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Rugh
A
PARTICULAR ACCOUNT
OF'THE
COMMENCEMENT AND PROGRESS
OF THE
N
I N S U R RECTIO
OF THE
N E G R 0 E: S
IN
ST. DOMINGO,
WHICH BEGAN IN AUGUST LAST.
Being a TRANSLATION of the SPEECH
MADE TO THE
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY,
THE 3d OF NOVEMBER, 1791,
BY THE
D E P U T I E S
FROM THE
GENERAL A SSEMBLY
OF THE FRENCHPART OF
ST. D' O M I N G O.
PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
M.DCC.XCI --- Page 4 --- --- Page 5 ---
A
PARTICULAR ACCOUNT
OF THE
COMMENCEMENT AND PROGRESS
OF THE
I N S U R RECTIO N
OF THE
N E G R O E S
IN
Sr. DOMINGO.
SIRS,
THE General Affembly of the French part of St. Domingo has appointed us a deputation to addrefs you.--
In that charadter, our firft duty is to affure you of the inviolable attachment of thisimportant partofthe empire to the
mother country, beforc we defcribe to you the terrible events
which are now working its deftruétion, and folicit the earlieft and moft effectual fuccour to fave, if it be yet pofible,
its wrctched remains.
Leng bave we foreleen the evils which afia US, and which
doubtlefs will end in our anninilation, if the national jultice
and power interpofe not fpeedily for our relicf.
A2
We --- Page 6 ---
[ 4 J
We come to laybefore you fome particulars which yet will
give but an imperfedt idea of our difafters and of our fituation.
The General Affembly of the French part of St. Domingo,
after having been conftituted at Leogane, had' appointed to
hold its feffions in the town of the Cape, The deputies weie
graduallyaf@embling there for the purpofes of their miflion.
Several of them arriving on the 16th (Auguft) at the
diftriét of Limbé, diftant fix leagues from the Cape, were
there witneffes of the burning of a trafh-houfe on Chabaud's
plantation.
The incendiary was a negro-driver of Defgrieux's plantation. Armed with a cutlafs, he fled; M. Chabaud fees, purfues, and overtakes, him ; they fight, the negro is wounded,
taken, and put in irons.
Beinginterrogated, he depofes, <thatall the drivers, coachmen, domeftics, and confidential negroes, of the neighbouring
plantations and adjacent difriats, have formed a plot to fet
fire. to the plantations and to murder all the whites." He
marks out, as ring-leaders, feveral negroes of his mafter's
plantation, four of Flaville's, (fituated at Acul, three leagues
from the Cape,) and the negro Paul, driver on Blin's plantasion at Limbé,
The municipality of Limbé procecds to M. Chabaud's,
and, on putting the fame queftions, receives the like anfwers
from the incendiary-nezro. The municipality prefents the
examination in form of a verbal procels to the Northern
Provincial Afembly; and, informing Flaville's attorney (or
manager) of the names of the confpirators that are about
him,
ille's, (fituated at Acul, three leagues
from the Cape,) and the negro Paul, driver on Blin's plantasion at Limbé,
The municipality of Limbé procecds to M. Chabaud's,
and, on putting the fame queftions, receives the like anfwers
from the incendiary-nezro. The municipality prefents the
examination in form of a verbal procels to the Northern
Provincial Afembly; and, informing Flaville's attorney (or
manager) of the names of the confpirators that are about
him, --- Page 7 ---
[ 5 1
advifes his fecuring and lodging them in the prifon of
him,
the Cape.
This man, of a mild and gentle difpofi:ion, inclined moré
to confidence than fufpicion, affernbles the negroes under his
command, and, communicating thei information he has received
from the municipality, tells them he cannot give credit ta
fo atrocicus, and offers them his head if they defire it.
a plot
that the depofition of DefWith one voice they anfwer,
driver is a deteftable calumny, and fwear an inviogrieux's
He had the weaknefs to
lable attachment to their manager.
believe them, and his credulity has been our ruin. The municipality of Limbé demands from M. Planteau, attorney of
Blin's plantation, that they may examine the negro Paul.
This flave, being interrogated, replies- that the accufation
brought againtt him is falfe and injurious; that, full of gratitude to his mafter, from whom he was daily experiencing
aêts of kindnefs, he would never be found concerned in
plots that might be framed againit the exiftence of the whites
and againft their property."
In return for this perfidious declaration, and under affurance
from M. Planteau that Paul deferved credit, he was releafed.
In this ftate, matters continued till the 21ft, when the
public force of Limbé, at the requifition of the municipality,
proceeded to Defgrieux's plantation to take into cuftody the
negro cook, accufed of being a ringleader ; the negro flies :
finds out the negro Paul of Blin's plantation, and, in conjunêtion with the other confpirators, they prepare fire and
fword, deftined for the completion of their horrible defigns.
In the night, between the 22d and 23d, twelve negroes
reach the fugar-houfe of NoE's plantation, at Acul, feize.
upon
requifition of the municipality,
proceeded to Defgrieux's plantation to take into cuftody the
negro cook, accufed of being a ringleader ; the negro flies :
finds out the negro Paul of Blin's plantation, and, in conjunêtion with the other confpirators, they prepare fire and
fword, deftined for the completion of their horrible defigns.
In the night, between the 22d and 23d, twelve negroes
reach the fugar-houfe of NoE's plantation, at Acul, feize.
upon --- Page 8 ---
[ 6 J
upon the apprentice refiner; drag hin before the great
houfe, where he expires under their wounds. His cries,
A
bring out the attorney of the eftate, who is laid breathlefs
on the ground by two mufket-balls. The wretches proceed
to the apartment of the head refiner, and affallinate him
in his bed, A young man, lying fick in a neighbouring
chamber, they leave for dead under the blows of their cutlaffes; yet hc has ftrength to crawl to the next plantation,
where he relates the horrors he has witnefed, and that the
furgeon only was fpared; an exception which was repeated in
refpect to the furgeons in general, ofwhofe abilities the
had reckoned they might ftand in need.
negroes
The plunderers proceed to Clement's plantation, and there
kill the proprictor and the refiner.
Day begins to break and favours the junétion of the ille
difpofed, who fpread over the plain with dreadful fhouts, fet,
fire to houfes and canes, and maflacre the inhabitants.
That fame night the revolt had broken out on the three
plantations of Galifet. * At one of which, the blacks, with
arms in their hands, make way into the chamber of the res
finer, with a defign to affaflinate him, but only wound him
in the arm ; favoured by the night, he efcapes, and runs to
the great houfe. The whites, who refide therc, unite for
their defence, M. Odeluc, a member of the General Affembly, and attorney for the concerns of Galifet, comes to the
Cape and gives information there of the infurredtion of his
negroes. Efcorted by the patrol, he reaches the plantation,
feizes the ring-leaders, and returns at their head to the town.
At the Cape, it was a proverbial mode ofe exprefling any man's
si Ma foi il eft heureux comme un negre de Galifet."a He is as happy happinefs- as one
ef Galifet's negrocs,"
Immediately
, a member of the General Affembly, and attorney for the concerns of Galifet, comes to the
Cape and gives information there of the infurredtion of his
negroes. Efcorted by the patrol, he reaches the plantation,
feizes the ring-leaders, and returns at their head to the town.
At the Cape, it was a proverbial mode ofe exprefling any man's
si Ma foi il eft heureux comme un negre de Galifet."a He is as happy happinefs- as one
ef Galifet's negrocs,"
Immediately --- Page 9 ---
[ 7 1
he fets out again, with twenty men in arms, that
Immedintely
and maintain order. But the
he may reftore tranquillity and attack him. Their, fandard was
negrocs are all united,
M. Odeluc, adthe body of a zubite child empaled upon afake. be
among
drelling himfelf to his coachman, whom perceived treated thee ever
exclaims- Wretch, I have
the foremoft,
doft thou feck my death ?7 < True,",
with kindnefs, why
to maffacre you :" and that
he replied, ( but I bave promifed
The
of
weapons are upon him.
majority
inftant a hundred
particularly M. Averoult, alfo a
the whites perifhed, yith him,
member of the General Affembly.
fame time Flaville's gang (that which had fo
At the very
the attorney) is armed, revolts, enrecently fworn fidelity to
and murders five of them
ters the apartments of the whites,
wife, on her
who refide on the plantation. The attorney's
begs the life ofher hufband. The inexorable negroes
knees,
and tell the wife that fhe and her
aflaffinate the hufband,
daughters are referved for their pleafures.
employed on the fame plantation,
M. Robert, a carpenter, who bind him between two planks,
is feized by the negrocs,
and faw him deliberately in two,
fixteen, wounded in two places, efcapes the
A youth, aged
and it is from him we learn thefe facts.
fury of the cannibals,
for the torch; fire is fet to the,
The fword then is exchanged
it is
and the buildings foon add to the conflagration;
canes,
revolt is the word ; and, with the fpeed of
the appointed fignal ;
plantations; 5
lightning, it burfts out on the neighbouring
viétims
wherever there are whites, there are fo many
the infant, and the aged, expire
flaughtered; men, women,
undiltinguilhed under the knife of the affaffins.
