--- Page 1 --- --- Page 2 --- Jubit Carter Arown fitnarg Bromn Hnibersity --- Page 3 --- --- Page 4 --- --- Page 5 --- BUONAPARTE IN THE COBN CARTER Cest Jnoies : BRUNS OR, THE HISTORY OF Toussaint Louverture, THE AFRICAN HERO. Konbon : PRINTED FOR J HATCHARD, BOOKSELLER TO HER MAJESTY, NO. 190, PICCADILLY; Of wwbom may be had, AN EXTENSIVE ASSORTMENT OF PATRIOTIC PUBLICATIONS Printed by 3. BRETTELL, Great Windmill Street, Haymarket, 1803. Price 3d, or 2s.6d. per Dozen. --- Page 6 --- TAA RPJCB TOUSSAINT LOUVERTURE. THE. AFRICAN HERO, &c. EvERY General. Who body has heard of' TOUSSAINT, the bravely for the freedom does not know that it. was he famous who Negro who also defended of the poor blacks of St. fought SO the last the island for France Domingo, and war. In this, by the he during the whole of as a Frenchman; and every loyal by, did no more than his duty better forit. He has been basely Englishman will like him the by that same slavish republic; but requited for all his services the traitor he would not have what ofthat ! Had he played would in. that case bave lost his fared better in the end, and he ers, perhaps, their freedom honour; and his brave followI hope too; we all are Christians : both which are now out of danger, a mighty difference to him now enough to believe that it makes was found faithful in the great dutics he is dead and gone, that he callhim.) - - to which it pleased God to in Well! the last wehave all heard, as I war ; but it is not SO wassaying, well known of Toussaint's feats since was, and what has happened to, him how good a man he ; and I am resolved to and his brave islanders and to tellisome homet truths give some account of both : murder of this great and too about that wicked business, aye, the he may. good man, let the Consul take it howI thank God, Englishmen though Buonaparte takes may still dare to tell the it. What! are he and his care that Frenchmen shall not truth, hear labourers of St. ruffians to stab and drown all the for wages, and not Domingo like becausc they chuse to poor Englishmen be horses under the driver's lash work as men his mightiness kept in the dark about it, ; and must out in spite of him. should It be angry?. No, this forsooth, foul" for fear that wholare the trué friends shall be seen as, plain as- I can business shall not ; for Ican never of the common make it, oppress, and murder for my part believe that people, and who are world, the they who hate, another. can really wish labouring to make them poor in one part of the free and But I must come to the : happy in and wish it to be read point, for I have a long to cannot, afford much by: honest story tell, help may be time to books, hard-working men, who wanting to the especially. now when their * In the West keep man-whip out of * bourers being driven Indies this is called the England - to use this method in in the same way. cart-whip; the cart-horses and laauthors has actually England, at least Buonaparte in the might, perhaps, take a men work in hot climates written t. a book to prove thac summer; this is the for one of his hired fancy + Barré Saint only way to make Venant; and see Memoires de M, Malouet, tomeiv. page 78, I cannot when their * In the West keep man-whip out of * bourers being driven Indies this is called the England - to use this method in in the same way. cart-whip; the cart-horses and laauthors has actually England, at least Buonaparte in the might, perhaps, take a men work in hot climates written t. a book to prove thac summer; this is the for one of his hired fancy + Barré Saint only way to make Venant; and see Memoires de M, Malouet, tomeiv. page 78, I cannot --- Page 7 --- Tcannot tell for certain where Toussaint was born, andlam resolved to put down nothing for truth that I am not sure of. Some say he was born in St. Domingo, and by birth a slaves, others that he came from Africa ; and ifso he was born free : in but what are made such for there are no slaves that country, I incline to think the for the purpose of being sold to traders. to St. Dohonour - of giving birth to this great man belongs is mingo, Eut will not stop to give my reasons, as the point not of much consequence ; it is agreed on all hands, that he was in a state of slavery, and that heowed his freedom to the revolution, which took place in that-islandi in the year conduct 1791. of Toussaint We have no distinct account of-the conclude that he was sober, while a slave, but may safely because it is certain that he honest, humble, and industrious, which without possessingt those was a favourite with his master, the two latter, in a high degrec, no good qualitics, especially It is also certain that he was slavec could possibly become. fatler; pretty for it appears that a good husband, and a good bad manners of that country, hc had, contrary to the general whom he had several early joined himself to one woman, affection; by. and we shall find children, the objects of his tender live with him when they had that the mother continued to with him all the dangers both become elderly folks, and to the share time when he fell into the and hardships of war, down to enemies, and was sent to hands of his treacherous and bloody perish in one of Buonaparte's dungeons. kindness of his master, or as Toussaint, the uncommon learned toread and write; some say, by N own unassisted letters pains, and other writings, as well as and it appears from his use of these talents. from his wise conduct, that he made good the power which He probably owed to them in good measure counhe afterwards obtained over the minds ofhis poor ignorant he used trymen ; and this, when wefind to what good purposes ; his power, will seem an instance of God's gracious has the providence; same adfor not one Negro slave in ten thousand vantage. This great man was also prepared for public life by a good quality more important than all others put together: he Roman was a devout man, and a sincere disciple of Christ. He was and a he that Catholic, it is true, but he knew no better faith ; be serves God to the best of his knowledge, will not rejected for not knowing what he was never taught. man's His vile oppressors have called this good themselves religion hypo- Macrisy : but itis not to certain folks who make shall come for the hometans in Turkish countries; that bound we to' revile his noble characters of Christians. They were him, and. they had no course heart before they basely destroyed but to give it that odious left to take with his known piety, to but the favour of God by name. Toussaint had nothing his gain had been taught little openly giving him glory ; for France Negroes who bad sided with them, religion, and the people of were for the most part sworn foes to Christianity. Though : but itis not to certain folks who make shall come for the hometans in Turkish countries; that bound we to' revile his noble characters of Christians. They were him, and. they had no course heart before they basely destroyed but to give it that odious left to take with his known piety, to but the favour of God by name. Toussaint had nothing his gain had been taught little openly giving him glory ; for France Negroes who bad sided with them, religion, and the people of were for the most part sworn foes to Christianity. Though --- Page 8 --- TANANUA saint's Though we do. not know much, as I was private life before the war, it: saying, ofTous-, pious; as well as a moral way. suppose lt is was spent in a came religious all at once when be becane not a likely that he beshipped Godno doubt in private, and' in church soldier. when He wor-- there; and as he added to faith,. able to he was chosen, by Providence to be uprightness, and purity of a PREC brethren. 66 Him who boxours 19 leader and deliverer of his bonoar." me, says the Almghty, 66 I will Itis happy for any people when such public stations. In every place the true stanch persons are raised to berty, and of the poor, must be sought for friends of lifear God. among those who Toussaint had certainly passed the of hably at least forty-cight, when'the age forty, and was prolution, took place in St, great change, called a revomuch bloodshed attended that Dothingo. Every. one kuows that provoked a quarrel with the change, The white people first in a bloody, civil war that followed Mulattogs and free-blacks, and slaves threw off the yoke of private between those parties, the Iti is no part ofmy plan to write bondage, the in St. Domingo, or of the wars that history followed ofthe revolution Inor my readers have time for those wide it. Neither not sorry for it. For my part, 11 had rather subjects, not and 1 am bloody and wicked actions unless when speak or hear of be learnt from them ; and I know something good is to learnt from the civil wars of St. nothing that is to be well-informed man knows already, Demingo, Ir mean thé but what every ofWest India slavery upon the minds both of dréadful the effects theslave. I will onlyd observe, that if these master and on in a very barbarous way, the wars werc carried inch bchind the Blacks in cruclty ; White'French and what were not an them the cxample of it. It is to is more, first set hair on end to hear of the enough horrid set' an Englishman's White Savages put their manner in which those of' the war, though even the prisoners French' to death at the beginning satisfaction *, ladiés looked on with. general *Itwould to give swell this little book to a bulk. toolargeand too were seems to call for quotations an in proof of the facts relateds but a costly, charge like I ix an account given by authority aneye ; Itherefore cite as an instance of such this 46 Two oft these witness, the late Mr. Bryan Edwards. cruelty, ethe author's lodgings, unhappy at men suffered in this manner under the window of auther then describes the breaking Cape François, of two on the 28th, of Sept. 1791." The their French mob would not suffer the executioner negroes to alive upon the wheel; the pain as usual, by,a blow upon the stomach put thetortured wretches our of mercy to the first, forced him to 5 but afterhe had' shewn that second. 66 Tbe miserable stop when he was to 46 a cart wubeel, 8c. At wretch the end witb bis broken limbs proceeding doubled dispatch the 66 were spectators eftbe of. forty minutes, some. Englisb up, was put or 6 spectators tragedy, strangled bimin mercy. Ast0 seamen wbo 46 windows of (many tbeir ef them persons effasbion, wibo bebeldibe allibe Frencb 66 witb the miost perfect upper aparimenislir grieves me to say, tbat sceme from looked tbe 4 told, even ridiculed with comporure and'sung) froid. Somesf tbe tbey as OTE 6 by tbe Erglisb at tbe a great deal lepamcunlyminb, tbe sympatby ladies, sbewun I wwuas Flist, of St. Domingo, chap. suferings 6. Note of tbe wuretched crininals." : on page 78. -Edward's The - upper aparimenislir grieves me to say, tbat sceme from looked tbe 4 told, even ridiculed with comporure and'sung) froid. Somesf tbe tbey as OTE 6 by tbe Erglisb at tbe a great deal lepamcunlyminb, tbe sympatby ladies, sbewun I wwuas Flist, of St. Domingo, chap. suferings 6. Note of tbe wuretched crininals." : on page 78. -Edward's The - --- Page 9 --- The bitterest enemies ofToussaint have confessed that he had no share in these crimes. He bad just as much to do with them as the firemen who bring up the engine have with the crime of the villains who set fire to the house. This has never been denied by his enemies; and to shew you how clear our Hero's innocence is, I will here quote the words of an author who is one of his bitterest defamners. Monsieur DUBROÇA, who was employed. by the French government to slander poor Toussaint in a libel called his life, published "at Paris while they were publishing rewards for his head at St. Domingo, thus writes: 66 Far from taking part movements that the insurrection the a in the preceded aloof all the Negroes, he seemed detérmined to keepi from intrigue and violence of. the times; and certain it is, that history has not to reproach him with taking any share in the massacre of the White People in August 1791 *. This unwilling justice ought to have been extended to the whole term of the wars in which he afterwards engaged, during which not a single act of cruclty can be truly alledged against him. Toussaint first rose to notice when the fury of the struggle bctween master and slave was over, just as you have seen the sun rise after a stormy night ; and his first labours were to protect the White peoplc who were now in their turn the feeble and oppressed party, from the revenge of his brethren. During the first troubles of the Island, our Hero appears to have remained quietly at homein his master's service. Perhaps he expected a peaceable change of the state of his brethren from the French Convention; or perhaps he was too pious and humane to join in the means by which the rest broke the galling, chains of their private bondage, though he might see no other way of deliverance, Certain it is, that of freehe was no enemy to the. grand cause general dom, as might be proved, not only from the great sacri-. fices he has since made to it, but from the confidence that was soon after reposed in him by the Negroes at large. It is probable that he was led to remain SO long inactive in the war, not only from the mildness and piety of his disposition, but from affection and gratitude to his master, and that these motives being generally known, helped, as virtue will always do in the main, to gain him confidence and support when he entered on public life. bis By the word master you, are not here to understand owner, who, as usual with West India planters, lived in Europe ; but the Overseer or Bailiff of the Listate, whose name I think was Bayou de Libertas. By this gentieman he was treated as I have said, with kindness, and was, a little before the time we are speaking of, raised to a post of no small dignity. My readers may be inclined to-smile, but, I can assure them that field Negroes would have no feeling less serious than envy, on hearing that Toussaint was actually promoted to the place of postillion. That he was raised to * Dubroca's. Life of Toussaint, page5. this ate, whose name I think was Bayou de Libertas. By this gentieman he was treated as I have said, with kindness, and was, a little before the time we are speaking of, raised to a post of no small dignity. My readers may be inclined to-smile, but, I can assure them that field Negroes would have no feeling less serious than envy, on hearing that Toussaint was actually promoted to the place of postillion. That he was raised to * Dubroca's. Life of Toussaint, page5. this --- Page 10 --- tw I this impute dignity instead of a more to his common preferment fitter in point of disposition'; for Toussaint seems among to slaves, hard worked temper to drive light have been means driven men. Horses in the worked horses, than found this kind too hard, or fed too little, West Indies are by no steivard of M. de of Noe driving not contrary, to his Toussaint therefore the future leader of was I doubt not driven feelings, to his and the empire, and the armies, the founder mind, by Wesee then that conqueror of the conquerors perhaps, of of. a new opposition ; yet I verily Toussaint believe had a place to lose Europe. by interest, that kept him at this that it Was conscience, joining and not the placeman, and Perind from influence were doubtless putting on the patriot. His throwing off the lived upon from the the means of preserving presence the and his at. this time involved, destruction. in which SO estate he On our Hero's first and ofsaving the life of many his others were gave to this master rising to Power master. character, which one very among the Negroes, he The White it would be wrong pleasing to carnest of his future both from their People, especially the pass over in silence. cruclly shed in the former tyranny, and planters, the blood were so odious, Negroes, when- they struggle to preserve their they had give them no got the upper hand, power, that the who could make quarter his ; and happy was the were disposed to to go with his family escape from the island, man among them master of'Tousaint, pennylessi into a foreign though' it were unfortunate planters, now his master no more, country. Thelate was on. the point of who, not having escaped was in one of the But groes, and would in that falling event into the hands of the good time, his former certainly have enraged NeHero, atthe kindness to T'oussaint Was not been put to death, tude on his own great head, risk of bringing the forgotten. Our out oftheir hands, delivered his vengennce of the multiAmerica, then and sent him on unhappy board master was not sent lying in the harbour. Nor a ship bound privately for found means to away empty--for this brave was this all-he hogsheads put on board secretly for his and generous same grateful ofsugat, hands in order to support him in use a great Negro Let this story should be' able to send him his exile, till many the and foolish redden the cheeks of those a Jarger supply. Small is the enough debt to say, that. who are wicked under the iron of gratitude which Negroes their have no gratitude. noble mind will yoke of West India best treatment mercy. Toussaint not haggle with the slavéry claims can create, But a brutal slavery, than lookedless to the at the wrong of of gratitude or chain, and M. kindness which had keeping him. in a Negro a higher Layou of was happy enough to lightened his the natives of Europe. pitch virtue than is often to be find in a freed the This great man Was not found among chier. leader of the long in public life before they had many other Blacks. ln their war with he became Biassou, Boukmint, and generals, Jean and some of great. note, the planters Frangois, all such as Negroes, and very brave of of gratitude or chain, and M. kindness which had keeping him. in a Negro a higher Layou of was happy enough to lightened his the natives of Europe. pitch virtue than is often to be find in a freed the This great man Was not found among chier. leader of the long in public life before they had many other Blacks. ln their war with he became Biassou, Boukmint, and generals, Jean and some of great. note, the planters Frangois, all such as Negroes, and very brave --- Page 11 --- brave ones. These were famous before Toussaint's name was heard of, but he soonl put them all down ; not in the French cutting their heads off, or sending them prisoners to a way, distant by and pestilent conntry, but as a tall statély tree puts down: the weeds and brushwood in its growth, by fairly rising above, and casting a shadow over them. He soon found no equal, without having once destroyed a superior or a rival. Toussaint seems to bave got up by degrees till he came to the the love and esteem ofthe people, founded on top by growing which unfolded themsclves more and more his good qualities, encreased. He might, in this respect,. furnish an 2s his power men' country, aye, and to the usefu! lesson to the great 'ofevery himself to people too; ; for Toussaint, as we thall find, proved be the most firm and undaunted friend offreedom ; and as never people had SO valuable a common cause to defend as the Negroes any of St. Domingo, SO never did any public cause find a more faithful champion ; and yet 1 doubt not that even Toussaint's virtues seemed to make against bim at first : for he did not flatter the common people, or encourage them in their crimes, like Boukmant, Biassou, and the rest. and These chiefs, who were always urging them to revenge slaughter, and telling them perhaps that their freedom was in danger as" long as a White Man was suffered to live in the Island, appeared at first to be their truest friends ; but Toussaint, and who was always trying" to teach them mercy, industry, could best order, was found in the long run to be the man they depend upon ; and happy had it been for them had they always followed his councils. both of body and This great man had uncommon gifts and that I be sure to mind : Ywill mention some of them, may from do him. no more than justice, they shall be taken mostly the words"of his enemies. the evidence of one of Buonaparte's Let us hear, for instance, a vile and hireling writers before quoted, as having published while the Consul was absurd book to defame our'Hero in Paris, Mark how much trying to hunt him down in St. Domingo. malice itselfis obliged to confess in his favor. he has a 66 This celebrated Negro is ofthe middle stature; fine eye, and his glances are rapid and penetrating: extremely sober by habit ; his activity in' the prosecution of his enterprises is incessant. He is an excellent horseman, and travels on occa- the sion, with inconceivable rapidity, arriving frequently his aid-de- at end of his journey alone, or almost unattended ; and his'domestics being unable to follow him,in journeys, camps which are often of 5o or 60 leagues. He sleeps generally in his clothes, and gives very little time either to repose a or to his meals. Ail his actions are covered with him such are profound veil of hypocrisy, that all who approach 7> betrayed into an opinion of the purity of his intentions, 46 The Marquis d'Hermona, that intelligent and and"knew distinguished him Spanish officer, (who had served with our Hero, * intimately) said of him : 66 lf a HEAVENLY BEING were but it savours too much' of * The expression in the original is much stronger, French impiety to be quotcd. descend either to repose a or to his meals. Ail his actions are covered with him such are profound veil of hypocrisy, that all who approach 7> betrayed into an opinion of the purity of his intentions, 46 The Marquis d'Hermona, that intelligent and and"knew distinguished him Spanish officer, (who had served with our Hero, * intimately) said of him : 66 lf a HEAVENLY BEING were but it savours too much' of * The expression in the original is much stronger, French impiety to be quotcd. descend --- Page 12 --- T descend upon earth, he could not inhabit heart more good than that of Toussaint Lonverture." 