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A
M E M OIR
OF
TRANSACTIONS
THAT TOOK PLACE IN
ST,
D OM INGO,
IN THE SPRING OF 1799 ;
AFFORDING AN IDEA OF THE
PRESENT STATE OF THAT COUNTRY
THE REAL CHARACTER OF ITS BLACK GOVERNOR, -
Coussaint S'ouberture,
AND THE
SAFETY OF OUR WEST-INDIA ISLANDS
FROM ATTACK OR REVOLT;
INCLUDING
THE RESCUE OF A BRITISIT OFFICER
UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH.
Inest sua Gratia parvis.
NOn BY
CAPTAIN RAINSFORD,
TWENTY-FOUR YEARS AN OFFICER IN BISMAJESTY'SARNY,
LONDON:
PRINTED BY R. B. SCOTT.
At hisoffice In St. Ciementelanc,Strand.
SOLD EY EDWARD LAWKENCE, IN TIIE STRAND,
NEARLY OFPOSITE BEAUFOET BUILDINGS,
1802. --- Page 4 --- --- Page 5 ---
ADVERTISEMENT,
Very little will be expected in the
following pages when coming from
the pen of a Soldier; but that little
will be found to be lis on ; and
this on a Subject of much doubt and
importance may possibly protract its
existence in an age of compilation 1 !
He is however, better satisfied to consider it as a small emanation ofgratitude to a singular man, who in
the possession ofextraordinary power,
did not use it unworthily.
London, January, 6, 1809 --- Page 6 --- --- Page 7 ---
A
M E M OIR,
ETC.
THE object of public attention is ever
the sport of public rumour; and truth is
not infrequently affected by the fabrications
of the idle and the ignorant, when men
and things are misrepresented by popular
prejudice.
The present armament of Bonaparte
against St. Domingo, and the general alarm
for the safety of our colonial possessions
from the powerful situation of the Brigands
R --- Page 8 ---
in that island, have occasioned much conjecture, but produced no authentic information, while on a subject of such importance it becomes a duty in those competent in any degree, to relieve the anxicty
of the public mind. Had Bryan Edwards
lived, we should not SO long'have fluctuated
in uncertainty.
The present writer has by no means
presumed to increase the number of
ephemeral - details, as contradictory as
untrue, which have been offered to the
public,. of transactions that have now toa
long deformed this delightful country. In
the dangerous duties of his profession, the
common accidents of war afforded him a
peculiar opportunty of judging (among
other" affairs) of the present state of St.
Domingo, of its defence, and of the character ofits extraordinary Governor. --- Page 9 ---
The events themselves, with the opinions
resulting from them, form, then, the subject
of these pages; and authenticity will supply the place of the decorations of style.
To preclude, however, the possibility of
doubt, I think it necessary to say thus
much of myself:-
Born ofa respectable family in the kingdom of Ireland (where my elder brother,
Counsellor Rainsford, now enjoys the liberal fortune of our ancestors) * I carly embraced the military profession, and joined
a regiment under the command of the Earl
of Moira, in which I served during the
American war. Our corps was considerably employed during two campaigns, and
was in the memorable battles of Camden, &c. I afterwards unfortunately left
that regiment to enter into a provincial
* My eldest sister, now Princess of Monaca, was
married to the late Lieutenant General Doyle.
B 2
-
Born ofa respectable family in the kingdom of Ireland (where my elder brother,
Counsellor Rainsford, now enjoys the liberal fortune of our ancestors) * I carly embraced the military profession, and joined
a regiment under the command of the Earl
of Moira, in which I served during the
American war. Our corps was considerably employed during two campaigns, and
was in the memorable battles of Camden, &c. I afterwards unfortunately left
that regiment to enter into a provincial
* My eldest sister, now Princess of Monaca, was
married to the late Lieutenant General Doyle.
B 2 --- Page 10 ---
one, commanded by the late Lord Charles
Montague, and served in Jamaica four
years. On the commencement of the
present war, I went to the continent in the
corps of Royal Fusileers commanded by
Colonel Hardy, and shared its complicated
hardships duriug the retreat. *
* In' this arduous situation I had the happiness to
effect two orders, which, as they exhibit the hardships
of that period, I subjoin :-Being commanded by my
ever-regretted Colonel to bring up the cloathing of
the troops, I found it only to be effected by cutting
my way with three boats through the icc for twenty
miles. We, howerer, succeeded, happily, and' saved
to Government at least ten thousand pounds.
