publishing I have your work. I leave our readers to refleét just copied. upon 4 thousand accidents and casualties scbemes continually subvert and overtibrow the best iai.l uf buman contritanct.-Page 170. I shall refer to your own confession ; and, since peéted events overturn the wisest you allow that a thousand unexnisters, and to those who plans, why not have rendered justice to the Miwlio proposed these plans undertook proposed the plans they adopted ; particularly when those them ? What will (at the risk ofevery possible to you say, if it is proved to the danger) execute bcen able to possess (and that for reasons of public, that, without having the means that had been promised greater moment than you admit than they had given them, they have donc a hundred times of) reason to hope for; : without ever more' orf privately, that the means were not furnished which having complained, publicly take an expedition of such magnitude ? were to enable them to underWe have seen considerable Reets detained by adverse winds in the tain, for many successive montbs, and porverful ports fGreal-Briby storms and tempests after armamnents bave been driven back tination. Thus much I vwe many t0 unavailing attempts io reach the place oftheir descandour.-Page 171. You admit yourself a great truth ; you tained in port, others destroyed in and acknowledge that fleets were deof every thing that counteraéted the part, obliged to return ; in short, you admit standing which, you have published projeéts and overturned the plans, notwithIhave your book ! sought from the beginning of your work, in what of against St. Domingo is to be found the ill success which part the operation not accomplished, I certainly cannot discover the accompanied it. If it be on the contrary, that every tbat cause in your book; I observe, ing the period of time thing was wished to be done there succeeded, durcomprised in your work. Because sent, which perished without it is troops werc afterwards tion against the fighting, not a reason for saying that the colony was in no degree successful; ; operaproves that its success at first was beyond what could every thing I have said, wards it did not succecd more have been expeéted. Ifafter. vised it, nor was it morcover that completely, of it was not the fault of those who had adthe fatigues of war. the inhabitants, who, unrémittingly supported all comprised in your work. Because sent, which perished without it is troops werc afterwards tion against the fighting, not a reason for saying that the colony was in no degree successful; ; operaproves that its success at first was beyond what could every thing I have said, wards it did not succecd more have been expeéted. Ifafter. vised it, nor was it morcover that completely, of it was not the fault of those who had adthe fatigues of war. the inhabitants, who, unrémittingly supported all --- Page 142 --- 132 ) if from the ill SILCCESS cehicb has attended the atlack St. of Doningo, a tion oftbe original meastre shall be thonght necessary, it ought not to justifica- be overlooked that General Millianson, among otber motirves, had also strong reasons to believe that attempts were meditated ly the republican commissioners 011 the island fJamaica. He, therefore, probably thought that the most certain way of preventing the success of. such designs, was lo give the commissioners suficient employment at home.-Note * Page 171. General Williamson could not do more for St. Domingo than he did. Every plan he adopted succeeded. He had orders (as you have yourself observed in 141, chap. X. line 2) to send troops to take possession of sucb parts the page be of colony as might willing to put itself under the power of Great-Britain, until the arrival of reinforcements wubich sbould arrive from England. He did sO ; I challenge Sir, to say, whether there has been an expedition in this war that bas succeeded you, completels, that has been more perfectly executed, that has cost less, and more has been of more importance to Great-Britain in its present and future yet consequences. You have already twice nearly avowed the most important of the reasons which determined the Ministers to endeavour to seize upon St. Domingo; and the justice you here render to General Williamson, he has completely deserved, but the Ministers deserve it likewise. For do you think, Sir, that they did not make the reflexions which in your preface you admit Lord Effingham had made from the commencement of the ravages of St. Domingo ? Do you think that those who posed, advised, and solicited the expedition against the colony, whose situation pro- and resources they were perfedtly acquainted with, and who above all knew the influence that the destruction of the first sugar colony must have upon the others ; do think, Sir, that they did not furnish the Ministers of Great-Britain with you reason that might support their political reflexions concerning the every of the Antilles ? Do you think that the Ministers did not feel the danger and the truth of them : Do you not think that it was this which consequence determined them to carry the theatre of war into St. Domingo, which would have been inevitably carried to Jamaica ? How is it possible that you, personally, being a colonial planter at Jamaica, can have been SO far ungrateful as to accuse those, who advised an operation that saved your individual property, ofl having deceived your government, when it is the effeéts of their advice that the wlole of your fortune has been preserved : by Lappeal, that the Ministers did not feel the danger and the truth of them : Do you not think that it was this which consequence determined them to carry the theatre of war into St. Domingo, which would have been inevitably carried to Jamaica ? How is it possible that you, personally, being a colonial planter at Jamaica, can have been SO far ungrateful as to accuse those, who advised an operation that saved your individual property, ofl having deceived your government, when it is the effeéts of their advice that the wlole of your fortune has been preserved : by Lappeal, --- Page 143 --- 133 ) Iappeal, Sir, to all who hare read your work, and has happened at St Domingo and the Windward who are acquainted with what of all the English colonies that have been Islands ; I appeal to the planters Polverel are ravaged ; and I say, that latter in acknowledged as having been two men of the Santhonax and particular, as possessing an and greatest talents, and the these are the men with Hugues, whom astonisbing the incomparalle Frmness of mind: tion of the colonics. You Jacobins had entrusted with the done ; he had are acquainted with destrucno other means but what were furnished every thing that Hugues lras vertheless the planters of Grenada and St. him from Guadaloupe, neingly, as will also those of Vincents will remember him everlastMartinico, St. St. They are not yet delivered from the Lucia, Christopher, Antigua, &c. villain. Well then, Polverel and terrors caused by the proximity of this than what Hugues had, would have Santhonax having means far more powerful only thirty lcagues to leeward of St, displayed them against Jamaica, which is difficulty in twenty-four hours, in Domingo, and where one may repair without remains of a population of open canoes. The two commissioners had the and resources of that immense 500,000 Negros or Men of Colour, and all the riches as colony, at their command. alljudicious men, whether you think they not Iask you, Sir, as well Jamaica as tbe jacobin Hugues did in tbe might have obtained tbes same success at maica would have Minduard Islands P Do you continued to be a think that Jait would be in a preferable situation sugar colony, useful to Europe, and that of the Maroons in Jamaica will to St, Domingo ? The revolt and the war say to themselves, that the answer for you; and all refledting readers will and thercby the Ministers, in causing St. to be carrying seat of war bave Domingo attacked, colonists of the latter there, saved Jamaica. I island, to all the appeal to the turers interested in its numerous English merchants and manufacto those who advised commerce; ; in short, to every an undertaking which, Englishmen, to renderjustice quences since the period you wrote, has had whatever may have been its conseJamaica would have none equal to what the produced to Great-Britain. destruétion of In order to prove it, I shall ask, Ist. If it was have been done ? Since circumstances desired to save Jamaica, could it well as to St. Domingo, before the prevented the sending of troops there, as time Jamaica would have 19th May, 1794 ; it is probable that before already been that particularly, if we take that destroyed by Santhonax and frigate at the island; notice, at the end of July 1793, there Polverel; Windward ; that Admiral Gardner had returned was only one, Islands; ; that the commissioners to Europe from the French squadron cculd have had the which was at New command of the Englend ; and that in order to land M m the of troops there, as time Jamaica would have 19th May, 1794 ; it is probable that before already been that particularly, if we take that destroyed by Santhonax and frigate at the island; notice, at the end of July 1793, there Polverel; Windward ; that Admiral Gardner had returned was only one, Islands; ; that the commissioners to Europe from the French squadron cculd have had the which was at New command of the Englend ; and that in order to land M m the --- Page 144 --- 134 ) brigands at Jamaica, it is not necessary to proceed to Kingston, which is in the center of the coast : the French might land any where on the North and North East. In May 1794, war had been declared between England and France months. fifteen 2dly. Supposing the colony of Jamaica was not then attacked, would the forces which have since been sent from Europe have been sufficient for its protedtion ? And the unfortunate ship which brought the, Yellow Feverto St. Domingo, would it not have carried it to Jamaica ? and would not the mortality, which was the consequence of its arrival, have been greater in that island, it being much more unhealthy than St. Domingo ? 3dly. Who would have supported the war at Jamaica ? The militia, as they did in the Maroon war. Upon whom would the loss of men at that time have fallen : upon the inhabitants. Great-Britain then would have lost, with the men she lost at St, Domingo, the population ofJamaica. The war being carried to St. occasioned only a part of the misfortunes which England must have Domingo, experienced at Jamaica, rvbose population and property she bas preserved. As to the expences, the French colonists never had the administration of a at St. Domingo ; they were all ordered and payed by the English. I am ignorant guinea of what the expence of defending Jamaica would have been to England ; but I can afirm, tbat tbe expences incurred inseizing upan all that tbe English possess in St. Domingo, and wbal they have lost since I quitted tbe colony, do not amount to the sum of 40,0007. sterling, which has been more than paid for by all the warlike stores, &c. &c. which were found at the Mole, at Jérémie, and at Léogane, Ido no not speak of upwards of a million sterling taken at Port-au-Prince, and other ports, and carried either to Jamaica or to England. The expences which have been made since my departure from St. Domingo, by the English Government, have in no respedt contributed to the taking of the colony, are entirely distindt from it, and have nothing to do with the advice of those who they undertook to put a part ofit under the dominion of England. I shall be told that they were necessary for its preservation ; that may be ; Ispeak not my opinion, but I have a right to think and to assert, that a part of these same expences would have been necessary for the preservation of Jamaica, and to carry on the war there against the brigands, as the English have done against those of St. Domingo, I shall go still farther, Sir; I declare, and even affirm, tbat, admitting the greatest exaggeration of the expences incurred on account of the colony, the Ministers of Great-Britain have rendered her, as well as the inhabitants of Jamaica, the greatest service, by carrying the war to St. Domingo; since the safety of Jamaica to think and to assert, that a part of these same expences would have been necessary for the preservation of Jamaica, and to carry on the war there against the brigands, as the English have done against those of St. Domingo, I shall go still farther, Sir; I declare, and even affirm, tbat, admitting the greatest exaggeration of the expences incurred on account of the colony, the Ministers of Great-Britain have rendered her, as well as the inhabitants of Jamaica, the greatest service, by carrying the war to St. Domingo; since the safety of Jamaica --- Page 145 --- 135 ) is the consequence. The siderable; withour expences incurred in order to insure its examining to what success, are conin a great measure counterbalanced degree they were useful, they are at least siderable of all the English colonies by the productions saved from the most tions for nearly four in the Antilles. Let us reckon the conyears, which have arrived in produclanding of the English at St. England from Jamaica, since the those of the latter colony Domingo on the 9th ofSeptember 1793; add to them the part they during the same space of time, whose possess, amounted last year to exportations for considered, if the expences incurred 2,000,0001. sterling. Let it be repaid ; perhaps we shall see that byGreat-Britain the have not been almost entirely by the duties upon the imports from expences have been much diminished above stated : to which may be added Jamaica and St. Domingo since the from the prizes made since the what has been paid upon the produce period of the same period; perhaps we shall find arising government are very that the of England, and been shared inconsiderable, and have all turned to the expences After having among the people in it. advantage and calculated the expences incurred in for. supporting the war there, wbich has taking possession of the colony, with tbe immense capitals which have saved Jamaica, let us compare them herinhabitants, as well as those of the thereby been preserved to Great-Britain, and continually renewed ; let us colony of Jamaica, whose produétions are to the manufactures of attentively observe the evils which would have arisen maica, they had been without Great-Britain, if, simultaneously by the destruétion of Jaand SO many families ruined. business, with so many thousand hands unemployed, After having refleéted upon all the evils from the loss ofJamaica, there is which might have befallen not tremble at the idea, and no prudent man who loves his England who, far from country, who will operations of the war, will not thank the blaming one ofthe greatest andwost useful according to the projeéts and King's Ministers for having undertaken themselves with the execution plans of those who advised it, and who it, Let the of them. charged planters of the English and French islands that consulted; they will declare with what pleasure have been ravaged, be productions of their in they would have lost all the annual the value of their plantations, order to recover, at the peace, their plantations that have been capitals in acquainted with some of them, Sir; preserved. You arc, no doubt, tion, as a specimen of that in which you ought then to put yourself in their situation of Jamaica you would have been tbe ; and far from casting a ridicule of placed, by the destrucconducl of Ministers, by accusing them of inconsistency and levity upon suffering themsclves to be deceived, they would have lost all the annual the value of their plantations, order to recover, at the peace, their plantations that have been capitals in acquainted with some of them, Sir; preserved. You arc, no doubt, tion, as a specimen of that in which you ought then to put yourself in their situation of Jamaica you would have been tbe ; and far from casting a ridicule of placed, by the destrucconducl of Ministers, by accusing them of inconsistency and levity upon suffering themsclves to be deceived, --- Page 146 --- 136 ) both to them and those who advised the you ought to vow an eternal gratitude, and all the planters of Jamaica, owe the undertaking ; sinceit is to them that you, preservation of your own and your families' fortunes. dependance on tbe co-eperation of the That tbey placed (the Ministers) great. from thence, I believe and were grossly deceived by agents French inhabitants, and admit-Page 172. I find myself more direatly and more personally By what you here advance, that I had been sent by the Ministers t0 attacked, for you announced (page 140), set forth that I was the agent al avith General Williamson; ; and that (page 147) you it; I am then the agent, who, of the inhabitants ofla Grande-Anse. I acknowledge the Ministers. I ought then, in a direét deceived has according to you, deceived,grossly the injustice of which you may believe, manner, to answer this accusation : Although I hope, in the preceding part, caused me the most painful sensations. foundation, I shall enter into have convinced our readers, that it was without answer will to details in order completely to refute your reproach : my more particular articles in which you have not SO direétly accused me. serve for all the rank among the legislators of your country I do not know, Sir, what right your whether the King's Ministers really may give you to be authentically informed, had stated that they had been sO, you think they bave been deccived. Before you believe it, and have acquainted your should have informed yourself whether they then could have said whether readers with your proofs in order to assert it: : you and the ignorance, with which they agreed with you concerning the folly,t tbe incapacity beforc the the proofs you accuse them. Until you shall lay public me you indiredtly that they have been grossly deceired : give have of the opinion of Ministers, the accusation you direét, without proof, leave, Sir, to qualify with inconsistency interests of your country), and against the against a man (wholly devoted to the who, led on by interest and gratitude, brave, generous and loyal inhabitants, for the protedtors who were to save fought, almost alone, have incessantly them. from the Ministers the particulars of the You ought and might have known been proposed to them for thec expediprojeéts, plans, and conditions which had any proots whatever, that tion against St. Domingo ; then, had you discovered or wished to deceive them, you who adrised them had deceived them, of the persons who had advised them. Instead that, you might might have accused those have led on by interest and gratitude, brave, generous and loyal inhabitants, for the protedtors who were to save fought, almost alone, have incessantly them. from the Ministers the particulars of the You ought and might have known been proposed to them for thec expediprojeéts, plans, and conditions which had any proots whatever, that tion against St. Domingo ; then, had you discovered or wished to deceive them, you who adrised them had deceived them, of the persons who had advised them. Instead that, you might might have accused those have --- Page 147 --- 137 ) have scen, that far from having deceived the with a noble frankness. I will go farther, Sir, Ministers, they spoke to tben important an operation either succeed and maintain, that never did SO all that was expected and hoped for from more completely, cost less, or surpass speak of myself, since it is it, than this has done, I shall merited necessary that I should repel again accusation. your unjust and, unYou admit (page 140), that I was sent in neral Williamson, with the 1793, by the Ministers, to Geexpedition against St. necessary orders and instructions to undertake plans for this Domingo. I doubtiess did not leave England an operation being arranged-it was no doubt without the conditions, which were to facilitate its execution subjeét to certain should not have set off for the : and you rightly think, that I means : since the plans that were colony, without the positive assurance of these upon them. adopted, and which I was to execute, depended Let ussee then, Sir, whether I have fulfilled what left England on the 12th of June in I might have promised. I to all the vengeance of 1793, a defenceless packet boat, and times Robespierre, had I been taken. After exposed pursued, I arrived at Jamaica towards the having been several that in less than two months, from tbe end of July. Isce, byyour wvork, flag was flying upon the bastions of the, day of my arrival at Janaica, the British tent of coast very fertile, of upwards of Gibraltar of the Antilles, and upon an exthat the guns ofibe Tower of London 150 miles long ; I see, by the Court Gazelle, Britain, and that it is there proclaimed this great event throughout Greatof a single gun. I perceive ackowledged, that that it did not COSE the English the were delivered into their very large magazines of warlike stores and Fring adduced hands, and I do not observe a artillery to diminish the enjoyment of the single expence that can be We were only to take post antil tbe arrivaloft possession of such great advantages, than four days, Great-Britain, without reinufarcementrfrom. Europe: : andin less is mistress of the most