99 2 apparently I do not copy the abuse that is mixed nor the idle and absurd changes brought up with this praise, same writer*. We inust not stop to answer against the him by the Toussaint, for we shall scarcely have time slanderers of best and shortest answert tothem,-the record enough even for the The same libeller acknowledges, that in, ofhis nobleactions. piety is a ruling feature, in the character appearance of at least, reproaches him with being always attended by. Toussaint. He having had no less than three confessors. I wish priests, and worse priests than those who shared with this France had no perils and hardships of war on the good chief all the in order that they might soften and mountains mend the of St. Domingo, new people by the powerful influence of characters ofa bishops themselves would, in my mind, religion. be The French such hard service, than in composing better employed in Consul. impious flattery for'the But Toussaint's religion the French Atheists tell hypocrisy; SO were his humanity, his us was all the king, and afterwards, when the moderation, his loyalty to freedom to his race, his fidelity to the Convention had decreed "zeal for the cause of liberty itself was all Republic! Nay his hypocrisy! merely pretence and Do you ask for proofs of this the. proofs that the great nation has charge? at this Why you have all ness and wickedness of England ! You moment of the bascof the Chief Consul ; and if you doubt have of the sacred word you he is still on the other side of the that, it is well for doubt might else cost you a dungeon for straights of Dover; ; the The strange vileness of Toussaint's s life. that he all along was good in hypocrisy consisted in this, thatisthe only kind deeds, as well as words ; and as he is very angry at Lofhypocmythat it in others. It is Buonaparte to be never practised, voking, well. because when a man will, from sure extremely proand nobly as Toussaint did, to the mere hypocrisy, act no way for an cnemy and a rival to end of his life, there is So decp was Toussaint's prove the guilt against him. self, though a messenger hypocrisy, that the great Consul himrestore order, equality, and from Heaven, 66 sent upon earth to him ; for he the highest justice," was grossly deceived by the very day praises to our Hero Fute setting a price dowa to out his hypocrisy when resolved upon his head, and only found The truth is, that of all the upon putting him to death. probity was the most distinguished, many virtues It of our Hero, bis among our own officers who carried was quite a proverb among the white inhabitants long of St. on war against him, and neter broke ltis word. Domingo, that T'oussaint this There cannot be a better proof that he fane, than the reliance possessed and deserved in the nicest cases by thosc who which knew-him Was placed on his promises falsehood would have bcen fatal; and it is best, a andto whom his notorious # Dubroca. fact, that the many virtues It of our Hero, bis among our own officers who carried was quite a proverb among the white inhabitants long of St. on war against him, and neter broke ltis word. Domingo, that T'oussaint this There cannot be a better proof that he fane, than the reliance possessed and deserved in the nicest cases by thosc who which knew-him Was placed on his promises falsehood would have bcen fatal; and it is best, a andto whom his notorious # Dubroca. fact, that the --- Page 13 --- the exiled French plantets and merchants did not scruple to return from North America and their other places of refuge, on receiving his promise to protect them. It is equally well known, that not one of them ever found cause in his conduct to repent ofsuch confidence. Here I must beg leave to tell a short story, which will serve to shew how farToussaint respected the principle of good faith, and with how good a grace the French Government can question Itis his well probity. known that he entered into a treaty with General Maitland, the British Commander in Chief, by which the island was to be evacuated by our troops, and was to remain neutral to the end of the war. On this occasion he came to see General Maitland at his head quarters, and the General, wisbing to settle some points personally with him before our troops should embark, returned the visit at Toussaint's camp in the country. So well was his character known, that the British General did 'not scruple to go to him with only two or three attendants, though it was at a considerable distance from his own army, and he had to pass through a country full of Negroes, who hadvery lately been his mortal enemics. The Commissioner of the French Republic, however, did not think so well of the honor of this virtuous Chief. Itis very natural for wicked men to think badly of mankind, and most Frenchmen of the present day, not only suppose every man will be bloody and treacherous when worth his while, but I really believe would hold him cheap if found of an opposite cast. With such notions and feclings, Monsieur Roume the French Commissioner thought this visit of General Maitland a fine opportunity to make him prisoner ; what does he do therefore, but writes a letter to Toussaint, begginghim of all things as he was a true Republican, to seize the British General's person. Well, General Maitland proceeds towards Toussaint's camp. On the road he received a letter from one ofl his private friends, telling him of Monsieur Roume's plot, and warning him not to put himsclfinto the Negro General's power ; but the known character of. Toussaint made the British Ceneral still rely upon his honor : besides the, good of his Majesty's service required at that period, that confidence should be placed in this great man, though even at some risk ; and General Maitland therefore bravely and wisely determined to On. When they arrived at TENHEN head quarters,he was not to bes seen. Our General was desired to wait, andafter much delay the Negro Chief still did not appear. General-Maitland's mind began to misgive him, as was natural upon a ieception seemingly so uncivil, and SO much falling in with the warning he had received. But at length out comes l'oussaint with two letters in his hand : 66 There, General, (said,the upright Chief) CPeR read these before we talk together ; the, one is a letter just 66 received from Roume, and the other my answer. I would 66 not come to you, tilll had written my answer to him ; that 63 you may see how safe you are with me, and how incapable 66 I am of basencss." General Maitland read the letters, and found ivil, and SO much falling in with the warning he had received. But at length out comes l'oussaint with two letters in his hand : 66 There, General, (said,the upright Chief) CPeR read these before we talk together ; the, one is a letter just 66 received from Roume, and the other my answer. I would 66 not come to you, tilll had written my answer to him ; that 63 you may see how safe you are with me, and how incapable 66 I am of basencss." General Maitland read the letters, and found --- Page 14 --- 10. found his the one an artful attempt to éxcite guest, as an act of duty to the Toussaint to seize and indignant refusal. 66 Republic ; the other ai noble €c nct passed word What,"" said my to the British - Toussaint, have I 66 can you suppose that I will cover General? How then breaking it? His reliance myself with put himself in on my good faith leads dishonor by 66 were Ito act as my power, advise. and I should be for ever him to you I am infamous Republic, but will not faithfully devoted to 66 science, and my honor. 9, serve it at the expense of my con- the It is not strange that with such virtucs Hero should win the hearts of the and such talents our their. first favourite Jeader. He did SO to Negroes, such and soon become famous chiefs were soon a degree, that their brave' and active Mulatto, leader forgot in the ; South and except Rignud, a Toussaint afterwards heard nothing of any General of ofthe the island, we Louverture. was Blacks but not SO honest an one as Rigaud Toussaint : also he a very able man ; but bea much morezealons: friend of however pretended to and distinguished himself his freedom than the other the English. By the dint by ofhis rage against the planters leaders; and friend ofthe cause, and long kept violence, he passed for a fast party, whom he persuaded that Toussaint himself.at the head of a large worthy as himself; but he was at last forced was not SO trustgreat man' 's superior merit, and was to yield to that cause while there he was continually driven from the island; beWhen Toussaint first rose to disturbing the Blacks and their former owners was power, the contest publiepeace. between the missioners, who then ended, and the French Comacknowledge the freedom attempted.tog of the govern the Island, were fainto e tain it.. But another civil war Negroes, and promise to maingreat fury between the party of arose, the and was carried on with and that of the Convention. In dethroned French the White People, took different this the Negroes, as well King, as were perhaps pretty equally divided. sidess among themselves, and Toussaint, who knew that his no thanks for their brethren owed the side with loyalty, frecdom, was naturally found on Convention his courage and talents, generosity, the and religion, and by the thesame aid of triumphant in St. Cause of royalty was soon as Europe. Forhis Domingo as it had proved King of Spaina great services in this war, he received unsuccessful from in the honor of being commission admitted as General in his and the Orders of that a Knight of the Arcient Army, had But events Country: So at least his enemies Military as a wise man and arose which made it assert. the a true patriot, impossible for Torissnint, existing government of France. longer to stand out against having failed in that little The cause of royal family by prolonging countsy, the miseries could be. done to serve royalty the lost India island, while the great stake of of civil War in a West by further opposition to the Negro liberty might be a deciding consideration with parent state. It was Loyalists of St. our Hero, that the Planters probably and Domingo, with whom he was now. allied, began it assert. the a true patriot, impossible for Torissnint, existing government of France. longer to stand out against having failed in that little The cause of royal family by prolonging countsy, the miseries could be. done to serve royalty the lost India island, while the great stake of of civil War in a West by further opposition to the Negro liberty might be a deciding consideration with parent state. It was Loyalists of St. our Hero, that the Planters probably and Domingo, with whom he was now. allied, began --- Page 15 --- began openly to intrigue for the assistance ofGreat Britain, and to invite us to invade the Island ; for their object, however friendly to French Royalty, was certainly adverse to Negro freedom; and it was less for the sake of restoring the sceptre of France to the Bourbons, than for that of recovering the iron sceptres of their own Plantations, that most of these gentry desired- to have the British flag Aying at St. Domingo-they were stanch royalists then for the same reason that makes them now fast friends to a Corsican Usurper. Toussaint knew this, and saw that he must either shake hands with the French Commissioners, or engage himself on the same side with forcign invaders, and with Frenchmen who were sworn foes to the liberty of his race. Forthese and other reasons he found it necessary to give peace to the republican party whom he had already conquered, and to acknowledge the authority of the Convention. From this time he was a faithful servant of France during every change in its government, though often troubled and hindered in' his plans for the public good by the follyand wickedness The ofthat Committees, country. Directors, and other successive Rulers of France from time to tirne, sent Commissioners to the island ; and these gentry were as fond of plunder in the West Indics, as their masters were in Europe. Like them they croaked over a public criminal like carrion crows over a dead horse ; and every man who had property to forfeit, was sure to be cried down as a traitor. But happily their white faces in St. Domingo, exposed their black hearts to much suspicion, and with such a mind to check them as that of the generous Toussaint, made them.for the most part as harmless, as vipers deprived of their fangs. This great man conducted himself with so much prudence, as without giving offence to the French Government, to make its Cominissioners mere cyphers. He let nobody wrong or insult them, and obliged every one to treat their office with respect, and yet left them no power, because he found they would only use it for purposes of cruelty and mischief. Hc protected the planters from the Commissioners, and both from the natural jealousy of the Negroes. The French Government môre than once recalled its Commissioners, and sent ont new ones ; but the case was still the same. There were among them very able men, but Toussaint was an overmatch for them, all. They.were obliged to leave in his abler hands all the actual power, and to lear on him for protection. More than once his power and credit with the Negroes saved these men from destruction. General Laveaur in particular once clearly owed his life to our Hero, and publicly acknowJedged the debt ; Laveaux was at that time commander in chief for France, and the Negroes ofCape François, suspecting him ofap plot against their freedom, rose against him, threw him into prison, and were preparing to put him to death, when Toussaint with a band of faithful followers marched into the town and delivered him outof their hands. General Laveaux was on this / occasion so struck with the çonduct and talents of T'oussaint, that aveaur in particular once clearly owed his life to our Hero, and publicly acknowJedged the debt ; Laveaux was at that time commander in chief for France, and the Negroes ofCape François, suspecting him ofap plot against their freedom, rose against him, threw him into prison, and were preparing to put him to death, when Toussaint with a band of faithful followers marched into the town and delivered him outof their hands. General Laveaux was on this / occasion so struck with the çonduct and talents of T'oussaint, that --- Page 16 --- 1e that he did not scruple to declare, to take no measure in future in ina the public letter, his resolution without that great man's advice and government of the island The French government could not consent. but in the colony depended see that its yet was Jong foolish wholly on the will of this noble authority other agents, till at enough to attempt to govern there African, Jength, in March by commission declaring him general in chief 1797, of the they sent him a Domingo. This commission he held under armies of St. mation of Buonaparte, till Leclerc, the express confirhimself, was sent out to supersede and fatally for France and for vant of the republic. betray this faithful ser4 lt was a great mercy to many unfortunate remained on theisland, that a man like white people who chief power. He protected them from Touissaint possessed the restored them to the property of which being massacred, and When he found himself strong they had been deprived. his followers as not to be afraid of enough, and SO well known to banished planters to return from slander, he even invited the which they had fled for refuge : and America, such and other places to were restored by him to their estates. of them as returned, There was one kind had no respect ; and that ofproperty, was the however, for which our Hero blood. Hethought that except what property of human flesh and country, and our relations, we owe to our God, our self. He thought it not amiss every man ought to belong to himdistinction too, that there should though the between a labouring man and a horse, and be some cannot great Buonaparte is of a different of in this, help being ofopinion, that way thinking, I in the wrong. When I say therefore Toussaint that was not altogether stored to their estates, it must not be the planters were rewere allowed to drive and sell their understood, that théy Neither did the Negro Chief think Negroes it as formerly. masters should work their poor reasonable, that the as much, and feed them as little labourers as much, whip them again there has been a wide as they thought fit. Here Chief Consul ; and these difference between him and the and France the island of ditferences St. have cost Toussaint his life, Our Hero howeveracted Domingo. therefore obliged the up to these odd notions of his, and as chose to work for planters them to put such of their former And here I must notice on tbe footing ofhired servants. slaves had to struggle with, in his the labours greatest difficulty which our Hero you ever know a poor lad who had for the publie good. Did great deal at school by a crabbed old been snubbed and beat a will answer for it you never found schoolmaster? P Ifyou did, and still less of going back to school the boy fond of his book; like reason (among others whichit after the holidays. For a Toussaint did not find the would be tedious to mention) back to work on the plantations. Negroes over and above fond of going He laboured with alll his might to to restore the tillage of the soil, remove this difficulty, and knew that the happiness of upon which, under God, he every country chiefly depends. To this and beat a will answer for it you never found schoolmaster? P Ifyou did, and still less of going back to school the boy fond of his book; like reason (among others whichit after the holidays. For a Toussaint did not find the would be tedious to mention) back to work on the plantations. Negroes over and above fond of going He laboured with alll his might to to restore the tillage of the soil, remove this difficulty, and knew that the happiness of upon which, under God, he every country chiefly depends. To this --- Page 17 --- as this end he encouraged the labourers by giving them a third part of the crops for their wages 5 and this you know was a great deal, in a country where sugar and coffee are the chief productions. He also made laws to restrain idleness, and oblige people to labour upon fair terms for theirown livelihood, and to enforce these laws, he made use of his power.as a General. Some folks have found fault with him, because he didnotemploy the civil power, for this purpose instead of the military ; but in truth he had no civil powerto employ. People.in this happy land are apt to forget, thatlaws and magistratesand conrts ofj justice, all exactly fitted to produce peace order and public happiness, with the utmost possible regard to the liberty ofthe subject, are blessings that grow with the oak, and not with the mushroom. Human wisdom can no more make them on a sudden, or renew them in a moment when madly destroyed, than it can raise a tall tree in a single night from an acorn. As to Toussaint and his Negroes, theyhad every. thing which belongs to civil lifeto learn. In their former state they, could know nothing of it : fora slave has no countrys the breath of his master is his law, and the overseer is both judge and jury : the driver is both constable and beadle, as well as carman to the human cattle, During the war there was no place for any but military institutions : and Toussaint therefore when it was necessary to enforce laws for the public good, had no justices of peace but his captains, or parish officers but his-soldiers, to applyto. It is true that for these reasons he was obliged so far to disgrace the idle and disorderly Negroes, as to put them upon the same footing with the present free French Republicans. The only. difference between his government in this respect and Buonaparte's, was,. that Toussaint had no dungeons, no sickly deserts of exile ; no, norany injustice or oppression. He the idle and the deserter upon the same footing, E they were vagrant, equally liable to be punished after a fair trial by a court martial; but so mild were his punishments, that the severest one for a labourer was, the being obliged to enlist as a soldier. There is one great branch of Toussaint's services to France upon which an Englishman cannot like to enlarge. It is too well known what great pains we. long took during the last war to conquer St. Domingo. How much money, as well as how many valuable lives the attempt cost us, is more than I wish or am able to tell. There is nothing in the conduct of our brave soldiers in that ficld, but what does them honour : yet I chuse to be silent as to that unhappy attempt, and shall only say that Toussaint, through the' "whole ofthelong contest with our army, acted so as to win the admiration of his enemies as well as the praise of his ungrateful country. Here I shall beg leave again to quote from the words of the Consul's champion, Dubroca. c6 His conduct during the war with the English was brilliant and without stain, and that epoch of his life would be truly great f the services he rendered the republic at that time had not been like all that preceded, subservient to kis OWn ambition." That a defender of the Consul durst through the' "whole ofthelong contest with our army, acted so as to win the admiration of his enemies as well as the praise of his ungrateful country. Here I shall beg leave again to quote from the words of the Consul's champion, Dubroca. c6 His conduct during the war with the English was brilliant and without stain, and that epoch of his life would be truly great f the services he rendered the republic at that time had not been like all that preceded, subservient to kis OWn ambition." That a defender of the Consul durst --- Page 18 --- durst venture to speak of ambition as a perhaps the only guilty ambition in crime Îs strange, but is that which aims to promote the Bineapantoyjnupmsnt, of our countrymen. liberty and happiness by Ipacs his' to the evacuation of the' towns and forts of the island saint make Majesty's their chief troops. stand Here the French assassins of TousEnglish to escape, against him. 66 He suffered the upon this occasion say was they, on too easy terms, and his conduct It is strange, treachery to the republic. 