Another night, during the retreat, twenty-one of
our waggons, with sick and wounded men, arrived
very late at a town called Zwoll, where my corps
was quartered, but were refused admittance by
the Dutch guard, who kept the gate. It was a dreadful night, and many absolutely died from the cold
of the men under the command of Colonel Drummond
of the Guards, I was ordered to compel their ad- --- Page 11 ---
I was removed in May, 1795, through
the interest of my incstimable brothur-inlaw, General Doyle, to a black corps, to be
raised In the West Indlies, under the command of General Keppel. I 1 went to Barbadoes, and from thence to Jamaica, where
the corps was to be raiscd. I arrived on
the 17th of August, and continued on duty
till a severe attack oft theycllow fever compelled my return in his Majesty's ship,
Sampson. After recovering in England,
at the instance of his Royal Ilighness the
Duke of York I went to Martinique in
1798, but it not beng understood by Gencral Keppel that his corps was to be levicd there, he ordered me back toJamaica,
from whence, I found on my arrival, the
officers had sailed for Engiand.
mission, and effected it; but not till after
many
threats, and I had left them three minutes
only to
consider, before I should attack them, which in such
a cause, and at such a time, must have been done
with energy, --- Page 12 ---
Desirous, as I always am, of being with
regiment, to facilitate that object I unmy
dertook the mode of returning to Martinique by beating up to the island of St.
Thomas, an exertion of considerable difficulty and danger. This, however, I but
little regarded; and Admiral Smith, with
whom I had been long acquainted, kindly
accommodated me in his cabin on board
the Hannibal to the Mole St. Nicholas.
Losing no opportunity of proceeding on1
voyage, I went on board a little
my
Danish schooner, commanded by Mr.
Frazer.
We had not been many days at sca,
when a violent hurricane having dismasted
the vessel, drove us under the walls of Cape
François. Thus unfortunately commenced
the opportunitics of obtaining that information and forming that judgment of the
Present State of St Domingo, which Iam
about to submit to the public. Had I
, kindly
accommodated me in his cabin on board
the Hannibal to the Mole St. Nicholas.
Losing no opportunity of proceeding on1
voyage, I went on board a little
my
Danish schooner, commanded by Mr.
Frazer.
We had not been many days at sca,
when a violent hurricane having dismasted
the vessel, drove us under the walls of Cape
François. Thus unfortunately commenced
the opportunitics of obtaining that information and forming that judgment of the
Present State of St Domingo, which Iam
about to submit to the public. Had I --- Page 13 ---
conceived it possible, at that time, that a
relation of facts respecting that unhappy
country. would have become SO interesting
to my friends, I might from these opportunitics, have collected much respecting it,
and been enabled to communicate what I
collected in a better form.
Thus situated, the Brigand boats soon
came out to meet us; and it was recommended to me, as the only mcans to prevent the confiscation of the vessel, and
avoid becoming myself a prisoner of war,
to pass for an American.
We were permitted to land at the once
famous city of the Cape; and the first
object that excited our attention amidst
thousands of People of Colour of every
description, was the respectable TOUsSAINT
in familiar conversation with two private
Brigands. He very civilly caie up to
us-enquired the news-from whence WC --- Page 14 ---
came P - and our destination. I accommodated my answers to the occasion, and to
the character I was to support, and complained of severe treatment from the English ! to which he replied, 66 Je pense que les
Anglois J sont bien malade à la Mole"-he
believed the English were very sick at the
Mole-and we took our leave.
I thert retired to the American hotel,
and was introduced to the table d' hoteto behold for the first time a perfect syjstem
ofe equalily!