risk, without trouble, and without important post of the expence, or eiglt transports which colony, and of the Antilles; the in the colony, and brought the troops, are laden with the seven Jamaica. carry the first productions of the finest revenues stored country in the world to doné The whilst promised troops were to arrive at a time, no doubt fixed they were expedted ? The Gondives, St. upon. What was PArcahaye, le Beucassint, and Mare's, le Monroui, les Vuses, waited with Lingane, were disposed to surrender.; impatience the time fixed upon for the arrival of these distries the reinforcements, N n brought the troops, are laden with the seven Jamaica. carry the first productions of the finest revenues stored country in the world to doné The whilst promised troops were to arrive at a time, no doubt fixed they were expedted ? The Gondives, St. upon. What was PArcahaye, le Beucassint, and Mare's, le Monroui, les Vuses, waited with Lingane, were disposed to surrender.; impatience the time fixed upon for the arrival of these distries the reinforcements, N n --- Page 148 --- 138 ) which should enable them to declare themselves. The time passed on, events of greater moment, rehich happened in Europe, prevented their being sent. What was the consequence. ? it was necessary that the plans, arrived at maturity, should be executed forthe security of the inhabitants, as the barbarous commissioners were acquainted with them; thus these distridts, forming three-fourths of the great bay of Léogane, couragcously delivered themselves up to a protection that was 710t furnisbed tbem ; and at the time agreed upon for receiving the troops, wbich did not arrive, upwards of one-third of the colony was under the dominion of GreatBritain. Time continued to slip away; the terror with which the arrival of the English had inspired the Republican commissioners diminished daily; the division ofthe small number of English soldiers, forming the garrisons, and the length oft time taken to send reinforcements, made the French commissioners suppose that the English knew not, or did not set a great value upon St. Domingo. From that time they spread a report, that the English only wished to destroy the colony. Uncertainty diminished confidence, and prevented other distriéts from surrendering: the brigands reinforced themsclves, and established that fatal corre-pondence with the United States, which has furnished them with the means of supporting this devastating war. In the mean time, what did the generous and courageous inhabitants of St. Domingo do? Being grateful, and confiding in their protectors, and hoping thing from wbal tbeir agent incessantly repeated to them concerning the intentions every of the King of England and his Ministers, they waited patiently; and, leaving the English troops quiet, and enjoying plenty in their garrisons upon the sea-shore, they went themselces to defend the' frontiers in the mountains, reduced to the most disagreeable and confined allowance ; fighting the brigands erery where, and often alone, and always joining the English when they were going to figlit, who had one singie engagement (that of Bombarde), in which there were no colonial only composed of the inhabitants (in greater numbers tban tbemselves). troops This is, I affirm, what passed until the arrival of the reinforcements, which came on the 19th of May 1794. I call upon the whole colony and the English army, to declare how the agent was cmployed, whomjox accuse of baving deceived the Ministers, during the eight months that succeeded the taking possession of St. Domingo, by the English. I shall confine myself, by saying, that scarcely a single action took place with the brigands, in which he was not present 5 and that, when a sufficient interval occurred between the aétions, his aétivity unremittingly carried him to all parts where he could be useful to his countrymen, and to thc interests of those who had reposed their Can- --- Page 149 --- 139 ) fidence in Aiw-encouraging sone, assisting others, and promises and personal services, supporting their hopes by Atlength, Sir, the 1,600 men, sent from Martinico they were joined by the colonial by General Grey, arrived ; of the troops, and the capital was soon in English ; the commissioners, in their the possession the colony. This happened within fifteen flight from it, were obliged to quit days after the arrival ofthe weak reinforcements; ; and then, I solemnly declare, the and first colony, was upon the point of power of the French in the I ask being totally destroyed. personal services, supporting their hopes by Atlength, Sir, the 1,600 men, sent from Martinico they were joined by the colonial by General Grey, arrived ; of the troops, and the capital was soon in English ; the commissioners, in their the possession the colony. This happened within fifteen flight from it, were obliged to quit days after the arrival ofthe weak reinforcements; ; and then, I solemnly declare, the and first colony, was upon the point of power of the French in the I ask being totally destroyed. you, Sir, and every Englishman, as well as all more could have been expeéted P in less reasonable men, what considerable places in the when, than nine monshs, the most the Republican chiefs colony were in the possession of the and put to flight; when the English, sess, in the Northern part the town of French only continued to posor 1,200 men, of which only 500 were Port-de-Paix, with a garrison of 1,000 doned to Jean and Europeans; when the remainder was Français to Biassou : in fine, when, ifI be abanpression, it belonged to nobody. In the South may allowed the exand a corps of Negros newly raised, was. Rigault, with 300 White troops, make without arms, without any resistance against the triumphant discipline, and unable to from all parts of the colony, who had troops, and the numerous planters upon four points at joined in order to attack the once. What more could the Southern part than every where to give an example of planters of St. Domingo do, own and England's enemies ? Where have activity and eagerness to attack their trayed the confidence that had these brave and valiant colonists deceived been placed in them ? and bow begrossly the Ministers? What could cither do bave tbeir agents ready for fighting, perpetually armed more than to be continually more could Great-Britain upon the frontiers? On the whole, what colony in the Antilles expedt, tlan to be mistress, of one-third of in less than nine months, without the richest out an extraordinary armament ? expence, as well as withI shall now go farther, Sir, and maintain, and I French planters carried on adtively and almiost offer to prove it, that the agent, in fact would perhaps be alone the war in the colony, that their What answer will make rightin complaining that be was not better you to your readers, if I seconded. that in Jess than four months, the English, prove, even by your own work, St. Domingo, were masters of almost all without having more than 900 men at wbai they at present enjoy P they ever possessed there, and more tban What answer could you make, Sir, if I tell that sent to St. Domingo towards the month of you, troops oughtto have been November or December 793 ? Had they J --- Page 150 --- 140 ) arrived to the amount -of 4,000 or 3,000 men only, at that time, (the most for carrying on the war, and the most favorable to the Europeans, who till proper the month of May, sufer nothing from the excessive tropical heats); ; what might not these 3,000 men have done, since 9c0, assisted by the planters, were put in session of more than a third of thè colony ? And if 1,350 English, with the pos- inhabitants, tcok Port-an-Prjnce, compelled the commissioners to fly, a gun, after having possession for eight months, what might not these eithoutfring troops have done in November, (two months after our taking possession of Jérémie) when the brigands and their chiefs were struck with the general terror occasioned the arrival of the English troops? What might have been the by consequences of such an important operation against St. Domingo? Let the eye of the politician judge and decide whether the colonists or their observing cused, and whether it be better agents can be acpossible to fulfil every thing that was from, or promised by them. months, what might not these eithoutfring troops have done in November, (two months after our taking possession of Jérémie) when the brigands and their chiefs were struck with the general terror occasioned the arrival of the English troops? What might have been the by consequences of such an important operation against St. Domingo? Let the eye of the politician judge and decide whether the colonists or their observing cused, and whether it be better agents can be acpossible to fulfil every thing that was from, or promised by them. They hare never complained of the forsaken expected in which they were left ; they knew better than any one that Great-Britain situation greatest interest in following the plans that Ministers had had the what has happened, which is, that adopted ; they foresaw extraordinary events in Europe absolutely disconcerted the wisest plans--and, Sir, without eomplaining, they redoubled their zeal and courage. patiently Is it possible there can exist a man who has ventured to accuse them SO without adducing a single proof against them ? rashly, What answer will you make, when I shall advance and prove, that the arrival of 1,600 men would have completed what had been SO happily begun P But I forget that I am not writing the history of the colony ; that I : only wish to prove your injustice and partiality, which many, no doubt, will attribute interest, as being a planter of Jamaica. Ishall confine toyour myself then to putting the following questions to you : Immediately after the arrival of the 1,600 men on the 19th May 1794, did they not march against Port-de-Paix, which was only fifteen lcagues from why the Mole, where we had a correspondence, and which, had it bcen attacked, would have surrendered : Why did they prefer going sixtyleagues to attack Port-au-Prince, since the taking of Port-de-Paix and the departure of Laveaux and his soldiers from the colony, would have left the Northern part without a single White soldier? putting the following questions to you : Immediately after the arrival of the 1,600 men on the 19th May 1794, did they not march against Port-de-Paix, which was only fifteen lcagues from why the Mole, where we had a correspondence, and which, had it bcen attacked, would have surrendered : Why did they prefer going sixtyleagues to attack Port-au-Prince, since the taking of Port-de-Paix and the departure of Laveaux and his soldiers from the colony, would have left the Northern part without a single White soldier? which would have contributed still more to complete the intimidation republican of the republican commissioners in Port-au-Prince, as they continued without resource in order to receive news and reinforcements from Europe by the North any ; observe, --- Page 151 --- 141 ) Port-de-Paix would not have delayed the moreover, that this attack upon the that had observe, according to arrangements of Port-au-Prince a fortnight, taking Port-aubeen made. the whole of their forces to the attack upon Why did they prefer taking as tbe Mole to be attacked by LaPrince, thereby esposing such an important post knew that all the troops were taken which he could easily have done, as he in which were many sick ; the veaux, the capital, except a feeble garrison, the Negros upon both to besiege to be attacked with advantage by side of Jean Mole being in a condition that is to say, on the of which Laveaux was master, tormented the garpoints at once, of Bombarde, who had grearly Rabel, and by the inhabitants rison for a long time : French were too powerful at Port-de-Paix.and BomIt will not be said that the that reason tbey onght not to bave gone barde (for it would bc admitted that for the very war on that side) as they went sixty tbe Mole, without having finished one side at Port-de-Paix, at fifteen farfrom from the enemy, whom they left on five leagues on the side of leagues strongly posted, and at leagues distance, very Bombarde. determined to g0 and attack PortWhy, Sir, when it was SO imprudently cruise off Jacmel, in order to intercept the au-Prince, was not a frigate sent to the dispatches, &c. &c. P without a single gun being fired, supplies, Sir, since Port-au-Prince was taken of 3,500 men in good Why, affair of Fort Bizoton), why, with upwards (except at the of their expedition, did they not immediately health, encouraged by the success from Port-au-Prince, where the * against Jacmel, which, is only fifteen leagues convoy of their property, march retired in disorder with the immense it that these commissioners children ? In finc, how happened by. 2,000 women or the nine days after their arrival accompanied from colony commissioners cscaped SO quietly at Jacmel? having no corps of an army, no reguWhy did they wish, against an enemy why did they wish, I say, to carry on a no anillery; after the third lar troops, no magazines, brigands who always fled, at the latest, regular war against a troop of of the inhabi-. discharge ? of the favorable disposition - Why did they not take advantage take of it byt themselves? ofthe Southern part, who offered to possession St. Domingo, why did you tants who have ventured to write concerning of those who came You, Sir, of 2,000 known inhabitants, independent pot say tbat upwards OO enemy why did they wish, I say, to carry on a no anillery; after the third lar troops, no magazines, brigands who always fled, at the latest, regular war against a troop of of the inhabi-. discharge ? of the favorable disposition - Why did they not take advantage take of it byt themselves? ofthe Southern part, who offered to possession St. Domingo, why did you tants who have ventured to write concerning of those who came You, Sir, of 2,000 known inhabitants, independent pot say tbat upwards OO --- Page 152 --- 142 ) to the attack of Port-au-Prince, were assembled at various points in the Southern part for this enterprize, which was the more easy, as I had two deputies with me, Men of Colour, and considerable planters, supportedl for 1ato months past at the expence of government, who had engaged to deliver up the principal distriéts : Why did you not inform yourself of all the particulars concerning the conduct of the brave inhabitants of the colony : you would have known that there were, 800 proprictary inhabitants or colonists at Cape Tiburon, commanded by the brave Chevalier de Sevré and M. de That 300 inhabitants were at Jérémie, commanded by him, who SO completely beat the rebels at the Camp-des-Rivaux. That 300 inhabitants of the Southern part, particularly of Cavaillon, were at the Camp-des-Rivaux, ready to re-enter that parish, under the command of a Creole, known by his valour, M. de That 1SO men.from the camp ofthe Center, would have descended under the command of M. In fine, Sir, that upwards of 550 inhabirants of Léogane and Jacmel, almost all on horseback, offered to march against this Jast town. 2130: This amount is independent of the armed inhabitants who were present at the taking of Port-au-Prince, except the cavalry of Léogane. All these different bodies of inhabitants, marching at the same time upon different points against les Cayès, need only have taken a gentle walk, and the Southcrn part, attacked on four sides at once, would have left Rigault the only choice of doing what Laveaux himself wvould bave been very glad lo have done, after the example shewn him by Rochambeau at Martinico, and Collot at Guadaloupe, who capitulated and retired, carrying with them their immense fortunes,. the fruit of their pillage. I assure you, Sir, that all this could have been done, that history will some day or other relate and prove it, in answering tbe questions I have just proposed. I shall at present confine myself to request our readers, (whilst waiting your answers) to consider the advantages that might have resulted to Great-Britain and the colony, if that had been done rehich onght and night bave been. The brigands were dispersed, the power of the French was destroyed without remedy : diseases could not have affeéted the troops sO much, as they would not have been colleéted together in Port-au-Prince 5 although those wbich arrived with or other relate and prove it, in answering tbe questions I have just proposed. I shall at present confine myself to request our readers, (whilst waiting your answers) to consider the advantages that might have resulted to Great-Britain and the colony, if that had been done rehich onght and night bave been. The brigands were dispersed, the power of the French was destroyed without remedy : diseases could not have affeéted the troops sO much, as they would not have been colleéted together in Port-au-Prince 5 although those wbich arrived with --- Page 153 --- 143 ) month of the year, with the epidemical disease Colonel Lenos in the most dangerous them, must have lost a considerable on board of one of the frigates that brought and admitting of distribution number; but not being confined in a single town, have been less subjeét to the inin various parts and at divers posts, they would finished in the West and South, fluence of this species of plague : the war being would have been very plentiful in the provisions, vegetables, and refreshments, have taken placc, nor would there have been the garrisons: : no forced service would have to the English in the in fine, none of the evils that happened any privateers: ; By this, we may judge bow much expence svould colony would have been known. colonists have been the viétims of bave been spared; but because the unfortunate not to have happened, it does not that took place, and which ought wasindeevery thing ougbt to be accused of it; for the dircéting follow that they or tleiragent how to offer themselves, to fight, continually pendent of them : they knew only all the questions I havejust proand have patience. Refleét, Sir, upon find to obey, answer them ; if then, being better informed, you posed, and endeavour to and tbose suho have veen their just proofs in order to accuse the Frencb planters more than to serve do it: but prove that they were able to do something agents, and fight every where with patience. I have been obliged to answer your Since, as far as relates to me personally, in my capacity of agen! ef the accusation of huving grossly deceived the Ministers, 146, where you say, that General colonists, I must also answer your accusation, page cager and interested indias well as thc Ministers, by Williamson was deceived viduals. that it neither depended upon the inhaI think I have proved beyond reply, and very speedily, as svell that the colony was not wholly bitants nor their agents, wvithout under the power of Great-Britain. or one whatas expence, Sir, that I could never have thought that you, any Id confess to you, interested * : for by these could have been capable of accusing ine of being ever, help observing to our saders, how little it becomes you ; I cannot, according to this accusation, to think with mc, that it is only an interested for, according to my answers, they have a right oft the circumstances, that have rendered St. Domingo speculation, which has made you take advantage in order (by the repulation you may have gained by so very interesting to the European powers, a colony, with which you are so work concerning Jamaica) to risk the writing concerning and with such indifference for the your litile acquainted, with so much negligence and By inaltention, forcing me to refute your book, you have initirespeÉt which every author owes to the public. of this country. With what astonishment will ated mc into the secret of the typographical expences --- Page 154 --- IPV ) individuals, infuenced by this vile molive, who bave deceired Mivisters and General Hilliamson, you could mean none but me, since it was I alone that treated with him and them. No doubt, Sir, the enormous expences which it is asserted have been incurred on account of St. Domingo, have made you admit, what, was SO wickedly spread abroad in America and Europe, that I was partly thc cause of them, and that I had received from the British Ministers a considerable sum as the fruit of my services in transferring St. s, infuenced by this vile molive, who bave deceired Mivisters and General Hilliamson, you could mean none but me, since it was I alone that treated with him and them. No doubt, Sir, the enormous expences which it is asserted have been incurred on account of St. Domingo, have made you admit, what, was SO wickedly spread abroad in America and Europe, that I was partly thc cause of them, and that I had received from the British Ministers a considerable sum as the fruit of my services in transferring St. Domingo to the British Government. Doubtless you, like many others, judging what ought to be the reward by the importance of the serrice, have thought that mine had been very great. Well,Sir, undeceive yourself; and learn, that I made no stipulation for my attachment, that none was proposed to me, and tbat I have received no reward, nor even any gratification whatever for tbis zndertaking. You should know that the expences of my voyage to Jamaica, and af those who accompanied me, are all that have been paid, and that