9> methinks, that found out in France a little sooner Toussaint'st ; for treachery was not the convention between our Commanders certainly the terms of cret ; and yet; down to the moment of and him were no seattack upon this brave man in the he General Leclerc's French government as one of its most field, was treated by the subjects. faithful and deserving The Consul sent him a letter last admit, but not the less fit to be year--a treacherous one I himself upon this point of poor quoted against his mightiness lettér General Leclerc was the Toussaint's character. Oft this some of its expressions. 6 We have bearer, and the following are we zish to recngnize and proclaim the conceized for you estecm, and dered to the French people. I their colours great sercices you laze renit is to you and your braze Blacks. that Ay 0n St. Doningo, your talents and the force %f we owe it. Called hy gnand, you have destroyed thc cicil circumstances - to the chief comtions of some ferocious men, and restored war, put a stop to the persecuand the worship 9f God, to honour the Now I should like to, from whom all things come *.' 1p religion men could be found impudent know in what country but France traitor for actions prior to that enough letter, to call, this great man a and printing them in their oWn after writing such things, I will not detain my readers with gazettes. other charges which' the stating and ansiwering some brought murderers of against him, on account of his Toussaint have lately General Maitland, and the constitution treaty of neutrality with framed for St. Domingo, with the which be. afterwards of the people; ; for though it would consent be ofa generalassembly these measures were not only easy to shew that both greatlyt to his) honour, the; guiltless, but such as redounded views of the state of St. proofofthese truths would requiresome be given in a small Domingo and of France which Cannot the hand of the Consul, compass; and the above confessions of disloyalty are surely enough to repel all under Eoces invasion. against our hero down to the charperiod of Yet as to the constitution, I leave tract from the same oflicialletter beg of to add, a farther extion insalichyou were placed, surrounded Buonaparte 66 The situaand without the motler country On all sides by encnies, gou,has rendered legitimate the articles being ahle to succour or sustain otherwise would not bes so," of that constitution whicls * Dispatches of Leclerç o February 9, Moniteur of March 21, 1802. Toussaint our hero down to the charperiod of Yet as to the constitution, I leave tract from the same oflicialletter beg of to add, a farther extion insalichyou were placed, surrounded Buonaparte 66 The situaand without the motler country On all sides by encnies, gou,has rendered legitimate the articles being ahle to succour or sustain otherwise would not bes so," of that constitution whicls * Dispatches of Leclerç o February 9, Moniteur of March 21, 1802. Toussaint --- Page 19 --- relieved from the of the war with Toussaint being to work with new vigour his plans for the public set TArOL England, good. The restoring the public worship of God, and spreading blessed the knowledge of religiuus truth as far as he himself Next was to these, with it, were the objects nearest his of heart. happiness, he which he knew to be the corner stones reform public ; especially to was un wearied in bis attempts these to and other abuses means to improve set' the idle to work, and by that foreign commerce, the culture of the soil, and encourage India island. which is so necessary to a West think how much toil he must have It is truly wonderful eveninthe to little weknowof his publiclabours ; for E had through, still from the perverseness of Rigaud's partya new insurrection to quell, and had to'obtain possession ofthe which Spanish the part of that large island lately' ceded to France, the secret Spanish regovernor, upon various pretences, and perhaps by But at quest of the French government, long withheld. over all length obsta- - the genius. and activity of our Hero triumphed between this country and cles, and before-peace of was St. concluded Domingo was in quiet submission to France, every part and improving in wealth and happiness his authority, rapidly under his wise administration. of that it was a fact, So rapid was the progiess: agriculture, thatheilandalready though not believedat the timein England, one third produced; Or promised to yieldin the next and coffee crop, las'it had part ever at least of as large returns of sugar This, considering all the given in jts most prosperous and days. scarcity of all necessary ravages ofa ten years war thé great has since clearly supplies from abroad, is very surprising, yet appeared to be true. more this great and growBut what was offar without consequence, the miseries, the weakness, ing produce was obtained India slavery. Men were obliged to work, or but dangers.ofWest it was in a moderate manner, for fair wages; ; and they were for the most part at liberty to chuse their own contented, place. The plantation Negroes were therefore in. general healthful, and happy. effect had arisen from the new state of A still more happy to France, if she things, a blessing of the greatestimportance to, take the wicked measures, ofwhich K had not been niad enough and not to France only, but to I shall soon have to speak, The effect I speak of was a Africa, and to human nature, Negroes, instead of that large increase in the rising generation of in a Colony of Slaves. dreadful falling off which is alcays.found this fact, if they My readers may be surprised at especially which have ever met with any of those false and idle accounts of life have been published, to persuade us that the loss 66 What, among it the island Negroes does not arise from oppression. of St. Domingo may be said, can the young and infant since the Negroes revolution, in spite of have increased by natural means and ofall perpetual war, foreign and civil, off frequent twelve massacres, have fallen the wants and miseries which, during ycars, upon is alcays.found this fact, if they My readers may be surprised at especially which have ever met with any of those false and idle accounts of life have been published, to persuade us that the loss 66 What, among it the island Negroes does not arise from oppression. of St. Domingo may be said, can the young and infant since the Negroes revolution, in spite of have increased by natural means and ofall perpetual war, foreign and civil, off frequent twelve massacres, have fallen the wants and miseries which, during ycars, upon --- Page 20 --- npon that hapless and devoted Island? in Jamaica, and other West India Islands, How'can this be, when and plenty, the same race of in the midst of peace people are numbers, SO that population Can only be always declining in Trade? kept up by the Slave I leave the defenders of slavery and the Slave the question. I will only offer for their Trade to. answer person whose judgment and impartiality help the opinion of a ftis no other than Monsieur Malouet, they will readily admit. French Colonies and formerly Minister of the defender of the Marine, an old West India Planter, a in his late measures SlaveTrade, and the champion of against Toussaint. Buonaparte, M. Malouet pulished a hook last year at attempts to justify the Consul for Paris, in which he the West Indies, yet thus he writes re-enslaving of the the Negroes in pulation in St. state of Domingo: ALL ACCOUNTS Negro poMUCH GREATER ANNOUNCE A ec TALITY AMONG NUMBER THE OF INFANTS, AND LESS' MOR66 WERE BEFORE THE LITTLE NEGROES* THAN THERE 66 TO THE ABSOLUTE REST REVOLUTION ; WHICH IS ASCRIBED 4c ENJOY, AND TO A LESS WHICH WOMEN BIG WITH CHILD €6 PART OF TIE NEGROES4". DEGREE OF LABOUR ON TIIE Such then were the happy at the peace with England unchained prospects the St. Domingo, when the Consul at liberty to to the French navy, and left scourge with which his fierce carry and ambitious new world, the same flicted the old. temper had long af< And here we will finish the First Part of the TOUSSAINT. History of a decrease * War and massacre will too fully account for there had been added, among the men. If the ravages of disease, being on the contrary + Malouet Collection not a man fitto bear arms could have been usual left. in slave colonies, tion, p.52. dc Memoires sur les Colonies, tome iv. Introduca END OF THE FIRST PART, ourge with which his fierce carry and ambitious new world, the same flicted the old. temper had long af< And here we will finish the First Part of the TOUSSAINT. History of a decrease * War and massacre will too fully account for there had been added, among the men. If the ravages of disease, being on the contrary + Malouet Collection not a man fitto bear arms could have been usual left. in slave colonies, tion, p.52. dc Memoires sur les Colonies, tome iv. Introduca END OF THE FIRST PART, --- Page 21 --- BUONAPARTE IN THE WEST INDIES; OR THE HISTORY OF TOUSSAINT LOUVERTURE, THE AFRICAN HERO. PART II. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. HATCHARD, 190 PICCADILLY, BYJ. HALES, OLD BOSWELL COURT. 1803. Price Threepence, or Two Shillings and Sixpence per Dozen, --- Page 22 --- --- Page 23 --- TOUSSAINT LOUVERTURE, THE AFRICAN HERO. have brought our hiftory down to the time of the laft treaty W ofp peace between England and France, which was a fad event in its confequences to Touffaint and his brave negrôes. The French till now had no means of fhewing their gratitude to thefe black citizens for all their important fervices in the war, except by fending them fabres See honour, fair words, and general's commifions." Such trafh you know, might be packed in a fmall com- it pafs, and was of no great value in the way of prize-money, when fell into the hands of our feamen; but, as to the morc bulky articles, which a Weft India ifand wants for its culture or defence, the ful Conful could as well have fent them to the moon as to St. bats: withouta from the Britifh Admiralty. He had, however, no go, want of good Ent.f he all alongintended. for the negro citizens the fame kind ofp prefent of which he has been fo liberaloflate to Holland, Hanover, and Switzerland, and with which he generoufly propofes foon to enrich England alfo, ifwe arci not bafhful enough to rejedit: I mean a / large invading army. He was in fuch a hafte thus to fhew his regard for freedom, and for the common people in the Weft Indies, that I verily believe it was-the greateft motive with him for putting an end to the laft war with this country. of feamen, No fooner had tied up the hands our provoking fo that the fhips .fes war of the great nation could be fafely hauled out ofthe mud, and a truce patched up between the worms and their redoubtable bottoms, then out they flunk from their harbours, like a well-beaten and yelping cu; out ofa kitchen when atlaft you open the door to him; or rather like pole-cats,and other blood-fucking vermin, from their holes, when the hounds have left the common; and away told, the it is hard they went for St. Domingo. Iam by by, though this flect, to believe, that the great admiral Villaret who commanded maft head. was actually not afhamed to hoitt his moth-eaten flag at the The poor admiral himfelf had been kept fo long on board-wages afhore, that he was very fea-fick,s it is faid, in crofing the Bayof Bifcay, efpecially when z Britifh fhip of war happened to heave in fight of a morning. I am told too, that upon fuch occafions, it made was rare fun to fee how the French lubbers handled their ropes, and our faucy tars laugh as heartily as the joçkies at Edmonton, did at Johnny Gilpin's horfemanthip. On had been kept fo long on board-wages afhore, that he was very fea-fick,s it is faid, in crofing the Bayof Bifcay, efpecially when z Britifh fhip of war happened to heave in fight of a morning. I am told too, that upon fuch occafions, it made was rare fun to fee how the French lubbers handled their ropes, and our faucy tars laugh as heartily as the joçkies at Edmonton, did at Johnny Gilpin's horfemanthip. On --- Page 24 --- L 4 ] On board this famous Aeet the Conful men. Lcannotadd, all good men-and true, embarked at leaft 20,000 at cutting throatsin cold blood, and true but chey. wereat leaft good They were probably, however, not to their old. practicas at Jaffa, French troops have in general been picked fo well out for the purpofe, for the fervice, that you might fafelychoofe them trained to that kind of when the objeet 1S to flaughtera in the dark; efpecially, have the infolence to defend their people, whether white or black, who my was placed general Leclerc, the freedom. Conful's At the head of this arwas affitted by feveral generals of brather-in-law; and he well known in the Weft Indics, for great his hatred note, efpecially Rochambeau, nefs for the cart-whip: and fo fure did the of freedom, and fondoffpeedily fubduing liberty in the Conful make himfelf every where elfe, that he fent over colonies, his brother as eafly as he had done have a pluck at theje new laurels, and his Jerome in the Aect,to an infant in her arms, to receive them in her fifter Madame Leclerc, with He hoped indeed to carry, by fafer lap. his grand point at St. Domingo, which means than fiegesand battles, all the negroes to become flaves, and was nothing elie than to force Madame Buonaparte's very good friends, private propertyagain, the to his and great man always wins the game by tricks rather planters. This little upon falfehoods the prefent occafion, as upon others, he trufted than honours; and than his firelocks. He was much more to his upon the chief places on the fea-coaft by refolved firft indeed to feize hoped afterwards to fubdue his enemies furprife and violence, bat than by war. He very well knew the by bribery and cunning, rather his power over the minds of the great talents of Touffaint, and belonging to that great mah, of which negroes; the but there was fomething tion, and that was his honefty. He Conful had no fort of nowas to be bought, and determined if thought, therefore, that Touflaine Now, do not think I pofible to buyhim. e parte, in order to difgrace point his out this miftake out of fpite to Buonaas wife as any body that 66 faysin judgment. his heart, I admit the Corfican,to be butthe poor man being bred an atheift, thereisno God" can be; foldier, and having known nobody but tillhe became a can havé no more noticn of the lads from the fame revolationary bad fchool, mind, than that chubby boy principles of a moral and broad nails in his fhoes, has ofthe driving the plough yonder, religious with the 1t would be as eafy for the little manners of my from the Conful to iadyadraviaperoone ground, as into the heart ofa peep into a window fix feet ry to lofe time with fuch remarks, but it man is like" Touffaint. Iam forman. right to do juftice to "As our hero, however, was every and had long been commander already in the head man inSt. from' the government of France, chief and governor, by commifion Domingo, rewards which he had to offer Bionaparte felt thac the honours and to the negro general for might perhaps not be a fuficient upon what feemed a furer fnare treachery for to his brethren. He therefore price hit was to put his two beloved fons on board this great man's feclings ; and this father's condua. the Acet, as hollages for the Thefe youths had been tion, Hel had trufted them to fentby-Toufhint French to France for their educahonourand gratitude; and it would move to offer Bionaparte felt thac the honours and to the negro general for might perhaps not be a fuficient upon what feemed a furer fnare treachery for to his brethren. He therefore price hit was to put his two beloved fons on board this great man's feclings ; and this father's condua. the Acet, as hollages for the Thefe youths had been tion, Hel had trufted them to fentby-Toufhint French to France for their educahonourand gratitude; and it would move --- Page 25 --- E 5 1 move any but French hearts to read the letter in which he anxioufly You' recommended them tothe' care and protedtion of the government. on would think at every line you faw the fond father's tears dropping the but what was inuch more to be admired; his chief requeit paper; them in the fcar of God, and the knowledge was to have brought up little' did he then know the country to of religion. Poor Touflaint! which they were going. from their fludies, and fend thém out to catch To takeithefe youths would catch a bird, by fripping her neit, and baittheir father, as you with her young ones, feemed no doubt. a bright ing" a trap-cage Corfican. He has no children, or his heart, cold and thought to the it have checked him in,fo vile.a purpole. To hard though is, might fact fhould be known, which is true beyond feel its bafenefs fully, a this is-not the place for its. proof, that all reach of doubt, though the it would have been immeifTouffaint had yielded to temptation, in that cafe, was to tear him in a diately fatal to him: : the fixed defign children, and him to 'death. few days from thefe dear bought that when he fhouid put have the The Conful had fully refolved, in the Weit Indies into his power, efger by. chiefs ofthe free negroes fhould not live to oppofe his tyranny in futures force or fraud, they of Pelage, the Touffaint of Guadaloupe, who witnefs his treatment Richepanfe, and by prodigies of valour at joined the French black general reduced the ifland to fubmiffion, relythe head of his troops, of the Conful to maintain the general ing upon the folemn promiles his reward was to be feized by farprife, freedom of the blacks; yet and either fold as flaves' for the Spanith with all his brave officers, drowned at fea. Certain itis mines in Peru, or as' is more probable, ftowed like thecp in a and they were carried by fhip-loads to fea, pen, wickheard of no more. But the hiftory ofthe Conful's unparalleled book. ednefs at Guadaloupe may be the fubjeat of a-feparate thefe.vitStrong though Buonaparte's hopes were of Touffaint, fucceeding firit by, a vileintuous means at St. Domingo, and making its of certain viétim, he was:refrument of his tyranny, and afterwards bow. He took extreme pains, therefolved to have two ftrings to his take the chief unawares, fo fore,and with too much fuccefs, to in the negro caufe of freedom, he thatif found faithful, and clear fighted might be the more eafily crufhed by arms. for our hero and his neTo this end the Conful loudly profefled and efteem, wrote him letters groes the utmoft admiration, gratitude and confirmed the commifion of comfull of praifes and which promifes, he held under the laft and- former governmander