Here were officers and privates, the general and the fifer, at the same table indiscriminately. I had the honour of sitting
near a fat drummer, who very freely helped
himself from my dish, and addressed me
with frequent repetitions of A votre Santé
bon Americain." Herc also T'OUSSAINT
dined, but did not take the head of the
table, from the idea (I was informed) that --- Page 15 ---
no man should be invested with superiority
but in the field. In the evening I went to
the billiard table, where TOUISSANT also
came. Mucli hilarity prevailed, and his
afability highly increased the satisfaction
of the company. I played with him, and
found nothing to dissipate the pleasure
which the novelty of the scene inspired.
There were several tables in the same
room, at which all played with the same
familiary with which they dined.
I was here informed that a review was
to take place on the following day, in the
plain of the Cape; and desirous of being
present at such a spectacle, I was accompanied by some Americans, and others of
my own country who resided in the island
under that appellation.
In traversing this once superb town,
what a scene of desolation every where
presented itself to my contemplation : On
C --- Page 16 ---
thesitewhere elegance and luxuryhad united
all their powers to delight the voluptuary,
remained nothing but ruins.
On these
were erected temporary houses for the
American merchants and little shops of the
natives, which but exhibited the devastation with additional horror. The great
street still contained the walls of many
superb edifces of five and six stories high,
and most beautiful structure; highly-finished
gilt balustrades, in some instances, yet
remained. Nor was this all-in different
parts of the general ruin the skeletons of
their possessors were mingled with the
broken walls -
66 Therein the ruin, heedless of the dead,
66 The shelter-secking peasant rears his shed ;
66 And,wondering man could want the larger pile,
66 Exults, and owns his cottage with a smile."
Through this dreadful scene I passed to
behold a review, of the real grandeur of
ces of five and six stories high,
and most beautiful structure; highly-finished
gilt balustrades, in some instances, yet
remained. Nor was this all-in different
parts of the general ruin the skeletons of
their possessors were mingled with the
broken walls -
66 Therein the ruin, heedless of the dead,
66 The shelter-secking peasant rears his shed ;
66 And,wondering man could want the larger pile,
66 Exults, and owns his cottage with a smile."
Through this dreadful scene I passed to
behold a review, of the real grandeur of --- Page 17 ---
which I had not the least conception.
There were two thousand officers out,
Generals and Ensigns, all carryingarmswith the utmost regularity and atyet
teution to rank-none of that disregard
which had marked the leisure of the
preceding day being the least evident.
Each general officer had a demi-brigade,
which went through the manual exercise
of
I had seldom
with a degree
expertness
before witnessed, and they performed excellently well several manceuvres applicable
to their method of fighting. At a whistle"
whole
ran three or four hundred
a
brigade
yards, and then, separating, threw themselves flat on the ground, changing to their
backs and sides, and all the time keeping
up a strong fire till recalled-after this they
formed again into their wonted regularity;
and this manceuvre is executed with such
facility and precision, as totally to prevent
cavalry from charging them in bushy and
hilly countries. Indeed, such complete
c2 --- Page 18 ---
subordination prevailed, SO much promptness and dexterity, as must astonish an
European who had known any thing of
their previous situation,
After the revicw I returned to the city,
to continue my soltary walk through the
remaning monuments of human ferocity,
and indulge in contemplating the vanity of
all sublunary establishments.
I was brooding over scenes where Fancy
herself had once been satiated, when I arrived ata large square, in the centre ofwhich
was a considerable eminence, and a seat on
the top:-there were two centinels to guard
it-ofwhom I enquired. lif Imight ascend the
steps? They answercd in thea affirmative, but
cautioned me not to touch the Cap of Liberty
which crowned it, for it was SACRED TO
SANTHONAX AND POLVEREL! My curiosity induced me to ascend; when I perused,
immediately under the cap, a showy in- --- Page 19 ---
scription in French, of which I do not
exactly recollect the idiom, not daring to
take a copy,. but it was to. the following
purportMy Friends,
We came to make you free.
The French Nation gives liberty to the World.
YOU ARE FREE.
Guard your Freedom.
Vive la Liberte-Vive la Republique,
Vive Robespierre!
This inscription, I understand, formed a
part of their speech in 1793, when the
Blacks and the Mulattos carried them in
triumph to the Goverument-House, and
aftcrwards set fire to the city in eight different places. They used every woman
with savagc barbarity, and then murdered
with the bayonet, man, woman, and
child. Sixty-two thousand inhabitants left
the city. They exterminated the Whites, --- Page 20 ---
and revelled in their cruelty cighteen days!
