--- Page 1 --- POLITICAL REMARKS ON SOME FRENCH WORKS AND NEWSPAPERS, CONCERNING HAYTI. BY THE BARON DE VASTEY, SECRETARY TO THE KING, KNIGIIT OF THE ROYAL AND MILITARY ORDER OF ST. HENRY, PRECEPTOR TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS TIIE PRINCE EOYAL OF HAYTI, &c. Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes. AT-SANS-SOUCI, FROM THE KING'S PRINTING-OFFICE, 1817, THE 14TH. OF INDEPENDENCE. Translated eaclusicely for the Pamphlcteer. LONDO N: 1 - 1818. --- Page 2 --- GPJCL TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE VICTOR HENRY, PRINCE ROYAL, OR CROWN PRINCE OF HAYTI, GRAND CROSS OF THE ROYAL AND MILITARY ORDER OF SAINT HENRY, COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMIES OF HAYTI, gc.Sc. 8yc. SIR, Waesi I took the liberty of dedicating this work to YoUR RoyAL HIGHNESS, I considered, that political remarks, written with a view to promote the happiness, renown and prosperity solely of the people of Hayti, on principles that tend to secure the freedom and independence of the state, could not fail of safety, acceptable and in a peculiar degree interesting to YoUR becoming ROYAL HIGHNESS. In submitting to the inspection of YoUR ROYAL a picture of the injustice, crimes, and oppressive measures HIGHNESS of the French, and exposing the perfidious subtlety of these Greeks of modern times, I was aware I should open wounds and deeply affect your sensibility. But I have your been urged afresh, reluctantly, by a stronger and more powerful motive, to awaken painful recollections. It has been an object with me, on the one to guard my country from the artifices which a cruel, hand, and insidious enemy, had it yet in his power to practise; unrelenting on the other, to breathe into the hearts of the people of the sacred fire of freedom, independence, and immortal hatred Hayti, of the French. --- Page 3 --- s] Dedication. Thei instances of zeal, patriotism and love, discovered by YoUR ROYAL HIGHNESS in behalf of your native country, are weli known to us: as you advanced in age, they became habitually rooted and more firmly fixed. YoUR ROYAL HIGHNESS will be able ere long, to assist your great and illustrious Father in his councils, and will endeavour to tread in his footsteps. Deign, Sir, to regard, with a favorable eye, my feeble essays 5 and accept the dedication of them, as a public testimony of the profound respect which I entertain for you. I shall ever continue, during life, with inviolable attachment and veneration, Sir, YoUR RoyAL HIGHNESS's most obedient humble and devoted Servant, BARON DE VASTEY. fixed. YoUR ROYAL HIGHNESS will be able ere long, to assist your great and illustrious Father in his councils, and will endeavour to tread in his footsteps. Deign, Sir, to regard, with a favorable eye, my feeble essays 5 and accept the dedication of them, as a public testimony of the profound respect which I entertain for you. I shall ever continue, during life, with inviolable attachment and veneration, Sir, YoUR RoyAL HIGHNESS's most obedient humble and devoted Servant, BARON DE VASTEY. --- Page 4 --- INTRODUCTION. Te following Remarks have been occasioned the some French works and by perusal of particularly Hayti. newspaper criticisms on America,and more < They consist of two vols. 8vo. intitled Reflections 072 the Colonies, and present Revolution in by M. De Pradt, Ex-archbishop of Malines, with America, vol. written by the same, 66 On the three last Months together a third >7 There is,in addition, a vol. of America." e A nero System 9f single to which the title prefixed is, Company, to re-establish Culonisationfor St. Domingo, ofa Commercial island: preceded an intercourse between France and that vernment ty some general considerations on the Colonial GoBoigne, Ordonator of Europeans in the troo Indies : ty M. Le Borgne de Ez-envoy 9f wwar, Knight %f thel Royal Ordero ofSt. of France to St. Domingo, Lewis, Colony." Es-dejuty-iegislator of that We due quote with commendation the works ofM. de Pradt, of every local allowance for error, which must be ascribed to the making want been information, or to the difficult situation in which he has covered placed. In the pages of that celebrated writer are to be a comprehensive and profound knowledge of disportant and useful truths, and real of things, imworld. We shall reply to him feelings benevolenceto all the Such praise cannot, we distinctly. to say, be bestowed on the brations, or rather visions PSE M. de de JucuSystem 9f Colonisation for St. Borgne Boigne : his New offsprins of weak intellects; Domingo, is an idle chimera, the more unfounded or ridiculous. ; than which nothing can be conceived betray the same want of The French, when speakingof us, Journal des D:lats, of the 26th. judgment : an article inserted in the an echo and of July, is in substance little else but Domingo. M. panegyric de the New System of Culonisation.for St. Pradt, after censuring in terms of severity the Borgne Boigne : his New offsprins of weak intellects; Domingo, is an idle chimera, the more unfounded or ridiculous. ; than which nothing can be conceived betray the same want of The French, when speakingof us, Journal des