in France. chief, Far from avowing himfelf an enemy to the liberty ments. of this vile pretended to be as fond of it, as of Touffaint the negroes, himfelf. He went hypocrite fo far ast to lay before his mock parliament, after the peace, and to publith in his gazettes, French a plan whichhe coloniess pretended to have formed for the government-oft the the mhould in which he folemnly declared, that the freedom of.t negroes and be maintained in every colony wherein it. then exifted; the flaves excufed of himielf for not immediately putting on the fame him footing the on acMartinique and other places juft reftored to by fudden peacc, revolution. count of the great and unavoidable evils of fuch a 46 Ir wvoild cof3 100 much,? faid this matchlefs impoftor, < a humaniy!1m For 31 1 Saal Laps mhould in which he folemnly declared, that the freedom of.t negroes and be maintained in every colony wherein it. then exifted; the flaves excufed of himielf for not immediately putting on the fame him footing the on acMartinique and other places juft reftored to by fudden peacc, revolution. count of the great and unavoidable evils of fuch a 46 Ir wvoild cof3 100 much,? faid this matchlefs impoftor, < a humaniy!1m For 31 1 Saal Laps --- Page 26 --- I 6 J by For which the famedeceitful the ends, he kept on foot that citizens. My readers negroes were all folemnly declared lewefiherepublits to be the gloomy face of the may fmile when I fpeak of free French: - laugh, ifI thould alfo Corfican himfelf would be Fronchlaurs rounded and though the cobweb is, fpeak the oflis oaths to maintain them; ; but into a: Buonaparte, in fpider does not ufually breaki brittle. this law; and making a new conftitution to his tafte, his had own; and work. Since that folemnly time, fworn whenever to. obferve it as a part of that retained. he has put the hamnier into the hands the confitution was to be famous tribunes and fenators, fo of his flaves tinkered, work till the defired as to keep up the fhew of whom he calls obfequious workmen. hole has been made, or clout relpedting his own fembliest to revoke But, in this cafe, he did not call put on, by thofe his by his their folemn law of on his mock afthe own conftitution, and for eight years fanding, confrmed. moft effential fervices to the paid by the Weft India not till full three months after he republic, had till avhen think negroes you ? why by admiral at Jamaica, that. -his publicly avowed to the Britifh fyftem ofb bondage, and had begun expedition was fent out to reftore the old by thoufands, and tens of accordingly to murder the not fubmiting to become flaves thoufands, in hot blood, and in negroes Toufiaint then again at his own cold, for addition to was the more eafily deceived, imperious bidding. that can bind every principle of honour, by fappofing that in a nation, he had fome juftice, gratitude and blic, and in the Conful's own fecurity in the laws of the mercy, oath. conftitution, as confrmed by his folemn repuEut, left the news of the' fhould, in fpite of all this, put great armaments that were were found to deceive him the negro chief on his preparing the place it was grofsly, as to the amount of guard, means ufed for this going to. We are not yet informed the force, and fuch a purpofe; but certain it is, that what arts were. might fqmadron and fuch a body of Touffaint expe@ted He naturally fend in time of troops as the French government only fuppofed them to come peace, for the ufe ofa loyal mation enjoined the only with friendly views, and colony. dence. and refpeét. He negroes to receive them with by proclanot even fo. made no affedtion, configenerals much as to give the preparation whatever for who the neceflary orders to his defence, had the Conful commanded'n from his towns on the coaft. of Touffaint expe@ted He naturally fend in time of troops as the French government only fuppofed them to come peace, for the ufe ofa loyal mation enjoined the only with friendly views, and colony. dence. and refpeét. He negroes to receive them with by proclanot even fo. made no affedtion, configenerals much as to give the preparation whatever for who the neceflary orders to his defence, had the Conful commanded'n from his towns on the coaft. Such fubordinate how impoffible it isto frauds, as if on Purpofe to fhew in advantage to make the folly of the bring back free men to cart-whip the event While purpofe as if flavery, and by Toufaint was working night glaring, and' pollible,as its bafenefs. French reforing with all his might the day for the good of fleet and army were tillage of her richelt France, his ufeful labours. ftealing ovér the fea to colony, the perhaps that the firft "i'hey at length arrived, and deftroy him and arrival to the lawful ftep of general Leclerc was to you fend would notice fuppofe. ceed, and demand governor ofthe ifland, whon he was of his he meant to quarter peaceable his poffefion ofthe town and fent to fucwent to work exaaly forces. No fuch fortsin which he had the modetty like'an invading enemy thing. in-time General of Leclerc as: a friend. The moment afterwvards he to complain, that he was war, not though his force into three divifions, fawi the coaft of. St. he received which fell like a Domingo, broke tky-rocket, as nearly as poflible he was of his he meant to quarter peaceable his poffefion ofthe town and fent to fucwent to work exaaly forces. No fuch fortsin which he had the modetty like'an invading enemy thing. in-time General of Leclerc as: a friend. The moment afterwvards he to complain, that he was war, not though his force into three divifions, fawi the coaft of. St. he received which fell like a Domingo, broke tky-rocket, as nearly as poflible --- Page 27 --- fame time, on the three principal towns oft the ifland. pofible at the better contrived. When blood is to be fhed, the Nothing could be as his ends are weak and deteftConful's means are generally as wife, able. Rochambeau arrived with the frft At Fort Dauphin, where before genèral the two others could get round to their divifion of the' army insantly landed. No fummons was points of attack, the troops were colonifts. a chance offaving their lives fent to give the were drawn up in battle array on the by fubmiffion. troops fo a fight, Ee beach. The negroes ran down in crowds to behold frange them, and before they, had any notice of what was defigned with againft the lofs of with the bayonet, and routed they. were charged many innocent lives. might not be believed, ifit'came from So horrible a proceeding than the French butchers themielves. It is true any other authors called out, <6 no white men," but if fo, the negroes are faid to cruclty have of So abrupt a proceeding; during ten: it only confirms-the foldiers but enemies, bent on their deyears they had feeri no white fays, he made ftruation. It is true alfo, that general before Rochambeau he attacked them ;. but 64 figns f fraternity"to the blacks doubt as much at a lofs for the meanthefe. poor creatures, were no as of the invafion itfelf, The moft ing of fuch pantomime mummery, indeed know too well now what it ignorant inhabitants of Europe feen this French free-mafonry fignifes; but the negroes, not having of fraternity were the fure forebefore, could not know: that figns reformed their ignorance. runners of a maffacre, till the bayonet obtained of Fort Dauphin, While by fuch means poffeffion. was under Villaret and Leclerc were the main body of the Aeet and army arrivethe next day, and inftantly haftening round to the Cape. They of the town; but Chripophe, the to land and take poffeffion having heard EREET general, who commanded at this important bravely poft, and loyally no" doubt- of the maffacre at Fort Dauphin, until he fhould receiyerefufed to fuffer them to enter the harbour who was orders from Touffaint. I fay 66 loyally," for-" Touffaint, and Chriftophe his lawful fuperior, was abfent in the inner country, his commands. The only. demanded time to fend to him and receive but good "oflicer French ruffians have railed at him for this; every that the will approve his conduét. Indeed they were excufe fo confcious their own violence refufal was proper, as to endeavour to that Touflaint was by a palpabie lie. They and pretended that his to abfence fufpedt was only a pretence really in or near the town, the contrary is manifeft from what is afterwards to gain time, though The truth is, they refolved to profit fated in their own gazettes. and therefore Janded the troops by force under by Touflaint's abfence, not of many lives, but of the cover of the fhips, at the expence only 2 defruétion of the town. abufed the brave and faithful Chriftophe for They. have violently this which, in his feeble and unprepared ftate, fetting fire to place, all-the white inhabitants, it, was impoflible for deferted as. he was'by warned the invaders that he. him to defend. But he had repentedly if they in forcing a landing fhould fnd it his duty thus to adt, perfifted in chief; and without giving hi time to fend to hia.commander what defruétion of the town. abufed the brave and faithful Chriftophe for They. have violently this which, in his feeble and unprepared ftate, fetting fire to place, all-the white inhabitants, it, was impoflible for deferted as. he was'by warned the invaders that he. him to defend. But he had repentedly if they in forcing a landing fhould fnd it his duty thus to adt, perfifted in chief; and without giving hi time to fend to hia.commander what --- Page 28 --- what [ 8 J word ? reafonable What! man or good foldier will lawlefs was he toi leave, thefe good blame him for keeping his: their invaders to lodge themfelvés in, and quarters behind him for entitled perfidious and bloody thereby the better effect to the fame defigns? In the way they meet in England; and reception in St. Domingo, as I acted, truft they were French invaders from were it neccffary to burn Doyer, they would fcruple to kindle the fixing in it, I hope no to prevent, Another aét, fire. : Englifh governor. would nothing could have indeed, was half. charged upon that he had threatened excufed. It was faid in the firft Chriftophe, which Conful's gazette left it, with to. maffacre the white French accounts, be fuppoled thatthis threat the ufual fair dealing inhabitants; of that and the voice which has been allowed had been carried into cfieét. But paper, to Domingo, that of the to fpeak from the bloody the only. ed the negro chief from French this government itfelf, has fince fiage oFSt. amount of 2000, were fufpicion. The fully clear-. was put to death. Mark carried off indeed as inhabitants, to the you fhall foon learn this my hoftages, I but not a man. how Eaglithrenders, entreat army, the only favages in oppofite this was the conduét of the you; for. manded. war, at leaft, while Toufiaint French Yes! by the French generals com-. beginning, own of this war they gave themfelves, no who avow that from A this occafion deachlefs infamy, that not a white quarter, it is recorded to their the the Hero fell into the hands of the, man, of the many who ec 2000 of Jafa. cc No perfon awvas killed negroes, at found an enemy upon like . returned inhabitanis t Such of the Cape, swho wvere in the the Gajes. cc More than thefe men muft have are their very words. mofe diBant mornes, have during the fame period been in thé power of the During three months. precious brother-in-law general Leclerc, c6 negro chiéfs, and diers to death in cold ftiles him, had been the-wirtaaur Lecheres" as his fhame to the white fkins blood, that as often as they fell putting into his Toufaint's hands. folMy readers cannot fpare cover French hearts! Oh thefe ruffians in the other time enough to hear, the they; were ofa piece with parts of the Mfland. I will proceedings of that every-where they thofe which have been only fay, that byallowing the afonifhed refufed to give the chance already of noticed, and. commanderin chicf, negro ollicers time to fend for faving bloodihed, the forts, and every-where Every-where they demanded infant orders to their murder as they were able to punifhed the proper refufal poifeflion of pofed to the cannon of the commit. As all thefe by as much fence, the French fucceçded thips, and were quite places were CXretire, but not till after fome fo far as to oblige the unprepared for deAll this while, for the whole brave reliftance. negrotroope to Touffaint from as in an inland was done in about the coalt to give part of the ifand, at too forty-eight hours, points ofattack. any timely affiftance or orders greaca-dilance, at * Account in cither ofthe papers of March Paris 29. gazettes of rft Germinal, (March + Leclerc's official lètter of 22.); London netvf.: pretonded furrender of Touffains. May 8th, in which he gives 2n account of the The Touffaint from as in an inland was done in about the coalt to give part of the ifand, at too forty-eight hours, points ofattack. any timely affiftance or orders greaca-dilance, at * Account in cither ofthe papers of March Paris 29. gazettes of rft Germinal, (March + Leclerc's official lètter of 22.); London netvf.: pretonded furrender of Touffains. May 8th, in which he gives 2n account of the The --- Page 29 --- 9 J The: time was now come to try the force of cotroption upon the mind of this'African patriot The firft gatne had been played with, fuccels up to the Conful's wifhes, except that Cape François had been. burnt. Thechief poits on the fea had been farprifed and taken according. to his mercilefs orders; the next point, therefore, was to win over Touffaint, if poflible, now that he could be treated with fafely, for to attempt it fooner, would have been to put the importint. advantage of furprife at the hazard of his virtuc. Accordingly an ambaffador was fent to him from- the fmoking ruins of Cape François, fons. ana the man chofen for the errand was Coifron, the tutor ofhis This man, a true Frenchman of the prefent day, as low in morals, as from his office we may fuppole hc was high in learning, was pro-. bably fent from France for the purpofe of this vile attempt on the of fatherof his pupils, Idoubt not he had his leffon from the lips the Conful himielf. With him were fent the two youths, the one I believe about feventeen, the other probably fifteen, years old, who both.had been feparated feven or eight years from their affectionate parents, and werc now doubtlefs. much improved, not only in ftature, but every other point of appearance that couid rejoice the cye of a father. Ignorant as the poor lads were of public affairs, they had been taught that it was for their father's good to comply with the wilhes of the Chief Conful; and Buonaparte himfelf had, talked with, and carefled them at Paris in order to imprefs that opinion on their minds. Like the hunch-back'd tyrant Richard he had fawned upon the poor boys, the better to effect his treacherous and bloody defigns. With thefe innocent decoys in his train, and with letters both from general Leclerc and the Conful, full oft the moft high-llown coinpli-. ments to Touflaint, and the moft tempting offers of honours, wealth, and power, Coifnon fet out from the Cape, and proceeàed to the place fee of our hero's ufual abode. His cruei orders were to let the boys and embrace their father and mother, but not to let them remain: of Ifthe father Aould agree to fell himfelf, and betray tbe çaufe freedom, he wastober required to cometethe Cape toreccive the commands- of Leclerc, and become his lieatenant-general: but if he fhould be.found proof againit corruption and deceit, the boys were" If to be torn from his arms, and bronghe back again as hoftages. nothing elfer could move him, the fears and agonies of: a parentsbreaf mightit was hoped be effetual to beni his ftubborn virtue. c6 But how," fome of my rehders may be ready to afk, cc was Coif- < non to be able to bring them back againft Touffaint's chief inclination?, in the 6 What.force had he to employ againit the negro 4 country2" I an(wér, a force which his bale enemies well knew, the fure effedt of on his. noble mind, the force of honour. A fafe conduét was obtained from Touflhint, or his licutehant-general; and thesf facred faith of a foldier, whofe word had never been broken, wasengaged for the return both ofthe envoy and his pupils. That vile tool of the Conful proceéded. with the boysto Touffaint's houfe in the country, which, was 2, long day'sjourney from the Cape, bug on their arrival the father was not at home, his urgent pablic duties having called him toadifant put of the ifand, wheie he was poohably-enicavauring to colledt his Icautered troops, and to make, a fand fe word had never been broken, wasengaged for the return both ofthe envoy and his pupils. That vile tool of the Conful proceéded. with the boysto Touffaint's houfe in the country, which, was 2, long day'sjourney from the Cape, bug on their arrival the father was not at home, his urgent pablic duties having called him toadifant put of the ifand, wheie he was poohably-enicavauring to colledt his Icautered troops, and to make, a fand --- Page 30 --- [ IO 1 ftand againft the invaders. The of Toufaint, was there; and let mother, however, the faithful wife ports of tender joy fhe caught her my dear readers judge with what tranf bolom. The hard-hearted long-abfent children to her e maniffed-allihe fentiments ofthe Coifnon himfelf fays, 6 This goed aomas It was no hard tafk for the mof fecling mother *,39 profeffed to her, as he had envoy to delude this tender parent. He on his journey, fo he has declared had the to face all the negroesi he met with hand, that the Confal had no defigm swhatever to confels under his own wifhed only for peace, and a due fubmiflion againf to the their freedom, but republic. The fond mother was ready to believe authority of the ardently.wifhed that it might be true, and all he faid. She with his fuperior knowledge and that her beloved hufband, în thefe pleafing affurances. The judgment, might fee caufe to confide of his employers, made it clearly envoy has, unluckily for the caufe that ifToufaint had appear in his account of this his it any. object beyond the freedom embally, brethren, was unknown to, and of himfelf and bofom. She inflantly fent off an unfufpected by, the wife ofhis a meffenger from the Confui was come exprefs with to him to let him know that and their children. the offer of peace, liberty, Touffaint was fo far diftant, that with all riding he did notarrive at Ermery (that was the his wonderful fpeed in home) till the following night. Ah! what place of this interelting fuccelions of hope and fear, muf have pângs of fufpenfe, what mothér in the interval. But her beloved wrung the heart ofthe poor rufhes into the arms ofhis children. hulband at laft arrives, and For a while the hero forgets that he preffes firft the elder boy, then the isany but a father. He them both in a long embrace. younger, to heart, then CAVEM Next he locke. gaze on their feattres and their perfons. Reps back for a moment to grown that he is almoft as tall as his Ifaac, the elder, is fo much 2 manly air, and Touffaint recails in him father, his face begins to wear times met his youthful eyes when he bathed the' fame image that fomethe mountains. The younger is not in the clear lake fofter features are not Iefs yet fo near to manhood, ameng but his ful urchin that ufed to climb endearing. his The father feesagain the that won his heart in the objeét upon of his knees, and the very playboth the youths to his bofom, and his firft affection. Again he expreflion catches Let not my readers fuppofe this tears drop faft upon their cheeks, jeGure. Even the cold-blooded account is founded wholly on condraws back the curtain, and opensthe Coifnon firft himfelf thus far in effeet he was an adtor. ameng but his ful urchin that ufed to climb endearing. his The father feesagain the that won his heart in the objeét upon of his knees, and the very playboth the youths to his bofom, and his firft affection. Again he expreflion catches Let not my readers fuppofe this tears drop faft upon their cheeks, jeGure. Even the cold-blooded account is founded wholly on condraws back the curtain, and opensthe Coifnon firft himfelf thus far in effeet he was an adtor. The mifereant feems fcene ofthe tragedy ia which firmnefs in purfuing his game to value himielf his he writes of it to his unmoved 66 by fo a upon CE employers: affedting fcene, for thus sc themselues into each others arms. Thefuther and the two sons thre ING TO TAKE Isau them shed 66 TO BE ADVANTAGE OF A PERIOD WHICI tears, I AND WISH46 out his arms FAYOURABLE, to Istopped him at the moment when CONCEIVED he me, gc." stretched picture of French feclings! uing his game to value himielf his he writes of it to his unmoved 66 by fo a upon CE employers: affedting fcene, for thus sc themselues into each others arms. Thefuther and the two sons thre ING TO TAKE Isau them shed 66 TO BE ADVANTAGE OF A PERIOD WHICI tears, I AND WISH46 out his arms FAYOURABLE, to Istopped him at the moment when CONCEIVED he me, gc." stretched picture of French feclings! A Englifhmen, you have here a crifis of his fate; a fond father is virtuous and amiable hero is Ariking at the Sbility over his long abfent pouring out the tears of manly fenP * Scc Coifnon's report to the French children. He fretches out his arms with minifter, London papers of April 1802. Rn --- Page 31 --- E 11, 1. an emotion of ill-placed gratitude to the tutor of their youth, wheit the fame tutor, bent upon feducing him to his infamy and ruins craitily feizes this moment as the moft favourable for his treacherous defigns!!! Nature has tender fympathies which even the cruel cannot well refift. There are fituations in which even a ruffian cannot well avoid being turned by pity from his purpofe. But thefe agents oft the atheiftical Conful feem to be pity-proof in all cafes. sO they al e villains ev'ry man of fthem, 4 Fitted to ftab and finile-to ftab the babe c That fmiles upon, them - Coifnon, retiring from the embrace ofTouffaint, affails him in a fet fpeech with perfuahons to fubmit to the Conful, and to betray the caufe of freedom. He does not perhaps defire him in plain terms to permit flavery to be reRored, on the contrary protels that there is no fuch defign; but Touflaint knew too well the meaning of fuch profefions; and that his difcerning mind on this point fhould be fo impofed after what had could hardly be expected either by aPote envoy, or his mafters. happened, Such fpeeches, if ufed to Touffaint himfelf, were probably meant only to fave his credit, and give him a cue for deceiving his followers. He is in effect defired to come to the Cape and bring over his troops to join the French ftandard. On this condition he is affured ofce refpect, honours, fortune, the office of 6e lieutenant-general of the ifland," all in fhort that the gratitude of < the republic could offer, or his own heart defire. On' the other hand, of if he fhould refufe to fubmit, the moft dreadful horrors and miferies war are denounced againft him and his followers. The implacable vengeance of the great nation is threatened ; and the eloquent envoy does not omit to point out to him how hopelefs muft be all his efforts to refift the armies which have conquered Europe, and which now will have no enemy to contend againft but the rebels of St. Domingo. Above all, he is défired to refleét upon the fate that awaits the holtage youths, fo beloved, and fo worthy of his affeétion. 