A çolonift
of the cannibals,
for the torch; fire is fet to the,
The fword then is exchanged
it is
and the buildings foon add to the conflagration;
canes,
revolt is the word ; and, with the fpeed of
the appointed fignal ;
plantations; 5
lightning, it burfts out on the neighbouring
viétims
wherever there are whites, there are fo many
the infant, and the aged, expire
flaughtered; men, women,
undiltinguilhed under the knife of the affaffins.
A çolonift --- Page 10 ---
[ 8 I
A colonift is murdered by the very negroe whom he had
moft diftinguifhed by adts of kindnefs. His wife, ftretched
upon his body, is forced to fatisfy the brutality of the
derer.
murM. Cagnet, inhabitant of Acul, fecking to efeape from
thefe horrors, embarks for the Cape. His domeftic
begs permiffion to attend him. Such a mark of attachment negro
determines his mafter to leave him as a guard
the
plantation, that he may endeavour to preferve it. upon But M.
Cagnet has hardly fct foot on-board when he fees that
with a torch in his hand, fetting fire to his
flave,
property.
Expreffes being fent to the Cape, armed citizens and troops
of the line are difpatched from
thence; they proceed towards the ftrongeft troop of the mutincers, and
of them ; but, finding the number of revolters deftroy a part
increafing in
centuple proportion to their loffes, and being unable to
their ground, they retreat in expeétation ofa reinforcement, keep
which arrived only in the night, headed by M, de Touzard,
who took the command of the little army.
M. de Touzard, perceiving that the revolters were rallying on Latour's plantation, marched thither. Their number
might be from three to four thoufand. The moment the artillery was ready to play to difperfe them, the negroes pretended
to furrender. M. de Touzard advanced ; many of them eXclaimed, that they would return to their duty. He trufted
to their repentance, and retired. Humanity and the interefts
of the colony enjoined his forbearance, but it was not
before he was undeceived; the
long
negroes feparated indeed,
but only that they might recruit their numbers with all the
neighbouring gangs. The army was returned into the town
to take new fteps for putting an end to the diforder. The
revolters
pretended
to furrender. M. de Touzard advanced ; many of them eXclaimed, that they would return to their duty. He trufted
to their repentance, and retired. Humanity and the interefts
of the colony enjoined his forbearance, but it was not
before he was undeceived; the
long
negroes feparated indeed,
but only that they might recruit their numbers with all the
neighbouring gangs. The army was returned into the town
to take new fteps for putting an end to the diforder. The
revolters --- Page 11 ---
[ 9 ]
this interval to fill up thc meafure of
revolters profited by
communications with the adjacent
Our
their depredations.
We were alarmed leit the difdiftriats became impeded.
fears were foon realifed.
order had reached them, and our
by fea, that Limbé,
We learnt, by means of perfons efcaped like horrors, and every
Plaijance, PortMargots were a prey to difcovered to us new
citizer, in detailing his misfortunes,
crimes.
inhabitant of Port Margot, had taught his
M. Potier,
write, He had given bim his linegro-driver* to read and
he had bequeathed him
berty, which the fellow enjoyed;
him ; he had alfo
livres, which were foon to be paid
the
10,000
mother a piece of land, on which
given to this negro's
monfter feduces the gang ofhis becultivated coffec, The
their poffeflions,
nefaétorand of his mother, burns and deftroys
for this action; a promotion to the generalcy.
and obtains,
M. Cardineau, had two natural
At Great River, ,aninhabitant,
their liberty, and who,
fons of colour, to whom he had given of his tendereft cares.
in their childhcod, had been the objects
and demand his
They accoft him with a piftol at his breaft,
obtained it
He confents ; but no fooner have they
money.
than they ftab him.
M. Chavuet du Breuil, deputy to the General
At Acul,
mulatto, aged fixteen, his naAfiembly, is affaffinated by a
manumitted
tural fon, to whom he deftined his fortune, having
him from his childhood.
father of two
At the Great Ravine of Limbes a colonift,
ring-leader
ladies, whites, is bound down by a favage,
young
a neg e trufted with the direétion
* The French' word is commandeur, fignifyings
ef a fmall party when at work.
B
Breuil, deputy to the General
At Acul,
mulatto, aged fixteen, his naAfiembly, is affaffinated by a
manumitted
tural fon, to whom he deftined his fortune, having
him from his childhood.
father of two
At the Great Ravine of Limbes a colonift,
ring-leader
ladies, whites, is bound down by a favage,
young
a neg e trufted with the direétion
* The French' word is commandeur, fignifyings
ef a fmall party when at work.
B --- Page 12 ---
L IG 3
of: a band, who. rayifhes the eldeft in his prefence, delivers the
younger, over to one of his fatellites.; their pafion fatisfied,
they flaughter both the father and the daughters.
M. and Mad. Baillon, with their fon-in-law and daughtcr,
encouraged by their negroes, remain on. their plantation; but
the depredations of thofe, whom they, have moft trufted, warn,
them that it is time to fiy. The nurfe of Mad. Baillon,. the,
younger, confefles to her that there is not an inftant to bc
loft, and offers to attend them. An old fervant
conduét their Reps. Luckily Mad. Baillon's narfe engages to
of Paul Blits one of the negro gencrais, and had was obtained wife.
from bim fome provifions for his mafter's family, : At her
intreaty, he had even promifed to provide, at a diftant
dier, a canoe tp. carry the fugitives to the Cape. But barqua- how
great their gricfat fecing R little fkiff, void of maft, qr
pr rowers! One. of them tries to embark in it; the oars,.
boat over-fets, and his life, with dificulty, is faved. Aimfy.
they apply to Paul and his wife reproaches him with Again, breakipg his promife. He replies, 4 that he only, provided this as.
a.pieferable. mode of death to that which the revolters had,
prepared for the unhappy family:" petrified, at this recital,
with terror! defpair gives them new ftrength;
fet off
on foot, and after performing a journey of five leagues they
'in twenty-one days, every day encompalled with
only,
theya arrived at Pert-Marget whencerhey reach the Cape, dangers,
Mean time the Alames gained ground on all fides.
Petite Anfe, la Plaine du Nordy the diftriét of Morin, Limo- La
wade, prefented only heaps of afkes and of dead bodies,
Nothing, one would think, could deepen the
this recital; ; and yet, Sirs, is it marked with features horrors of
a ftill more dreadful charaéter, when
fee
of
we
that the
faves,
day encompalled with
only,
theya arrived at Pert-Marget whencerhey reach the Cape, dangers,
Mean time the Alames gained ground on all fides.
Petite Anfe, la Plaine du Nordy the diftriét of Morin, Limo- La
wade, prefented only heaps of afkes and of dead bodies,
Nothing, one would think, could deepen the
this recital; ; and yet, Sirs, is it marked with features horrors of
a ftill more dreadful charaéter, when
fee
of
we
that the
faves, --- Page 13 ---
[ tI. 1
Which had been moft Kindly treated by their mafters,
naves,
It was they who betrayed
were thc foul of the Infurrection. mafters to the affaffin's fword';
and delivered thofe humane firred
to revolt the gangs
"it was they who féduced and
up
whomfoever
difpofed to fdclity. It was they who mafficred leffon for the
tefufed to become. their accomplice. What a
the
What a heart-breaking difcovery to
Amis des Noirs15
could fugget nothing
colonifts themfelves, to whom futurity
crime:i
motives of defpair, if, in the midft of fo many
but
been found flaves who gave proofs of an
there lad not yet
made manifelt their determination
invincible fidelitys and who
with
of
to détéft the feduations of thofe who would,
p.omifes is
enveigle them to certain deftruction: That liberty
liberty,
is' the
of théir mafters; the reward of their
theirs; but it
gift
the
of
attachment; and it has becn ratified by reprefentatives
the colony, amidft the tranfports ofuniverfal gratitude:
the narrative of our difaftérs. At this timej
We refume
were in rebellion; and all the
one hundred thoufand negroes
Northern
manufastories and plantations, of more than halfthe
The
province, appeared only as one general confagration:
and the mountains are filled with carnage and deluged
plains
ftupified with fear, kndw not
with blood. The colonifts, Alies for fafety to the woods ; is
where to feek refuge 5 one
another confides
there betrayed by his negroès and ftabbed ;
fteals in
in the promifes of his gang; a rebel ring-leader
the
rifes; and the proprietor is their
among them;
gang
vidtim.