D:lats, of the 26th. judgment : an article inserted in the an echo and of July, is in substance little else but Domingo. M. panegyric de the New System of Culonisation.for St. Pradt, after censuring in terms of severity the --- Page 5 --- 5] Introduction. Messieurs personalities of that newspaper, informs us that the editors of it are fore Fiévée, Felletz, and Hoffmann. It will be to apply our observations to that necessary and thereumvirate equally as well as to M. de accomplished himself. learned triThere is nothing more extraordinary Boigne and language of these gentlemen. It would hypocritical than the were not to be read in print. scarcely be credited if it by force, or inspire us with fear; They and cannot it is hope to subdue us how mild, persuasive, and almost urbane those curious to observe, become, which were once SO forbidding, authoritative expressions are Like Proteus, they present themselves in all and severe. the hideous form of a monster, shapes : no longer in nation, and infants even at the breast threatening of their to exterminate the captivating syren, whose seductive tones of voice mothers 3 but as a us to throw ourselves into her arms. and beauty invite We have nothing, they affect to to fear All the mischief that has been say, from the French. aparte : while they are about to occasioned, had its origin in Boncharacterised only by moderation and commence a new career, to be Our intercourse with France is tobe benevolence. We have merely to guard against regulated by other principles. the past, and to think only of the deception ; to avoid reflections on ciliate present interests ; and not to present sacrifice state for of things; to connot absolutely destroyed. ever, those thatare One would be tempted to imagine that the such language had not the smallest idea of our persons who used litical and rural economy situation. Our nature of the causes which appear to be unknown to them; ; of Ee liberty to independence, conducted us to liberty, and from almost be conjectured from they the are altogether ignorant : it might have been the innocent style of the declamation, that cause of all the mischief, they injustice, that have been visited atrocities, and country, which abhors them, upon us : or perhaps that in this credulity of the Toussaint they may yet expect to find the blind of 1802. Louvertures, and the French population Listen to them, and the Bourbons are a blind the eyes, and prevent their discernment talisman, of which should obvious interests: the our best and most make arms fall from Bourbons are a magical rod, which should cretion : in fine, the Bourbons our hands, and oblige us to surrender at disLethe ; no sooner are we possess under the same virtue as the river folds, gibbets, burning-piles, ranged the white flag, than scafdrownings, blood-hounds, horrors we have suffered from the and all the erased from the French; should be for ever memory! These periodical writers, however, concede to us a small portion vious interests: the our best and most make arms fall from Bourbons are a magical rod, which should cretion : in fine, the Bourbons our hands, and oblige us to surrender at disLethe ; no sooner are we possess under the same virtue as the river folds, gibbets, burning-piles, ranged the white flag, than scafdrownings, blood-hounds, horrors we have suffered from the and all the erased from the French; should be for ever memory! These periodical writers, however, concede to us a small portion --- Page 6 --- Introduction. [6 of common sense, and even policy : that concession, says the writer of the Journal des Débats, very gravely, 66 will not appear extraordinary to persons who are aware that the state of St. Domingo is not to be ascertained by the jokes which are passed on the Imperial Almanac of that part of the island governed Chrisknow not whether the Almanac Hayti ey tophe."-We Royal really excites in the French SO much of merriment as they pretend to tell us 5 but we can affirm with great truth, that the trifling and insignificant contents of their papers, provoke in us not merely risibility, but a sentiment of which we decline the expression here, that we may not be exceeded by them in politeness. The principal view oft the French writers, is to draw the attention of Europe upon America, and particularly on Hayti, the eternal source of their regret ; and betray its people into false and dangerous measures which would plunge them into the deepest calamity. Our object is to enlighten Europe in regard to the moral and political situation of Hayti; to prove the justice of our accusations against the French 3 to show the excellence and righteousness of the cause, and just ground of our pretensions to liberty and independence; to unmask the perfidious policy of France ; and render it ineffectual; and disappoint her criminal hopes for ever. The French, to accomplish their design on Hayti, have resorted to calumny with a view to injure her interests abroad; ; and to corruption, to attain a similar object at home. On the one hand, they mean to resist as strenuously as they can, theacknowledgment of our independence ; and decline the question, that they may temporise, introduce