66 You muft fab- <6 mit," faid Coifnon, 66 or my orders are to carry my pupils back to 66 the Cape. You will not, I know, cover yourfelf with infamy < faith and a. fafe conduét. Eehold, then, breaking violating e tears of your wife; and confider, that upon your decifion depends cs whether the boys fhall remain to gladden her heart and yours, or es be torn from you both for ever The orator concludes by putting into the hero's hands the letters of the captain-general and the Conful. Ifaac next addreffes his afliéted father in a fpeech which his tutor had no doubt afifted him in. preparing. He relates how kindly he was received by, the Conful, and what high eftecm and regard that chief of the republic profeffed for Touflaint Louverture and his family. The younger brother added fomething which he had been taught to the fame effeét, and both with artlefs eloquence oftheir own, tried to win their father to a purpofe, of the true nature and confequence of which they had no fufpicion. * Idefire not to be underfood as giving the exact language of this conference be throughout; but the fubftance is either exprefsly avowed in, or plainiy to inferred from, Coifnon's 's report, and other official papers. Necd verture and his family. The younger brother added fomething which he had been taught to the fame effeét, and both with artlefs eloquence oftheir own, tried to win their father to a purpofe, of the true nature and confequence of which they had no fufpicion. * Idefire not to be underfood as giving the exact language of this conference be throughout; but the fubftance is either exprefsly avowed in, or plainiy to inferred from, Coifnon's 's report, and other official papers. Necd --- Page 32 --- L 12 I I Need we doubt that the diftreffed treaties to theirs? mother added her earef-éris Toepaiut, During the thefe hero, heart-rénding affaults on the virtue and firmnefs glances sofagonized emotion, checking his tears; and eying his children with of 46. to.your children," maintains a profound filence, 6c < they will tell chies Coifnon. c Confide in their Hearken Again the you hothing but truth. >2. innocence; tréaties, pour tears'ofthe anguifh into mother the and her boys, and their enThe confliét of pafifions and here's bofom. He till remains fobbing filent. exprefive fentures, and, in bis principles within him' may be feen in his decs not attempt to give cager to gliftening eye. But his too weak, Awiul noment utterance, for the feelings for which language tongue is perhaps he did. Itis too much African race! Did he hefitate P inch a conflict; it is honour for human virtue not to in I fpeak of human viriue P The enongh not to be fuddued. But ftagger why do bigher fountain, and 1, doubt not frength that of Touffaint flowed from a thonght of the heroifm of the at this trying moment he above. Crofs, and was Arengehened from was Coifion ready fawthe in his heart Aruggle, he eyed it with a' hell-born African fuddenly to crv out <s victory," when the pleafure, and himielf from the compofed of his his wife agitated viage, gently illuftrious an inner chamber, grafp and and children, took the difengaged ci my gave him a dignified refufal es envoy into C6 children," faid hc, c6 fince it muft Takel back my brethren and myGod." be fo. Iv will be faithful to have Moft rçad of little my readers, of I fear, are but badly verfed in I am forry forit, becaufe thofe who were called Heroes in ancient hiftory, times. and it, that there is nothing in they will therefore have only my word for ofTonfaint, hiftory to be compared with this conduét draw Coifion, ourhcro Anding he could not carry his always into a negotiation with general point, withed at leaft to by which humaneand icthe fond of pezcc, was willing Leclere; to treat and Touffaint, wasintended horrible Fate," as he himiclf upon any terms ofw war. He, for his brethren, might be avoided traly without called the it, which Eencral's letter, therefore, but would readily agreed to fend an anfwer to the miferies faying to write it at not prolong the painful family fcene captainthe morning when he Ennery, arrived or again fecing his boys. It was two by. in again, and fet offat full fpeel for there, his and at four he mounted his horfe On the next day our héro camp. Granville, the who was the tutor difpatched to his a Frenchman of the name of captain- general; and this man, younger children, with a letter for as grcat a rogue as himfelf, overtook whon his Coifnon is anxious to prove Poor Onthe hoflage-youths on thcir way'to the Cape. brother-tutor and the two no room to parsing difplay between his own the talents mother and' her children, as it afforded prudently filent; but fach of my readers at negotintion, the envoy has been Ge able to paint it in fome degree for themfelves. as have feeling hearts will from. Touffaint's general letter' was of fach a nature that it Leclerc, and a further produced a reply. correfpoudence took place between Poor Onthe hoflage-youths on thcir way'to the Cape. brother-tutor and the two no room to parsing difplay between his own the talents mother and' her children, as it afforded prudently filent; but fach of my readers at negotintion, the envoy has been Ge able to paint it in fome degree for themfelves. as have feeling hearts will from. Touffaint's general letter' was of fach a nature that it Leclerc, and a further produced a reply. correfpoudence took place between --- Page 33 --- [ 13 D. tween thefe oppofite lczders during feveral days, a trace being'allowed for the purpole, which Leclerc, expefted, as he telis us, wouid have ended Iwould in a peace. much mere, could I afford it, than would bribe any French minifter, give to bc able to lay before my readers the letters that paffed on this occafion ; but Leclerc and the Conful have not thought their fit to publifh any of them; which to be fure is a great undoubted proof of word modefty and felf-denial, becaufe we have their own for it, that thefe letters make very much for them, and very much againft Touffaint. As to our hero, he had IO means whatever of publifhing the letters, orany thing elfe; for when his enemies took the towns, his printing-prefles all fell into their hands; and, befides, not a letter was fuffered to pafs from the ifland, or any news from therceto be told, withoutleave from the Conful or his generals. Wemuft be content with fuch intelligence as they have thought fit to give us; and I muft do them the jnftice to fay, that however much of their own wickednefs they have kept back, they have fuffered enough to pcep out to fatisfy any The reafonabie treaty at foe. length broke off, and we arc told it was in confequence ofa difcovery manifeitly made in Touffaint's letters, that he was a hypocrite, and only treated in order to gain time. Though they would not favour us fo. far 2s to let thofe letters fpeak foi them-, felves, they might methinks have juft hinted what Touffaint's demands were. It was' good-natured however no doubt, not to expofe him fo far as to fhew his felfiflt views; for to be fure they muft have been very exorbitant, if he hadafked moreforbimfelfchan theyhad already offered to give him. In the abfence of all information on this head from the French government and generals, I will take leave to fuppofe, that the liberty of the common people, with fome fecurity for that biefling, were the points in diipure,"a as they were thc only things they would not yield, and werc all that Touffaint fought to obtain. The only light which Leclerc's real or pretended difpatches give to affitt our guefles refpecting the nature of this negotiation, is refleéted from his rcalon fer putting an end to it. < My 1) orders, fays s6 he, are inmediately io mfore prosperity and alundanee. Now, unlefs the Heaven-fent Conful had the power of doing this by a miracle, I prefume his means were that ufe of the driving-whip, by which men are made to work double and treble tides in the Weft Indies, and that Touffaint wonld have ohjedted to no other means of making the ifland profper, his former conduet fufliciently proves. The truce being ended, war was mofl furioufly renewed againft Toufaint and his adherents in every quarter of theifland, and that general and Chriltophe were by proclaation declared to be 44 outofthe 66 protection cf the law." Such of my readers as know any thing of the Conful's mode of governing, may fare at this phrafe, and be ready to fay, 66 why, this was sonly to put the negro chiefs on a footing with all the free people.of .S the great nation." Ladmit, that to talk of putting a Frenchman out of the protcéion of the law, is like threatening a dog to ftrip offhis coati and wailtcoat. But the French are an odd people, and their words. never mean the fame thing. that meets the ear. This is the phrafe they ufe when men, for being loyal to their king, ortruc to the. caufe and be ready to fay, 66 why, this was sonly to put the negro chiefs on a footing with all the free people.of .S the great nation." Ladmit, that to talk of putting a Frenchman out of the protcéion of the law, is like threatening a dog to ftrip offhis coati and wailtcoat. But the French are an odd people, and their words. never mean the fame thing. that meets the ear. This is the phrafe they ufe when men, for being loyal to their king, ortruc to the. caufe --- Page 34 --- L 14 j price eaufe fet of freedom, are to bei hunted down like hero and the upon brave their headss. and fuch was now the wolves, and have a 1e General Leclerc Chrillophe. treatment of onr the warthan cither took, however, other feps farmore fawthat it was eafier fighting or advertifing forthe head ufeful to him in who had been to dupe the poor labourers, than ofTouflaint. to He tries are apt to accuftomed be to govern; ; he knew thatthe poor deceive in' all men public evils, which difcontented a war, with their rulers, when they feel counways produce; and he alfo neceflary knew, even that for their own fakes, muft the were there called the alneceffary cultirvaters, had in general labouring been negroes, who ting by his induftry, laws, and were but half content with loth to fubmit to cluded, that it would a curb upon idlenefs and vice. He Toufiint for putapright chief: and the not be impofibie to make a breach therefore between conbye-landers in the war. cultivators; or, at leaft, to make the latter the in With the this view, he, in the firft place, mere ftate ofthe labouring forbore to attempt any troops. Though he had negroes of in the places change whom the Confal had vowed many their old mafters occupied in his by his put the cart-whip foon that he would reftore their train, to one of them to go again in their hands Leclerç did flaves, and to confrm the new upon order his of own eftate; or only allowed them not fuffer men : Not a whip was to be things, feen and treat the labourers as to-go count. But he went much or heard for fome time on free and the Conful's name, folemn further. He publifhed in his own any acthe people of St. Domingo declarations, that the freedom name, of he taxed Touffaint, and the fhould foldiers be held facred. : In the fame all and threw on them the blame of all who followed him, with papers going to: fall on the colony. the dreadful fufferings ambition, that were Itis not to be wondered at, arts. In what country that has that fallen a French invader fhould ufe thefe republic has not . the fame under the dreadful as the fate of the game bcen played in the yoke of the that the poor cultivators poor would allow?" It' may feem beginning, as far it be confidered that fhould believe thefe grofs frange ehough, of the abominable tricks they were extremely ignorant, pretences; and knew but let which every Englith labourer which the French had played in nothing country to fhut his cyesagainf knows, the if not led by knaves of Europe, his own By fuch arts the great body ofthe day-light. honeft Domingo to fay at home were fatally led aftray. All that hard-working was men of St, and to enjoy their on'the plantations, to work as littleas reguired of them was But Leclerc alfo freedom. they thought fit, foldiers, and oft the aflailed, black with too much fuccefs, the der Touffaint. He held generals and officers who had fidelity of the ferment in the French out to them the moft commands unor three traitors, who fervice, if they would join tempting his ofers of premoted to the higheit came over to him on his firit army; and two ner. He did not commands, and careffed in a moft landing, were prowould truf his fcruple to bind himfelf to fattering manword, not only for the freodom every ofhimfelf negro general whe and his corps, but the der Touffaint. He held generals and officers who had fidelity of the ferment in the French out to them the moft commands unor three traitors, who fervice, if they would join tempting his ofers of premoted to the higheit came over to him on his firit army; and two ner. He did not commands, and careffed in a moft landing, were prowould truf his fcruple to bind himfelf to fattering manword, not only for the freodom every ofhimfelf negro general whe and his corps, but --- Page 35 --- [ 45.J but that of all the negroes in the ifland. There ftill remained there numbers of the old party of Rigaud; and though thefe were great zealous friends to freedomand very fufpicious of the white becaufe he had and expelled ETRLE yet they hated Touffaint, therefore conquered the firit to liften to the old leader; and they, werc among their counfalfe affurances of Leclerc, and lend him theiraid againft trymen. thefe bafe means, than by the bravery ofhis troops, It was more by all his of which the Frénch that Lecierc obtained vaunted itfelf carly early fucceffes, in the fummer of laft yéar. ET vernment fo loudly and with aftonithing acadmit that his French troops fought bravely, in that countivity and perfeverance, confidering their difadvantages afitted allies, and try; but, ifthey had not been powerfully for the by moft negro to refift ifthe cultivators had not been fools enough part of the war, the earneft calls ofTouffaint, and remain quiet fpe@tators far from the the invaders would never have been able to advance toaft. My book is already growing too bulky for the time of my readers, of to write the hiftory oft the war of and itis no part Icould my undertaking elfe eafily fhew from the French gazettes, St. Domingo. very the negroes fuccefsfully, the latter were that whenever theyrengaged as well as in arms. I inferiorin nhmbers, or at leaftin regular troops, could hew alfo from the fame accounts, that in fpite of invaders. that inferiority, Ini a Touffaint's troops more than once defeated the the accounts of the war in which the gazettes are all on watched one fide, with al compublifhing enemythould be very ftrictly ; and yet; will mon degree of attention, any readers of Leclerc's difpatches And that thefc affertions of Touffaint are entirely in true. this war, as' in all the former ones in which The he courage had been engaged, was confpicuous. The only engagemeiit have with troops led by himfelf into action, Tof which his enemies thought it prudent to fpeak, was the battle of the RacineF-Coulaeon, < A combat and of this aétion Leciere gives the following account: awith COLL- of 'sc man t0 man commenced,-the troops of Touflaint fuught He great adds, 45 rage and obfinacy, brut every thing pielded to French intrepidity." and retired ih indeed, that Touffaint evacuated a very ftrong pofition, the feld diforder to Petite Riciére, leaving 800 of his troops dead on and that ofbattle. But let us remember that this is a French account, Touffaint's ftory is untold *: in his conftancy Our hero'si fpirit was fill more honourably dreadful difplayed of war, inflictand firmnefs. So powerfully did the fcourge ed upon all points of the colony at once by France and her numerous Leblack confederates fecond the treacherous offers and promifes of clerc, that fuch of the negro troopsas ftill adhered to Touffaint, began tobe weary of the conteft, and'every dayalmos fome leading man among he them went, over to the enemy. From the firft, the regular troops even was able to colleét were not very numerous: So could far not appears with to refrom the accounts of his enemies, who certainly than was. prefent the force they had been oppofed by, as lels itreally Sec Loclere's official difpatches ofFebruary-27- London papers of April 19. 1802. Se the negro troopsas ftill adhered to Touffaint, began tobe weary of the conteft, and'every dayalmos fome leading man among he them went, over to the enemy. From the firft, the regular troops even was able to colleét were not very numerous: So could far not appears with to refrom the accounts of his enemies, who certainly than was. prefent the force they had been oppofed by, as lels itreally Sec Loclere's official difpatches ofFebruary-27- London papers of April 19. 