Such is man when in the possession of
power! and happy would it be for the human race if the Insurgents of St. Domingo,
SO little removed from savage Iife, were
not countenanced by those who have partaken of the felicities of civilized society.
Of the carnage that flew through this island
enough has alrcady becn said; but it is yet
in the recollection of many Americans,
that. the view of the city in flames, the
adjacent sugar works, 8c. was the most
dreadful ever beheld.
After a long perambulation over these
scenes of former horrors, I returned to the
hotel, but with a mind SO much impressed
with what I had secn, that for a considerable time I could not divest myself of the
most terrible ideas :-my imagination was
haunted with the shades of those who had
fallen, and murdered worth and innocence
were ever before mye cyes.-
I was also dis-
ollection of many Americans,
that. the view of the city in flames, the
adjacent sugar works, 8c. was the most
dreadful ever beheld.
After a long perambulation over these
scenes of former horrors, I returned to the
hotel, but with a mind SO much impressed
with what I had secn, that for a considerable time I could not divest myself of the
most terrible ideas :-my imagination was
haunted with the shades of those who had
fallen, and murdered worth and innocence
were ever before mye cyes.-
I was also dis- --- Page 21 ---
suaded from walking too much, lest by
some observation I might be suspected not
to be an American.
For three weeks I continued
among
these people; and, except the recollection
of what had been, without any other. sacrifice than my wish to be on duty, and the
necessity of subscribing to every sentiment
hostile to my country, I enjoyed the
amusements and the habits of a capital.
I 1 remained unmolested and comfortable,
On the topography of the island, I shall
not retail what is told by those who recite
its history, nor have I ever had leisure to
iuspect it. It is, I believe, considered the
richest,as well as the largest ofall theislands,
except Cuba; and nature seems to have lavished on it the advantages which are but
partial in the others. Itextends about 400
miles in length, and is more than 70 in
breadth, yet completely peopled. Its na- --- Page 22 ---
tural defence is unequalled, being entirely
fortified by vast rocks and extensive shoals.
It contains gold (perhaps really the least valuable of its productions) and the most
charming rivers meander through its varicgated soil.
From these reasons, labour is SO much
abridged, that no want of leisure is felt
through the pursuits of business, of pleasurc, Or of arms. It would be no small
gràtification to the feeling heart, to perceive the peasant in other countries, enjoy
a portion of the ease of the labourer
ofSt. Domingo.
The present productive system seems to
be founded in a reference to first principles.
Every soul employs a certain portion of
their time to labour, which is chiefly agricultural; and all take the field from a sense
of duty to themseloes. A perfect consolidation appears in all their conduct, and I --- Page 23 ---
never saw a concession in them which did
not come from the heart. I have more
than once seen sixty thousand of
- them
reviewed, at one time, on the plains of
the Cape, in complete subordination in
the field, and whose united determination
against an invading enemy, would be victory or death! No coersion is
necessary
among them, and it is of course unattempted ; the only punishment inflicted, is
a sense of shame produced by slight confinement.
A
Amongst a people thus hardened into
an orderly ferocity-trainel from inclination-impenetrably fortified on the finest
territory on earth, and next to inaccessible
to external attack, what hopes are entertained of the success of the present armament I know not; but, whatever might be
expected from a compromise with TousSAINT, I feel perfectly convinced no other
means will succeed in the subjugation of St.
D --- Page 24 ---
Domingo. United as are the blacks and
mulattccs,ffy thousand men would ere long
be dissipated in such an attempt; and if
the number now sent against them could be
found sufficient to effect a temporary conquest, what number of men would continue to keep them in subjection 1?