they did not amount in all to 3501. sterling. You were likewise able to inform yourself perfeétly concerning this, since, as a Member, of Parliament, you might have seen the account of the expences incurred by the operation against the colony ; had you done it beforeyou wrote, you would have known, that even no appointments had been granted to me, that I asked for none, and that I received none till after taking possession of la Grande-Anse, when I was made Lieutenant-Colonel of the British Legion, in order to raise that corps with the Baron de Montalembert. You might have known that never did Gencral Williamson, nor the Colony, nor the Ministers, grant mc the least recompense during my stay in the colony. You might moreover have been informed, Sir, that the Ministry having placed a considerable sum at my disposal, which was to be delivered to me on my giving receipts, in order to defiay the secret expences of the important operation I had undertaken, only a small part of it was expended, and the rest was never made use of by me ; and that I gave the most exact accountsof the expences I made. You might have known that, appointed by the colonists, in July 1794, to conie and lay at His Majesty's feet their sentiments of gratitude and their wishes,in order that the work which you have sold so dear, cost you only one third of not our readers learn, Faden's (which is nct your property). In fine, Sir, what it has produced, even including of a map sells a work so filled with errors, as yours is when, in crdcr to gain a profit 5001, person think that he has but little to accuse any one concerning St. Domingo, all our readers must right whiatever of bring intcrested! to --- Page 155 --- 145 ) and the Ministers, to finish what was SO hapto solicit sufficient aid from His Majesty I that I came to Europe at my own expence, pily begun: you might have known, say, board the packet, which I preferred government having only paid for my passage on all the particular dangers to the convoy, as being more expeditious, notwithstanding and sent to France, or to I was exposed, had I been taken prisoner who to wobich This passage, and that of the servant, the French part of the colony. amounted to 1201. at most. The colonists offered accompained me, cannot have of them, because I knew, better than any me no entertainment: ; I asked nothing embarrassed and unable to bear expence. You person lioing, how much they were member of the privy council of the goveroment might have known that, being a from appointments, except that of St. Domingo, I not only never received any pay how neceesary it was of infantry, but that I always represented it. In fine, Sir, you of lieutenant-colonel and to be careful not to swerve from to observe economy, your work in 1797, that the taking posought to have known, since you published of the colony (when I quitted it in session of St. person lioing, how much they were member of the privy council of the goveroment might have known that, being a from appointments, except that of St. Domingo, I not only never received any pay how neceesary it was of infantry, but that I always represented it. In fine, Sir, you of lieutenant-colonel and to be careful not to swerve from to observe economy, your work in 1797, that the taking posought to have known, since you published of the colony (when I quitted it in session of St. Domingo, and of nearly one third than it is at prescnt) with and which was then much more extensive either for the August 1794, till my departure, required all the expences incurred by government during ten months, did n20$ or for the preservation of its possessions, expedition amount to 40,000 1. sterling. granted very considerable The inhabitants of the colony however, at my request, of 26,000 livres cutrency of St. rewards out of their own revenues, such as the sum Coloncl Whitelock, in the form Domingo, given by the inhabitants of Jérémie to and a more considerable reward, as commander of la Grande-Anse, the of a stipend, of St. Domingo, was granted to La Pointe, by amounting to 400,000 livres and le Boucassin, as a pledge of their gratiinhabitants of T'Arcahaye, lcs Vascs, tude for the services he had rendered them. You ought to have known that I You ought to have known and stated all this. with the confidence of the in a manner suitable to a man, entrusted lived in London, and honorcd with that of the Ministers; inhabitants of the first colony of the world, more considerable than have known and said, that I had no stipend to deyou ought to : that when the Ministers, on my requesting them to the that of lieurenant-colonel and to grant the King's commission termine the lot of the British Legion, service, the matter could that, in the ordinary course of the English according to officers,judged rthe Legion into three separate corps, not take place but by dividing the officers of the Legion for rtheir attachment their service; being willing to reward of which it was composed should they ordered that the three corps and services, P P that I had no stipend to deyou ought to : that when the Ministers, on my requesting them to the that of lieurenant-colonel and to grant the King's commission termine the lot of the British Legion, service, the matter could that, in the ordinary course of the English according to officers,judged rthe Legion into three separate corps, not take place but by dividing the officers of the Legion for rtheir attachment their service; being willing to reward of which it was composed should they ordered that the three corps and services, P P --- Page 156 --- 146 ) form three regiments, which should be placed upon the same footing as the English army in the, colony, and should always be attached to St. Domingo. Then, Sir, being second officer of the Legion, and having served in it from the commencement ofits formation, and been several limes wounded, I was made colonel ofthe cavalry; it was then that I enjoyed the advantages granted in the British service to the commander of a corps. These same advantages have been granted to a great number of officers who have been made colonels, and to whom regiments have been given in the colonies, without having served in, even without being at St. at Domingo, the time the English came to take possession of it, nor even when I quitted it ten months afterwards ; what was granted to them might, and ought to have been granted to me, according to the laws of military service : and was absolutely foreign to my political services relative to the possession of the colony by the English, as the Minister himself kindly assured mne, when he thought it necessary to reform my regiment and to allow me a gratuity, too small to indemnify me for the expences I was obliged to be at in Europe, and particularly in America, where I had the happiness to oblige many of my countrymen : insufficient, moreover, to pay the securities for the advances which the desire of attaching the most considerable planters of the colony to the interests of Great-Britain, made me ask of my friends, who thereby deranged their affairs, but who, well informed and rendering justice to the principles which aétuated me, wait patiently and without tormenting me for the time when they shall be reimbursed. You ought to have known that Ty attachment to the interests of England has been the cause of the destruction of my fortune both in France and at St. Domingo. In fine, before you accused me of being interested, you ought to have known what indemnification I had received for it; then, weighing the reward against the services, you could have pronounced upon my conduét. In the mean time, I must confess to you, Sir, that though 1 never made any bargain or condition aitb His Britaunic Majesty's Ministers for the important services I was going to perform, I was assured, at the time I set off to embark (when I took leave), I had a verbal promise, I say, from the Ministry, that, in any case, thre King would remember my zeal and the fidelity with which I endeavoured to serve him; but that, ifI had the happiness to succeed, I might expest every recompence that such an important service deserved. Believe me, Sir, I was not aétuated by this promise; : I had a motive far greater and more noble : that of saving the colony, of being useful to. my countrymen, of attaching my name to that of the prosperity and happiness of the colony; in fine, ofrendering an important service to England. These, Sir, are the original senti- King would remember my zeal and the fidelity with which I endeavoured to serve him; but that, ifI had the happiness to succeed, I might expest every recompence that such an important service deserved. Believe me, Sir, I was not aétuated by this promise; : I had a motive far greater and more noble : that of saving the colony, of being useful to. my countrymen, of attaching my name to that of the prosperity and happiness of the colony; in fine, ofrendering an important service to England. These, Sir, are the original senti- --- Page 157 --- 147 ) ments of interest that aétuated me! ! This is this is what rendered every the first recompence I of my wishes; if thing easy to me ! I have arrived expedted, and they have not been nearly at the height doubtless prove whether I have becn in completely fault, fulfilled, futurity and history will power to succced. and whether I did every thing in Perhaps, Sir, even without my motive, Imight and being liable to be accused of being adtuated to ought to have by a vile a great nation, to tbe expedted that, in rendering an service generous King uf a important generosity, I might have expeéted that ponverful teople, and celebrated portion as I served him with a great reward was the more certain in for his afraid to acknowledge these greater disinterestedness. Well, Sir, I should not pro- be ine of having substituted expeétations, without their giving you a to tion I advised and my own interest for that of right accuse so happily executed Great-Britain, in the am I more afraid, Sir, that against the colony of St. expediand you should interrogate the Domingo. Neither attachment, than my in Ministers concerning my zeal By what: I have just said, disinterestedness, all honest serving Great Britain. of your accusation, as men may be undeceived and enabled ral they can verify, what I have to judge Williamson, who is in England, and likewise advanced, by referring to GencBesides, it is easy for you and for ta the King's Ministers. immense expences, incurred many others to see whether in the set down for on account of the of St. pretended any sum whatever on mly own colony Domingo, my name is from wbat time these enormous account. It is moreover casy to all incurred since the expences commenced; we shall then see that observe, been in English were in possession of they were put possession of all they lately Port-au-Prince, and after were all incurred since 1 possessed in the colony; having Both guitted St. Domingo in moreover, that they your readers and you, Sir, must August 1794. rect in your accusation perceive, that you have been else you have advanced respedting in what concerns me personally as in equally incorbeen informed your work. It was, every thing of all you might have however, very easy for you to have to have asked people of information wished to have known ; you needed of Frenchmen residing here, among the English, or the numerous only class I shall continue the painful task I have in order to enable my readers undertaken (the refutation work. to form an irrevocable opinion efyour errors), concerning your But they ougbi to have surely foreseen tion was to be expected, from tbe (the Ministers) tbat a very formidable partisans and troops of tbe republican opposigoverrment. however, very easy for you to have to have asked people of information wished to have known ; you needed of Frenchmen residing here, among the English, or the numerous only class I shall continue the painful task I have in order to enable my readers undertaken (the refutation work. to form an irrevocable opinion efyour errors), concerning your But they ougbi to have surely foreseen tion was to be expected, from tbe (the Ministers) tbat a very formidable partisans and troops of tbe republican opposigoverrment. --- Page 158 --- 148 ) And they ought also to bave known, that no considerable body of the French planters could be expeded to risk their lives and fortunes in tbe common cause, but in full confidence of proteclion and support.-Page 172. I certainly think Ihave proved that, in every thing that happened at St. Domingo after the arrival ofthe English, the efforts of the republicans were rery weak ; and I have demonstrated that there were neither troops hor ships there on our arrival. I must repeat to you, that never was there a more favorable opportunity for a great operation upon St. Domingo than the timie of the departure of Gaibaud and the French fiect, aftér the fire at the Cape, the commissioners being left without either land or sea forces to oppose the English in' short, they did not, in any circumstance, make what might be cailed a resistance, and, when they were attacked, they fled and abandoned the colony. No reliance could then be placed upon the inhabitants of St. Domingo, almost all absent at the time of our arrival in the colony. The erent, however, being has proved, that they alone really carried on the war upon the frontiers, at the advanced posts, and in all parts where any engagement took place, the English seldom quitting their garrisons. Immediatcly upon the arrival of the English in the colony, all the planters being invited to join them, repaired with eagerness to fight with their protectors, and, as you say, they did S0, and zeere invited to come to' St. Domingo, upon the assurance and confidence which was given them, that powerful succours would arrive in order to proteét and replace them in their possessions. If, according to the rariety of nformation that can be obtained, if, even according to your own work, I have proved that the colonists have unremittingly in all parts, why have you accused them, in order afterwards to seek to throw fought the failure upon others, and particularly for the want of reinforcements, which never depended upon them : Truth often triumphs, in spite of you, over your prejudices and partiality. In mJ oren judgment, all thie force which Great-Britain could have sent thither weould not bave bcen suficient for tbe complete subjugation ofibe ( colony. -Page 172. The use, Sir, that you have hitherto made of your judgment, gives you no right to offer your opinion to your readers. You are neither a military man nor a statesmen, and you are totally unacquainted with the colony. Why do you risk an to yourself? 1 maintain, by adducing as a proof every thing that was done in appcal four months, that, it rcinforcements Lad arrived in November, and even in December, the colony wo.ld Lave teen entisely conquered. The easy ccnquest of Pat-au-Prince, cight 172. The use, Sir, that you have hitherto made of your judgment, gives you no right to offer your opinion to your readers. You are neither a military man nor a statesmen, and you are totally unacquainted with the colony. Why do you risk an to yourself? 1 maintain, by adducing as a proof every thing that was done in appcal four months, that, it rcinforcements Lad arrived in November, and even in December, the colony wo.ld Lave teen entisely conquered. The easy ccnquest of Pat-au-Prince, cight --- Page 159 --- ( 149 ) of Jérémie by the English, the fliglit eight months after the taking possession arrival of 1,600 men, prove what might have of the republican cliefs upon the here, as I an not obligea to declare every been done, if . . - - I shall stop to destroy your accusations against thing, and what I have, just written is sufficient and to refute what you advance of St. Domingo and their agents, the planters through your own judgment. tbe that RO less tban 6,000 men were necessaryfor Il is asserted, by competent judges, alone-Page 172. secure maintenance of Port-aw-Prince who the judges are whom you call competent to pronounce As I am unacquainted. to defend Port-au-Prince alone. you concerning. the troops that were necessary be I can only answer to what you state what enemy it was to defended, defence do not against thousand men would certainly bc necessary for the insidiously advance. Six land. and sea by an European army supplicd with of Port-au-Prince, if attacked by and, in short, every thing that conartillerymen, and engineers, all the artillery, stitutes the art of war in Europe. against a few thousand briSix thousand regular troops to defend Port-au-Prince armed, without stores of provisions, gands, without cannon, without artillery, badly who could only attack it by land 1 Why, without magazines of ammunition, and there be some other reason, which time will Sir, tbey arisbed to laugh at yott, unless asscrtion. I shall here confine myself to doubtless discover, for your making this example has proved it, since assure you, that it is false, not to say ridiculous; were well informed that not a have never attacked it, although they the brigands require was in the town. sixth part of the English garrison you what before said, that, if Fort Bizoton But you perhaps wished to strengthen have been you SO likewise ? had been taken, Port-au-Prince would British, in all parts of St. Domingo, at any Yet 1 do not believe that the mumnber of 1795, exceeded 2,200 men : ofsohmm, to the nonth of April one period, previons Pori-au-Prince, not one half were fit for active sercict, except al the capture of September, and Oétober, not one and, during the bot and sickly montbs of August, third.-Page 172. had but such a small number of troops, Since you assert, that the English never how forcibly your unjust partiality why were you SO thoughtless as not to consider sO few in number, and the briwould strike your readers ? Since the English were should fortify thémselves at such an that it was necessary they gands sO dangerous, Q 9 ori-au-Prince, not one half were fit for active sercict, except al the capture of September, and Oétober, not one and, during the bot and sickly montbs of August, third.-Page 172. had but such a small number of troops, Since you assert, that the English never how forcibly your unjust partiality why were you SO thoughtless as not to consider sO few in number, and the briwould strike your readers ? Since the English were should fortify thémselves at such an that it was necessary they gands sO dangerous, Q 9 --- Page 160 --- 150 ) enormous rate, in order that they might not be able to seizc upon Port-au-Prince, had they carried Fort Bizoton, it follows then, that tbere aere other forces to them with, which is very true ; all the French inhabitants werc under oppose likewise arms : they carried on the war with the garrisons. You ought to have done them justice, instead of endeavouring to render them suspeéted; and to have said, that these brave and faithful colonists have continually supported the zweight and tunes of the quur, in order to ease the nation that came to protect them, and misfor- to which they had taken the oath of fidelity. Perbaps, the most fatal oversight in the conduél of the rebole expedition, was the strange and swaccountable negleét of not securing the ton and harbcur of Aux Cayes, and tbe little port ofJacmnel, on the same part of the coast, previous to the attack of Pert-au-Pinee-lage 173. I again repeat, Sir, that the forcc of truth overcomes you, contrary to inclinations. Since you are informed of the faults you relate, why did you your not attribute to them, and to others of which you are perhaps ignorant, the want of success in the expedition SO happily begun ? and if, refleéting for a moment that the colonists were absolutely strangers to these faults, and many other events, not then have rendered justice to those who, I repeat it, have only obeyed why and fought ? Read the questions again, Sir, that I have written above ; refleét them well, inform yourself, and you will be compelled to allow that you hare upon been very unjust towards my countrymen. 