1802. Se --- Page 36 --- So [ 16 J many oft the military or at lealt to Jay down their negroes had been induced to reft had been killed in arms; ; and fo great a join the French; the month of February.in adtion, that the black generais, proportion by of. the by fuch of the which thewar began, the end of from the deceits cultivators of as the influence ofTouffint were chieily could fmpported own freedom. Leclere, and engage to fight in the caufe preferve of But thefe men were a very finall theirthey were, belides, but indifierent proportion ofthe whole and taught thc military exercile, and foldiers, not having body; eultivators too began to quit the being very badly benprevionly armed. obliged to retire into the inner flandard of Touffaint when he Thele as his enemies part oftheifland, fo that was was admir, only a few hundred at laft he obliged to retreat to the followers, with had, a great variety ofhardhips. mountains, and theré of courfe whom to indure he Yet even' in this feemingly Touffaint. never yielded for hopelefs a fate of affairs, the caufe of freedom, never moment. He never confancy of, the dangersand offeredto abandpn it; but defpaired of the him in fafety, riches, fufferings and of war,to a peaçe which would ftili preferred all the expence ofhis honcur power, and but which mult have been have placed to God. Wordly men may virtue,or be let me racher fay, of bought his at is, think themfelves fo; but chere are thought fanch patriots, and duty facrifice not rooted.in religion. To devote cafes toogrying for any virtue may that for whon all xil that is dear to him, even himfelf life to the public good, and this is to be fuffered idfelf, when the nerous champion, is a flight of dideuf.forlake and betray very their people not, like Toufaint, expect his praifeand virtue too high forany one who does getual After many bloody actions, and fix or feven his reward in a better world. of St marching and fghting, the French general weeks ofa almoft perpeDomingo. Hc boalled to his thought himfelf malter proclaimed c to Ell Europe, that the objeét brocher-in-lawe of the and the Confal €e Tousaint, woithout stations, without war was than a brigand, Ireusure, without accomplilhed, €c hinself, whom sandering. from morne to morne army, 2s no more ec soon have caughi our intrepid warriors are with some brigands like Thus and destroyed." pursuing, and whom they will of May fpoke 1802. the He Conful to his mock parliament at fpoke as he very probably, for Paris, on the 6th nion, and thought; he had even fome novelty's fake, that yet, (mark, good grounds for morning when free men with brave myseaders, leaders the fhortnefs of a tyrant's triumph, the opi3E fpeaking, difpatches were oppofe him), while the Conful boafts were vain, and that entering his harbours to teil him was Before the firit day ofthat liberty was victorious in that fpoke of, had defeated and month, foiled the c4 Aying and helplefs St. Domingo, them back to the coaft, the veteran armies of brigand"he general befieged them France, driven the whole folemnly to renounce, by the there,and obliged the objedt of the war, eftablifhment of negro captainBur the means by which thefe freedom, were produced, muft bc referved grandreverfes.fo for the third glorious to our hero, part of this - hiftory. J.leg Priater, Old Bofwell Court, the c4 Aying and helplefs St. Domingo, them back to the coaft, the veteran armies of brigand"he general befieged them France, driven the whole folemnly to renounce, by the there,and obliged the objedt of the war, eftablifhment of negro captainBur the means by which thefe freedom, were produced, muft bc referved grandreverfes.fo for the third glorious to our hero, part of this - hiftory. J.leg Priater, Old Bofwell Court, --- Page 37 --- BUONAPARTE IN THE Clest Snbies ; I OR, THE HISTORY OF Toussaint Louverture, THE AFRICAN HERO, PART THE THIRD. Xonbon : PRINTED FOR J. HATCHARD, BOOKSELLER TO HER MAJESTY, NO. 190, FICCADILLY : Of whom may be had, THE TWO FORMER PARTS OF TIIS WORK, AND AN EXTENSIVE ASSORTMENT OF PATRIOTIC PUBLICATIONS. Printed by J. BRETTELL, Great Windmill-Street, Haymarket, 1803. PRICE 3d. or 2s. 6d. PER DOZEN. oussaint Louverture, THE AFRICAN HERO, PART THE THIRD. Xonbon : PRINTED FOR J. HATCHARD, BOOKSELLER TO HER MAJESTY, NO. 190, FICCADILLY : Of whom may be had, THE TWO FORMER PARTS OF TIIS WORK, AND AN EXTENSIVE ASSORTMENT OF PATRIOTIC PUBLICATIONS. Printed by J. BRETTELL, Great Windmill-Street, Haymarket, 1803. PRICE 3d. or 2s. 6d. PER DOZEN. --- Page 38 --- CB TOUSSAINT LOUVERTURE, THE AFRICAN HERO. à that BUONAPARTE West Indies with the thought same he had triumphed over freedom in planters, ease as in "Europe. He the now, when he had caught their human supposed that the have nothing ta do but, to put the. beasts cattle for them, would Consul here reckoned without his host: He again iuto harness. But the not kuow, that there was still as great a did not consider, or did his: French citizens, and that of West difference between the state of and ill-used hack horses; and thatthe India slaves, as between spaniels prove harder to subdue than the love feelings of animalnature might pride of freedom. ofun injured country, and the Had the object of the war in St. Domingo been falsely given out theret to the deluded only such as was soon have ended, and probably never cultivators, that dreadful war would Republic, which had in truth never been revived, The authority of the confirmed by thesearly successes of the French disputed, would have been purpose but that of restoringa hated' army, and for any other have been easily maintained. General audintolerable.e slavery, would ter of the colony, and Toussaint Leclerc was, in appearance, masMarch in the lastyear, when the compleatly ruined 1 by the middle of proved fatal to his cause, by very successes of the French General Theg great, the emboldening him to throw off his mask. than to their nover-failings allies of French invaders, to courage, they owe all their which, more procrisy. They pretend to réspect freedom conquests, are cumning, and hygive it where they find-it not, and thus where they find it, and to horse on the common, by out catch a people as you catch a the whip and the halter behind holding the sieve.with corn,rand hiding ishly laid open before the end was you. But in this case, the trick was foolLeclerc, puffed with secured. more to fear from ME black victory, and thinking that he had now nothing put the plantation Negroes troops, supposed that the sooner he should the better he should secure his again under the drivers and the whips, obtain; for this was the true, and conquest, andi the more honor he should acknowledged obje€t of all his every where butin St. Domingo, the orders of his violent brother-in-law bloodylabours. I suspect too that the mnoment he was master of'the Island, obliged The him to make this change the swprn perbaps to Macame and wonder-working Consul had he weuld give them back their. Buonaparte, her West India friends, that he had wrested Italy from the hauds property. in human flesh, as speedily as By whatever motive he was ofthe Austrians. French general thought it was urged now to such rashness, certain iti is that the month of March, I know not time to drop his disguise. In the about the middle-ofthat month, exactly on what day, but it was probably to the planters all their former he published an order, cxpressly restoring estates, power ozjer the - 2 1 Negrocs bclonging to their The India friends, that he had wrested Italy from the hauds property. in human flesh, as speedily as By whatever motive he was ofthe Austrians. French general thought it was urged now to such rashness, certain iti is that the month of March, I know not time to drop his disguise. In the about the middle-ofthat month, exactly on what day, but it was probably to the planters all their former he published an order, cxpressly restoring estates, power ozjer the - 2 1 Negrocs bclonging to their The --- Page 39 --- The worthy General seems here to have driven harder than < the planters themselves desired, or at least than they judged to be safe;' for about the same time it was necessary to take strong measures to compelsuch ofthem as were in the Island to live upon theirown estates; and a writer of their party in a letter from Port-au-Prince, ofMarch 24th, in speaking of this order with praise, yet shew his doubts of its being practicable: 66 Orders have just been received which will probably re-establish agriculture in our plains and mouutains, ifthey are capable 9f being czecuted.. Proprictors, or their Attornies, ure restored to their ancient authority over the Negro culticators 'If even the planters were unprepared for this bold measure, judee what a thunder-clap it was to the astonished cultivators! The proclamations were not yet five weeks old, by which they were promised the full enjoyment of their freedom, upon the sacred word oft this. same Captain-General, and that of the great Consul hithself. How amazed, then, must they have been at the impudence as well as baseness of these dissemblers ! But they ought chiefly to have blamed their own folly and their ingratitude to the brave Toussaint. In vain had that wise and faithful leader, said to them : 66 Distrust the Whites, they will betray you ifthey can; their desire evidently manifested is the restoration of slavery; their proclamations are only formed to deceive the friends of liberty: do every thing to avert the horrid yoke with which we are threatenedt." They had not listened in time tor these truths-they had taken the word of French invaders rather than that of their faithful Chief: They had foolishly thought, 66 We have nothing to do with the quarrel; we shall have to work in the same way whick ever party conhjiers." They now saw their mistake too late. What a lesson for the common people in Le every country! The Negro troops who had joined the invaders, were also alarmed at this step of the French General. It was not less a breach of faith towards them, than towards the cultivators, for they had come in under the proclamations, which promised freedom, not to themselves onlys but to all their brethren. They could 4 not be SO blind as not to see that equaltreachery, and a fate as horrid, was in store for themselves; but they durst not immediately revolt, for they had been prudently broken into small bodies, and had been placed at a distance from each other, and mixed with the White troops ; and had also, by the discharge upon various pretences of great numbers from each of their corps, been greatly reduced in strength ; at the same time they were closely watched by the Frenchmen. If West India slavery were not in its nature a thotisand times worse than any thing called slavery in Europe, the Negroes thus betrayed and divided, and dispirited ês they no doubt were, would probably have' submitted, at least for a while, till a fairer opportunity of resisting should offer. But men who have been delivered from that < horrible yoke,' 27 will risk and suffer evéry thing rather than receive it again. Toussaint well knew this important truth, and therefore saw at once his means of victory in this imprudent wickedness of his enemiesInstead of continuing his flight among the mountains, he turned short towards the North coast of the Island, where a very extensive and * M. Peltier's lournal, Paris, pendant l'année 1802, No. 250, page 521. the + Toussaint's Letter to- Tomage, publifhed in the Monitenr, and copied into London papers of May 26, 1802. fontilo again. Toussaint well knew this important truth, and therefore saw at once his means of victory in this imprudent wickedness of his enemiesInstead of continuing his flight among the mountains, he turned short towards the North coast of the Island, where a very extensive and * M. Peltier's lournal, Paris, pendant l'année 1802, No. 250, page 521. the + Toussaint's Letter to- Tomage, publifhed in the Monitenr, and copied into London papers of May 26, 1802. fontilo --- Page 40 --- fertile plain surrounds Cape quence, the greatest number François, of and where there was, in conseand they are not now, as before, cultivators. deaf to his He summons them to arms, around him, hailing him as their deliverer and voice, They rise in a mass These new troops were badly guardian angel. not armed at all, except with armed, or rather, for the most in the West Indies for hoes, and a kind of cutlass, which is part, used and zeal enable their trimming brave the greeu fences. But their numbers pours like a torrent over the leader.to whole surmount all difficulties. He seizing the French posts, and plain of tbe North, every where they find refuge witbin the driving their divisions. before him, till Toussaint bad no fortifications of Cape François. made several sharp attacks battering artillery; ; yet he surroundèd the town, and would certainly have taken upon it up to the very. mouths of the in the harbour. The French the place, had not the flcet been cannon, seamen from the fleet, to raise were obliged to land the marines, and lying 1200 close, in shore, where their broadsides new batteries, and to haul the ships Yet, after all, the place must have might play upon the and his yielded to the besiegers. husbandmen, if General with intrepid Tgussaint French army from the South, had Hardy, not a grand division of the thrown himself into the town. advanced by forced marches, and his The Captain-General himself was obliged to conquests in the South, after follow by sea, quitting rious detachments from the interior having. marched back all his victo-, Iti is truly wonderful to consider to the coast. verses were effected., About the in how short a time these great re-, the summit of their successes and middle of March, the French were at they were reduced to such confidence ; yet by the 9th of April; aud hardly able to maintain extremity, himself that Leclerc, besieged atthe ing by sea to the Spanish part of the there, was upon the point of retreat-, Cape, I cannot detain iny Island. relate all the reverses: and'e readers disasters SO long as would be necessary, were I to, quarters of the Island, from their rash which the French sustainedi in various slavery. The Negrocs were low attempt to restore the as they had been disposed to be every where become as hostile cart-whip. to them, But at the Cape the chief friendly before. miseries felt. The fever struggle was maintained, and the capital began now to fight for deepest became a mere the Negroes, and that: the French troops had pest-house; been ; though till this reverse of fortune, ments arrived from France, but remarkably all to healthy, Powerful reinforce-, the siege ; and all that the large no purpose ; Toussaint still pressed selves within the walls and trenches. garrison could do was to defend them-; General Leclerc now felt and soon dropped the mask, and he saw bitterly lainented his error ; he had too. ceit çould be found, all was lost ; and that, unless some new means of decultivators, and all their dislike to the yet with all the ignorance of the diflicult to delude them aguin. hardships of war, it seemed very But a French genius is rarely at a fault when Leclerc, ssthe rirtuous Leclere*!" fraud is the game; and even his honest brother-in-law hinself. was, in this respect, not a whit behind It was too late to deny that there had but it was perhaps been a design to restore believe, that the possible, as Leclerc supposed, to make slavery ; Consul, and he himself had been the Negroes *" So has deceived as to the true Buonaparte called this perfidious minister of his vengeance, state a fault when Leclerc, ssthe rirtuous Leclere*!" fraud is the game; and even his honest brother-in-law hinself. was, in this respect, not a whit behind It was too late to deny that there had but it was perhaps been a design to restore believe, that the possible, as Leclerc supposed, to make slavery ; Consul, and he himself had been the Negroes *" So has deceived as to the true Buonaparte called this perfidious minister of his vengeance, state --- Page 41 --- convinced by disasters how vain the late state of the colony, and that of and abândoned the purpose. The-Neattempt was, he had repented was too proud, and too fond of desgroes did not know that Buonaparte he had formed against freedom ; and potism, ever to give up any pian that what his brother-in-law, the Captherefore might be led to expect, in their favour, the Consul would tain-General, should engage for stand to and confirm. Leclerc not impossible, that artful profesIt seemed therefore to to maintain freedom sions of a change of measures, and new promises with his Black enemies, so might gain credit, and a treaty be patched up the people from their milias to give him a new opportunity latter of dividing into his after which he was tary defenders, and getting the of power; the cart-whip, till he had resolved they. should hear no more Toussaint again and his adherents. made surer work, by destroying General Leclerc framed a proclamation, With these righteous views, eofFrench cuming andimposture. Without which is a perfect master-piece the injustice of his past measures, or his design expressly acknowledging to speak of the first resistance of against freedom, and even without ceasing he artfully began this paper with an the armed Negroes as rebellious, on the score ofhis ignorance of the implied apology for his late attempts He desterously passed over colony, and of the character ofthe people. and treated what had been his own orders for the restoration of slavery, from the want of a new form notoriously done to that end, as arising left him sufficient leisure to of government, which the war had not back the cart-whip, had been frame; ; as if the known attempts to bring the want of positive regulations a natural and necessary consequence.of to the contrary, frame a constitution for the island, of which liberty He next affected to without distinction of colour, was to be and equality to all the ahabitants, the basis. should not be definitive till approved by the French This, he added, condition was SO worded, that it might be applied government; but the and or.to a most unmeaning plan either to the basis of liberty equality, was to be founded upon that basis. of organization, as he calls it, which concession, he by the same instrument, In addition to this important of the Island, who were to be apcalled an assembly of representatives to consult and advise for the gepointed; without distinction of colour, assembly were as carefully limited, as neral good ; and the powers of this to establish such a form of government. ifthe impostor had really designed knowledge enough to care He knew that the Negroes had not political would value or understand'was about such limitations ; and that all they and the, admission of Negroes to a the acknowledgment of their while freedoi, his affected caution as to the powers share in the goveriment; ; them of his sincerity*. This oft the assembly, would serve to convince vile here inferted at large, as a' 'curious specimen of French hypocrisy: : *' This proclamation is EQUALITY. LIBERTY. 1 In the Name of the French Government, A PROCLANATION. Saint Domingo. The General in Chiefto the Inhabitants of CITIZENS, when order will succeed to that chaos which has been The time is arrived made by the rebellious to the landing of the the neceffary confequence of the oppofition anny at St. Domingo, the assembly, would serve to convince vile here inferted at large, as a' 'curious specimen of French hypocrisy: : *' This proclamation is EQUALITY. LIBERTY. 1 In the Name of the French Government, A PROCLANATION. Saint Domingo. The General in Chiefto the Inhabitants of CITIZENS, when order will succeed to that chaos which has been The time is arrived made by the rebellious to the landing of the the neceffary confequence of the oppofition anny at St. Domingo, --- Page 42 --- vile production was dated the 25th of and into the camp of the April, immediately after sent panied with offers of Negroes, and to every part of the island, accomthat the stratagem had peace all and general amnesty; and I lament to say, could have desired. the immediate effects which its base author The Negroes, at large, were: naturally of cut off from the chief ports, and weary the war ; they werestill with them, and consequentlyt foreigners were afraid to attempt to trade comforts oflife, with which they were deprived of'allthe necessaries and tors in particular commnerce used to supply them. The cultivato extreme were, by their new duties as soldiers, not only dangers and hardships to which they were exp 'sed tomed, but separated from their wives and children, before unaccusto till their provision-grounds for thè and no longer able They could see no end support of their families. for re-inforcements speedy to these and other evils, but a were daily arriving from no hope, while that was the case, France, and they.could LOTEes pelling the invaders from the fortified ofbeing able to finish thex war, by exFor freedom only could they be towns and harbours on the coast, and if freedom was now sincerely willing to fight and suffer such things ; Whilst the ignorant multitude offered; what more could they desire ? Toussaint thus reasoned and felt, the craft of his probably. saw the matter in, a different view ; he eulightened enemies, and feared that theseknew the were only snares for himself and bis perhaps brethren. offers, like the first, fubfftenceand The rapid operations and progrefs of the army, and the neceflity of nization of the eftablithment, have hitherto prevented my providing for its with which I colony. I could not moreover have attending to the definitive orga-" was totally unacquainted : and any fixed or c-rtain ideas of a country beration, form an opinion ofa people who have confequently could not, without mature deliThe bafis oft the provifionary been forien years a prey to revolutions. fhall not be definitive tiil approved organization ofby the which I fhail give to the colony, but which to allibe inbabitants ofSt. Domingo, French government, is Liberty and 1ft The adminiftration of jultice. wwitboutregard 10 colour. This organization Equality 2d. The interior adminiitration of the comprisese its interior and exterior defence require. colony, combined with thofe meafures which 3d. The impofition of duties, the means of 4th. The regulations and ordinances raifing them, and their application. organization ofby the which I fhail give to the colony, but which to allibe inbabitants ofSt. Domingo, French government, is Liberty and 1ft The adminiftration of jultice. wwitboutregard 10 colour. This organization Equality 2d. The interior adminiitration of the comprisese its interior and exterior defence require. colony, combined with thofe meafures which 3d. The impofition of duties, the means of 4th. The regulations and ordinances raifing them, and their application. 