Scattered over a fufface of land ; interf:ded by mountairis
the
inhabitants attem ot to rally and
and deep valleys;
Aying
they
to fell their lives dearly. The roads are obitruéted;
are taken and maflacred.
eftbe blacks, by which name is difinguithed, in France, the party
that have Orj friends fcconded the Englith projeét for abolithing the Slave-I Trade.
B 2
Thofe,
ifes; and the proprietor is their
among them;
gang
vidtim.
Scattered over a fufface of land ; interf:ded by mountairis
the
inhabitants attem ot to rally and
and deep valleys;
Aying
they
to fell their lives dearly. The roads are obitruéted;
are taken and maflacred.
eftbe blacks, by which name is difinguithed, in France, the party
that have Orj friends fcconded the Englith projeét for abolithing the Slave-I Trade.
B 2
Thofe, --- Page 14 ---
[:12 J
Thofe, who re-unite, oppofe but a feeble bulwark
the fwelling torrent; they are difperfed and
againft
piate in tortures their exertions for
taken; they exhorrible fcenes were
felf-prefervation. Thefe
acting at the gate of the town oft the
Terror and difimnay take poffeffion of
Cape.
the urgency of providing for their every mind; yet all feel
act in union, the citizens take fafety, They affemble,
arms, and the General
Affembly places the patriotic troops under the command of the
governor.
The town of the Cape had, with about three
men at the moft, to keep in check fifteen
thoufard
ready to follow the example of thofe
thoufand blacks
dijfpofed whites. The General
without, and many illtire night upon the means of Affembly deliberates one enmies. The refult
prefervation from internal enewas to adhere folely to a well-diredted
conftant watch over their conduét and their
and
The revolt had been too fudden and too well difpefitions,
leave a hope of
concerted to
ftopping or of alleviating its
town of the Cape (that fide next the fea ravages. The
defencelefs and incapable of
excepted) was
of feveral days and immenfe fortification, without a delay
be feared that the revolted
labour. It was extremely to
the town, and, favoured and negroes fhould pour down upon
make a
feconded by thofe within, fhould
gencral maflacre of the whole race of the
There remained therefore but one
whites.
take poffeflion of the defiles
refource; which was, to
upon the high
to the town ; to eftablifh a poft above the Cape, contiguous
the help of the aljoining
town, which, by
defend the road of la' Patite marfhes, might protcét it; and to
boats lafhed
Anfe by a battery of cannon and
together. This refolution was
executed ; thence-forwards the
adopted ard
palifade, by chevaux-de-fize, Cape, furrounded by a folid
andby confiderable
feel its fituation lefs alarming,
pofts, might
During
town ; to eftablifh a poft above the Cape, contiguous
the help of the aljoining
town, which, by
defend the road of la' Patite marfhes, might protcét it; and to
boats lafhed
Anfe by a battery of cannon and
together. This refolution was
executed ; thence-forwards the
adopted ard
palifade, by chevaux-de-fize, Cape, furrounded by a folid
andby confiderable
feel its fituation lefs alarming,
pofts, might
During --- Page 15 ---
[ 13 1
During this interval, not a minute was loft in
information
by fea,
to the parifhes which were conveyings
taminated, and in fuggefting to them the
yet unconto be taken. The inhabitants of thofe proper precautions
parifhes formed a
junation, and eftablifhed camps, more or lefs confiderable:
thefe were ftationed at Trouy Vallieres Great Rivers Moruet,
Dondon, la Marmelade, Port Margot, and other places in
danger, The revolters followed the fame plan; they ftationed
camps in all the diftriéts they had ravaged. Moreover,
forced the camp of the whites at Great River, and killed they
put to flight'all the inhabitants of that diftriét: the
or
at Dondon fhared the fame fate, after a conteft of feven camp
in which more than one hundred whites fell. The hours, few
unfortunate people, who cfcaped on that occafion, fought res
fuge among the Spaniards, but were repulfed.
M.M. Granal, Roynaud, and Lambert, inhabitants of
Great River and Dondon, reached, however, the houfe of
a Spanifh colonift, their intimate friend : this worthy
on one fide urged by. the ftrongeft feelings, on the other man,
fear of being burnt out by his countrymen, determined
by
the three Frenchmen locked up in his clofet, from to keep
he let them efcape at night, in the midft of deferts, and whence under
advantage of a ftorm.
Shall it be told you, that you may feel the
which the condust of our neighbours muft have indignation
excited, that
depofitions and the public report ftate, that feveral inhabitants
of Dondon, who took refuge among the Spaniards,
driven beyond the limits, and delivered
were
over to the rebel
negro chiefs, in confideration ofthree Jolannes's
of France) per head, and that
(132 livres
they were put to death,
The
the midft of deferts, and whence under
advantage of a ftorm.
Shall it be told you, that you may feel the
which the condust of our neighbours muft have indignation
excited, that
depofitions and the public report ftate, that feveral inhabitants
of Dondon, who took refuge among the Spaniards,
driven beyond the limits, and delivered
were
over to the rebel
negro chiefs, in confideration ofthree Jolannes's
of France) per head, and that
(132 livres
they were put to death,
The --- Page 16 ---
L - 14 1
The diftricts of Rocotty Maribarous, ke Terrier Rouge,
Garacole, Ouanaminihe, and fort Dauphin, forming
Jacquefs
of tthe Northern province, werc Atill unthe Eaftern part
injured; their defence was an object ofinftant necellity.
eftablifhed under the orders of M. .de Rouvrai;
A camp was
anfwered the purpofe for which it was
which completely of the continual efforts ofthe banditti.
formed, in ipite
tranfaftions were pading, the towr
While thefe alatming
the inhabitants of the
of the Cape was reforted to by
the
hills and plains, efeaping from the fword of
heighbouring It was then that M. Blanchelande thought it
affallins. to march out two fmall bodies 6f troops; which;
prudent M. de Rouvrai, attackcd and carricd, in fucceffion;
joined by
the
fituated on the plantations of
feveral camps of
revolters,
Chabanons la : Chevalleries Bullet, Dupiat, Charitte, Denorts
and Galifat; in éach of which many female wbite pris
Dagout,
at liberty. It is from them, Sirs, that wé
fomers were fet
the revolters had carried their bars
learnt to what an excèfs
barity.
already excited, could not endure the nats
Your fenfibility, fcenes which thefe women witneffed.
rative of thofe horrid
From the rebel prifoners; we difcoveréd that the different
ehiefs of thefe banditti are at bitter enmity with each otheri
troop forms a party, and thefe parties are always at
every
ready for mutual deftruétion: The authovariance; always
The chiefs
rity they have eflablifhed is abfolute defpotifm.
the
exercife unheard-of tyranny over thofe they command:
the lighteft fign of hefitation, is punithleaft difobedience,
that more negroes
ed with death ; and it is a noiorious truth,
have
that the different
ehiefs of thefe banditti are at bitter enmity with each otheri
troop forms a party, and thefe parties are always at
every
ready for mutual deftruétion: The authovariance; always
The chiefs
rity they have eflablifhed is abfolute defpotifm.
the
exercife unheard-of tyranny over thofe they command:
the lighteft fign of hefitation, is punithleaft difobedience,
that more negroes
ed with death ; and it is a noiorious truth,
have --- Page 17 ---
E ES D
been facrificed to: thein rage and fafpicion than wie.
havei been obliged. to deftroy for our defence, although way
have obtained qver: them feveral fignal advantages. Their:
have of.
even. on thofe who have voluntarily en-.
acts cruelty.fall
But. who will.not fhudderto hear in
gaged. inu the revolt.
thofe who determine: to remaini
ju what manner they punith
force and roaft
faithful to their mafters.-They feize them by
them at the next fre. Theyhave been.feen, witb thecruelty
cowards, placing in: the front: cf battle the azéd,. the inof and the. womensand, finding them unfit. for adtions
fants, making ufe of them to parry. our blows, Have. they,any.
wounded, and for want of furgeons cannot drefs their
wounds?-they confine them in a hut and fet fire to its In
fhori, take thisf for certain, if the fanguinary deligns of thefe.
uacivilized and ferocious: men, fhould be realized in refpeck
the whites; thould they: accomplifh. the extermination of
tq the: Europeans in the colonyg. foon would you. fee St. Domingo prefenting a pictute. of all the. atrocities of. Africaa
Subjected to the moft arbitrary mufters, diftraSted by the moft
cruel, wars, they would render their prifoners fubfervient
their.
and the. moderated favery, under which.
to
capricess
they: yare.held by, us, would be exchanged for a. flavery, aggravated by: all the refinements of barbarifm.