1s to Port-an-Prince, it would have been fortunate if the svorks had been destroyed and the totn evacuated imnediately after its surrender-Page 173. There never was a more singular proposition written with more levity; the of St. Domingo will prove it to every attentive reader better than any thing that map can be said, and I beg leave merely to say, that, if it is from a transport of humanity for the unfortunate individuals who have perished there, it is not very rational ; for the yellow from ( fever, brought Martinico by an English ship, likewise might have been brought to the Mole, St. Marc's, Jérémie, and Jamaica, and might have smitten the same viétims there, had it not found themat Port-au-Prince. I shall only observe to you once more, and assure our readers, that the colony of St. Domingo is one of the most healthy of the Antilles; that, previous to the arrival of the English, the pestilential discase, subich yOn call theyelloa fever, was NEVER KNOWN in the colony,and that it operates much more upon them than upon other might have been brought to the Mole, St. Marc's, Jérémie, and Jamaica, and might have smitten the same viétims there, had it not found themat Port-au-Prince. I shall only observe to you once more, and assure our readers, that the colony of St. Domingo is one of the most healthy of the Antilles; that, previous to the arrival of the English, the pestilential discase, subich yOn call theyelloa fever, was NEVER KNOWN in the colony,and that it operates much more upon them than upon other --- Page 161 --- 151 ) people, and that for many reasons; in fine, known that it made less havock the during its greatest ravages, it is well lars of these causes would lead among French than the English. The and they may be enquired us too far; Ihave stated the fact, it bc particuinto. may verified, Thbe retention by the enemy of Aux Cayes and reinforcements and supplies, but also Jacmel not only enabled tbem lo coast by mnost amply to procure reprisals On our trade-Page 173. revenge our attempts 011 their You always state, contrary to your intentions, tage, the necessary utility, and the something which proves the advanMinisters against St. Domingo. Why importance, of the expedition of the British taken? the whole colony. as well were not the towns of Aux and already anticipated as myself will ask you this question, Caycs Jacmel among my other questions. which I have It is knozun, tbat upwards of been Atted ont from tbese soprimuters, some of tbem of considerable from the Mindsard ports, wbose rapacity and force, Dave Islands to Jumaica can wigilanee scarce a vessel bound I shall herc observe to escape.-Page 173. in the colony, there were you,. that, ten months after the arrival not three privateers in the of the English republicans. I must tell you, that, when I French ports armed by the appeared in the Bay of Léoganc. quitted the colopy, not one had Why have there since been yct of war, was there a single any? Why, since the English had SO &c. &c. privatcer? Is this likewise the fault of the many. ships colonists P Whydid the American ships to the brigands, although the continually bring provisions, arms, and have been declared in colony (which was in fact attacked ammunition have a state of siege, and the on all sides) might enforced the observance of this English, masters of the sea, could If, near a twelvemonth after the declaration ? the French republicans succeeded colony had been delivered up to you in doing all the Great-Britain; mention, at a time when the English mischieftot the English commerce sea, and the French possessed but few navy was mistress of the Mole and the fine, that their population and maritime ports, and had no naval force; ; in doned the colony ; what would army have was destroyed, that France had almost abanMosquito Bay, supposing a become of the commerce of Jamaica and islands, had not St. contrary situation ? What would have become of ships, retiring there, Domingo been attacked and the Mole your could have taken; if the French protedted the immense flotilla of canoes, or em- the French possessed but few navy was mistress of the Mole and the fine, that their population and maritime ports, and had no naval force; ; in doned the colony ; what would army have was destroyed, that France had almost abanMosquito Bay, supposing a become of the commerce of Jamaica and islands, had not St. contrary situation ? What would have become of ships, retiring there, Domingo been attacked and the Mole your could have taken; if the French protedted the immense flotilla of canoes, or em- --- Page 162 --- 152 ) harkations, which in one night could have devastated, burnt, and destroyed Jamaica in several places at cnce : How could prejudice make you write a single line that could cast blame upon the authors of a projeét that has been the most useful to the colony ofJamaica, to its inhabitants, and to the merchants of the mother country; whilst you and all the colonists of Jamaica, ought for ever to bless,the wise foresight of the Ministers, who, St. Domingo, have preserved your property from total by an expedition against whether think, that, if France destruction : I put the question to you, Sir, you of Jamaica would now be in existence ? I know had not been deprived St. Domingo, Janot what your answer in writing will be; ; but I am sure your heart says: 120, maica would 120 longer exist as a colony useful to Great-Britain. Nevertheless, Sir, have blamed this expedition, and the agents, and all those who have contriyou of the : who have not only preserved your revenues and buted to the success plans; the value of your capitals, but who have doubled your fortune by douhling your commodities, the price of which, you may rest assured, will be no longer diminished. It is he, who has tried every thing to make the plans succeed, that has fortune, sbom you accuse ! The reader will be more just. Satisfied preserved your I what concerns me; my countrymen will also with having done well, forgive you labours henceforth endeavour to merit the good fortune which our forgive you; have procured you. I have asserted nothing cbich I do not believe lo be true, Iwill After all, though and circumstances, unknown to me, very bonestly admit, tbat many important facts probubly existed.-Page 175. Why did you not take time to be informed of what you bere ackwocludgexeurself ignorant of? that could not postpone its Was your work then of SO much importance you Should till had authenticated all the facts you made use of in it? publication you better informed than yourself, you not have consulted those who were necessarily what must would have taken pleasure in communicating to you they and who have known more particularlythan: any one else? of your to declare, that the partiality with which every page But I am obliged and faithful against the brave, generous, patient, work is wrinen-pourintedives, to succecd in serving Engcolonists, and against those whohare had the lappiness Janaica colonist has land: in short, all proves, that the interested uneasiness of a Fearing, but convinced, that the colony of St. Domingo would guided your pen. speedily pleasure in communicating to you they and who have known more particularlythan: any one else? of your to declare, that the partiality with which every page But I am obliged and faithful against the brave, generous, patient, work is wrinen-pourintedives, to succecd in serving Engcolonists, and against those whohare had the lappiness Janaica colonist has land: in short, all proves, that the interested uneasiness of a Fearing, but convinced, that the colony of St. Domingo would guided your pen. speedily --- Page 163 --- 153 ) speedily recoverits former your rev enues would then prosperity in the hands of the English, Prevent them from diminish; ; you wished, spurred on by thar you thought that persuade re-establishing it; for you have unjueefear, to your countrymen that no kind endeavoured, by yenr and, not being able to deceive ofadvantage could ever be derived boek, to soil, you have thought people respedting the excellence and from it; You ought, proper to accuse the inhabitants ! fertility of the however, to have that ment. Iwasin London; and what expedted We shouldappesl from would not suffer the you knew of mc should have your judgthat both in very numerous errors of your work persuadedyou that. I MEY friends nane and nyy oren I to remain ; you have misled and should appeal to the unanswered; wait their deceived--to a just public, now better public, whom of many facts judgment--you, and in avowing, as you here do, that informed. Let us circumstances that have you are not informed tbing you have seritten-and I, in occurred, but which migbt alter létter. offering to prove all I have advanced every in this An aequaintance witb which is indispensably to eerredjrdgneut on tbe measures wbich necessary enable any man lo a wvere pursued on tbis form This confession. is still occution-Page 175. such haste to publish and stronger offer ! Why, according to this, Sir, should paragraph, could your judgment ? How, after you be in ther for you venture (after leading the confession in this two hundred pages) to come and your reader on from one error to facts that were indispensably say to him: C6 but I am anohas been done, and necessary to enable you to form a ignorant of many those that have occurred." concerning what should have been done, in such judgment of whas cireunistances as To a writer sitting zwith him, it is nO dificult compostere task in bis closet, with a partial to point out Jaulis and display of fugs before afairs ; and even, wbere mistakes in the conduct very chtaply mistakes are disevvered, tbe zeisdom of of publie aeguired.-Page 175. afterbsonelolgeis When the force of truth thus leads in his closet can quictly seleét you to. admit the facility with which how easy it is to avoid the best materials from those he has an author faults, how could you colleéted, and incomplete materials as those you possessed ? determine upon writing from such quire that wisdom, that prudence, and why not have endeavoured to which you assert results from the acR r instruétion isdom of of publie aeguired.-Page 175. afterbsonelolgeis When the force of truth thus leads in his closet can quictly seleét you to. admit the facility with which how easy it is to avoid the best materials from those he has an author faults, how could you colleéted, and incomplete materials as those you possessed ? determine upon writing from such quire that wisdom, that prudence, and why not have endeavoured to which you assert results from the acR r instruétion --- Page 164 --- 154 ) acquired after events : You have had two years to seledt information, and likewise tc prepare yourselfso as not to deccive your readers. If, led away with the desire of causing our writings to be read, one is weak enough to offer a work to the public which is not only imperfeét but filled with injure any one : why blame those who, by their knowledge, are equally errors, whyi of the utility and advanrages of what has been undertaken : In capable ofjudging has been reasonable enough to make such reflexions as I fine, Sir, when a person have been sufficiently SO to obtain the necessary here state_yor to have done, why not which information : why not have waited some time, in order to colleét every thing might be useful for the instruétion of your readers : It is tbe lor of o2r nature, that thie best concerted plans of human policy are suljedt io errors, cohich the meanest observer xeill sometimes detedt.-Page 175. According to what you here admit, before you accused the inlabitants of St. Domingo with not being faithful and sincere in their attachment to the government before accused the Ministers of bacing suffered themselces that proteéted them ; you the colonists, did you not make use of to be grossly deceived by the agents of why reflexion : did not first discover the error ? and, if any, judge your own why you if it should to be a guilty onc? but if the oft thc intention, and then accuse, prove all interest of those whom it concerned, has met with best combined plan, forthe that could be how much more culpable are you for publishing, the success expeéted, your book, after the confession you make : For subether si'e consider thé possession by an activve and industrious people of so cast and improvement, 012 the one band, or the triumph of succesful a fieldfor enterprise 011 the other, it appears to m1e, that the future fate and revolt and savage anarchy, the British territories in this part of the scorld are involved profitable existence of in the issue.-Page 176. This is, Sir, one of those great political truths which it was necessary to unravel: this with attention andwreflexion, would have been threc pages written upon subjeét readers, than twenty editions of your more interesting and advantageous to your the truthi of the business, work will ever be. This is the question, or, rather, wnich it was requisite for you to hare demonstrated to your countrymen : you should have made use of your talents in order to write and merit the attention and disclosing the consequences that this confidence of your country, by completely tbe fate incontestable truth must be of to Great-Britain, viz. tbat, bencefortb, upan of St. Doningo depends tbe fate of Jamaiea, and all the English colonies, You more interesting and advantageous to your the truthi of the business, work will ever be. This is the question, or, rather, wnich it was requisite for you to hare demonstrated to your countrymen : you should have made use of your talents in order to write and merit the attention and disclosing the consequences that this confidence of your country, by completely tbe fate incontestable truth must be of to Great-Britain, viz. tbat, bencefortb, upan of St. Doningo depends tbe fate of Jamaiea, and all the English colonies, You --- Page 165 --- 155 ) should have traced the mischiefs which commerce, navy, and manufaétures. their loss would occasion to the in a thousand different This is, Sir, what you should have English been really useful shapes, and haverepeated disclosed have to your country, and to all the conrinually-then you would have joined your name to the European colonies; fame would the colonies of the Antilles. cstablishment, the existence, and tle prosperity of On all these various and collateral giving much subjects, Iregret tbat / do not possess tbe satisfustion lo tbe means of Why make reuder.-Page 176. have your readers pay so dear for the you not in the least confession you here make? For yourself to. be absolutely prepossessed them concerning what you were so ignorant of; but they have been. acknowledge imperfeétly acquainted "ith obliged to read what now placed among the number ; and their confidence in a man of you concerning Jamaica, of British Senators, who has your years, has occasioned iperhaps not very correét, but written a work many of your readers to agreeably enough against St. Dominge, which suffer themselyes to be written), For they would not have prejudiced instance, a man of honor has done, had you not he would not have done lately made public written. Both him, SO had he been with quotations from your book : and all who have read it, will acquainted bc all the errors it contains. you have occasioned them, to give obliged, in addition to the loss of time which I do not present to them themselves the trouble to réad I owe the colony, the interests from any rage Ibave for seriting, but my answer, of St. of England, the honor of from a duty Domingo, as well as for my the generous work. personal charaéter, so forcibly attacked colonists in your In aulich frantic pursuit, they murdered at least @ million ofthe peacefiul and matier-CHAP, XII. Page inafensive I cannot here refrain' from 177. write upon history. Hoy is it observing to our readers, with what Member of the first learned possible that you, Sir, who have the indifference honor you close of the eighteenth Society in the world, being a colonist, to be a can take century, and having living at the up your pen to follow the long resided in the West Indies, ignorance of the first writers steps of the monastic and pussible but that upon the colonies of the superstitious written and your refexions must have been founded Antilles? for it is not reported by the first Spanish historians. upon the absurdities criticism, and guided by pure taste, did Why, making use of sound you not reject the absurd fables contained the world, being a colonist, to be a can take century, and having living at the up your pen to follow the long resided in the West Indies, ignorance of the first writers steps of the monastic and pussible but that upon the colonies of the superstitious written and your refexions must have been founded Antilles? for it is not reported by the first Spanish historians. upon the absurdities criticism, and guided by pure taste, did Why, making use of sound you not reject the absurd fables contained --- Page 166 --- 156 ) in thelnstory of the first Duropean establishments in the Antilles? After laving maturely weighed theni, you should have been very careful how youasserte.l, that the Spaniards cunsedvpesards of a million of men to perish at St. Domingo. Never did there probably exist a million of Caribbees together in this beautiful island. Bur you might and must have casily repeated the error of others, which rendered your own less surprising, when, by a dash of the pen you establish a savage Republic at St. Domingo, consisting of 100,000 Negros, retired into the inaccessible parts; after having written this, you might be credulous enough to believe, that they easily destroyed a million of men. If I refute what you have advanced, it is not for the purpose of attenuating the crime of the Spaniards, for Isball not be accused of being their partisan; I have given many proofs to the contrary. The crimes with which they have sullied themselves at St. Domingo, and to which I have becn witness, make me think them capable of all those which the history of America accuses them of. At St. Domingo they were guilty of having entirely exterminated the inhabitants : a greater or less quantity of mien destroyed, suakes 729 diferenre as to the enormity of the crime ; for they would in like manner have assassinated the whole population, had it been a hundred timcs more numerous : but truth, and the fruit of reflexion made upon many observations during twenty years, enable me to assure you, that there never was, nor could have been, a population of 300,000 Caribbees in the island; indeed, I am well convinced, that at the time the Spaniards arrived there, the population never amounted to more than the number above stated. The following are part of my reasons. You are a colonist, Sir, you might have observed the population of the small colonies of the Maroon Negros of the Blue Mountains in Jamaica : you must have known, at least you have spoken, of the mixt population of Negros, cast upon St. Vincent's (about a century ago), intermixed with the Caribbees; you are acquainted with their number ; you could calculate the difference between the strength of the Negro and the native of the Antilles : you could reflect upon the advantages which these people must have derived from being visited by the Europeans for these 300 years past. You could refleét upon these societies, and after all this how could you believe, repeat, and write, that St. Domingo contained upwards of a million of inhabitants at the time it was discovered. Ihave reason to think that you have never considered what SO numerous a societyis, particularly in a savage state. If, since you have become a Member of Parliament, you have çonsidered for a moment what the consumption of prorisions is for a population of a million of men, yo. would havc shuddered in refledting by the Europeans for these 300 years past. You could refleét upon these societies, and after all this how could you believe, repeat, and write, that St. Domingo contained upwards of a million of inhabitants at the time it was discovered. Ihave reason to think that you have never considered what SO numerous a societyis, particularly in a savage state. If, since you have become a Member of Parliament, you have çonsidered for a moment what the consumption of prorisions is for a population of a million of men, yo. would havc shuddered in refledting --- Page 167 --- 157 ) fledting upon it, aid wvould have shed many tears for the lot of habitants, who live in a state of nature. the unfortunate inYou-no doubt know, Sir, that before the arrival of tants of St. Domingo were reduced to live the Spaniards, the inhabimillet, potatoes, and particularly upon Indian wheat, plantains, smalt almost their only upon cassavi and Caribbee cabbages, which were former provisions, as they are to this day and the Caribbee among the Negros, The three than the others. To these cabbages, are subject to the hurricanes, and are less certain the bays and creeks of provisions the inhabitants added the abundant the colony, where, it is fisheryin only five quadrupeds. We necessary to observe, there were are acquainted with the names Agouti rat: : the lizard of a foot and a half of threc; the which did not bark, and whose long: : a small short tailed race is the dog, two are not known, and cannot have been destroyed; names of the other how precarious the resources were for the very numerous. You see by this, Sir, ofindividuals. support of a people :be SO kind as to refledt upon the consisting ofa million You know as well as I do, that, although the consequences. Indian it requires to be planted in a wheat yields plentifully, foot distance from each great extent of cleared land, and at more than a other, as the potatoes do, and tains, in order to yield plentifully, particularly yams; > the plandistant from each ought to be planted at least twenty-five feet other, and the small millet at a foot and a the quantity of land that must be cleared half; judge, Sir, of . nately no appearance of these cleared to support a million of men. Unfortuing to the Spaniards, St. lands exists in the colony: : and as, accordDomingo was divided into seven or princes called themselves governments, whose chiefs bus's first Caciques, one may according to Christopher Columvoyage, (concerning what he says ofthe distance ofthe by thesc princes) suppose, that this related to the places inhabited colony upon the sea coast, and that seven greatest plains of the or less numerous, of these princes, but they were peopled by the subjedts, more as the savages arein America, divided along the coast into small villages, Africa, the Socicty Islands, the New Holland. After mature Friendly Islands, and reflexion, we shall see that these inhabited the bays and creeks, as they found those people Can only have their provisions on land could not resources in the sea, which annual hurricanes of the procure them, part of which was subject to the country, and the whole to the in these climates. By the number I allow to the island frequently excessive droughts quest, we shall see that each princc had a at the timc of its conbeing in a savage state, is population of 43,000 individuals, whicli, very considerable. Let travellers who have visited the S S inhabited the bays and creeks, as they found those people Can only have their provisions on land could not resources in the sea, which annual hurricanes of the procure them, part of which was subject to the country, and the whole to the in these climates. By the number I allow to the island frequently excessive droughts quest, we shall see that each princc had a at the timc of its conbeing in a savage state, is population of 43,000 individuals, whicli, very considerable. Let travellers who have visited the S S --- Page 168 --- 153 ) islands of the New World: letthe readers of royages judge whether the population of St. Domingo could have been more numerous : when they recolledt, that it was subject to that cruel disease, which makes such dreadful attacks :ion : which must, however it may be lessened in the blood of the upon generaCaribbees, considerably diminish their increase, by keeping them in that state of debility, which 1ot only prevented them from increasing to a numerous society, but which, (added to the imperfeStion of their tools and their laziness, caused no doubt by their natural disease and the climate) must have impeded the progress of their tion. Even the history written by the first conquerors of St. Domingo, popula- informs us, that they were of a cold and weak constitution, and had but few children; it likewise states the causes of the successes of the first Europeans to be the ardour with which the female Caribbees them owing to preferred to the natives of the islands. All these advantages, and likewise the quickness with which this unfortunate race of men was destroyed, proves, that they were not very numerous, for the mines were not opened all at once ; many men cannot work together in a mine till it has been opened to a certain depth, and from the first moment the mines sO, complaints were made of the diminution of the men : add to that, that in were one single chain of mountains, called Cibao, the mines which were opened at. St, Domingo are situated, and are only four in number; which (admitting them all to have been opened together) can only have required, for a long space of time, a number of workmen, less by far than a million, which you pretend have been destroycd. In fne, Sir, Ifound myestimate ofthe number of Caribbees upon the total lation of St. Domingo at the time ofthe terrible revolution of popu1789. 