themselves by trade, corrupt, paralyse our efforts, disunite, and divert us from the true path we should follow. atrocious falsehoods and calumnies, to detach They intend, by friends abate the warmth of their zeal, from the cause our abroad, and if it be to draw upon our heads storms and tempests ; make, possible, a people, whose long misfortunes had rendered interesting, should loathsome and obnoxious to the whole world. And indeed, their assertions be founded, what European government would of alike of contract an alliance with a race barbarians, regardless the rights of man, and faith of treaties ? would ever If we were the beings they describe, what bosom misforfeel interested in our fate, or pity our cruel and protracted tunes ? could How glorious a theme of exultation to the French, they lead us into false steps, and make us victims of their duplicity ; could they succeed in effecting a change of our present relations with the allied or neutral powers; ; and oblige them to become enemies, instead of friends, as they now are! of contract an alliance with a race barbarians, regardless the rights of man, and faith of treaties ? would ever If we were the beings they describe, what bosom misforfeel interested in our fate, or pity our cruel and protracted tunes ? could How glorious a theme of exultation to the French, they lead us into false steps, and make us victims of their duplicity ; could they succeed in effecting a change of our present relations with the allied or neutral powers; ; and oblige them to become enemies, instead of friends, as they now are! --- Page 7 --- 7] Introduclion. Such are however the intentions of the French. traduce the generous character of England, in order to excite They the people of Hayti against the English ; they traduce the grateful of Hayti, to excite the English against the Haytians. M. temper de ascribes to England the infamous expedition directed Boigne us the French government ; and solicits at the same time, against the assist- by ance of that power to prepare a similar expedition. On the other hand, they have neglected nothing that could tribute to undermine our strength at home; ; they have studied con- our manners, habits and inclinations, have made inquiries into the state of our rural and political economy, government, and resources : in fine, have endeavoured in every place, to strength, ascertain the strong and weak points of our position, in order to consolidate the system of perfidy which they intend to employ against us. We cannot, certainly, be accused of aggression state. The French had a right, if they pleased, to by write any and some thousands of volumes; and their newspapers to circulate publish a thousand falsehoods. We also have a right to some in defence of our privileges ; nor can it give umbrage compose to pages Our adversaries have dragged us, very to the any. we did not provoke them to battle : we never reluctantly, were the arena : we have been compelled to oppose to them the very arguments, aggressors: and depend on the authority of the very same examples, which have brought forward to invade our rights. If they should they be of vanquished by force of argument, as they have been the force our arms, to them alone the fault must be imputed. by Happy, and contented to live in the bosom of our island, and reconciled to the destiny imposed upon us by the Master of the universe, we ask nothing that belongs to other nations. All our endeavours are directed merely to secure our safety, and the amelioration of our social condition. We offer up prayers only for the happiness of mankind, without distinction of color, or nation ; and feel satisfied with enjoying at home that country peace and felicity which we desire to be universally granted to the world. But when we are attacked in our dearest affections, and most rooted interests; when our enemies study artifice to tort facts, to propagate calumnies, to give SR every to dis- the most puerile, even such as the prejudices of color, the objections, doctrine of legitimacy, in order to impugn the justice ofour cause, and our title to liberty and independence : when they call in aid the dispute vengeance of an European confederacy; ; are we, likeindifferent tors, to be allowed to take no interest in the discussion ? Can specta- we act in such a manner ? Shall we abandon to our enemies an undisputed them to indulge flights of fancy; and dispose, in imagination, field, permit of every to dis- the most puerile, even such as the prejudices of color, the objections, doctrine of legitimacy, in order to impugn the justice ofour cause, and our title to liberty and independence : when they call in aid the dispute vengeance of an European confederacy; ; are we, likeindifferent tors, to be allowed to take no interest in the discussion ? Can specta- we act in such a manner ? Shall we abandon to our enemies an undisputed them to indulge flights of fancy; and dispose, in imagination, field, permit of --- Page 8 --- Introduction. [8 and civil, and political ? Shall we go our persons rights, natural, as lambs to the slaughter, without even opening our mouth? thelaws of Shall we suffer them to appeal