In the deplorable.fituation we have defcribed, M. Blanchelande, who aéted. in concert with: the. General Alliembly,
thought it right to propole a proclamation. which, might contribute,t to bring back the revolters, to their, duty. The General Affembly, compoled. of, planters. perfectly acquainted
with the character of the negrocs, reprefented to him the
danger of fucha proclamation, and pofitively refufed it their
fanction. The week. following, Mr. Blanchelande renewed.
his propofal, The fame motives diStated the fame refufal.
He perfiftedy and deteremined.toiliue it in his name alone, and
he
thought it right to propole a proclamation. which, might contribute,t to bring back the revolters, to their, duty. The General Affembly, compoled. of, planters. perfectly acquainted
with the character of the negrocs, reprefented to him the
danger of fucha proclamation, and pofitively refufed it their
fanction. The week. following, Mr. Blanchelande renewed.
his propofal, The fame motives diStated the fame refufal.
He perfiftedy and deteremined.toiliue it in his name alone, and
he --- Page 18 ---
[ 16 ]
he did it, becaufe helearned that the negroes wifhed to fubmit
themfelves. The proclamation was made and delivered by
twelve dragoons. What effect was produced by this meafure? Seven ofthem were aflaffinatedin the camp of the rebels, and the others faved themfelves only by encountering
the moft imminent dangers,
It would anfwer no end, Sirs, to defcribe to you all the
horrors to which our unfortunate fellow-citizens have been
Pofterity will be fhocked at fo many cruclties, come
a prey.
and liberty.
mitted in the names eFphibfephy
Yet have we only, in this relation, fketched to you fome
fcattered outlines cf the dreadful piéture of thofe evils, which
have vifited, probably fill vifit, a country, but lately fo peacer
fo Aourithing, fo valuable, to the French empire ! You
ful, better
a fummary of the lofles which the
will
judge by
colony had experienced at the period of our departure.
They reckoned, in the parithes of Plaifance, Port Margot,
Limbé, Marmeladé, Acul, la Plaine du Nord, la Petite Anfes
Sainte Sufannes Moka, Cotellettes, Great RiMorin, Limonade, and other diftridts, more than. two bundred
ver, Dondon,
indigo-works,
fugar-wrks, twelve bundred cofee-wworks, many
entirely burned down ; a great number ef potteries, difilleries,
confderable viliages, public magazines, an immenfe quanmany merchandife, bad Ibared the fame fate. By adding, to
tity of inaypreciable otjelis, all the infiruments ef bufbandry,
thef
besjeteli-furmiturés and /pecies borfess
utenfls for manufaglures,
idea
be
the enormusles, and other cattle ; jomse
may formed ef
which we value at upsvards of. jix hundred
mity of our loffes, The affitance of the nation, the exertions
millions of liures.
them :
of commerce, and our induftry, may, perhaps, repair
but what fball dry the tears that fow for more than one
thoufand
bufbandry,
thef
besjeteli-furmiturés and /pecies borfess
utenfls for manufaglures,
idea
be
the enormusles, and other cattle ; jomse
may formed ef
which we value at upsvards of. jix hundred
mity of our loffes, The affitance of the nation, the exertions
millions of liures.
them :
of commerce, and our induftry, may, perhaps, repair
but what fball dry the tears that fow for more than one
thoufand --- Page 19 ---
[ 17 ]
dead, the viStims of this crucl
thoufand of our fellow-citizens when we reflect, that fifteon
revolt. Can fenfibility bei mute, before order and tranquilthoufand negroes will be deftroyed
they fucceed in their
and that,fhould
lity be re-eflablithed, will become the tomb of fifty thouprojeéls, St. Domingo
- fand Frenchment
30 las
of the misfortunes of the
Hitherto. we have only (poken all. wec have to lament.
Northern parts. They are not
fire deftroyed
Blood was fpile in the Weftern province,;
Charbenthere; the gangs of Grandfnds,
feveral propertics
revolted: a
niere, and Fond Ferrier,
that diftriét
difcovered at Leogane, preferved
. A eon(piracys
as well as thofe of Archaies
from carnage and conflagration,
experienced fome
Des Vajes, and le Cul de Sac. Teremie exciters of the troubles
commotions, but a timelyarreft of the
faved that place from the imperiding evil.
: had alfo great caufe of'alarm. The
The Southern parts had, to the time of our departure,
precautions taken there
the population there is fo
maintained their tranquillitys yet
the
of timeafures etployed are more
proofs
thin, that the
inidity than the pledges of fecurity.
3:
fide the colony threatenThus, Sirs, you behold on every
to be faved from
ed, and if there be colonifts who are yet have to contend
dangers' conjoined, ftill wili they
fo many
with epidemical difeafes caufed by
with treachery and famine,
with difunburied carcafes in a burning climate,
fo many
the effects of fatigue, terror, and vexaorders more acute,
evil that nature engenders for
tion; in a word, with every What juft reafon have we not to
the deftruétion of mankind.
ruin that muft accelerate that
dread the ruin of the colony, a
of
C
s who are yet have to contend
dangers' conjoined, ftill wili they
fo many
with epidemical difeafes caufed by
with treachery and famine,
with difunburied carcafes in a burning climate,
fo many
the effects of fatigue, terror, and vexaorders more acute,
evil that nature engenders for
tion; in a word, with every What juft reafon have we not to
the deftruétion of mankind.
ruin that muft accelerate that
dread the ruin of the colony, a
of
C --- Page 20 ---
[118 1 J
of the mother-country! The deftruétion
will produce the
of our plantations
ftagnation of your manufaéturies,
bankrupeies will injure public credit,
fucceflive
be felt by the
and, even in Paris, will
moneyed man and the
moft of your provinces will check ctradefman, in the inthe decreafe of
in
the colleétion of taxes;
fhipping the fea-ports will
gary an innumerable body of
reduce to begwill cries of rage and
labourers and of feamen : then
defpair afcend from every
ing upon you for juftice
quarter, callcalamities ; and can
againft the authors of fo many
they be miftaken, by the
ning, by the cruel perfeverance, with
perfidious cunbeen
which they have fo
contriving a cataftrophe, now fo terribly
long
confpicuous !