And with respect to any views they may
be imagined to contemplate of extending
their possessions, none who know the rcspectable state of defence in which our
Islands are kept, will ever entertain the
smallest fear respecting them. Of a territory tle extent of Cuba, I would not hazard SO much, but in the present situation
of our islands, SO comparatively small,
possessed by Planters of distinguished
humanity and taient, * defended by a
* Notwithstanding it has been of late years the
fashion to consider the character ofa planters as derogatory to humanity, and incapable of being blended
to any views they may
be imagined to contemplate of extending
their possessions, none who know the rcspectable state of defence in which our
Islands are kept, will ever entertain the
smallest fear respecting them. Of a territory tle extent of Cuba, I would not hazard SO much, but in the present situation
of our islands, SO comparatively small,
possessed by Planters of distinguished
humanity and taient, * defended by a
* Notwithstanding it has been of late years the
fashion to consider the character ofa planters as derogatory to humanity, and incapable of being blended --- Page 25 ---
militia, prompt on all occasions ; with an
army well appointed on their shores, under
with any oft those qualities that ameliorate the condition of the species, every opportunity which I have
been afforded ofjudging has tended to convince me
of the contrary. Nothing indeed can be more cruel
than to single out any. description of persons for public reprobation, as best suits the purpose of the fanatic
or the partizan ; and nothing is more fatal to the cause
oftruth than an implicit reliance on the vague reports
oftheir enthsissm,wlichmust ineritablyprecludethe
possibility of acquiring correct information, or adhering to facts if produced to their notice If the
young and the thoughtless squander the accumulations of their ancestors, it is certainly no evidence of
general voluptiousness.--If there be circumstances
exceptionable in the conduct ofthe SlaveTrade, does it
follow that the planter is a merciless executioner?
certainly not---it would be hostile to his interest, and
inexpedient in his situation As merchants and
as men, many are highly and extensively esteemed
and regarded; and instances of affection and regret in
the slaves they have been described to
torture, are
neither infrequent nor unrecorded,
D2 --- Page 26 ---
the superintendance of ability, experience,
and power at home; and a vigilant navy.
round their coasts, thewonderofthe worldfew will have sufficient temerity to suggest
that the people I have been describing, will
leave their favourite and favoured island
for the mere purpose of a vain gasconadeand against those whom I am persuaded
they would rather conciliate as their
friends.
Before I proceed to state the dreadful
occurrence which nearly terminated my
existence, on the island whose unfortunate
situation I have been SO candidly describing, I shall give a sketch of the man
who holds SO conspicuous a situation, and
of whom SO little is really known.
ToUssAINT L'OUVERTURE, the present
Commandant of St. Domingo, is one of
those characters, which contentions for --- Page 27 ---
power and the extention of territory, as
well as the jars of individual interest have
not infrequently introduced to astonish the
World.
Born a Slave, in which capacity he continued till the revolution, it is hostile to
received opinions to consider him in any other
light than as a fortunate Brigand ; but
chance has directed that the present writer
should be constrained to acknowlege-he
is wortby ofimitation sa a man-he excites
admiration as a governor- -and as a general,
he is yet unsubdued without the probability
of subjection! His regard for the unfortunate appears the love ofhuman kind; ; and,
dreaded by different nations, he is the foe
of none.- -To the English he is
by no
means inimical, and, in possession of
many
of the blessings of humanity, he courts the
acceptance of the world. --- Page 28 ---
He is a perfect black, at present about
fifty-five years ofage-of a venerable appearance, but possessed of uncommon discernment. Of great suavity of manners,
he was not at all concerned in the
perpetration of the massacres, or in the conflagration.
Heis stiled the General en Chef, and is
always attended by four Aids-de-Camp.
He wears as a uniform, a kind of blue
spencer, with a large red cape falling over
his shoulders, and red cuffs,with eight rows
of lace on his arms, and a pair of large
gold epaulettes thrown back : on - his
shoulders ; a scarlet waistcoat, pantaloons and half-boots ; a round hat with
a red feather and national cockade; and
an extreme large sword is suspended from
from his side. He receives a voluntary respect from ererydescription of his countrymen, which is more than returned by the
Aids-de-Camp.
He wears as a uniform, a kind of blue
spencer, with a large red cape falling over
his shoulders, and red cuffs,with eight rows
of lace on his arms, and a pair of large
gold epaulettes thrown back : on - his
shoulders ; a scarlet waistcoat, pantaloons and half-boots ; a round hat with
a red feather and national cockade; and
an extreme large sword is suspended from
from his side. He receives a voluntary respect from ererydescription of his countrymen, which is more than returned by the --- Page 29 ---
affability of his behaviour, andthe goodness
of his heart. Ofhis civilities to myself, I
have sufficient reason to be proud.