600,000 indiriduals of all colours inhabited the French colony; 60,000 the Spanish part. For more than a century past, two parts ofthe world contributed to people this beautiful island ; every thing that human industry could invent, for the happiness of was carried to St. Domingo : cultivation had rendered the cleared lands ofthe society, French more numerous in the mountains than the plains, where the natives of the had never been even able to penetrate ; 8,000 and some small societies country larger than those. of the savages, had left but little habitable land in the French or villages, lony uncleared ; and in order to feed this population, Europe and North America CObrought upwards of 200,000 barrels of flour and 50,000 quintals of salt add thereto the cattle and cvery that the provisions ; thing European resources have been able to procure in order to support life, and the poultry and vegetables of the and other parts of the world, Hence your readers may judge of the consumption country --- Page 169 --- 159 ) ; for, in spite of all this, the most cruel occasioned by a numerous population the cultivation of food and the proscarcity has often been experienced, although have always been attended to. The visions natural to the climate and the colony healthy Negros, assisted by a and most active Whites; the most cleared ; all the new instrongest rendered more wholesome from the ground being thing united has climate having many children ; in finc, every habitants of St. Domingo, of the whole island amount to 700,000 innot been able to make the population of St. spite of all this, the most cruel occasioned by a numerous population the cultivation of food and the proscarcity has often been experienced, although have always been attended to. The visions natural to the climate and the colony healthy Negros, assisted by a and most active Whites; the most cleared ; all the new instrongest rendered more wholesome from the ground being thing united has climate having many children ; in finc, every habitants of St. Domingo, of the whole island amount to 700,000 innot been able to make the population of St. Domingo formerly and you can write that the population dividuals ; yet of men ! It is owing to your not having observed Jamaica, amounted to a million with St. Domingo, and to not having refleéted upon to being totally unacquainted to make the savage population of an the happyand united causes that are requisite the places most inhabited by inhabitants. On observing island amount to a million where the greatest number of their colleéted the natives ; their tools ; the caverns ofthe country; and particularly the smallness bones! have been discovered; thc sight and where they have the shells heaped up in places where they most abounded, lived collecof thing convinced me, that these people never been found whole-every have been numerous. The history in small familics, which can never will confirm what tively, except collect these proofs, which, added to others, ofSt. Domingo will observed, think as well as myself, viz. that judicious, informed men, who have long of more than 300,000 Caribbees, if St. Domingo never contained a popularion themselves have pronounced that number. The Spaniards even it ever contained historical amplifications. concerning Oviédo and his motontainous in the Central and Eastern, than The country itself being evidently more the terrilory, is, in tbe xohole, nain the Western parts, it is probable that Spanish lessfertile than that of the French-Page 178. turally pretended Historical Views, had You would doubtless have avoided writing your documents relative to St. Doconsidered how imperfeét and faulty were your of what here advance : you Iam ignorant who can have informed you less you mountainous than mingo. in proportion to its extent, is much with hills and for the Spanish part, and always interspersed the French part, whose plains are very sinall, the feet of mountains more or small mornes, and which, as one may say, are only be to those in the Spanish extended. Thereis no real plain, that can compared less of Artibonite; : the others are only appendages, part, except the beautiful plain the of the Cul-de-Sac is rather long, of mountains ; plain more or less extensive, but very narrow. --- Page 170 --- 160 ) You mightand ought to have known to a certainty, that the Spanish part is the most even, the most productive, and the best watered. This would have to you, that the French colony owes its prosperity to nothing but the industry proved the French colonists; the same industry, employed upon the Spanish of would have doubled or tripled the productions of the commodities of the territory, island. It is impossible, unless it were seen, to form an idea ofthe fertility, the extent, and the beauty, of the plains of the Spanish part, which have no very large mountains, except towards the sea-shore, on the North-East and towards the South-West. St. Domingo, the capital, is situated in a very beautiful and very extensive plain, and at a great distance from the mountains. dnd vast monbers (as Ibelieve Ihave elsécohere observed) are amually slaugbtered solely fur tbe skins.-Page 184. You no doubt speak of the original state of the island, at the time the Freebooters established themselves there as Buccancers. For many years past, they have discontinued killing the beasts at St. Domingo for their tongues, fat, and skin. The Spaniards, for a long time past, have neverbeen able to supply all the animals necessary for the butchers at the Cape and Port-au-Prince : although the butchers had considerable number of men employed in fetching then from the most distant a oft the Spanish colony. augbtered solely fur tbe skins.-Page 184. You no doubt speak of the original state of the island, at the time the Freebooters established themselves there as Buccancers. For many years past, they have discontinued killing the beasts at St. Domingo for their tongues, fat, and skin. The Spaniards, for a long time past, have neverbeen able to supply all the animals necessary for the butchers at the Cape and Port-au-Prince : although the butchers had considerable number of men employed in fetching then from the most distant a oft the Spanish colony. If you would have recollcéted, as an inhabitant of Jamaica, parts that, if the French part could not consume all the beasts belonging to the Spanish part, Jamaica was to leeward of St. Domingo, and that a secure opportunity was always open to the merchants, you would not have written this phrase. You have Jearned that, for a long time past, the Spanish herds of horned cattlc might diminished in the colony belonging to that nation, first by the have in the French butcheries, next by the use made of them for carrying great the consumption the works ofthe plantations ; but still more because, for a considerable sugars time and the Spanish batiers have found great advantage in having horses, and past, mules, which sell at a high price, without giving more trouble to rear particularly than cattle do; the herds of horses and mules living, like the herds of horned cattle, frec, in the same savannas, which support the one as easily as the other. colony belonging to that nation, first by the have in the French butcheries, next by the use made of them for carrying great the consumption the works ofthe plantations ; but still more because, for a considerable sugars time and the Spanish batiers have found great advantage in having horses, and past, mules, which sell at a high price, without giving more trouble to rear particularly than cattle do; the herds of horses and mules living, like the herds of horned cattle, frec, in the same savannas, which support the one as easily as the other. This error teill make your readers think und telieve, that you have not been more correét in other works than in this. your Perbaps it were n0 exaggeration lo say, that this and the former distrias are alone capable ofproducing more sugar, and otber valuable comnuodities, than all the British Iest Indies put togelber.-Page 185, --- Page 171 --- 161 ) Sir, that the Spanish part of St. Domingo would You may very positively assert, colonies put together, but even more more sugar than all the English not only yield than double. made by Mr. Henry Shirley to the assembly I have already proved, by the report of the produétions of the French of Jamaica, and by your own estimate or average than ail the English colocolony of St. Domingo, that it made annually more sugar time of the Revolution, it furAntilies united ; and likewise that, at the the nies in the of all the colonics put together; and Spanish in nished double the produétions in extent as the French, is so which is three times as considerable to the French part, for cultivation in a quadruple proportion Europlains and lands proper commodities were not douhle those of all the colony. Ifthe other colonial would at least be cqual. Two pages pean colonies and the French part, they draw the natural consequences from it, written to propagate this truth, and to would have been very useful to your country. is tbe account I have lo give of the territory iiself; 1101 Thus scanty and uninteresting concerning the number and condition of tbe people is my information much more perfect 180. by ahom it is at present inbalited--Page above all, not to have anIt would have been better not to have written, and, acknowledge you know nothing nounced a work respeéting St. Domingo, since you according to this letter, will judge the Spanish part of it. The reader, concerning informed respedting the French part. how little you are and under the Spauish dominions ofall ages In 1717, tbe aubole monber ofinhalitauts more tban 18,410; and, since that time, I conditions, enslaved and frec, were 120 187. bave rather dimninished than increased.-Page conceive they the population of the Spanish part did not You acknowledge, Sir, that, in 1717, who, a few pages before, allowed a 18,410 individuals, and yet it is you of the amount to the island beforeits conquest! What! the population million of inhabitants to that of Africa and Europe, supported by innumerable Spanish colony, increased by of Europe, enjoying the same climate flocks and herds, having the arts and resources their diseases, has not, in 220 years, carried as the natives of St. Domingo without state the natives to amount to a milits population beyond 18,410, and yet who you might not have read the preceding lion ! This would astonish those readers part. T individuals, and yet it is you of the amount to the island beforeits conquest! What! the population million of inhabitants to that of Africa and Europe, supported by innumerable Spanish colony, increased by of Europe, enjoying the same climate flocks and herds, having the arts and resources their diseases, has not, in 220 years, carried as the natives of St. Domingo without state the natives to amount to a milits population beyond 18,410, and yet who you might not have read the preceding lion ! This would astonish those readers part. T --- Page 172 --- 102 ) However degraded the Spanish nation may be in America, it has considerable advantages over all others in peopling this country. The Spaniard is sooner inured to the climate, is sober, strong, and nervous: he intermixes without distinétion with every species and every colour; and neither scarcity nor sickness destroys his population. How.happens it, however, that they compose SO small a population, when the natives, weak, sickly, subject to such frequent dearth (the consequence of the imperfection of their social system), are reported by you to have formed a million? Let the reader reflect and judge ! Why, and upon what principle do you establish your opinion, that the population has rather diminished than mented in the Spanish colony? Ought your readers blindly to believe in your aug- conceptions, and without your furnishing them with any foundation; ; when three pages back (in the note, page 184), you acknowledge that, since 1757, the Barcelona company received the exclusive privilege to trade.and conduct the other affairs relative to St. Domingo? You ought to have concluded from thence that some had occurred favorable to the Spaniards, which is the truth : they now cultivate change more sugar, more indigo, and more cotton ; they arc, morcover, more employed in the care oftheir animals ; they have caused a great acquisition of Negros, both in the French part of the island and Jamaica. Since the American war, there has been a more numerous garrison of European troops, and the whole population may be stated to amount to 60,000 individuals. This is what I have seen in part, and what I was assured ofin 1786, in one ofthe tours I made in that part of the island. Since the Revolution, Spain has augmented the number of her troops there; without reckoning them, the population of Whites does not amount to 2,000, the Negros to 30,000; the rest is of a free race of mixed blood, from the mongrel to the Marabou, which compose 12 or 14 different mixtures. I is probable, hosvever, that the knoruledge ef tbat circumstance, created greater reliance 072 the co-operation of the Spaniards with the Britisb arny tban was justified by subseguent events. It was evident, at the same time, that they wvere almost egually jealous ofibe English, betraying manifest symptoms of discontent and enuy, at beholding then in possession of St. Marc and the fertile plains in its rvicinage.- -Page 188. Your consequences are truly extraordinary: ; you admit that the Spanish planters liate the French ones ; and you thence conclude, that this must have produced confidence in the co-operation of the Spaniards with the English, in order to restore the property ofthose French planters whom theyh hate, whom they had contributed to ruin and assassinate! at the same time, that they wvere almost egually jealous ofibe English, betraying manifest symptoms of discontent and enuy, at beholding then in possession of St. Marc and the fertile plains in its rvicinage.- -Page 188. Your consequences are truly extraordinary: ; you admit that the Spanish planters liate the French ones ; and you thence conclude, that this must have produced confidence in the co-operation of the Spaniards with the English, in order to restore the property ofthose French planters whom theyh hate, whom they had contributed to ruin and assassinate! --- Page 173 --- 163 ) You think, that the assistance oft the who could assert it, wished to Spaniards might have been known the deceive; ; for, if they be expeéted! Those invetcrate hatred that exists between colonists, they must have one of which has cowardly and the inhabitants of the two colonies, The government ofthis traiterously bathed itself in the blood oft the other. stantly informed it of country could not have been deceived : for myself the every thing, and I brought and Ihave conauthentic particulars of the assassination delivered to the Ministers Fort Dauphin. and massacre of the French at As you very, justly observe, Sir, the knew and judged of the Spaniards, and continuation ofevents has proved who best will soon lay before the what might be expedted from them. respedting this public every thing that intrigue was capable of History subjeét. promoting But in all cases, be well convinced that it has niards were still more jealous of the long been proved, that the more afraid in them English than the French, and would be Spahaving for their neighbours. The much Domingo have long since known, that the informed planters of St. the one or the other for Spaniards no longer wisl to have either be destioyed, and that it would neighbours; : their hope was, that the French part would relidts of the French remain abandoned; ; that then their batiers and the They first population, would. divide the devastated thought that the French planters would be land among them. France, and that they would be involved in the destruction of upon this spoil. Fearful of incapable of preventing the Spaniards from being deceived, when saw scizing protedtion of Great-Britain, they they the planters implore the them to be massacred. at the GonaYves revenged themselves for it by causing a part of ger greater, should the English be and at Fort Dauphin ; but fecling their danthey acknowledged the new power in masters of St. Domingo, they wished, when mingo, being persuaded France, to attradl her entirely towards 8t. the French, their that, SO long asthis beautiful colony should belong Dopossessions upon the continent would be solely to allurement that they ceded a territory to the safe, and it was as an had long been a burden to them. The French, which, far from being useful, Domingo to every thing, on account of Spaniards their preferred the destruction of St. better to see the whole island in the hands hatred to the French; but they like hands of the English. The Mole, of the French, than a part of it in the no whilst in the hands of uncasiness; : in the hands of the Englisb, it is the former, gave them Their colonies upon the continent will the key to the Gulf of Mexico. mingo remains in the still exist for a long time to come, ifSt. Dopossession of the French ; the Spanish colonies in the Gulfof Spaniards their preferred the destruction of St. better to see the whole island in the hands hatred to the French; but they like hands of the English. The Mole, of the French, than a part of it in the no whilst in the hands of uncasiness; : in the hands of the Englisb, it is the former, gave them Their colonies upon the continent will the key to the Gulf of Mexico. mingo remains in the still exist for a long time to come, ifSt. Dopossession of the French ; the Spanish colonies in the Gulfof --- Page 174 --- 164 ) Mexico wili no longer continue under the powver of the Spariards than it shall please Great-Britain, when she shall be mistress of the island. borvever, and took the town and harbour of Gondive; but tbeir They proceeledl, the basest treacbery, or tbe rankest cowardice.