We paffed our lives in tranguillity,
our flaves. A paternal
Sirsy in the midf of
paft, meliorated the condition government had, for many years
affirm, that millions of
of our negroes; and we dare
Europeans, attacked
fubjest to every mifery, pofeis fewer
by every want,
who have been
enjoyments than thofe
general, as.loaded reprefented to you, and to the world in
with chains, and'
death, > The fituation of the
perifhing by a dilatory
property, without political
negroes, in Africa, without
or: civil
a prey to the weak capricious
exiftence, continually
that vaft uncivilized
fury of tyrants, who divide
for a condition of country, is changed in our colonies
comfort and enjoyment,
prived of nothing ; for, liberty, which is
They are dethat has not yet proved fertile in
not theirs, isar plant
ever the fpirit of
their native foil; and, what-,
party may affert, whatever
may invent, well-informed men are not to
imagination
the negroes, in Africa, have the
be perfiaded that
The traveller, * who has moft
enjoyment of freedom.
almoft unknown of that
recently vifited a part hitherto
his long and interefting extenfive country, has given us, in
work, a hiftory only of blood and
Vide Bruce, ii. 216, iv. 459, &cc.
defolations
their native foil; and, what-,
party may affert, whatever
may invent, well-informed men are not to
imagination
the negroes, in Africa, have the
be perfiaded that
The traveller, * who has moft
enjoyment of freedom.
almoft unknown of that
recently vifited a part hitherto
his long and interefting extenfive country, has given us, in
work, a hiftory only of blood and
Vide Bruce, ii. 216, iv. 459, &cc.
defolations --- Page 21 ---
I c19 11
The men who inhabit Abyfmnias Nubias the Gallas
defolation.
from the coafts of the Indian ocean to the
and the Funge,
in
and barfrontiers of Egypt, feem to rival,
ferocity
very
and the tigers, which nature has there
barity, the hycenas with them, a title of honour and life 5
created. Slaveryis, climates, is a pofieflion ; unproteôted by
in thofe horrible held
at the. will of a fanguinary defpot.
any laws, and
only
of feeling and information, compare the deLet any man,
in Africa, with the mild and
plorable tate of the negrocs,
colonies let him fet afide
comfortable lot they enjoy in our
;
has been
declamation, the piétures which a falfe philofophy
far inore from a purfuit of popularity
pleafed to delineate,
vindication of humanity. Let him
than from zeal in the
before
recal the regulations which governed our. negroes
alienated, from us 5 provided againft every
they were feduced,
unknown in the greater
want, fupplied with accommodations, Secure in the enjoyment
part of the cottages of Europe.
and it was facredy)
of their properties, (for, they bad property
nurfed in times of ficknefs, with an expence and an attention
which
be fought in vain in the much-boafted hofpitals
may
refpeéted in the infirmities of old
of England. ProteÉted,
their families, and
ages at eafe, in refpect to their children, calculated according
their affeations ; fubjedted to a labour
individuals and
to the ftrength of each individual, becaufe fhould humaemployments were clafled; and intereft (even
of their
nity fail) enjoined an attention to the prefervation merited it imaffranchifed whenever they had
by
numbers 5
the
unfattered picture of the
portant fervices. Such was
juft
and this domeftic government
government of our negroes;
in the laft ten years, with
had been meliorated, particularly
in Europe.
of which you will find no example
an anxiety,
conneded the mafter and his flaves.
The fincereft attachment the midft of men that were beWe flept in fecurity in
çome
C 2
ined an attention to the prefervation merited it imaffranchifed whenever they had
by
numbers 5
the
unfattered picture of the
portant fervices. Such was
juft
and this domeftic government
government of our negroes;
in the laft ten years, with
had been meliorated, particularly
in Europe.
of which you will find no example
an anxiety,
conneded the mafter and his flaves.
The fincereft attachment the midft of men that were beWe flept in fecurity in
çome
C 2 --- Page 22 ---
t 20 J
and many of us had neither locks nor bars
come our children,
to their houfes.
to
that there did
Not, Sirs, that we would dilguife
you, of hard and
exift, among the planters, a very fmall number
mafters. But what was the lot of thefe bad men?
ferocious in their fame, detefted by men of character, outcafts
Blighted difcredited in their bufinefs, they lived in difgrace
of fociety,
and dicd in mifery and defpair. T heir names
and dithonour,
without indignation in the colony,
are never pronounced in which they are held ferves as a guide
and the eftimation unverfed in the management of their gangs,
to thofe, who, yet
of their tempers, into cxmight be. led, by the impetuofity
to
proved, by experience, to be as contrary
good
ceffes,
increalc of knowledge and humanity,
policy as they are, by
grown difreputable.
not to thofe who write romances to gain
Here wc appeal,
to acquire a momentary popua name as men of fenfibility,
foorr to be wrefted from them by general indignalarity,
thofe who have vifited, who know, the colonies,
tion, but to
have made is faithful, or if we
Let ther fayifthe recital we
have coloured it, to intereft you in our caufe.
Sirs, we pafled our lives in this ftate of
We repeat it,
and we returned to the mothertranquillity and happinefs,
the entire tribute
country, the proteétrefs of our propertjes,
the wealth
which was applied in adding to
of our produce, of her internal ftrength, and of her fupeof the metropolis,
riority in forcign commerce.
Meantime, Sirs, a fociety arifes in the bofom of France,
at a diftance the deftruétion 'and convulfions,
and prepares
Unobirulive and modelt in
to which we are now a prey:
alleviate tbe lot of
their outfet, they profefs- only a defire to
:
our
the proteétrefs of our propertjes,
the wealth
which was applied in adding to
of our produce, of her internal ftrength, and of her fupeof the metropolis,
riority in forcign commerce.
Meantime, Sirs, a fociety arifes in the bofom of France,
at a diftance the deftruétion 'and convulfions,
and prepares
Unobirulive and modelt in
to which we are now a prey:
alleviate tbe lot of
their outfet, they profefs- only a defire to
:
our --- Page 23 ---
[ 2I ]
but that alleviation, fo perfedted in the French
our flaves; refilt from means totally unknown to them,
inlands, muft
of oyr uncealing attention ; and fo
while they were objeéts
towards that end, that
entirely were they unfit to contribute
our flaves
they obliged us to abandon it, by exciting among
a fpirit of mutiny, and, among us, fufpicion.
meliorate
the lot of the flaves, and
In order to
gradually
there fhould certo increafe the number of the emancipated,
of their
folicitous attention to the fecurity
tainlybe a previous
fo wife would have had no weight
mafters. But, an expedient
commanded, that meafures
in the temple of renown. Vaniry
that we
of effcêt fhould be relinquifhed for declamations,
calabe furrounded with terror and alarm, and that
fhould
contrived which we have predi@ted fince the
mities fhould be
of the Amis des Noirs, and which have
earlieft proceedings
now recently been realifed.
foon this fociety requires an Abolition ef the Slaven
Very that is to fay, that the profits which may refult from
Trade;
Ahouldl be transferred to for-igners;
it tothe. French commerce
perfuade all the Eurofor,never will their romantic philofophy
that it is incumbent upon them to abandon
pean powers,
and to leave the natives of
the culture of their colonies,
rather than
Africa in prey to the barbarity of their tyrants
in
them elfewhere, and under more humane mafters,
gmploy
without them, muft remain uncul1
cultivating a foil, which,
are, to the nation
tivated, and whofe valuable produétions
them, a fertile fource of induftryand profperity.
who poffelfes
itfelf next with the Revolution in France, this
Combining
and unreafonable fyftem with
fociety conneats its extravagant conceived for its affranchifethe plan wnich the nation has
ardour of all Frenchmen
ment; and, profiting by the univerfal
in
fters,
gmploy
without them, muft remain uncul1
cultivating a foil, which,
are, to the nation
tivated, and whofe valuable produétions
them, a fertile fource of induftryand profperity.
who poffelfes
itfelf next with the Revolution in France, this
Combining
and unreafonable fyftem with
fociety conneats its extravagant conceived for its affranchifethe plan wnich the nation has
ardour of all Frenchmen
ment; and, profiting by the univerfal
in --- Page 24 ---
[ 22 J
In the caufe ofliberty, interefts them, from the rémembrance
of their fervitude, in its defign to put an end to that of the
negroés. Its blind enthufiala, or its perverfity, forgets, that
thiofe favage men are incapable of knowing liberty, or of enjoying it with moderation, and that the rafh lawy which fhould
deftroy their prejudices, would be; to them andto us, a fentence
of death.
From that timc, this fociety, or at leaft fome of its members, have given unbounded loofe to their enterprife : all
have feemed to themgood, fo they might tend to its
means
The open attack, the deep and fudied
dccomplihment, the bafeft and moft defpicable calumnies, have
inuendo,
to forward their defigns; ingenioully mixing
been practifed with audacity, the focicty at one time flatters us by
cunning
to fhake off the yoke of the French merchants,
an invitation
ofits
we will unite with it for obtaining
affuring us
fupportif
time, it arms the mercantile
a free commerce; at another
body againf us, affrming that wc have in view a difgraccful
a chimerical independence, and that, in our vabankruptey, would build
a power on a level with that of
nity, we
up
endeavoured to irritate the
France. Thus, after having
and the merchants againft each other, after having
planters
with thc interefts of the
offered us principles incompatible
wher, fpite ofitsi infidicus counfels, we have
mother-country,
ftill are we accufed, by the focietys
declined to adopt them,
of their invention, and they take hold of the declaration
of the Rights of Man. An immortal work, and beneficial to
enlightened men ; but inapplicable, and therefore dangerous,
regulations : they fend it with profufion into our coloto.our nies; the journals in their pay, or under their infuence, give
this declaration vent in the midft of our gangs 5 the writings of the Amis des Noirs openly announce, that the) freedom
if tbe Negrocs is praclained by the Declaration fRights.