I met him frequently, during my stay
in his dominions, and had no occasion of
complaint, even from human errors.
After the vessel in which I arrived had
undergone a thurough repair, at the Cape,
we cleared out of the harbour, and I once
more set sail, flushed with hopes ofa specdy
arrival at St. Thomas's; butm Heav'n from all creatures hides the book of fate."
On the third day after we left the Cape,
our unfortunate vessel sprung a leak, and
we were obliged to put into Fort Dauphine,
now called Fort Egaiite, about forty miles
from the Cape.
In this situation, the master of the ves- --- Page 30 ---
sel, as well as myself,
apprehended no
danger or impropriety in in our
going on
shore; and, hoisting Danish
D
colours, we
came to anchor under a smali fort.
Iunthinkingly landed with the master, and in
less than half an hour was arrested
by four
Blacks, and a Mulatto Officer of
great
ferocity. They returned with me
on
instantly
board, and placed two centinels
over
me. I was informed that
suspicions had
arisen of my being a spy, and that
trial
would be prompt and decisive. my
On the
morrow I was to be tried and condemned,
Under these apprehensions I was to
the night, and to prepare for
pass
my appearance before certainly the blackest! tribunal
that ever sat in judgment. I, however,
confined my reflections to the best
means
ofd destroying my baggage, including my military appointments; which I happily effected by putting trunks and all out ofthe
cabin window in the dead of the
night, --- Page 31 ---
with a weight attached sufficient
them.
to sink
The silence of the night,
only by the murmurs of the interrupted
clamours of the guard, and the ocean-the
sounds from the shore, induced
distant
a stronger
degree of melancholy than I,
ever experienced, -A
perhaps;
confused idea of
my fate, with the shame rather than
terrors of an ignominious
the
death, revolving
in my mind, deprived me of the
of rest, or the smallest
possibility
preparation for the
event SO soon and SO harshly announced,
In the morning I was taken before
black géneral, named Muro,
a
whose appearance augured well, for he bore the
principal mythological characteristics
justice-he was blind
of
of an eye. He interrogated me, and insisted I was not
an
American, but an English spy reconnoitering the coast. He informed
me, that on
E --- Page 32 ---
the morrow I should be tried by a General
Court Martial-and dismissed me.
I was then conducted to a dark prison,
with the usual concomitants of wretchedness, and treated as one who meditated
some dire plot against the happiness of
their country. I had no bed, nor other
provision but some coarse dry fish which I
could not eat.
Next morning, at ten
o'clock, I was regularly brought before a
military court, composed of twelve general
officers.-All I could plead in my behalf
would not avail me, not baving the
proper
passports, or American certificates; in
fact, my trial was prompt and decisive-I was
condemned to suffer DEATH on the next
day! !
The master of the vessel,
poor Frazer,
with great diguity of character and the
most ailectionate solicitude, exerted the
utmost of his little power by protesting
I
could not eat.
Next morning, at ten
o'clock, I was regularly brought before a
military court, composed of twelve general
officers.-All I could plead in my behalf
would not avail me, not baving the
proper
passports, or American certificates; in
fact, my trial was prompt and decisive-I was
condemned to suffer DEATH on the next
day! !
The master of the vessel,
poor Frazer,
with great diguity of character and the
most ailectionate solicitude, exerted the
utmost of his little power by protesting --- Page 33 ---
against the judgment, and insisting I was
an American-bnt it was without effect,
and I was remarded to my cell, loaded
with chains, and consigned to miscry, till
the sentence of the Court should be transmitted to TOUSSAINT, without whose sanction it could not be executed.