tojustice, morals, and nations, while we can invoke them in truth and righteousness against our oppressors ? of those and benevoShall we permit the opinion well-disposed Jent persons, who donot comprehend the nature oft the events which have taken place at Hayti, to be deceived and led astray ? How can they be competent to of our differences, if they hear only the clamor and declarations cinepe one party, without the reply and just and complaints of the other ? Would they not eventually withdraw, of informpass over to the enemy? Ought weto neglect the means ? Should not ing them in regard to the state of things and facts then calumny, that dreadful weapon, when handled by wicked, artful and insidious men, prevail at length on righteousness and the justest of all causes ? Who will defend our rights, if we do not defend them ourselves ? Shall we commit our greatest and best interests to strangers: ? Could the person willing to incur the of responsibility of so equitable a charge, be equal to the execution the office, ifi it were destitute of the necessary materials and local information, to assist and direct him? If, on the other hand, we of were to acquiesce in silence, our friends, who know the justice real our claims, would attribute it to the want of ability, and and knowledge; while the enemy would interpret it in his favor, give weight to unjust pretensions and calumny. How powerful ! and numerous then are the motives to enlighten public opinion To opinion, the queen of the civilised world, who summons and to her tribunal kings and nations, and dictates to them her impartial the irrerocabledecrees; a power which sustains on earth the officeof Deity himself; is independent of all human power; overleaps time and space ; comprehends the past and future; extends over all its invisible empire; bends to its decree the oppressor and oppressed 3 itis to opinion, who sounds the trumpet, to proclaim good or bad actions; exalts or depresses 3 confers glory or disgrace; acknow- but ledges nosuperior but trunh,impartalityand justice; and judges from right and wrong; it is to the power of opinion that we appeal the upon earth ; as in Heaven we are heard and judged by Almighty! Every man who encourages a sense of honor and reputation, is anxious to deserve the suffrage of public opinion 3 sovereigns insult and it nations are subject to its power; they who provoke and and in their conduct, women of loose chaare madmen, who have thrown resemble away the mask, and never blush. racter, It is impossible, therefore, to commence an attack with more determined violence, than by an attempt to lower us in the publie is to the power of opinion that we appeal the upon earth ; as in Heaven we are heard and judged by Almighty! Every man who encourages a sense of honor and reputation, is anxious to deserve the suffrage of public opinion 3 sovereigns insult and it nations are subject to its power; they who provoke and and in their conduct, women of loose chaare madmen, who have thrown resemble away the mask, and never blush. racter, It is impossible, therefore, to commence an attack with more determined violence, than by an attempt to lower us in the publie --- Page 9 --- 9] Introduction. opinion; and stain what men hold SO dear, their glory. What people on earth is morei in need ofthe reputation and and esteem, than the people of Hayti? A nation on general suffrage injustices and prejudices are still whom SO many cal and moral existencei is yet a weighing 5 in a nation, whose politiwho are blinded by phenomenon the eyes of thousands plexion, bowed as we passion. have been Black for as we are, and yellow in comslavery and ignorance, assimilated to centuries the under the yoke of howresolutely ought weto éxert ourselves condition of the brute; ; ance, wisdom and virtue, is necessary for ; how much of perseverto this moment enchained, and in darkness ! reanimating our race, . our eyes ? Where shall we turn After having established our rights the new lustre in the eyes of the world, when by sword, we acquire a pen. Our reputation becomes and we defend them the include ourselves, in greater more glorious, we L Our enemies, reality, in the number of civilised states. of possessing physical vanquished in the field, do not refuse us the credit intrepidity, and courage. strength. But We have given proof of strength, they believe capacities are too narrow to admit of the exertion notwithstanding, of that our intellectual skill capable of us in our the energy and shall endeavour to establish directing the political career. We rent advances we have made in contrary the scale by of a description social oft the diffeguide in the statement of facts, we order. For our revolution of our country, as in takeimpartiality all those which and truth. In the shaken other countries, there has been much have violently balanced much evil. No people has been good, counterinfallibity % the province not of man, but of exempted from error; 5 men have shed our blood in God alone. White digal of theirs; and in our civil torrents 5 we have not been less dance. A minute detail of the wars, have shed our own in EE produced them, belongs facts, events, and