The
etys
declined to adopt them,
of their invention, and they take hold of the declaration
of the Rights of Man. An immortal work, and beneficial to
enlightened men ; but inapplicable, and therefore dangerous,
regulations : they fend it with profufion into our coloto.our nies; the journals in their pay, or under their infuence, give
this declaration vent in the midft of our gangs 5 the writings of the Amis des Noirs openly announce, that the) freedom
if tbe Negrocs is praclained by the Declaration fRights.
The --- Page 25 ---
[ 23 1
decree of the 8th of March* fcemed calculated to
The
plots. But can the Amis des Noirs
check thefe defperate thofe
which they are bound
reverence any law but
oaths,by have formed to carry
together, and that vow which they law be favourable to
fre and fword into our houfes? If a
that law.
them, they adopt, they promulgate, they interpret, ity: without
they mifconftrue, difavows infult,
If contrary,
the authority on which it
Shame; they endeavour to degrade
is founded.
A -
and men enlightened enaugh rot to
The planters, merchants,
the objeéls ef
be the dupes ef their falfties, are indiferininately bave made themfelues the
their abufe. It is not enough that they
overlus a
and our peace, they affume
arbiters of our property
ourfelues, and Ariue
fypremacye efidifamations ; nor may we defend. torrent their low
their blows, without undergoing a
of
to parry
the public opiniows fhuting wpRrom
contumely. Thus, prejudicing undermine in lecurity the rock DyE
us the cbannels of defence, they
it withfuarensant
wbich our palfelfions are placeds they forrouydi
aur ruin muft followo !
found that they had vainly Alattered themfelves
When it was
National Aflembly the emanciwith obtaining from the
çontention
to introduce
pation cf the flaves, they attémpted
to take on itfelf the
among us, by perfuading that Aflembly We had required that
queftion of the People ef Calour.t this
wbich required
make the laws upon fubje8ts
we fhould ourfelves
in their application. We had
great delicacy and prudence thofe laws fhould be juft and hupledged ourfelves that
mane.
for the moft part, under control of
A decree, which left internal regulations,
the colonial legiflatures, colonies for the mixed race, partially defcended from
+ A general term in the
the blacks,
But,
uading that Aflembly We had required that
queftion of the People ef Calour.t this
wbich required
make the laws upon fubje8ts
we fhould ourfelves
in their application. We had
great delicacy and prudence thofe laws fhould be juft and hupledged ourfelves that
mane.
for the moft part, under control of
A decree, which left internal regulations,
the colonial legiflatures, colonies for the mixed race, partially defcended from
+ A general term in the
the blacks,
But, --- Page 26 ---
t2 1
But, that boon, which, granted by the white
have cternally cemented the ties of
planters, would
affeétion and
exifting between thefe low claffes of
benevolence
Amis des Noirs, as an offering
men, is prefented, by the
ing equitable
ofvanity, and a means of avoid.
ftipulations.
Other meafures are tried to gain their
leét together at Paris fome
point: they coltheir
people of colour ; they extoi
underftandings ; they invite them to unite
with that of the negroes. Thefe
their caufe
mingo, in the fort of delirium men pafs over to St Dothey communicate
occafioned by fuch doétrine;
to the flaves thofe hopes with
they have been
which
amufed; they are loaded with
books which
libels and
encourage the men of colour and the
a general
flaves to
Infurredtion, to a mallacre of the whites,
Ogéis the firft viétim of this fatal error
thers, mifled by him,
; one of his brobed
declares, the gth of March, in his deathteftimony, that, had not the fwelling of the
ed the jundtion of the
rivers preventconfpirators, eleven thoufand rebel
negroes were ready to pour dowa upon the
as the menth of
and
Capc fo early
February,
to caufc the
took place only the 23d of
devaftation which
leaders,
Auguft, He names the ringgives particulars of the confpiracy, and offers
It is the voice of his confcience which
proof.
moment, the laft that remained
fpeaks our at that
to him for
truth.
difcovering the
In the midft of this fermentation, in this
rium, while the whites were
general deliand while the
agitated by diftruft and terror,
fatal
negroes wereindulging themfelves in a thouland
dreams, was the difeuffion of the Decree of the
May agitated among' you. A fhoal of
15th
and fublequent, have been difleminated writings, previous
among our gangs.
There
.
moment, the laft that remained
fpeaks our at that
to him for
truth.
difcovering the
In the midft of this fermentation, in this
rium, while the whites were
general deliand while the
agitated by diftruft and terror,
fatal
negroes wereindulging themfelves in a thouland
dreams, was the difeuffion of the Decree of the
May agitated among' you. A fhoal of
15th
and fublequent, have been difleminated writings, previous
among our gangs.
There --- Page 27 ---
[25 ]
There have been read, and commented upon, thole terrible
words ! thofe words, the fignal of blood and'confiagration!
PERISH THE COLONIES !
It was then that a Letter of a Minifter of the Gofpel of
addrefied to his brethren the Men of Colour, anPeace,
that Joon pbould the fu fhine gn none
nounced to our flaves,
but freemen !
Could the Negroes, - attacked by fo many temptations,
fo
manceuvres, 1 excited by. libels,
- worked upon by many
in their huts,
written in characters ofblood, read at evenings
in the midft of affemblies of their chiefs, by men breathing
diforder and pillage : Could they long refift the vertigo
only
were fricken ? i The memory of the kindwith which they mafters is erafed from their minds ; a defire of
nefs of their
themfelves the inftruments
noveltyi is all they fecl; theyrender
deeply malevolent, who have greedily feized,
of fome men,
in the writings of the Amis des Noirs and in the interpretation
of decrees, fuch arms as were beft fuited to lead the way to
infurrection.
Is our mealure of misfortune fufficiently full, that we may
hope atlaft to have the truth no more difguifed? Have we a
valid claim to the retribution of the Laws, without waiting
thofe proofs, which muft refult from the Proceedings now on
and which will be tranfmitted to us ?
foot at St. Domingo,
- -
The fatal influence of the authors of fo many calamities,
by the whole of their tranfis it not already evidently proved
actions and by their criminal wricings ? Can it be doubted, at
this time, that our ruin is their work ? And thall France Aill
reftrain the cry ofindignation, due to the guilt of our encmies 1
Flattered
to the retribution of the Laws, without waiting
thofe proofs, which muft refult from the Proceedings now on
and which will be tranfmitted to us ?
foot at St. Domingo,
- -
The fatal influence of the authors of fo many calamities,
by the whole of their tranfis it not already evidently proved
actions and by their criminal wricings ? Can it be doubted, at
this time, that our ruin is their work ? And thall France Aill
reftrain the cry ofindignation, due to the guilt of our encmies 1
Flattered --- Page 28 ---
[ 26 1
Flatfered with hopes that misfortunes like
confolation in the bolom of the
ours would find
our arrival in the Capital, where mother-country, - that, ori
pity, the hearts of our
we have at leaft a claim to
complaints,-wel find ourfelves fellow-citizens would be open to our
who have made
of
preceded by calumny! Thofe,
koned upon being light our properties and our blood, recendeavoured
objedts of our bitter reproaches, and
to anticipate them. Skilled in thearts
have
tion, which are habitual to them, after
ofdefamavictims of their
having rendered us the
machinations, it'r remained to caft
us
reproach and the fhame. With
upon the
their difregard for
a cruelty, equalled only by
to report, that probability; they have dared to invent and
our Conftituents were
ver's of their own afflictions;
themfelves the contrithe abfurd and barbarous
they have dared to affirm, that
volution
projedt of cffeding a
was the objedt, to which they had Counter-Re:
properties, their families, their lives!
facrificed their
fay, that we wilhed to offer ourfelves They have dared te
to Great-Britain!
Inreturn, we will afk of you, Sirs, with the
Freemen and of French Citizens,
boldnefs of
Frenchmen and
(for, after all, we too are
Citizens,) we will afk of you, whéther
permitted to any fet ofr men, ofany nation
it be
fult, with fuch audacity, thofe whom
upon earth, to inthey have injured!