For fourteen days. I lay suspended betwcen life and death, without any other
consolation than the kindness of my gaoler,
whose taciturmty extended to inform me,
every night, I should be hanged on the
next day. 1 To afford me repose, I was
furnished with dried sugar-canes, and was
ill supplied niglitly with coarse flesh and
water-the cheering delusions of hope no
longer lightened my imagination, and I
abandoned all human projects for ever.*
* Ic cannot omit here to pay the tribute of gratitude to a poor unknown Female of Colour, whose
pity, more extensive than her power, would have alE 2 --- Page 34 ---
At the expiration of that period,
the
answer of TOUSSAINT arrived;
but, instead of confirming
my sentence, that truly
great man, although I have since been
convinced he had ascertained
thefuct of my
leviated thc horrors of my situation, She
came OCcasionally in the night to the window of
which looked into a court to which she
my cell,
found access
by an avenue that was unguarded, She
food, and wine or spirits, the remains brought me
of which, to
prevent enquiry, she was'anxious should be
The humane
destroyed,
sympathy expressed by her in these nocturnal offerings-to misery, have repeatedly
brought to
my remembrance the eulogium of Lediard
ever prone to tender
on a sex
offices, In compliment to
humble benefactor I quote the
my
passage, and
subscribe to the sentiments:-
heartily
CE I have," says he, 66 always remarked
that
women, in all countries, arc civil, obliging,
and humane : that
tender,
they are ever inclined to be
and cheerful, timorous and modest;
gay
; and that
not hesitatc, like
they do
men, to perform a kind or generous
action.-- --Not Laughty, nor
arrogant, not
are
they
full of
supcrcilious,
courtesy, and fond of society---more --- Page 35 ---
being a British Officer, disdained to triumph over an individual whom misfortune
had thrown in his way. He ordered me
to be released and suffered to
proceed on
my voyage, with the greatest magnanimity
adding, 66 You must never return to this
island, woithout the proper passports"
liable in general to err than man, but in general, also,
more virtuous, and performing more good actions
than he. To a woman, whether civilized or
Ir never addressed myself in the language of savage,
decency
and friendship. without receiving a decent and
friendly answer---with man it has often been otherwise,
66 In wandering over the barren plains of inhospitable Denmark, through honest Sweden, and frozen
Lapland, rude and churlish Finland,
unprincipled
Russia, and the wide-spread regions of the wandering
Tartar if hungry, dry, cold, wet, or sick, the
women have cver been friendly to me, and
and
uniformly
s0;
to add to this virtue, (so worthy of the
pellation of
apbenevolence,) these actions have been
performed in SO free and SO kind a manner, that ifl
was thirsty, I drank the sweetest
draught, and if
hungry, Ia ate the coarse meal with a double relish."
ish Finland,
unprincipled
Russia, and the wide-spread regions of the wandering
Tartar if hungry, dry, cold, wet, or sick, the
women have cver been friendly to me, and
and
uniformly
s0;
to add to this virtue, (so worthy of the
pellation of
apbenevolence,) these actions have been
performed in SO free and SO kind a manner, that ifl
was thirsty, I drank the sweetest
draught, and if
hungry, Ia ate the coarse meal with a double relish." --- Page 36 ---
To describe my feelings on such an
Ullexpected reverse, would be difficult and
useless. Restored to myself once
I did not long remain
more,
on a part of the
island where my sufferings would have
tended to efface the agreeable
I had received at
impression
Cape François; but
chearfully bidding adieu to this interesting
soil, sailed for St. Thomas's on the next
day, and very soon reached
sired
my long dedestination, the island of Martinique.
On my arrival, I met with a reception
marked with the usual kindness and urbanity of the commander in chief, General
Cuyler, who ordered me the usual remuneration for the loss of my
I -
am
baggage,
also informed that I was honored with
a congratulatory letter from his Royal
Highness the Duke of York, which from
some unaccountable accident I did not receive, --- Page 37 ---
Much would remain to be said, were I
to obey a natural impulse; but the pen,
though often a deadly weapon, is one I
am but little accustomed to, I shall therefore lay it down, at least for the present,
with the confidence that if I have contributed but little advantage, I have effected
as little injury.
PINIS
Printed at the office of R. B. Scott, 27, Clements lane. --- Page 38 ---
D802.
76-213
RiSam
Ximenes
Mlcarel '76
DOTaIAR
- AMI
1A8
--- Page 39 --- --- Page 40 ---