5th. The regulations and ordinanees relative relative to agriculture. oth. The adminiftration of the national to commerce. beneficial to the ftate, fo as to be lefs burdenfome domains, to and the means of making them moft As it is of infinite intereft toy you, Citizens, that agriculture and commerce. work degree, without protect agriculture and commerce, I have every not determined inftitution fhould, in an equal enlightened citizens having ofthe firf had reçoufe to, and confuited with, the moit upon this important. 11 have, in confequence, colony, diftinguithed and to felect for each ofthefe departments, given orders to the Generals of the South and Weft divifions regardio ofthe colour), who, with eight more feven which çitizens, I thall proprietors, and merchants, (witbout their North, are to affemble at the in the myfeif choofe for the obfervations to me on the plans I Cape fhall then courfe of the prefent month, department to' Icis not a deliberative affembly I eftablifh. fubmit to their confideration. impart which mectings of this nature have I am fufliciently acquainted with the evils citizens who are thus chofen being honeft brought and upon the colony to have that idea. The çate my views; they, will make their obfervations enlightened men, to them will I communionthe minds oftheir fellow-citizens the upon them, and will be able to imprefs Let thofe, then, who are thus to be liberalideas with which government is animated. flattering counfels proor of my confideration for them. alledtogether, Let them confider this appointment as a mately fall andadvice, might purfue meafures difaitrous to confider that for want of their upon themfelves. Let the colony, which would ulti. leaving, fôr fome time, their private tlem comfider this, and they will find no difficulty in Done at Head-Quartersat the Cape, avocatigns, ath Floreal, (Signed) The Generalin year 10 ofthe French Republic, The Deputs Chief, LECLERC. (Atruc Copy.) Agjutant-Gencral, (Signed) D'AOUST, ( Bat might purfue meafures difaitrous to confider that for want of their upon themfelves. Let the colony, which would ulti. leaving, fôr fome time, their private tlem comfider this, and they will find no difficulty in Done at Head-Quartersat the Cape, avocatigns, ath Floreal, (Signed) The Generalin year 10 ofthe French Republic, The Deputs Chief, LECLERC. (Atruc Copy.) Agjutant-Gencral, (Signed) D'AOUST, ( Bat --- Page 43 --- But it'iseasier in such cases for a true patriot to form right opinions, than to prevail on the people to followthem; even his faithful second in Christophe, was probably inclined to the side of peace ; and I'suspect command, that the large àrmy of cultivators under that General's command wereo clamorous in theirdesires that he should embrace the offered terms. that Christophe deserted his comThe French accounts pretended to mander in chief, and, by making his own submission, obligedToussaint these follow the example; but this was just as true, eas that both Negro Chiefs. begged their lives of Leclerc, and surrendéred as pardoned rebels," which, as we shall presently see, was the bare-faced pretence of dis- the Consul on this occasion, in order to hide their triumph and his own This slander on the brave Christophe, was invented to make the grace. submission of our Hero, at a time when he was known to be pretended less monstrously unnatural, than every thinking man victorious, must have seen appear that gross pretext to be. contained in those' Iflany trutli was mixed up with the many falsehoods Desimpudent accounts, the fact probably was, that both Christopheand salincs, the Negro General next in authority, were dupes to Leclerc's and vile contrivance, and desirous of peace, and that their persuasions wishes determined our Hero to treat witb the French General, contrary his chato his own better judgment. From the piety and humanity of racter, the natural bias of his own mind must have acted in the same, direction. Whatever the motives were, certain it is, that the proclamation soon' answered the desired end, and that prior to the 8th of May1802, a peace was concluded with our Hero and all the Generals and troops under his command ;i in which the whole people of St. Domingo concurred. Toussaint ; Thus was the sword of victory taken out of the hands of from that' and thus only were the, French invaders delivered for a while fate, which their wickedness richly deserved, of the My readers may perhaps remember the foul misrepresentations Consul, to which I have just alluded. When the news of this, peace the had the gross impudence to call it first reached Europe, Buonaparte and his Generals. He published a letter in the submission of Toussaint Leclerc, and in which Moniteur, to which he put the name of General in a manner with a he actually went so far as to make Toussaint come rebel ; and what is rope about his neck, begging for pardon as a guilty tolet him more, General Leclerc is made to refuse for a long time, escape Therei hanging. is a boldness in the Consul'si impostures, which clearly point out their author; for no other'man, no other Frenchman even, would have assurance enough to set his face to them. Other dissemblers can no more soar up to the pitch of his impudence, than a boy's kite can overtake a balloon. Leclerc, certainly would not, for the sake ofhis own credit, have written'such self-contradictory absurdities as that pretended letter ofhis con- the tained ; and I must say, the Consul ought to have had more regard to as he than to suffer him to be exposed character of sO near a connection, Leclerc's name to that same story, he 'soon after was. Having put than to let it mightat least have watched his own enslaved press better, of which we have copy, two or three days afterwards, the proclamation from the been speaking; and also a letter from Leclerc to Toussaint, both Oaptaih-General'rown Gazette, at Cape François; for these papers gave : W' must say, the Consul ought to have had more regard to as he than to suffer him to be exposed character of sO near a connection, Leclerc's name to that same story, he 'soon after was. Having put than to let it mightat least have watched his own enslaved press better, of which we have copy, two or three days afterwards, the proclamation from the been speaking; and also a letter from Leclerc to Toussaint, both Oaptaih-General'rown Gazette, at Cape François; for these papers gave : W' --- Page 44 --- gave the lie to every shewed to all Europe, sentence.in tbat the pretended official had been obliged to submit Leclerc himself, iusteadof the dispatches, and The letter of Leclerc and beg pardon. Negro Chief, lowing passages:- You to this hardlr-purdoned rebel, contains trcated like the rest of General, and your troops, will be the folpose, and you deserce it. my army. With regard to employed and burthen of ihe After a man has sustained yourself, you desire releave youat government of St., Doningo, I for several years the rely so much liberty to retire to which ever apprehend he needs I believe. on the attachment you bear of your habitations you repose. that you will employ the tothe colony gf St. please. I retreat, in momentsof leisurca which Doningo, as to to make commuicnting to me your views you may have in" your statement agriculture and commerce again reopecting the means to be taken will 9f the troops under General Rourish. As soon as a list and How communicate, to you m3 instructions as Dessalines to the are transmitted to me, I a condescending this style in the great position theyare to take*," convictjustsaved at his own General gracious in Leclerc, towards mand a conqueror thus repeated to leave petition from the ! over his own rebellious his vanquished gallows How another pardoned rebel! troops, and over the army enemy of in comI fear that in other Dessalines, of distant events in time countries, of as well as in. France, the gard to truth; but never war, are not always framed with accounts given auy government disgrace itselfi perhaps before, in the history of the a strict relished upon this occasion. by falsehoods £O gross as world; did Two things veryhonourable: Buonaparte pubthis letter of General Leclerc. to our Hero's character, betore he had : First, it appears that maybe learnt from the Consul could conquered, was offered 66 rank, Toussaint who even to dictate his own bestow, asked 110 favor honors, fortune, 3) all that tirement. terms. He obtains all forhimself he when in a condition otn choice, Secondly, and we find that his asked, and that all is, rescribed to bim not as the Consul retirement to private life was his ing the by Leclerc, It was impudently a pretended, 'a event, a wise one.. virtuous thing prebut it was by retirement Perfidy might have' chioice, and, notwithstandthe risk of incurring only, that after what surprised was him any where; ; perfidious. suspicion with a past he could avoid peace, which Constrained, he in all government not disposed to be under such saw would be probabilityby insecure, he took the general wish, to make a public. Ifthe cireumstances the least the course which was Captain-General dangerous for himself ill,. no decent pretext, for the meant well, it would leave and for the In these last violation of the no motive, if of his illustrious measures of' Toussaint, we find treaty. career, a rare union ofwisdoun, therefore as in all the rest dignity, and virtue. As our Hero here sheathes Freedom and Justice, I would for ever that sword which was dropped from the false lips of his wipe from it an injurious stain sacred to There is, in spite of oppressors. which has of blood not shed fairly slander, in the no just ground to believe that nished the glory ofToussaint. field, and in the heat of one drop action, ever. tarSee this letter copied from the French Gazettes in the LandiaMeingupmnafjees 19. There ignity, and virtue. As our Hero here sheathes Freedom and Justice, I would for ever that sword which was dropped from the false lips of his wipe from it an injurious stain sacred to There is, in spite of oppressors. which has of blood not shed fairly slander, in the no just ground to believe that nished the glory ofToussaint. field, and in the heat of one drop action, ever. tarSee this letter copied from the French Gazettes in the LandiaMeingupmnafjees 19. There --- Page 45 --- There is even positive evidence to prove hisi innocence of any such though he has had no means of making his own defen e. and crime, the ruffians who stifled his voicel have been forthe most I ar bis though only historians. these truths as fully as justice to our Hero w uld : In order to establish to exceed very far the limits which ie require, it would be necessary to me; for as- Buonaparte suff: d plan' of this little work from prescribes St. but himself, it is only by put ng nobody to print news the Domingo various accounts published by hinr at together, and comparing, the' faisehoods he has told, difierent times, that we can discover conceal gross but there will not be room andthe truths he has laboured to ; of those impudent ers enough in this little book for the many parts with each other, mucn paj less which I should have in this case to compare for. the needful remarks. for the use of such of It is my design soon to print an and Appendix, time it cost them; and I MfaI readers as can afford the money undeniably may out-of the Consul's there prove our Hero's innocence most mouth. Mean time a I must be content with offering the testimony of own my sincere belief, founded upon much enquiry and reflection, that no of the charges in question; but, on Toussaint was in degree through guilty the whole of bis last war, thatl humane the contrary, maintained, for which, during all his former life he had been and generous conduct distinguished. provoked though this much injured Hero was by every species Highly and cruelty, on the of his enemies, I firmly of injustice, fraud, of them to part death in a way unbecoming a believe that he did not put one in St. Domingo, while he Christian soldier ; and that the only savages faces. He has had no trial, not -commanded, were savages with white at the bar of even before a French. tribunal; he has-had no hearing of the public, his voice has been stifled by the strong arm slanderers despotism, and not a pen in St. Domingo or France, but' those of his his conduct; murderers, has been allowed to record or remark' of upon bis fair and yet it has pleased God to provide the means clearing of his fame, to the credit of his Christian principles, and to the disgrace infidel oppressors, should I be for the credit of civilized human nature; ifthe crimes Happy of the French commanders were as unreal as those which their have falsely imputed to their noble-minded enemy. But here gazettes contradictiou or doubt. Here my readers will be there is no room for have only to read, and I have spared the trouble of reasoning-they orrather the boasts, oft the only to copy for their perusal, the confessions, rulhans themselves. he killed and made forty66 Being attacked by the rebels, chief of sixty-eight this division of the rebels. five prisoners, among whom was the He, was instantly shot*. 99 a P'Inde six hundred Negroes, 66 General Hardy surrounded on the Coupe WHO, RECEIVED NO QUARTERT." himselfof one of the enemy's camps, with 6 General Salines possessed baggage, and put TWO HUNDRED MEN TO THE SWORDI." &c. &c. The 66 The enemy threw himself upon the Aztibonite, WRETCHES were put to the suords." Villaret's Official Letter of March 4. London Papers of April 19, 1802. + Leclerc's Official Letter of March 24. London Papers of May 26, t Ibid. : $Ibid. The on the Coupe WHO, RECEIVED NO QUARTERT." himselfof one of the enemy's camps, with 6 General Salines possessed baggage, and put TWO HUNDRED MEN TO THE SWORDI." &c. &c. The 66 The enemy threw himself upon the Aztibonite, WRETCHES were put to the suords." Villaret's Official Letter of March 4. London Papers of April 19, 1802. + Leclerc's Official Letter of March 24. London Papers of May 26, t Ibid. : $Ibid. The --- Page 46 --- 1O The. enemy took the resolution they were overwhelmedi by our of-evacuating La Crétea It is needless to troops, who gave them no Pierrotalso to judge of what go further with such extracts. It guarters." is fighting as they were horrors remain untold, when these unnecessary as to.their own solemn foranfoljectase contrary to law,justice, and miscreants, It was natural that these promises, avowed such conduct gratitude, sul for them, should ruffian French early.in the war. saint,in the shame wish to involve the brave counmanders, or the Connim of equal enormities. For and humane Tousupon none but his own Christian my own part, I can justify retaliation. Had he been an infidel like principles, for abstaining from all ently with worldly honor, and worldly themselves, he might, consistacherents to the sword; and tbe humanity, have put all their could, if real, not have been massacres they falsely impute to him pudence matchless like their own. complaints in their mouths, without imor My 1 should history must not extend to a that have to state conduct periodbeyond of the death of would make my readers these barbarian Toussaint, noticed, forget the cold-blood Frenchmen Not merely massacres here offending prisoners of war, but hundreds and have been fellow-ereatnres, daily whom the savages thousands of unof and nightly suffocated and themselves out rooting their haplcss drowned for the calledinnocent, has been thought far too mild race. As to prisoners of sole purpose they have been treated a fate for them. If war, simple death bad in a way SO report may be trusted, world, that though I believe horrid, beyond all our common natures I will the dreadful example for in this not repeat it. rumour, the sake of I shall Let us write now proceed to the last act of the God I it with shame as well as illustrious life of Toussaint. Europe. am not a Frenchman, I am indignution; a White for though I thank The Hero man, and a' native of which is had retired to his OII the South Wést coast peaceful of family mansion at from St. Marcs. He had there St. Domingo, at a little Gonaives, own surname, a small estate which was distance the peace and leisure Louverture, and where he called by his to indulge his to which he had for ten probably years hoped long to enjoy surviving warm affections in the' society been a' stranger, and children. ofhis beloved wife and The two' promising their. history, were youths, of whom I spoke in a jn the family probably now no more, and had left former part of this' or been circle, I suspect that they had a melancholy blank' crimes put to death by the humane and either perished in the of their father. rirtuous Leclere, to punish war, the Iwonld not willingly lay to the gone to'his dreadful account, charge of that bad man, who is fore do not assert as a certain any sin of which he is not now but' fact that the guilty": I thereTbelievethut to be the truth. young nen were murdercdt, Aauntvilismarse + Itiss said by Coisnon, official letter of April Sth, London Toussaint, back to their father; and detained whose narrative was formerly Papers ofMay 26th. ary. But for tbis act of by him, at theend ofthe quoted, fruitless that-the lads were sent only the word ofhis, own generosity, vile so unlike all the other conduct negotiation of in Februno more. If they had becn wich agent; and it so happens that we hear Leclere, we have 2w27 like the rest, as We thall their farher they would have been ofthe arrested, hostage youths presently see; for it is expressly stated, tbat the and sent - whole family' ofMay 26th. ary. But for tbis act of by him, at theend ofthe quoted, fruitless that-the lads were sent only the word ofhis, own generosity, vile so unlike all the other conduct negotiation of in Februno more. If they had becn wich agent; and it so happens that we hear Leclere, we have 2w27 like the rest, as We thall their farher they would have been ofthe arrested, hostage youths presently see; for it is expressly stated, tbat the and sent - whole family' --- Page 47 --- Toussaint, however, was a Christian, and therefore he was, no doubt, beginuing to taste with thankfulness thé family blessings that remained to bim, without repining for those which it had pleased God to take But Providence had new trials, and I trust new triumphs at away. band, for the patience of this distinguished servant. On a sudden, at midnight, the Creole frigate, supported by the Hero, both dispatched on purpose by Leclerc from the Cape, a 74 gun ship, the calm beach, near Gonaives. Boats, with troops, stood in towards and surrounded the house of Toussaint, immediately after landed, the faithful companion of all his cares and while he was at rest with fortunes. and Ferrari, Aid-de-Camp to Leclerc, Brunet, a Brigadier-Geberal, in the Moniteur for this honorable service, who have both chamber beeu praised of the Hero with a. file of grenadiers, and deeutered the the manded ofbim to go, with all his family, on board frigate. The lion was in the toils, and resistance was hopeless ; but Toussaint still and feeling, He subrnitted was still himself; dignified, generous, without his base enemies by as far as concerned, his own fate, gratifying of his wife and a murmur: but alive to the fears, and to the dangers and would have children, he requested that they might be left at home, howmade that the condition of his own compliance. This condition, bis rutbless would not grant; for the destruction ofall ever, dearest oppressors to Toussaint was part of their detestable purpose. An who were force and the whole family, including the irresistible military appeared, and niece of a deceased brother, were carried on board the frigate, immefrom thence embarked in the Hero, which.p proceeded with them diately to France. insult to readers as the Consul offered to Iwill not offer such an my that the of this Frenchmen, and to Europe, in supposing gross perfidy proceeding can be made to bear a serious doubt. Of whatstuff could the Corsican despot suppose other men'sjudgments the to be made, when he talked ofToussaint's conspiring so soon alter would peace P How could this great man have hoped that wben conspiracy with a triumput him in a better coudition than he lately stoodin, eneinies phant army at the gates of-Cape François, he he had saw within his three weeks perishing exin its bospitals? Yet this was the position on his own false grounds, changed for peace. Or to take the Consul even because he could if our Hero had begged bis life at the head ofhis ariny, have had or what no longer resist, what motive could he SO soon that for, was no hope could he have placed in resistance, now when service army of,his coumore at his command, but had entered iuto the querors? absurdity, the proof of his treason, To crown the wicked pretended who, as we are told was the writing a confidential letter to Christophe, before deserted and by the same, account, had three weeks betrayed him. the arrival of his wife, with two children only, was family was sent to France; yet these were not spoken of as the young men so well known noticedi in the French papers : Toussaint had other children old enough to be under a in France; and it is ceriain at that the time of the invasion. tutor's care in St. Domingo America of the young Toussaints' being at the, There has since been a rumour through I have anxiously watched for some head of an insurrection, but it proved groundless. therefore, évér since their return notice of them since, but in vain. They are missing, to account for them. from Eunery to the Cape, and it belongs to their kcepers In mention Toussaint had other children old enough to be under a in France; and it is ceriain at that the time of the invasion. tutor's care in St. Domingo America of the young Toussaints' being at the, There has since been a rumour through I have anxiously watched for some head of an insurrection, but it proved groundless. therefore, évér since their return notice of them since, but in vain. They are missing, to account for them. from Eunery to the Cape, and it belongs to their kcepers In mention --- Page 48 --- A I mention not these but rather to sbew how absurdities ill with a view of his great fortune he this shallow little seriously to refute them, p When the distance is, can give plausibility despot, to his for such in spight that there had elapsed from the Cape to Gonaives is own impostures. Toussaint, to the date only of his about a month from considered, and of that General, and of his dispatches, giving an Leclere's peace with that the ships of war departure for account of the arrest soon as he had arrived were sent from the France, to it seems probable The at bis home. Cape seize him conduct history of mankind does- not almostas even SO shockingly gross and afford an instance of except the Consul's own shameless as this action : perfidious I though that conduct towards will not the Moniteur, General was treated in the same Pelage at Guadaloupe, French immediately after bis brave and manner, as was, avowed in to his charge. government, and without even an important services to the The measures attempt to lay a single fault this treacherous of the Captain-General had been and officers, who proceeding towards that SO well taken for were Toussaint, the Leader, could make no effectual indignant at such base usage of Negro their troops dispersed through the island in different resistance. They had been Great European Two troops, and were besides closely garrisons, and mixed previously with the principal chiefs watched. arms, in the hopeless among them, however, had the mander. I am sorry that attempt I to rescue or die with their courage to fly to. men. Leciere, in cannot record the names brave comshedding their blood, adding to his own former of these generous insurgent chiefs are bas only spoken of disgraces, them the infamy of Hea avows, in the already arrested, I have ordered as chiefs. 