- subsequent conduct manifested Page 18S. You have been deceived in the recital of these matters. You wish to nake your readers believe that the Spaniards seized upon the GoColonel Brisbane; whilst, on the contrary, they took it by naives at the request of he was to take of it. At the time the English fraud, at the time going possession arrived at St. Marc, the greatest part of the inhabitants of the Gonaives had rethemselves under the of Great- Britain, as well as the inhabitants solved to put power When the English went to of St. Marc, in spite of the intrigues ofthe Spaniards. of the Toussaint, the Negro, arrived, directed by the Mutake possession Gonaives, officer, of the town; whilst the lattoes, and took, as a Spanish general possession wished also to hoist the flag of that nation at St. Marc's; but here. Spanish party the Gonaives; having seized the fort they were not the strongest, as at Toussaint, of the belonging to this town, pretended that it ought to continue in the possession since of the French colony which each of the two nations might Spaniards, every part soldier with seize upon, ought to belong to it. This Negro had not a single Spanish him, either White or Mulatto; it was not till some time after that a Spanish garrison commanded Villa Nova and another officer, whom I saw at M. le arrived there, by Vicomte de Fontanges'; when I made a journey to him atthe Gonaives; it was soon after the brigands came to attack the town, that the Spanish garrison made its reand that the French were massacred. A part of these troops treat by capitulation, I the that the retired to the Vérettes; and it was not tillafter quitted colony Spaniards no doubt with the view of repeating there what they had already came to St. Marc's, but which the zeal and activity of Brisdone at Fort Dauphin and the Gonaives, bane prevented them from exccuting. St. There is not an Englishman who was in the first expedition against Domingo, who will not give you the particulars of this affair. On the wubole, there is reason lo suppose, that a great proportion ofthe present Spanish proprietors in St. Domingo are a debased and degenerated race, a motly mixturefrom European, Indian, and African ancestry-Page 189. You might have asserted as certain what you here state with doubt; you need hare conversed with those who have travelled in the Spanish part only of onaives, bane prevented them from exccuting. St. There is not an Englishman who was in the first expedition against Domingo, who will not give you the particulars of this affair. On the wubole, there is reason lo suppose, that a great proportion ofthe present Spanish proprietors in St. Domingo are a debased and degenerated race, a motly mixturefrom European, Indian, and African ancestry-Page 189. You might have asserted as certain what you here state with doubt; you need hare conversed with those who have travelled in the Spanish part only of --- Page 175 --- 3 165 ) have obtained the particulars necessary to confirm of the island, and you would know that the Spaniards are the only Europeans your assertion. You must likewise mixed blood in their colonies, on which account who are not prejudiced against the more masters of thc Negros than the protheyhave never flourished; ; the priests are and few works of consequence : that prietors; there are but few sugar plantations is to colleét the animals of the which they are most employed at St. Domingo andthe child in live, like their masters, in the greatest indolence, and enhates togethier.: they woman and a free man is a Spaniard, born from the connexion of a Negro be acknowledged, are reduced almost joys all the rights of a Creole, which, it must White being the only one that for people of all colours. The European colonies, to nothing the Creole Whites enjoy in the other European enjoys the rights which between the Spanish and other governments, viz. occasions that immense difference Creole in her colonies is nearly the same as that that the prejudice against the White thing born in the Spanish coloof other nations against the Man of Colour. Every that exists against the Men nies is quite struck with the civil and militaryincapacity be priests; but the Whites, as well as of Colouri in the Antilles, except that they either may in a civil or military capacity. The the Men of Colour, are seldom employed the Creole families in the Spanish colofact is, that there is such a mixture among traced. It may with truth be said, nies, that none but the original shades can be in the universc, and the most that in her colonies is the greatest mixture of people resolve the problem of crossing the bytheir vices: this might morally contemptible breeds too frequently. Great-Britain 012 this bloodAnd it grieses me to say, that the present exertions Dasten of the 190. no other end than to catustropbe-Page stained theaire, can anstuer will what foundation I am unacquainted) The catastrophe which you foresee (upon that, during nearly four years at St. Domingo : as you clearly perceive, princinot happen in of part of that island, the republican that the English have been possession who! had not risen at the time it was ples have made no progress, and that the Negros, and faithful ; that the French have taken possession of, continue to be submissive and that it is no longer they almost given up the idea of sending any forces there, of the brigand chiefs, who but many who carry on the war against Great-Britain, thernselves, in order that they obey nobody, and who arc employed in enriching The brigand Negros are elsewhere to enjoy the fruits of their plunder. held their chiefs, and no may go tired of the condition in which they are by every where U u ) and that the Negros, and faithful ; that the French have taken possession of, continue to be submissive and that it is no longer they almost given up the idea of sending any forces there, of the brigand chiefs, who but many who carry on the war against Great-Britain, thernselves, in order that they obey nobody, and who arc employed in enriching The brigand Negros are elsewhere to enjoy the fruits of their plunder. held their chiefs, and no may go tired of the condition in which they are by every where U u ) --- Page 176 --- 166 ) great efforts are requisite to terminate the war in the island ; it only requires measures to be taken and well combined. proper Whatever might be the danger in forming Negro regiments, since that mcasure has succceded, great sacrifices will not henceforth be requisite on the part of land, nor a great number of European troops, in order to terminate the war. EngYour foresight arising only from your uneasiness, founded upon erroneous mises which you have established yourself, I shall here beg leave to assure prethat, as you are in no respeét acquainted with the colony of St. you its interior situation, Domingo, nor your complaints are without cause, as they must be without effect. I shall repcat to you, since you have a right to verify the amount of the produétions exported from the colony last year, thatyou may readily conclude from thence, that a possession which, in its unfortunate state, has produced such a considerable mass of merchandise, merits preservation. Experience bas denonstrated, tbat a wild and lancless freedom affords 710 means of improvement, either, mental Or moral. The Caraibes of St. Vincent and the Maroon Negros of Jamaica, were originaily enslaved Africans; ; and what they now are, tbe freed Negros of St. Domingo wwill hereafter be, savage in the midst ef society, witbout peace, security, agriculture, or property ; ignorant of the drsty of life, and unacguainted with all the soft and endearing relations wlich render it desirable; adverse to labour, tbough frequently perishing of want, suspicious of eacb other, and towards. tbe rest of mankind revengeful and faithless: ; remorseless and bloody-minded, tending to be free, wbile groaning beneath the capricious despotism of their preand feeling all the miseries of servitude, witbout the benefits of subordination.- cbiefss Page 191. This is the paragraph in your work which contains the most truth : this is what you ought to have written and repeated continually. To all the examples you adducc of the Caribbees ofSt. Vincents, and particularly the Maroon Negros of Jamaica, you may add what happened at St. Domingo since the innovators, who have caused its devastation, have been able to make the crucl experiment of their plans. It is impossible to describe all the evils which have befallen the Negros, and every thing they have suffered, not only from hunger and want, but sill more from the capricious barbarity of their numerous chiefs. The history of Africa proves, that the Negros are not susceptible ofthe same degrce of sociability as the Europeans. When we consider that the Creole Negro, transplanted into our colonies for 150 years past and upwards, has not made one step towards civilization, that he is still encumbered with all the superstitions of his brethren in their plans. It is impossible to describe all the evils which have befallen the Negros, and every thing they have suffered, not only from hunger and want, but sill more from the capricious barbarity of their numerous chiefs. The history of Africa proves, that the Negros are not susceptible ofthe same degrce of sociability as the Europeans. When we consider that the Creole Negro, transplanted into our colonies for 150 years past and upwards, has not made one step towards civilization, that he is still encumbered with all the superstitions of his brethren in --- Page 177 --- 167 ) Africa, we must believe that they form a beings that people the globe. separate species amongst the numerous The Negros are, in every respeét, what you here from your own knowledge, you have observed describe. them to be : if it is have represented without them well, This is what end to those pretended you-should Europe by their abstractions, made in the midst philanthropists who have deceived rals of the Europeans. This is what that of the pleasuresand corrupted mnoadmiration of the whole universe, will, society, truly worthy of the respect and before long, discover; the philanthropic society of Sierra Leona, deserves the generous and truly and the blessings of every class of encomiums of all sensible men, ments made by their orders have society; soon, and perhaps already, the solved the problem experiforming Negro colonies, civilized and divided concerning thei impossibility of and others. Their Memoirs will into societies, useful to themselves. active than the people of soon prove, that this people, stronger and more the Paraguay, whom the Jesuits had Cordeliers, are not however, like them, civilized at the foot of of other civilized people; ; and that it is susceptible of any of the institutions' their founders should watch, in order continually necessary that the foresight of of many years will be in to support their social system : or the labours But the destroyed a few moments. attempr is good : it is. grand, It is noble : true humanity; it will do eternal itis worthy a great nation and I wish well to its honor to the members of that success, but I have no faith in it. In if respeétable socicty. sugar made in Africa that the colonies in the fine, it is owing to the shall no longer consider it as a Antilles must lose their prosperity, I pists who may have been the misfortune, and shall even bless the true with that cause of it; but who ought never to philanthroswarm of hot-headed, vain, light, and crucl be compared serving their cither men, who are of themselves country by sea or land : and who, eat with incapable to be talked of, up pride in with bave, on entering into the causing a view to discover some world, looked around them attract the attention of the easy means which they might make use of, in order to well as without trouble multitude towards them, without risk and and expence. In fine, these egotists, these danger, as superficial beings, who have made themselves proud and cold and insensible to tbe the Negros' champions, and numerous evils tlat surround have who, a. people (the White them, been for Creoles), at two thousand leagues seeking them, without paying attention to the real distant, in order to ruin (even if their system could have been barbarity of their hypothesis, which number of White families, established) would ruin a considerably and in a much greater greater bute to the happiness of a few proportion, than it would contriNegro families, remaining slaves in Africa; in fine, the Negros' champions, and numerous evils tlat surround have who, a. people (the White them, been for Creoles), at two thousand leagues seeking them, without paying attention to the real distant, in order to ruin (even if their system could have been barbarity of their hypothesis, which number of White families, established) would ruin a considerably and in a much greater greater bute to the happiness of a few proportion, than it would contriNegro families, remaining slaves in Africa; in fine, --- Page 178 --- 168 ) which wouid be the cause of the destruétion of the Creole planters, who, tlie blood of their fathers and their friends, have acquired the by by the hands of servants rather than slaves, which they have property they cultivate, brought from and whose condition they have changed by treating them as members of their Africa, families, and in making them enjoy a part of the Europcan institutions of which they wesesusceptible : particularly in patting them under the protedtion of the laws, which preserve thei from the barbarous caprices of their original masters ; in short, by becoming provident proteétors, who supply the defeéts in the charaéter which nature has given the Negros. Repeat, Sir, comment upon, and amplify, for the happiness of the colonies and true humanity, the truths you have here written, and increase your proofs; the misfortunes of St. Domingo will furnish you with many; and the dcath of Whites, Men of Colour, or Negros, vidtims (in the colonies) of the 500,000 of the pretended philanthropists, will convince them of the falsity of experiments their systems : but, if not them, they will at least judicious and humane new ralue the lives of mnen as something, and who respect the Iaws of beings, who society. If what I bave thus, not bastily, but deliberately, predicted, concerning tbe this unfortimnate country shall be verified by the fate of exent-Page 191. I repeat it, that what you have ventured to predict will not happen. You have made use ofincorrect documents in order to produce a work, the errors of which I have demonstrated. You have no knowledge of St. Domingo, particularly of what itis at this moment. I refer you to the produce of its exportations, and to the conduct of the Negros at Jérémie, at T'Arcahaye, at the Vases, and at the and still more to the fidelity of the Negro regiments, in order to that Boucassin, diction made in England by your fire-side will not be realized; prove, the a prewhich being erroneous, the consequence must be .50. principle of All other refections mazest yield 1o the pressing consideralion, bore best to obviate and defent ibe infuence webich so dreadful an example of successful revolt and triumpbant anarchy may bave in ouer own islands.-Page 191. Certainly, you ought to attract and fix the attention of the English to the consequences it would be of to all the Europcan colonies to abandon government Domingo to the anarchy and despotism of two or three brigands who now command St. there. What danger would not the example of a triumphant revolt particularly when supported by a numerous population, which would occasion, take and advantage ofit? Being a Jamaica planter, you ought (more than any other) to know the danger revolt and triumpbant anarchy may bave in ouer own islands.-Page 191. Certainly, you ought to attract and fix the attention of the English to the consequences it would be of to all the Europcan colonies to abandon government Domingo to the anarchy and despotism of two or three brigands who now command St. there. What danger would not the example of a triumphant revolt particularly when supported by a numerous population, which would occasion, take and advantage ofit? Being a Jamaica planter, you ought (more than any other) to know the danger --- Page 179 --- 169 ) all. tbat Jamaica, bing to leeward eSt. Dodanger ofi it, and to publish at times, find herself speedily destroyed. The Engwingo, and at a small distance, would with the risks you lish Ministers did not wait for your book to be acquainted directed tbeir frstoperahave set forth : and, ifit was from their knowledge that they in asserting, that they were tious, you ought to consider how far you were wrong At this time, when you deceived by bold and interested foreigners. the state of grossly British legislature should take into consideration acknowledge that the said, had the Ministers waited till you had St. Domingo, what would you have before they had attended to it? appeared and announeed the dangersourself, of Jamaica and all the English merchants You, Sir, as well as the inhabitants to. the King's Ministers, would have had just reason reproach tbe and manufacturers, Ihesitate not in declaring to had they suffered Jamaica to have been destroyed. would have been, and that for a very con-, awhole of Great-Britain, that this colony if the theatre of war had siderable time past, in a worse state than St. Domingo, and Polverel had continued been carried there, and the commissioners Santhonax of the Windward in the French colony. The wretched example to to command will be sufficient for reflecting minds Islands, and the Maroon war in Jamaica, to judge of those that perceive the consequences, and judge of them ; particularly had, like you, waited would have happened, if the Ministers, wanting foresight, What evils would not their tardy for the effects in order to judge of the causes. of Jamaica ? reflexions have exposed you to, as well as all the planters inhabitants of Jamaica Sir, and I publicly declare it, that all the for I think then, Ministers and General Millianson, to the English their owe an everlasting gratitude averted this scourge from having, by carrying on the war in St. Domingo, secured, augmented, and island; ; in short, for having, by this great operation, consolidated their fortunes. it will not require the endoxment ef propbegy toforeIf such sball be bergoodfortune, tbe most industrious class of tel tbe result. Thie middling, and aubo. are commonly allured by the cheapness ofthe planters thronghout every island in the IVest ludies, in St. Dotbe soil, swill assuredly seek oul settlemenis land and tbe superiorily of soill fix itself in this noble island, lo wuhich, in a mingo ; and a West Indian Empire of Europe will be found sabordinate and few shortyears, all tbe tropical possessions and America, and situated to tributary. Placed in the centre of Britisb Spanish rehile tbe these territories of either nation wbich are more waluables be windwvard of all the riches of Murico swill commerce ofbotla nust exist only by its goodpleasure, wecbolly at its disposal-Page 192. X X ill fix itself in this noble island, lo wuhich, in a mingo ; and a West Indian Empire of Europe will be found sabordinate and few shortyears, all tbe tropical possessions and America, and situated to tributary. Placed in the centre of Britisb Spanish rehile tbe these territories of either nation wbich are more waluables be windwvard of all the riches of Murico swill commerce ofbotla nust exist only by its goodpleasure, wecbolly at its disposal-Page 192. X X --- Page 180 --- 170 ) Iadmit, without thinking it necessary to be a prophet, what you here advance, that a great part of the planters of all the islands in the Antilles will be eager to repair to St. Domingo, but not éf tbe island returns under tbe pocver of France, whose constitution cannot agree with the existence ofthe colonies, even ifby a new law she should establish the onlyr regimen suitable to the island; as that state will be for a long time a prey to the revolutions and uneasiness that accompany new and democratical govermnents. As the law which might be now repealed, might be re-established after a popular commotion, it results from thence that the riches of the colonists and the colonies will always be causes for jealousy, which will attradt and fix upon them the envy of the party chiefs, who will long reign in France. The industrious, aétive, and laborious planters, who now cultivate a soil that is exhausted, impoverished, and dried up in the Windward Islands, and who turn their eyes upon St. Domingo aS upon a promised land, since the Englisl: have possessed a part of it, would soon turn them back again, if the French were to regain possession of it; for they would rather live as they have done for a long time past,. than risk their labours upon a soil which might again experience all the horrors which have devastatedit. The situation ofJamaica would again become as dangerous. as it would have been, had not the English established themselves at St. Domingo, and seized upon the Mole. But the possibility of establishing an empire there is a dream. This island may be very flourishing under the protedtion of a powerful mother country; but a soil that produces nothing but objects of luxury, and no article of the first necessity; which depends upon Europe for its manufactures, as well as for its means of subsistence; which has neither navy, nor wood for building S in short, whose chief produétions may be reduced to four or five articles, will never form an empire. If you will take the trouble to consider, Sir, how advantageous circumstances, and what great means are necessary to form an many ( independent state, you will yourself banish this empire with the savage republic you havc created of 100,000 Negros, inhabiting mountains that produce nothing useful in the places where you have fixedthem. Butif after profound