What ! We place fire and fword in the hands of
groes I We light the torch that has
our NeWea fharpen the daggers that have deftroyed our plantations !
our friends ! We
affaffinated our brethren and
males have been the prompt the brutal pafions of which our fei
try the volcano which haplefs vidtims ! We kindle in our couni
which
has already covered it with
perhaps will reduce it to nothing !
afhes, and
Thefe
, thofe whom
upon earth, to inthey have injured!
What ! We place fire and fword in the hands of
groes I We light the torch that has
our NeWea fharpen the daggers that have deftroyed our plantations !
our friends ! We
affaffinated our brethren and
males have been the prompt the brutal pafions of which our fei
try the volcano which haplefs vidtims ! We kindle in our couni
which
has already covered it with
perhaps will reduce it to nothing !
afhes, and
Thefe --- Page 29 ---
L r 27 1
Thefe Defolators, calling themfelves Patriots, accufe us of
having plotted a Counter-Revclution. They are then unin-.
formed, that, from the earlieft days ofthe Revolution, it has
had our veneration ; and that, as being more expofed under a
defpotic government to oppreffion, we have with greater ardour fprung towards liberty. Our moft recent tranfacions
teftify in our favour. Isit the aêt of a Counter-Rerolutionif
to have declared, in conftituting our Affembly, that & WP
rvould protelt, with all the power of the law and of public, cpinions the recovery ef the debts due to the Mather-Couentry;? Is
it the act of a Counter-Revolutionif to have there recorded,
that to the National Alembly belongs thbe right of inflituting otgr
political and comnercia! regulations?
Isit the act of a Counter-Rerolutionit to have written to
the Reprefentatives of the Nation, while the grave was opening beneath our feet, tbat our laffigh and our lafvow Moould
be for our Cauntry?
Had we been Counter-Revolutionilsy is it to the National
Affembly we fhould have addrefled fuch fentiments ?
It is afferted, it'is printed and publifhed, that we wifhed
to offer ourfelves to Great Britain 1 Our replyto this falfity
is very fimple, itis written in every page of our Verbal Proçefs. There we have manifefted our principles, and, we can
fafely affirm, the full performance of our duty,
But we will go yet farther : permit us to ftate a cafe, juftified by the fituation, fingular in the Records of Hiftory in
which we are placed,
D 2
At
is afferted, it'is printed and publifhed, that we wifhed
to offer ourfelves to Great Britain 1 Our replyto this falfity
is very fimple, itis written in every page of our Verbal Proçefs. There we have manifefted our principles, and, we can
fafely affirm, the full performance of our duty,
But we will go yet farther : permit us to ftate a cafe, juftified by the fituation, fingular in the Records of Hiftory in
which we are placed,
D 2
At --- Page 30 ---
[ 28 ]
Atthe moment of the Infurredtion breaking out, all the
inhabitants ofthe town ofthe Cape were anxious to difcover
the caufe of an event fo horrible.
had ptinted the Decrees of the r3th and rsth
AJournalif laft, with the Speech of M. Monneron, Deputy of
of May France. The firft depofitions ftate, that thefe pathe Ifle of
were
with all thofe of the pretended philanthropifts,
pers,
commented
by a- Mulatto upon Normand's
read and
upon,
plantation, in the nocturnal affemblies where the Negro-driwho are now the ringleaders of the rebels. We.
vers met,
of the Cape was to be included in the
learn that the town
within that town thofe were lurking
conflagration, and that
who were to fet it on fire and maffacre all its inhabitants.
Immediatcly a cry of rage and defpair arifes on all fides.
France itfelf, are accufed of this
The philanthropifts,
on
dreadful plot: diftraction and fury are impreffed
every
çountenance ; every heart isi in agitation; every thing fpeaks
a
confufion. Already the report
a horrible butchery, general
and Mulattos receive their
of mufquets is heard ! Negroes
Some
contents at the very door of the National Affembly.
fome loudly call for the proteétion of
take a white cockade,
cockade. Thofe words, The
the Englifh, fome take a black
from the Hall which
Nations the Law, andthe King, difappear
for the General Affembly; a hand, bewildered
was preparing
Exclamations are heard, that the
by rage, obliterates them.
fword, to the torch of inNation yields us to the murderer's
cendiaries ! that, in fhort, fhe has delivered us over to every
to be the laft of the Colohuman crime in one day, believed
Furious voices blafpheme againft a Country, to whom
ny!
- but their
they are indebted - not for their protedtion
death. !
In
the King, difappear
for the General Affembly; a hand, bewildered
was preparing
Exclamations are heard, that the
by rage, obliterates them.
fword, to the torch of inNation yields us to the murderer's
cendiaries ! that, in fhort, fhe has delivered us over to every
to be the laft of the Colohuman crime in one day, believed
Furious voices blafpheme againft a Country, to whom
ny!
- but their
they are indebted - not for their protedtion
death. !
In --- Page 31 ---
[ 29 ]
midft ofthis delirium, of which no power could reIn the
the General Affembly is yet attentive
prefs the firft explofion,
The moments are precious. A
to meafures of fecurity,
under pain of death, any
Proclamation is iffued, forbidding,
make
another's life. Four of the Members
one to take away
Thefe Commiffioners
it public even whilft it was writing,
place, mobs,
it from place to place, and meet, in every
carry
infults; but they fucceed in' faving the
and fhouts, and even
would bavebeen maflacred ;
Mulattos, who, being accufed,
fufpend the fury of the
and their care and their intreaties
pcoplc.
The General Affembly is acA new alarm is fuggeited.
of the People of Colour,
cufed of participating in the crime
unabated. The
and is threatened. Its courage remains
defence,
Mulattos offer to arm themfelves for the common
The
their wives and children.
and to leave as hoftages
uniting them with the
Affembly ventures to arm them, and,
into defoldiers of the regiment of the Cape, thus converts
fenders thofe who were nearly facrificed as enemies.
which betokened a fubverfion of all
At this violent crifis,
fo calculated to
things; if, giving way to impreffions
like thofe
infpire terror, we had experienced its effeSts; if,
and who threatened us at that moment, we
who furrounded
other
than as the caufe
had regarded our countryin no
light
to
of our misfortunes ; if we had called in a foreign power
the Colonifts from their butchers, to fave their profnatch
the very credit of the Metropolis: 1
perties, to preferve
who would have
Where is that man, having a confcience,
dared to condemn us ? 1 Yet were we Aill Frenchmen! -
And Thall
after this, be reduced to the abject neceflity of
we, ourfelves from the reproach ofl having aimed at injuftifying
examine all our acts: if there be a
dependence? Let them
fingle
called in a foreign power
the Colonifts from their butchers, to fave their profnatch
the very credit of the Metropolis: 1
perties, to preferve
who would have
Where is that man, having a confcience,
dared to condemn us ? 1 Yet were we Aill Frenchmen! -
And Thall
after this, be reduced to the abject neceflity of
we, ourfelves from the reproach ofl having aimed at injuftifying
examine all our acts: if there be a
dependence? Let them
fingle --- Page 32 ---
3 30 1
one that tends to loofe us from thofe indiffoluble tics
fingle
to the
our heads are here to fufwhich attach us
empire;
We know that fome
fer tbe punifhment due to fuch perfidy.
becaufe
cf fhips, whofe vanity has been wounded
captains
made public, have been ready to join
their inhumanity was
but the
of dethe Amis des Noirs in finding us guilty,
groans and for their
jeêted Commerce, feeling for our calamities
fhould
Thall teach them, their'error; and that,
confequences,
their çalumnies, they
they fucceed in rendering us odjous by
will themfelves have, ere long, to lament their fuccels.