66 Two dential friends of Toussaint same letter, that a hundred of them the to be shots." nothing to their charge but had been arrested; and principal corifiHero, he tells us, without their having possessed the though he lays ship-board as exilés. He ceremony, of their boing also friendship of that ordered to be drouned." The might have said more embarked 66 oh on board the frigate terms are, 46 I have briefly, sent thesé I have the Mucron, which has orders a part of them Melitorrascon; ships.". rest have been distributed to proceed to the Where are these on board the differerit from the mention unaccused of the and innocent prisoners ? It slaves on the coast of Meiditerranenn, that they had was supposed invented a shorter Barbary; but the Consul had been sold as and had, no doubt, method,ofg sent it getting rid of the sable by this time Domingo, as well as of for the use ofs the virtuous" friends of freedom, wasiposibly a watch-word, Richepanse, at Guadaloupe. The Leclerc, at St. other, when they wrote of by which these monsters Mediterrancon Of the prisoners in the their drownings at sea. 1, understood each Toussaint, confined in the frigate Mucron, and of more; and certain it is, that ships at St. Domingo, the public the friends of drowned their prisoners soon afterthis period, the has heard no roadsteads, and by hundreds and thousands, French Generals sex, guilt or'itinocence, harbours; ; without trial, without even in their very face of day. The only trouble without remorse or shame, distinction and of age or they took was to almostin the 10t put out a Po 1 Sec his official letter of a short way June" 10th. from ; and certain it is, that ships at St. Domingo, the public the friends of drowned their prisoners soon afterthis period, the has heard no roadsteads, and by hundreds and thousands, French Generals sex, guilt or'itinocence, harbours; ; without trial, without even in their very face of day. The only trouble without remorse or shame, distinction and of age or they took was to almostin the 10t put out a Po 1 Sec his official letter of a short way June" 10th. from --- Page 49 --- from theshore in the evening, and discharge their human cargoes, so be at anchor before day-break. So near the Island was it as to again bodies of the victims, too numerous for the done, that the floating continually shocked the eyes of the British and sharks to devour, that horrible coast. American seamen who were passing near I If the elder sons of Toussaint had not been murdered, as suspect were among the number of these. they had, in the war', they probably of their father was fatal; for as 100 innocents to whom the attachment and I have already observed, all his family were made prisoners, yet: two children only arrived with the motherin France. that laud of Let us now follow the oppressed Hero in his' way. to slavery and guilt. as far as, I am able to collect, the comfort of conHe was refused, In other. respects, at least, he versing with his family on the passage., French accounts was treated with the utmost rigour; ; for even the public disclosed that he was confined constantly in his cabin, and there guarded by soldiers with had fixed he arrived bayonets. in the harbour of Brest thanhe was hurriedon No: soonerl and it was now that his fortitude had to sustain its severest trial: shore; Even the fierce and cruel Leclerc had thought it too harsh to separate him from his beloved wife and children ; but: now hewas forced by the merciless Consul to bid them a last - adieu. They were detained while he was carried to a solitary cell in a prisoners on ship-board, : - distant castle in the country. feeling hearts of Toussaint and his family, How truly dreadful to. the faithmust have been this separation! - He knew full well, norcould bis ful wife be ignorant, that they were. to meet no more in this life. Till the last trumpet shall sound, that dear face which had beamed affection on him- for thirty years, which was now beginning to be farrowed with his own cares, and which he saw then bathed. with his must be beheld no more. Those little innocents too, the own sorrows, their that orphan of his brave brolast fruit of conjugal love; of daughter ; and those faithther * 1 who perished at his side in the cause freedom all must receive hix ful servants, whose tears witness their attachment; d lastsad. ah! farewell. in what hands does he leave: all these beloved objects! to And,. are reserved! He knows his ruffian enemies too well what a fate. they Dear of the confito hope. they will be suffered to liye. repositories of his fate, are dence of Toussaint; privy to the foul misteries they doomed'not long to survive him. Bitter thought, that their love, and their relation to himself, consigned thém to a violent death, and that his presence must no longer sustain them:. like Coisnon ta Unfortunately we have no cool willing spectator in be describe this separatiou--butits: affecting cireumstances may, part, NR supposed. Methinks I see the Hero endeavouring to sooth the sufferings of his family, and to hide his own ; while the unhappy group surround Consul him in the cabin, and force hin to linger with them, the officers of the are calling from the deck loudly for dispatch. to defend the of * city Paul Louverture, our Hero's brother, who bravely their attempted affault. We hear of him no St. Domingo againft the invaders, and he at firft repelled bis brother at La Riviere, and fell in that more àfter that day; It is probable joined well-fought ficld, At oth the sufferings of his family, and to hide his own ; while the unhappy group surround Consul him in the cabin, and force hin to linger with them, the officers of the are calling from the deck loudly for dispatch. to defend the of * city Paul Louverture, our Hero's brother, who bravely their attempted affault. We hear of him no St. Domingo againft the invaders, and he at firft repelled bis brother at La Riviere, and fell in that more àfter that day; It is probable joined well-fought ficld, At --- Page 50 --- At length the ruffians will bear gently. to disengage himself from no longer delay, and I see the agonized wife the embraces of anguish Toussaint and strives the elder boy clasping his, neck with affection. with its little clinging to his waist, while the other convulsive force ; and The word arms, is and screams at the approach ofthe embraces his knee asunder--a repeatedly. given,-the ruffians soldiers. put into general cry begin to force them a boat that is arises-Tonssaint is borne out of the As they row waiting to receive him. cabin, and who is borne up astern, his eyes catch a last view of heaven, by one of her servants. his distracted and a tear trickles down He lifts an eye wife, reached the shore, before the' his manly cheek. imploring He has to relieve his ear from the cries of splashing his oars, and increasing almost This pitiless deed being children. distance, were to convey his victim done, the humane Consul's and his mutes to prison with as much further orders guess and of jarring managed SO well, that it was for some secrecy time as possible; ; prisoner was confined. reports in France, in what place this a matter of under a strong escort of He was conveyed in a close interesting neighbourhood of Mount cavalry, to the remote castle of carriage, and Here he was confined Jura. Joux, in the may belimagined from the a long time in a way, the strictness of while inultitudes were curious darkness which long prevailed as which but his keepers to know it. We to his fate ception were permitted to see or may conclude that none only, as appears, ofa converse with him, with the confined as his master. single Negro attendant, who was exThis treatment Ia admit as closely and spite. His poliey had might not entirely flow from the France is, it was not doubtless a great share Consultseruelty for there. From the convenient that the tale of' init; bad though Léclerc and time of this great man's Toussaint should be told should the Consul took very arrest to that of his notbe heard by any remarkable care that his death, not, were forbidden, on body but his gaolers; and I voice prisoner might wish pain of death, to hear these, doubt been taken to to disclose. The same any secret that their any! other motive stop the mouths of all his family effectual and care seems to have whose only crime be found for the persecution of friends :--Dor can reasonably was the glory of being his wife. a helpless woman, some.dreadful suspect that Toussaint, and those We may, therefore, could have been secrets to tell; though it is no in his confidence, had they already revealed to make his easy. matter to guess what were, upon the facts they oppressors more detestable than Perhaps the Consul hoped, that were unable to conceal. stopped, his flimsy and while the voice of his in-the world, and that he aelf-contradievory impostures victim was saint with the ink of his might wash himself from the might gain credit au The afflicted wife own gazettes. blood of Tousless closeness than himself. and family of our Hero were not and. yet I have been able Curiosity was, no doubt, imprisoued with private, from tlie time of their to obtain no account of busy them, about them, was about the 11th of detention on at public or The Paris July, to the 11th of ship-board Brest, which 6 A corvette from papers of the latter date have September the following. the ink of his might wash himself from the might gain credit au The afflicted wife own gazettes. blood of Tousless closeness than himself. and family of our Hero were not and. yet I have been able Curiosity was, no doubt, imprisoued with private, from tlie time of their to obtain no account of busy them, about them, was about the 11th of detention on at public or The Paris July, to the 11th of ship-board Brest, which 6 A corvette from papers of the latter date have September the following. servants Brest with the wife, two following paragraph : ofToussaint, arrived on the 3d instant children, a niece, and the at Bayonne."' It --- Page 51 --- It is probable that to this period they continued closely confined in" which brought them from the West Indies; but for what end the ship were removed to Bayonne, or how the tyranny of the Consul they afterwards disposed of theni, I have not been able to learn. Near twelve. months have since elapsed; and.had the fate of this interesting family been generally known in France, we: should, doubtless, have' heard ofit in England. Their voice has been hushed, they have dis-" appeared, and, from the character of their oppressor, we may'guess at the means. whom we leftin the castle of Joux, may be sup-" - Toussaint himself, the Consul's jealousy and posed by my readers to have already glutted vengeance: There he lay, robbed of power, of greatness, of freedom, of his fa-l mily and friends, and as far as malice could effect, ofhis fair fame itself.1 Denied. a trial, debarred from all other means of proving or asserting his: innocence, unable either to resist or complain, he was left to? in solitude and silence, while his enemy was able to rail at and: pine slander him at pleasure, without contradiction or reproof. :1 What more could the Tyrant desire ? Buonaparte's revenge; however, and his spite at freedom, were not yet appeased. attend this A faithful servant had hitherto been suffered to oppressedi of his ; and it was no doubti Hero, at the expence sharing imprisonment soothed, in some reported to the. Consul that this littleindulgence degree,1 a heart which ber was resolved, if possible, to break. This consolation," therefore, was next torn from him-the poor Negro was" divided from his beloved master, and sent - under a strong guard to a prison at Dijon, where: his silence was, no doubt, made for ever secure by some, of.the Consul's merciful methods. : .The little despot, no doubt, expected that these and other severities: would speedilyasave him the shame of cutting off his illustrious victim" by a direct assassination. still 1i But Toussaint had consolation and support remaining, ofwhich tyrannys could not- deprive him.. The God whom he had worshipped continually, was still.with him; and though it was not his holy will to send deliverancei in this life, the spirit of his servant was strengthened, and kept: from impatience and despair. M 3 5a0r ce Thp Consul's inflexible. cruelty, therefore, had further measures: to take. where Buonaparte had: not a celli Tor y-From the castle ofJoux, perhaps al keeper bad enough for his final purpose, the braver Toussaint was) removed at thea approach of winter tol Besangon, and there placed in his last abode; a cold, damp, and gloomy dungeon. Let my readers imagine the horrors of_such a prison' to an African; who had arrived, at the age of fifty. years, ori more, in a climate likel that of the West Indies, where warmth.and free air are never wanting, hot even in gaols, and where the chearful.1 beamsi of. the sun. - are only. too bright and continual. We. know, that with all the warmth which fires and good clothing can give to-Negroes inthis'climate, the stoutest oft them suffer" severelyby'the winter. Consul chose for a But it was for these very reasons that the merciless Toussaint his last place of confinement. age of fifty. years, ori more, in a climate likel that of the West Indies, where warmth.and free air are never wanting, hot even in gaols, and where the chearful.1 beamsi of. the sun. - are only. too bright and continual. We. know, that with all the warmth which fires and good clothing can give to-Negroes inthis'climate, the stoutest oft them suffer" severelyby'the winter. Consul chose for a But it was for these very reasons that the merciless Toussaint his last place of confinement. The floor ofthe dungeon was actually covered with water*, and.weneed not doubt thatthe poor victim. * These particulars the author has learnt from a very obtained respectable his and information intelligent from gentie- the man who spent some time in France, last winter, and, best authorities that the çage would afford. --- Page 52 --- was deprived of DS793 health during the every means that might Now is it not clear, severity of the winter. help to sustain his truly boasts of thatif this Tyrant, like declining tine at once, he having would put down, had the Jacobins whom who butchers and have acted dispatched with far our Hero by the he unwould fain make himself massucres by thousands and less cruelty? guillobeing able to boast that out a better man ten thousands But he, actually seems to take be does not shed 80 fursooth, than abroad, murders men ever this in thel literal much blood at Robepière,t by he.may still lay SO cruelly wthout sense of the words; home; ; so. and he: It is for this claim to the praise of opening great thcir teins, he that if he Egypt, and that he reason, stifled no doubt, that he used humanity. supposes that the innocent Negroes of and drowned in the poison in the His new method with Guadaloupe and St. sea, sO many. thousands hospital of in religious strength however of the sufferer's Toussaint could not fail Domningo, of final was not announced tranquillity, made the murder constitation, à added to his success, The that he held in the French very tedious patience and doubted whether out under all the papers till the 27th work. of His death poison or the Consul was sutferings not of the last April last; so that this some other violent means. obliged to have winter; and it is preserved great man is still Some people recourse at last to of his him, and probably living. for Ifhe be, Provideuce entertain a notion published death, in shameful as it was some to the glorious end; but has as wonderfally the true that this France, foul and has not been Consul, was account pitch of éuilt murder is finished; contradicted and has there, permitted I fear it to is be Here, then, and-infay we to the other added an too pious, "and the must drop the curtain, crimes of his unsurpassable virtues in that generous Toussaint, on the great, oppressor. the and where the happier world, 66 Where leaving the, him to reap the. good, the Were an epitaph weary are at rest." wicked cease from fruits of his though not a fuli wanted for this troublingg lents to the chief command one, in the words wonderfal of his man, we might find during a long and arduous in St. Domingo, he murderer- <6 Called by his a fair port him. He foreign war, in which presersed the taTReTt, and restored destroyed to civil war, put an end she could do Ialanadto France all things comes." honour the religion and to the persceationa nothing tosupThe man ofwhom all sworship of ffcrociuas the merciless this was said, Godifrom shom know. how,the oppressiou of the man who perished as we have how he himself murderer will perish?. said it. Are seen, under CALLED BY THE prophecies on that you shall know from you the. anxious to EMANATE, TO ORDER OF HIM FROM point. 66 HAVING same pen, ORDER, AND BRING BACK TO THE WHOM ALL BEEN SOUND WITHOUT BQUALITY, ISHALL EARTH, THINGS HEAR MY * EMOTIONT. LAST JUSTICE, + See the First Part ofthis KNELL August Speech 9, 1802, of Buonaparte in answer work, page to a 14, complimentary, Address, Scc London Papers of FINIS, prophecies on that you shall know from you the. anxious to EMANATE, TO ORDER OF HIM FROM point. 66 HAVING same pen, ORDER, AND BRING BACK TO THE WHOM ALL BEEN SOUND WITHOUT BQUALITY, ISHALL EARTH, THINGS HEAR MY * EMOTIONT. LAST JUSTICE, + See the First Part ofthis KNELL August Speech 9, 1802, of Buonaparte in answer work, page to a 14, complimentary, Address, Scc London Papers of FINIS, --- Page 53 --- THE OPPORTUNITY; OR, REASONS FOR AN IMMEDIATE ALLIANCE WITH ST, DOMINGO. BY THE AUTHOR OF <e THE CRISIS OF THE SUGAR COLONIES.?" LONDON: PRINTED BY C. WHITTINGHAM, Dean Strset, Fetter Lane; FOR J. HATCHARD, PICCADILLY. 1804. --- Page 54 --- --- Page 55 --- D803 5828b --- Page 56 ---