reflexion you address what you here say to your countrymen, not for the purpose of establishing but to to render St. Domingo one ofthe most important parts an empire, engagethem then would have told a great truth, and very easily of the British possession, you to be executed ; for what France will never do to St. Domingo, England may casily perform, and enjoy all the advantages which you acknowledge to be attached to the possession of this colony. She has moreover the ready mcans for doing this, as she has preserved her commerce free and unmolested : she alone has the nanufacand particularly the capitals that are absolutely necessary for the re-establishtures, --- Page 181 --- I 171 ) what it oughit to be under SO powerful a moand to raise it to ment of the colony, ther country. capable of defending such a great England is the only power that has a nayy depends ; for J repest it toyuit, on which the fate of Jamaica absolutely Janaica zvill fallo that of colony, and to Great-Britain, the fate of be ifit be Sir, to all the colonists, the former will saved; Should the latter be re-established and so far from a St. 181 --- I 171 ) what it oughit to be under SO powerful a moand to raise it to ment of the colony, ther country. capable of defending such a great England is the only power that has a nayy depends ; for J repest it toyuit, on which the fate of Jamaica absolutely Janaica zvill fallo that of colony, and to Great-Britain, the fate of be ifit be Sir, to all the colonists, the former will saved; Should the latter be re-established and so far from a St. Domings. Jamaica swill speedily be destroyed, of, I delivered up to the French, in that island, such as you here speak powerful empire being established will be entirely and speedily ruined and that all the colonies in the Antilles prediét annihilated. concerned in tbe leisure to refe8l how deeply sbe is berself And Great-Britain find ef it-Page 193. consequences should interest as a colonist and as a planter, that Your duty as an Englishman, your and to Great-Britain, to be continually declaring to Parliament, the part she may rouse you of her colonies absolutely depends upon without and - the future prosperity She has, withour trouble, expence, in take respeéting St. Domingo. in of the principal places good fortune, been put possession to which a considerable with incomparable If she renounces these immense advantages, her still more $ this island. since incurred, ought to attach loss of men, and an EnOrnLouS expence for which she is alone indebted if, I say, she abandons such a capital possession, who have placed their entire confidence 11 to the brave and generous inhabitants, sacrifice, to diminish her risks and dangers, her; if she thinks, by such a great to the world of layalty and will only increase them, by leaving an example and confiding she Government, to which unfortunare fidelity, betrayed by a povwerfal in order to escape froin the fury and vengeance men had surrendered themselves, exccutioners of their country. of the destruétive in all events and circtn-. whatéver tbe issue may be in all tbe rvarieties of fortaune, both the people But concerns efGraut stances, wbetber prosperous or adverse, it infinitely colonies, 1 cannot repeat it loo oftens Britain and the inbabitants of tbe British To Great-Britaiu 1 soouldl intimate, to derive admonition from tbe story before us. sball be given to the pertitbe present example, encouragenent zobo, ander that if disregarding fuaties and detestable incendiaries, those bot-brained brumnanily, nent dottrines of and zeal for the interests of suffering ferthe vile pretence of pbilanthrepby contented and orderly Negros in our otUR greach up rebellion and murder to the --- Page 182 --- ( 172 ) ritories: telat else can be espetted, but that the same and desolation, wbich we bare dreaiful scenes of carnage contemplated in St. Domingn, will be our countrymten and relations in the British IFest renessedanong Indies.-Page 193. As you are a colonist and a Member of the British be asto repeat these phrases there, which I have here Senate, SO kind, Sir, and, abore all, mention that in certain circumstances extraéted from your work, dangerous as usclessto! be there are questions which are as agitated, since necessity has no law, and that such tuation of the European colonies, that all the of is the sipowers Europe must renounce together, or neither. and relations in the British IFest renessedanong Indies.-Page 193. As you are a colonist and a Member of the British be asto repeat these phrases there, which I have here Senate, SO kind, Sir, and, abore all, mention that in certain circumstances extraéted from your work, dangerous as usclessto! be there are questions which are as agitated, since necessity has no law, and that such tuation of the European colonies, that all the of is the sipowers Europe must renounce together, or neither. No, Sir, not one can renounce them alone. them in particular, that England is not even in SO fortunate a Set forth who,in case cf situation as the French, necessity, can do without the colonies; butas to Great-Britain, zobose porer and prosperity depends solely npon her commerce, the destruction of of her colonies is a great misfortune to her. What would be the any one to Great- Britain, if the whole were destroyed, and if that consequence then which is SO necessary to her commerce were to cease, manufaétures, to her navy, to her industry, and to her population : The misfortunes which the French revolution has America, form too severe a lesson, for truel occasioned to Europe and humanity not to be upon her in future against the iscedayikensefpesmnded guard hope that the British Government will philanthrophists and innovators. Let us preserve itself from their cruel : which, however unfortunate they may have been for a experiments France, and which has various country SO extensive as Great-Britain, which resources, would prove mortal to a country like can only rank among the great powers by means of her commerce and her colonies. I call 011 them with the sincerity and afettion of a brother, of themselzes, to linit, and Fnally abolish the furtber introdudtion euslaved restrain, of men from AfricuPage 193. Why, Sir, do you wish what cannot exist : You are not ignorant that to the your ( peal planters of the Antilles will not be heard; that it cannot be executed apwithout destroying the sugar colonies; for you would by that means stop the supplying of the vacancies occasioned by the loss of the Creole Negros, who their forced inclinations perish in the colonies in à greater proportion than the bills by of mortality, considered in Europe as correct, calculate for the ancient hemisphere. euslaved restrain, of men from AfricuPage 193. Why, Sir, do you wish what cannot exist : You are not ignorant that to the your ( peal planters of the Antilles will not be heard; that it cannot be executed apwithout destroying the sugar colonies; for you would by that means stop the supplying of the vacancies occasioned by the loss of the Creole Negros, who their forced inclinations perish in the colonies in à greater proportion than the bills by of mortality, considered in Europe as correct, calculate for the ancient hemisphere. The --- Page 183 --- 173 J The late misfortunes of the of the lands will require many colonies, the epidemical discases, and the the industry of the Negros for a long time ; why do you wish clearing the colonies where Europeans, and the of to impede it is in general SO successful augmentation the White population in Iam ofan opinion quite ? I solicit the continuation of contrary to you, Sir; and, as being the true absurd a trade which snatches SO friend oft man, despotism, in order to give them kind many viétims from the most unknown to the inhabitants of Africa masters, and procure them contestably more than ; in short, to place them in a enjoyments countries. happy that to which they are condemned situation inin those barbarous You are a colonist, and you know as well as I possible, capable of preventing the do, that there is 110 distraining law from procuring them by planters, who should be in want of their property depends smuggling from forcign nations : for the Negros, oppose with all upon it. You ought then, as a colonist and preservation of the your might the making ofany laws legislator, to planters ; a wise man ought not to which would be attacked by all from its principle would be contribute to the making of a law, which established, despised or disowned by thosc for whom it be Towards tbe poor Negros, over wbon the statutes fortune, and thbe lazs of of Great-B Britain, tbe accidents inberitance, have invested tbem of conduafor tbe last tventy years with powver ; tbeir general they bave been loaded), (netsuilbstanding tbe foril calunnies witb 194. may court inguiry, and bid defiance to which commure-Page Had you, in a hundred different you would have rendered ways, repeated the truth you here have merited their great service to the colonists of all the advance, gratitude. You should Antilles, and thatpersonal interest, that great principle of human moreover have continually repeated, rity, the preservation, and the adtions, watched over the happiness of the Negros, secuFor calumny, tbough a great, is a temporary evil, Dut triunphant and truth and justice will prove elernal.-Page 191. Although I think and maintain, after that the colonies cannot exist witbout twenty years observation and tbe continuation of reflexion, slavery, and the regimen xy ists of all the advance, gratitude. You should Antilles, and thatpersonal interest, that great principle of human moreover have continually repeated, rity, the preservation, and the adtions, watched over the happiness of the Negros, secuFor calumny, tbough a great, is a temporary evil, Dut triunphant and truth and justice will prove elernal.-Page 191. Although I think and maintain, after that the colonies cannot exist witbout twenty years observation and tbe continuation of reflexion, slavery, and the regimen xy --- Page 184 --- 174 ) they have adopted and followed till the year 1790. ; yet I do not pretend that the in and amcliorating the condition of the laws may not be watchful augmenting I solicit the planters of all the colonies, as well as all the Negros; on the contrary, imto consider ofit. Some new laws are necessary; but European governinents, the European governments should partial, enlightened, and just observers (whom send to the different islands, in order to be informed of the truth), will agree, after having staid some time in Africa and the colonies, that the Creoles have been calumniated; and the greatest justice would be rendered to them, as it would be foundedin truth: whicli is, that, in all the French or English colonies, the Negros not more than in Africa, but even than three parts of tbe wen forming arc only: happy the class ofpeasauts and day labourers in Europe. If I require the continuation of the trade, I likewise require that it should be laws more than the existing ones, for the benefit of the carried on under rigid in short, that well digested laws be established, which should regulate Negros; of the ships. It would not be necessary for them to be more the tonnage trading than 300 tons, nor less than 200 ; for, if the ship be large, it continues trading too long, and the scurvy and other diseases breed among the Negros first purchased s are not accommodatedd. It ought to be ifit be too small, the Negros sufficiently settled how many Negros should be carried in each ship, according to the size, without its being possible for a captain to carry more than the number prescribed by law. The exportation of Negros from Africa abore twenty years of age should be prohibited: ; a man of that age is still susceptible of attachment to a new country, the climate has but litile influence over him, and he leaves fewer objeéts of his attachment, than the Negro more adranced in years, who often leaves a wife and family. No Negro should be embarked without having been inoculated in Africa; several should belong to a ship; they should all make oath, before the sale of surgeons Negros begins in any colony, where they may be brought, that they have not by artificial means driven in or repelled the disorders of tbe Negros : by which any numbers are killed. These measures, I admit, would be nore expenmeans and great the fitting out a trading ship would at first cost the person equipping it a sive, sum, which would finally be borne by the planter; but considerably greater he would be well indemnified : for, instead of purchasing two or three Negros, he would only purchase one, whom he would more easily preserve, and who would sooner work, &c. &c. In short, it is not the expence it will be of to the planter that must be considered; ; the Negros are necessary for their works; whatever may be the price of them, they will pay for it. We ought to apply ourselves then in than can be useful to humanity. Wise laws made for well segulating every thing the planter; but considerably greater he would be well indemnified : for, instead of purchasing two or three Negros, he would only purchase one, whom he would more easily preserve, and who would sooner work, &c. &c. In short, it is not the expence it will be of to the planter that must be considered; ; the Negros are necessary for their works; whatever may be the price of them, they will pay for it. We ought to apply ourselves then in than can be useful to humanity. Wise laws made for well segulating every thing --- Page 185 --- 175 ) trade will be more serviceable to them than all the debates conducting the Negro them for these, fifteen years past, through a false, sehich bave taken place concerning idle, cruel, ignorant and absurd philanthropy. Survey of St. Domingo. I here finish, Sir, my Answer to your pretended still many others remainWhatever may be the number of errors I have refuted, but our readers are now in a situation to judge of your work. and think I have I have fulfilled the task I undertook; As to myself, book is xoith errors. It was. duty answered you SO as to prove that 30u67 undeceive filled the public respecting I owed tbe colony, England, and myself,- to that the inhabitants of St. Dowhat you had advanced. I think I have proved, have not ceased to fght in voluntarily delivering themselves up to England, mingo, for her interests. in accusing those who advised the Ministers Ihave proved that you were wrong that they bave not deceived to andertake the important expedition to St. Domingo; have proved that, if St. Dothem; ; and that they never xuisbed to deceive them. of 1 Jamaica had necessarily been mingo bad not become the seat of war, the colony and I besitate not to affirm : Iost, aohich is an absolute trudb. I repeat it, Sir, the French, Jamaica would that, if St. Domingo were abandoned, or restored to in the Antilles. speedily be destroyed, and, soon after, all the colonies observed this truth, have not been Ihave prorel, that the Ministers, who had interests of the colony and deceived by! honest foreigners, who are devoted to the and undertook the execution Great-Britain. Ihave proved, that those who advised its advantages and of this great operation have not deceived themselves different respe@ting reward than the calumconsequences, and that their attachment deserved a and which you in the materials which have been furnished you, nics interspersed have colleéted with too little circumspedtion. interest that influenced In short, I think I have proved, that it is not a sordid this immense and has braved and done all in his power, in order to put hin who rich possession under the government of Great-Britain. sooner, as it might have I have only to regret, that my Answer could not appear I morcover, have worthy people from being ledi into error. should, prevented many upon your work for the purpose prevented a respectable charaéter from depending DI NA have colleéted with too little circumspedtion. interest that influenced In short, I think I have proved, that it is not a sordid this immense and has braved and done all in his power, in order to put hin who rich possession under the government of Great-Britain. sooner, as it might have I have only to regret, that my Answer could not appear I morcover, have worthy people from being ledi into error. should, prevented many upon your work for the purpose prevented a respectable charaéter from depending DI NA --- Page 186 --- 176 ) of speaking publicly ofSt. Domingo, soith wehich be is unaegsainted; cuhich and fero persons in England are acquainted seith. yo1, Sir, I need hardly assure you, that your book has caused me real vexation, by compelling me to refute a part ofthe errors it contains; it would have been much more pleasant to have praised it. Whilst I acknowledge that your style is very easyand agreeable, I cannot but regret that you did not employ your talents in writing upon subjects which might have been more useful to your country and the colonies. For example, being a colonist and a legislator, and being desirous of writing, could not you, at this interesting moment, in various ways, daily reneced, hare acquainted your fellow citizens, witb tbe dangers of the Peace that is spoken of? Why not have employed your talents in exposing to your country the fatal consequences this peace would be of to Great-Britain and to all the colonies in both the Indies? Why, Sir, did you not call the attention of Great-Britain to the happy situation in which she finds herself, in spite of the war? Why did you not publish this great truth, viz. that the commerce of all Europe has centered in England : Why did you not draw the attention of the public to this happy and important fact, that she alone bas preserved her manfaltures, and increased her commerce ? Why did you not exhibit the English navy as being more flourishing than ever, and that of her enemies almost destroyed? The Dutch mavy annihilated; Spain flying before the British flag, blocked up in her ports, or reduced to burn her ships with her own hands, to prevent their falling into those of her conquerors, as at la Trinité ? In short, why did you not call the attention of your country to her flourishing situation, the true period of her glory, in being mistress of all the European colonies, her flag flying triumphant in every sea ? What could the friends of England desire more? What could a commercial nation hope for more than to be mistress of the commerce of the whole world ? Did thosc who laid the foundation of this amazing power hope or foresee, that your Navigation Act would have produced SO many and such glorious successes to Great-Britain ? In short, ahy do you not repeat to your readers that PEACE ALONE may make you lose, in a very little lime, all these mighty advantages ? Why do you not draw the attention and thoughts of your readers to the gigantic power of the French upon the Continent? Why did you not exhibit the critical situation of your country fallen from her power, if peace gires her enemies the means ofrecovering their losses, their manfactures, their commerce, and particularly ibe re-establisbment oftheir naty, by recorrering their colonies? Why -Britain ? In short, ahy do you not repeat to your readers that PEACE ALONE may make you lose, in a very little lime, all these mighty advantages ? Why do you not draw the attention and thoughts of your readers to the gigantic power of the French upon the Continent? Why did you not exhibit the critical situation of your country fallen from her power, if peace gires her enemies the means ofrecovering their losses, their manfactures, their commerce, and particularly ibe re-establisbment oftheir naty, by recorrering their colonies? Why --- Page 187 --- 177 ) Why did you not repeat to your countrymen, that gain nothing by peace ? Why did you not remind England can only lose, and . tution without receiving any thing in her that she can only make restithat no peace with the exchange ? In short, why did you not ber situation and Republic can be made with safety, from the prove her government? that, being surrounded uncertainty of mies, and having many interior ones, a civil war in with many exterior eneto burst: forth P... Even in this France is every mcment does not, what siruation, wvill Englundventrre to disurm? if ready advantages will indemnify her for the And, she peace, which will never be of sacrifices she must make for a upon her greater dangers than long duration; ; but which, doubt it not, would the war ? bring For, according to what is going on in Iraly and readers that the French Revolution is Germany, you should remind your by a peace than by war. more dangerous for all the European nations self from the poison which IfEngland would were to makc peace, how could she soon be preserve herand that heap of Jacobins that would be brought to her by a French Ambassador serve herselffrom their attached to his suite P How could she this country has several principles, if, in spite of the war and her careful precould she times been upon the point of being watehfulness, prevent, in the people of this overturned? In short, how reflexion, (supported by the country, the consequence of this example of the success and dreadfil Envoys): they were. desirous of placing themselves presence of Republican possessed every thing, and they fixed in the situation of those who lnging, and ly forcing them to zeander