True, we have afked, we glory in having afked, (for, it
the
of ien invefted with a truft by their fellow-citiwas
duty
from all who furrounded us!. That affifzens,) affiftance
in concert with the Govenor-General,
tance we implored
and fince, without
and therefore as Frenchmen and as men;
different
diftinction, we applied, at the fame time, to three
have
proved that our intreaties, the
nations, we
fufficiently
inimical to
diétates of misfortune, could conceal no projeét
Who, indeed, will dare accufe us far
the Mother-Countryof Jamaica, fince the
having had recourfe to the Englith
and of
National Affembly (then informed of our çalamities
by imperfeét reports) thought fit, of itfelfs
our dangers only
the national gratitude to that generous Pcople?
to exprefs
had we called in the Englith not to lend us
But even, Sirs,
whom
the guilt to be
affiftance but to govern us, to
ought
that deimputed? Place, for a moment, in our fituation,
moft
of the kingdom which you believe to be the
partment the moft proud of the appellation ofFrenchmen: 1
patriotic, the fowers of fedition had Rirred up, in its bofom,
fuppole
miters-banditiagsint poffeffors of properfervants againft hundred times theyh had indited them-with no retys-- that a
far from receiving fuccour
turn but contempt; - that, fo
from
govern us, to
ought
that deimputed? Place, for a moment, in our fituation,
moft
of the kingdom which you believe to be the
partment the moft proud of the appellation ofFrenchmen: 1
patriotic, the fowers of fedition had Rirred up, in its bofom,
fuppole
miters-banditiagsint poffeffors of properfervants againft hundred times theyh had indited them-with no retys-- that a
far from receiving fuccour
turn but contempt; - that, fo
from --- Page 33 ---
- 31 J
from the Mothier-Cointry, all that iffued from its bofom
feemed to teem with the feeds of revolt; - that already the
houfes and properties of a multitude of citizens had falleri a
prey to the difturbances ; - - that they had feen the moft abominable murders committed under their eyes 5 1 that they
were hopelefs of protedtion;-if at fuch a time, fo deftitute
and abandoned, thefe haplefs citizens fhould
haveindulged an
idea of forming new Connections and of imploring the affiftance of another Country;-To whom think you, Sirs, ought
the reproach to be made ? To wretches, bewildered by des
fpair? or to the mifcreants, who took pleafure in wearing
out their patience, and in bréaking afunder the deareft and
moft facred ties by an excels ofmifery?
iVe know our duty, Sirs, and we love it; but we know tos
and boldly claim our rights. We dedicate, to the prefperity
the Matber-Country, the entire produce ef our labours. She of
ewes us proteélion ageisfforcigafaree ; Iie owes us the fecurity
ff our properties and peace againf the plots ofthe turbulent.
Itis now proved that theinfluence oft the Amis des Noirs is
fatal to the Colonies. Let them weave what fophifins
they
pleafc, they cannot hide the evidence of our calamities.
There is not an unprejudiced man exifting who can doubt,
that their labours, their declamations, their writings, their
infamous emiffaries, have been the active, perfevering, caufe,
which, for two years paft, has paved the way for our ruing
and which at length has fucceeded,
France owes us proteétion ; but her ftrength will be infufficient to give us confidence, while ihe fuffers the contri-"
vers ofour revolts and maflacres to lurk in her bofom.
She
ities.
There is not an unprejudiced man exifting who can doubt,
that their labours, their declamations, their writings, their
infamous emiffaries, have been the active, perfevering, caufe,
which, for two years paft, has paved the way for our ruing
and which at length has fucceeded,
France owes us proteétion ; but her ftrength will be infufficient to give us confidence, while ihe fuffers the contri-"
vers ofour revolts and maflacres to lurk in her bofom.
She --- Page 34 ---
[ 32 I
but in vain would fhe render it
She owes us prote@ion;
to remain unpunifhed ; thaty
effective, if fuch attempts are
ferves only to give them
which fhould difgrace our enemies,
freth encouragement.
but to what endl her fleets and het
She owes us protedtion; 5
fhould inceffantarmies, if fhe permit that feditious writings trouble ! if fhe perly fcatter in our houfes the fceds of every
! and if
fhould be
down with humiliations
mit that we
preffed and with blood become, in the
to encompafs us with murder
oarfelves, the road
of the Country to whom we facrifice
eyes
and to fame L
to glory
the warmth of our language. So many caForgive, Sirs,
to fpeak out. Grief, bitter
lamities have given us a claim hundred times have we foretold
grief, is at our hearts! A vi@tims-- a hundred times have
the evils of which we are the
on the hateful manceuvres
we imprecated the public vengeance under. the mafk ofl huof thofe men who convulfe our country Oh may the dreadfui
have gained no redrefs!
the piéture;
manity:-Wel of which we have fketched to you
cataftrophe,
and preferve, from like calamiferve as a leffon for futurity,
to whofe lot they have not
ties, thofe of. our Fellow-Citizens
yet fallen!
the authors of our dif
in punifhing
It is to your flcadinefs,
efforts; that the Weftern and
afters and in checking their new for their fecurity.
Southern Provinces have to look
Province its loffes are irreparable.
As for the Northern
reftoration of its induftry reImmenfe capitals are funk; the
the merchants and proquires fuch an advance of funds as We fpeak not to you of
prietors cannot wholly accomplifh. Sirs, what, on your part,
individuals, but you will examine,
is --- Page 35 ---
[ 33 J
is required by the intereft of the colony and that of the nation.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF FRANCE, you
have heard a recital of the greateft calamity that has vifited
the human race in the courfe of the eighteenth century.
You have heard the complaint of the firft colony in the
world, neceifary to the exiftence of that nation whofe concerns are placed in your hands. That Colony wifhes to intereft you only by its feelings and its fufferings !
It demands, from you, JUSTICE, SAFETY,.Succoua!
Signed, J. B. MILLET.
COUGNACQ MION.
SAINTE-JAMES.
CHENEAU DE LA MEGRIERE,
LA-GOURGUE.
LE BUCQUET.
E
REPLY --- Page 36 ---
- 34 J
REPLY of the PRESIDENT
TO love our Country is a fource ofheart-felt fatisfaation !
Toferve it in time of diftrefs is the firftof civic virtues, and
is yours ! The calamities of the Colony are dreadful ! The
National Affembly views them with horror, with indignation, with grief! You afk its JUSTICE; that is due from it
to all the citizens of the Empire. Its PROTECTION; thatis
due to your courage, your patriotifm, your misfortunes !
Its SucCOUR; that it'is already occupied in providing. It
will give your Application its moft ferious attention, and invites you to the honours of the Sefion.
REPLY
diftrefs is the firftof civic virtues, and
is yours ! The calamities of the Colony are dreadful ! The
National Affembly views them with horror, with indignation, with grief! You afk its JUSTICE; that is due from it
to all the citizens of the Empire. Its PROTECTION; thatis
due to your courage, your patriotifm, your misfortunes !
Its SucCOUR; that it'is already occupied in providing. It
will give your Application its moft ferious attention, and invites you to the honours of the Sefion.
REPLY --- Page 37 ---
35 J
REPLY OF THE DEPUTIES OF ST. DOMINGO
TO THE CHARGES OF M. BRISSOT.
Aadrefeds on the 5th of Deceniber, to the Pre/ident of the
National Alembly.*
MR. PRESIDENT,
AT the bar of the National Affembly we have pointed out
the Society of the Amis des Noirs as the Inftigators of the
Troubles in St. Domingo. No candid and well-informed
man can doubt the fact. Yet M. Brifit, one of the members of that Society, which has been incellantly bulied in the
ruin of the Colonies, dares accufe us of having ourfelves
excited the Infurreation of our flaves that we might call in a
foreign power to our aid and protection ; and, as if the
Treafon exiftedand was proved, he two days ago moved, that
the General Affembly of St. Domingo fhould be impeached
before the Supreme National Court. Incumbered by the
weight of thofe evils which he has brought upon his country,
he feeks to direét the public attention from himfelf; he would
intereft the Reprefentatiyes of the Nation in his perfonal defence ; hel hopes to millead the juftice of the National Affembly, that he may fhelter himfelf from its decrees. We challenge hims Mr. Prefident, to exbibit hisproofs. Weintreat the
National Alembly to require tbem. And, as for u5, intrufted
by a great Colony with the duty ef prefecuting its vengeance, we
willbring forward, upon the queftion, fuch an accumulation of
evidence
This Letter was, onthe morning of the sth of December, delivered by two of
the Deputies to the Prefident; the Sceretary, who had his orders to lay it before
phe Affembly, thought proper todeferitsreading to the nest day, --- Page 38 ---
S 137
E36: J.
evidence as fsall leave neitber to the public opinion nor to the femtencesf the law any room to hefitate in difinguifbing the guilty.
34-47
We are, refpedlfully,
Mr. PRESIDENT,
Your, &c.
Signed, J. B. MILLET. -
COUGNACQ MION.
SAINTE-JAMES.
CHENAU DE LA MEGRIERE.
LA-GOURGUE,
LE BUCQUET.
THE END. --- Page 39 --- --- Page 40 ---