themselves there by assassinating, by pilthey have succeeded. far from tbeir country; . they wished it, and In fine, Sir, why do you not rouse the real enemies ? Why do you not remind public spirit of your country against her which lias for So many your countrymen of that animate ages existed between the two profound hatred their courage by reminding them of the countries ? Why do you not which the English have SO often wars for these 300 years past, in triumphed ? Why, above nually repeat to the English, that the nature all, do you not contipepulation, and ber climate, destined her of ber government, ber positiont, her to her: cin spite of the efforts only to be a secondary power; and become the first maritine of a mumerous, brave, and adlive say selves in this powver in the worldp Why should wc nation, we are tages happy situation, since we are enabled so to do not support curarising from circumstances ? Would it be by all the united advanthe situation in which we have more difficult for us to placed ourselves than to attain itP- preserve Z 2 War ber government, ber positiont, her to her: cin spite of the efforts only to be a secondary power; and become the first maritine of a mumerous, brave, and adlive say selves in this powver in the worldp Why should wc nation, we are tages happy situation, since we are enabled so to do not support curarising from circumstances ? Would it be by all the united advanthe situation in which we have more difficult for us to placed ourselves than to attain itP- preserve Z 2 War --- Page 188 --- 178 ) alone, I repeat it to you, Sir,can enable you to preserve that noble and magnificent position-coib peace, you will soon descend from it. May Great-Britain and her chiefs refleét upon the fate of Carthage ! There is a greater similitude than one is disposed to believebetween the situation of the French and English, with that of the Romans and Carthaginians. Let England Cast her eyes upon the new Republic that has just cstablished itself at her doors ! Let her consider the effedts of that force (of a nation consisting of twenty-five millions of souls) which, whilst forming itself into a Republic, has from the beginning of this government, weasy from its nalure, given to the bravest and most turlulent in tbe world those successes which Rome in her most glorious people Let England for a moment reflect upon the power of this days never surpassed people, who, by their Revolution, have made themsclves tbe friends of the populace in all nations! In short, consider, Sir, and repeat in the bosom of the Senate of your to your friends, and to your readers : that France, in spite of the misfortunes Country, attending her Revolution, in spite of the destruction ofher finances and commerce, is arrived at such a height as to be able to extend her frontiers, and has acquired a new population, consisting of upwards of eight millions; represent to your readers and the English in gencral, that the Scheldt, the Maese, andall the coastsand from the Texel to the Straits of Gibraltar, and the Adriatic, are now in the power ports, of her natural enemy. Iask what degrec of force must that nation attain after ten years peace, wbich shealone bereafter cillle avle to break? Whatwill become of all the neighbouring States, if ber finances, her comnerce, and her colonies, and through that ber nawy, are restored? Do you think that England can long remain free, ruler. of the seas and the commerce of the universe? It is not difficult to foresee her fate, if the French Republic, from her foundation, is nore powerful than all Europe. What will she. be, when order in her firances, ber agriculture, ber commerce, mamfactures, and her nawy, are placed in such a situation as the efforts of the peaceable French government are capable of raising them to? What will soon be the fate of England, when we know that the French are, of all other the most active, the most uneasy, and the most ready for war? the ostenta- people, / Yes, tion of Rome will soon be eclipsed : if England, zubo alone can, and ought, to the incredse of tbis inimical porver, does not support herselfin the happy situation stop in which chance, circumstances, her constitution, her manufactures, and her commerce, have placed her. If England does not say to France, you have rendered vourself the most considerable power upon the Continent; sbat right hudyone? Strength and courage, French are, of all other the most active, the most uneasy, and the most ready for war? the ostenta- people, / Yes, tion of Rome will soon be eclipsed : if England, zubo alone can, and ought, to the incredse of tbis inimical porver, does not support herselfin the happy situation stop in which chance, circumstances, her constitution, her manufactures, and her commerce, have placed her. If England does not say to France, you have rendered vourself the most considerable power upon the Continent; sbat right hudyone? Strength and courage, --- Page 189 --- 179 ) Well! then by the same riglit we are sovercigns of the power; : we will respeét yours, if you will respeét seas. We tvill preserve our alsolutely necessary. You will soon be masters of ours, wubich 07) situation render's well then ! we will be masters of the exterior theinterior commerce of war Earope; zoill secure to 1LS our maritime in commerce ! Our 660 ships of three millions of national guards will poreer, the same manner as your two or tinent ! Your conquests, sccure to you the sovereiguty of the Consuffer neither your activity, and otr safety, demand and you nor your allies to bave more than a require, that we and that you possess no colonies; the time is certain monier afships nfcar; must concentrate all her power and force within come when England, from necessity, The English nation is arrived her walls and wooden revolution to the highest degree of fortresses. which has ruined every other sution, has prosperity, and the cruel ber commerice, manfagures, and agriculture, enriched the English nation; is unimpaired in spite of her enemies are in a flourishing state : her credit herself, a family concern, and with ; her troubles are domestic, and are, as to' from which, her situation interfering. She has nothing to fear prevents forcign powers, blessing SO advantageous for all people, is then-paunsen,t peace alone : this precious anid smiling enemty whom she should dangerous for her. This is tbe France and her suarriors. Let mistrust, whom she oughr to dread agreeable efforts be dircéted her secure herself in ber true more than towards her commerce, her situation, let all her Indies, and she will soon sce her navy, and her possessions in the two connercial lazs as her interest enemy and reduced to the necessity of receiving such scribe ! her situation will didtate to her to You might explain these preways, and which simple truths to your readers in a hundred the you might support by a different two nations, Both the warlike and mercantile comparison between the situation of a height beyond any example ever mentioned in navy of England, are carried to solute contrast to this situation ; without history. France furnishes an abmaterials, without finances, without crecir, with manufaétures, with a few raw merce as well as without either a warlike declining agriculture : she is withont comsaid of her, without the means of or mercantile navy; ; and, wharever may be Britain say to France: < By the extent procuring of one. Why then shonld not Greatkept, you are become too your Europcan conquests which powerful for us to make you have those we have taken, either from peace by restoring to of we will make you or your allies in the two Indics: : you any peace only upon condition, that one of the fundamental consequently bases shali be, like declining agriculture : she is withont comsaid of her, without the means of or mercantile navy; ; and, wharever may be Britain say to France: < By the extent procuring of one. Why then shonld not Greatkept, you are become too your Europcan conquests which powerful for us to make you have those we have taken, either from peace by restoring to of we will make you or your allies in the two Indics: : you any peace only upon condition, that one of the fundamental consequently bases shali be, --- Page 190 --- 180 ) thar you and your allies shall, at no period whatever, have above a certain number of ships of war :" then the peace may be botb honorable and useful to England, and without danger to her. Ifshe makes any other, she will soon losc her power in the Indies and her Western colonies; for if, forgetting her true sitration, ber glory, her interest, and the immense porver to wahich sbe is raised; if, in order to Great-Britain restores the Cape of Good Hope, Trinobtain a momentary peace, comale, and Ceylon, to the Dutch, what will be the consequence? Why, in lessthan twelve months these possessions will be occupied by French garrisons, which will be voluntarily received by the Dutch, or by the supreme order of the French Republic, that domineers over them.-What must be the consequence that will ensue ? Why, 12 or 15,000 French will be carried to the East Indies, both by these ports as wel! the islands France and Bourbon ; that the French will by every possible as by of In means treat with the Marattas, and endeavour to seduce Tippoo Saib. short, if the French should at any time hereafter penetrate into India, 1 can venture to predia, that the English would soon after possess no territorial property there. not deceive herself! the natural hatred betwveen the two nations But let England has attained to tbat degree among the French, wbicb is the cause tbat republics never forgive. It is at present then a deadly war betereen tbe tro porvers, in which bui making only a conditional peace, and England will come. off vidtoriously, ly preserving the, means of causing it to be observed. Moreover, in the treaty which she may some time or other conclude, she cannot and must not forget to determination concerning the measures she is to take to preserve have a positive herself against tbe catecbism of tbe French Revolution and the catechisers. Upon other conditions, war is much better for England than peace. any employ your talents in enlightening and informing the Why did you nor, Sir, concerning their real situation 1 And why did you not point out to them, that English though they pay many taxes, they are a proof of their safetyand flourishing situation? Holland, Flanders, Italy, Spain, and particularly France, all powerful Germany, are ruined : no taxes can be paid there, because almost all property is as she is, and commerce ; no taxes are paid in these annihilated, as well as the manufaétures These unfortunate countries, as in England, because all the capitals are destroyed. people would be glad to be able to pay the same taxes as the English, unhappy their porver, tbeir glory, and their and like them to have preserved, unimpaired, and to have increased their commerce from that ef their enenies, from property : manufadtuures, and to have amassed richcs, which cannot be even the curecks ofibeir des- commerce ; no taxes are paid in these annihilated, as well as the manufaétures These unfortunate countries, as in England, because all the capitals are destroyed. people would be glad to be able to pay the same taxes as the English, unhappy their porver, tbeir glory, and their and like them to have preserved, unimpaired, and to have increased their commerce from that ef their enenies, from property : manufadtuures, and to have amassed richcs, which cannot be even the curecks ofibeir des- --- Page 191 --- 181 ) destroyed but by peace. Why, Sir, ships, that England, didyou not remind the traders who possessing all lose soine some ? Why do you not say to the thetrading ships ofEurope, must naturally lose your agriculture and manfaures people paying taxes: : your capitals are you are the bestfed, the best furnish you zeith certain means 1o woork entire, even in the sniverse; lodged, and the best clotbed in upon ; have what could you desire peaple Europe: afflicted and ruined all the more, after all the misfortunes nay, that you have hoped for, after a dreadful neighbouring nations ? What better fortuae could to Revolution, and five years terrible tion haveinereuedysur nawy from that of your war, than of their commerce and enemies, your powerby the destrucIn short, could mamfactures, and by the you have expedted that the capture of all their colonies P tated Europe, would only have served to horrible Revolution, which has devaspower ? You have purchased, this raise you alone to the highest pinnacie of not complain then any bappy situation at the expence of some taxes thousand voices of longer.-This is what you should have : do fame, for the information of published with the If the East Indies are your countrymen, exposed to the greatest sbameful peace, the Western colonies will be dangers from a sued for and exposed by it, as it would allow the French much sooner and more convince both you and our readers, to re-enter their colonies, In certainly order of slavery is absolutely particularly those who know that to what necessary in the colonies of the the reginen judicious and informed men, Antilles, let them of France : men possessing acquainted with the colonies and the read try at heart, have lately great talents, and having the interest of their interests said, in the councils of counimportance of the colonies to France. the Republic, respedting the M. de Vaublanc, in his Five speech On the twenty-eighth of Hundred, said, after having May, in the Council of colonies : 66 Certainly these truths spoken of the ruin and tbe loss <c such tbat are very forcible, and of the French they alone their C Europe." counterbalance the adeantages tbe. French consequences are have acquired in After such an recovering her losses, acknowledgment, in order will England furnish France with their that she may increase her the means of does there conquest, the French are masters, SO as to law immense power ? If, by remain for England, in order to give to the Continent, what the empire of the seas, which henceforth balance this new power, but to ducing ber certain destrudion? nothing can deprive her of, soithout preserve pro3A C Europe." counterbalance the adeantages tbe. French consequences are have acquired in After such an recovering her losses, acknowledgment, in order will England furnish France with their that she may increase her the means of does there conquest, the French are masters, SO as to law immense power ? If, by remain for England, in order to give to the Continent, what the empire of the seas, which henceforth balance this new power, but to ducing ber certain destrudion? nothing can deprive her of, soithout preserve pro3A --- Page 192 --- 182 ) which point out her immediate Independent of the laws for ber own safely, either the.French or her preservation, her interest and a svise policy, is not to permit there is a law- still re-enter her colonics, in order to restore their navy; her the allies to Great-Britain, and which does not allow more essential to the safely of that the French, by their constitutional possibility of restoring them; ; which is, destruétion of all the colonies of the Anlaws, have pronounced, by one aét, the founded upon the pretended Rights tilles, in gronsuncing the liberty of tbe Negros, in this respect, and they Jay the of Man; nothing is changed in their principles colonies should recover the posfoundation of the future prosperity of their (ifthey orators the chimerical basis of a modified slavery : their prosession of them) upon Bourdon de T'Oise said, after having spoken of the nounced it on the first of June. of Santhonax: < No one unhappy situation of St. Domingo under the governnient voice would remain unsupthe Negros Dack to slavèry: : his C pretends to bring <5 ported in the bosom of this assembly." have some evilthe same subject : Already Tarbé said the same day, upon intended to re-establisb slavery, a thought that that it is < minded persons reported < swill never enter OLLT beads" : Why, that the French, by a What then is the consequence of this confession the other nations of the benefits continuation of their experiments, would deprive should sustain in their own colonies. they might derive from the losses the French the advantages she that this loss might be replaced by Let not England suppose possesses in the East Indies. established particularly by what Mr. You might have proclaimed simple truths, of the proprietors of the English George Dallas proved in his spcech, at a mecting colonist and a member of the legislaEast India Company. You ought, Sir, as a the truths clearly ture of your country, to have commented upon, Great-Britain and published, far more than it does the demonstrated in this speech, which interests that, if the East Indies Mr. George Dallas has clearly proved, and India Company. Great-Britain could not. You might, could do without the sugar colonies, from it, which is, that the you even ought, to have deduced an important than consequence the East Indies are : the one enorsugar colonies are more useful to England but the West Indies cause several million mously enriches a few pricate individuals, of a million efindiciduals ; because bands to be empleyed, and gives bread to upvards and articles of Eurocolonics consume four times as inany, raw materials declared, the sugar whole of the East Indies. You should have pean manufaéture as the do without the sugar colonies, from it, which is, that the you even ought, to have deduced an important than consequence the East Indies are : the one enorsugar colonies are more useful to England but the West Indies cause several million mously enriches a few pricate individuals, of a million efindiciduals ; because bands to be empleyed, and gives bread to upvards and articles of Eurocolonics consume four times as inany, raw materials declared, the sugar whole of the East Indies. You should have pean manufaéture as the --- Page 193 --- 183 ) Sir, that the French colonies, under this to England than the point of view, are of far greater poly of Cape, Ceylon, and all the other conquests in advantage sugar securing still greater India ; the monowould be distributed advantages to the English amongst a greater number of commerce, as they workmen, than what the East India trade cither traders, manufaéturers, and In fine, Sir, does or can do. you ought to fix the attention gers of any peace whatever with the French of your countrymen upon the danthink is easy), that po war has ever been nation, and prove to them (auhich I has placed them in the situation in which So aduantageous to them, because no one themselves; in short, because tbey must have been ambitious no one ever rendered them to find reigns of every sea. alone the absolute soveWhy, Sir, in drawing the attention of your fellow did you not repeat and prove to in citizens towards your country, Britain never wwas more Hourisbing: them, a hundred different ways, that Greatsions, some embarrassment in her that, if the war has occasioned, and still occawhose finances, she is however the paper currency is at par with money P If only power in Europe that of every other power, she will be England compares her situation with deprive her of all the very careful how she makes a peace that will served her from complete advantages of an unprovoked war; wbich alone bas a commercial destruction, and procured her those prenation, she could, and advantages which, as (and I think I bave proved it) which ought never, to have expedted; all the conquests ofthe French are, and will be more serviceable 1o advantages ber than will ever be to their purchased at SO dear a rate ; whilst England is sound in Republic, and which she has of all the colonies aubich all her parts, and is mistress commerce, that is to say, of belonged tbeir to ber enemies, and thereby mistrcss of their real powver. This is what you might have proved to your readers; then would explained, have commented upon, and easily have your fellow citizens, have merited the your talents, tending to enlighten and inform and the colonies. respect and gratitude both of your country My unfortunate agreeable countrymen at St. Domingo would not have been necessity of under the disand various sentiments considering you as their enemy, and of the which have occasioned blaming vanity such as no book ever before contained. you to write a succession of errors, honor and duty lo answer I should never have been compelled yot4, which, at the same time that it'is a proof of by my --- Page 194 --- 184 ) feeling is a proof of your injustice-for I have written it for the sole purpose of enabling our impartial readers to judge between us. Believe me, Sir, it would have been more agreeable for mc to have praised such parts of your work as. deserve it. I have the honor to be, S I R, Your very humble and very obedient Servant, DE CHARMILLY. NO. 188, OXFORD-STREET. THE END: --- Page 195 --- --- Page 196 --- a - - a ( ( --- Page 197 --- E747 V4433 -SI2E proof of your injustice-for I have written it for the sole purpose of enabling our impartial readers to judge between us. Believe me, Sir, it would have been more agreeable for mc to have praised such parts of your work as. deserve it. I have the honor to be, S I R, Your very humble and very obedient Servant, DE CHARMILLY. NO. 188, OXFORD-STREET. 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