causes, which this work, we have felt a naturally that to our history. In the course of without exceeding the limits regret of we were not able to expatiate, to their being well-timed, simple reflections ; which, in order impossible, require to be hastily written. It however, to avoid was as we considered indispensable. making The occasionally, reader digressions such we write for foreigners, as well as natives ; and should that with recollect that any peculiarity of expression, every nation has a regard to its climate, manners, and institutions. language adapted to in which we are engaged, we know that Always in haste about that our compositions, of the precipitation with traces will be visible in written. This will continue to be sO, till the which nation they have been firmer basis. stands upon a The history of SO interesting a people as that of Hayti; of their indispensable. making The occasionally, reader digressions such we write for foreigners, as well as natives ; and should that with recollect that any peculiarity of expression, every nation has a regard to its climate, manners, and institutions. language adapted to in which we are engaged, we know that Always in haste about that our compositions, of the precipitation with traces will be visible in written. This will continue to be sO, till the which nation they have been firmer basis. stands upon a The history of SO interesting a people as that of Hayti; of their --- Page 10 --- Introduction. [io sufferings, and the extraordinary events that have resprotracted them from slavery 5 a history, the plan of which should cued in addition to the narrative, a portrait of our manners and embrace, in civilisation, arts and sciences, customs; and gradual improvement : such an historical record would be from 1790 to the present in the period annals of the world, and would require unique in its kind, minute research, extensive learntime,profound study andreflection, of talent infinitely greater than we ing, experience, and a degree would be a splendid trophy possess. A history of this description answer, and the most to him who should attempt it; a triumphant of Hayti could present to complete vindication which the people friends or enemies. it have been prompted These reflections (and we We regret have much) shown truth in as clear a but by actual could. necessity. The duty of a political writer is not to point out, light as we the line of conduct to be pursued; ; butto the different day by day, which the may be placed, leaving the situations in drawn government itself. State policy is full of unexpected inferences to be variable by and inconstant as the passions of men. difficulties : it is the calamities of all kinds, which have afflicted Having surveyed we have endeavoured, as far as lay in our our unhappy country, their causesinorder to prevent their recurrence. poweh,toinvestigate that General Toussaint was reproaehed Wehave not forgotten, of the designs of the French with having left the people ignorant the calamities of government. To this may be attributed greatest wiser and more enhis country, and his own ruin. The king, from his subjects or the lightened by experience, has not concealed of France upon world, the perfidious schemes and unjust pretensions Hayti. the against the courtiers Nor have we forgotten charge preferred by cabal, corruption, and ofthe Emperor Dessalines, who, occupied of all that was importheir own interest, left their prince ignorant than the tant for him to know, notl less for his own preservation of it, the authors ae his ofhis country ; and became in consequence must feel them acutely; ruin. They who deserve such reproaches conscious of having exerted but to a faithful and in honest the service servant, of his king and country, they himself to the utmost, must be cruelly severe. minister, owes tohis government and counEvery citizen, every information. Ifa faithful and devoted subtry the tribute of his truth, and to a sovereign even unwilling ject owe to his sovereign more to the and prince, who to hear its how much great generous of told ! c children," (said the king requires it to be freely those My who stood around him,) < my Hayti, not unfrequently but I to am a man, and therefore a3 liable to error intentions are pure ; to the utmost, must be cruelly severe. minister, owes tohis government and counEvery citizen, every information. Ifa faithful and devoted subtry the tribute of his truth, and to a sovereign even unwilling ject owe to his sovereign more to the and prince, who to hear its how much great generous of told ! c children," (said the king requires it to be freely those My who stood around him,) < my Hayti, not unfrequently but I to am a man, and therefore a3 liable to error intentions are pure ; --- Page 11 --- 11] Introduction. as other men. If then, you see me evidently wrong, you have authority from me to correct me." Memorable words, which afford a striking instance of grandeur and magnanimity on the of the monarch who uttered them! part Happy, thrice happy shall we esteem ourselves, if in the course of this work, we have succeeded in giving to Europe a idea the character of our august sovereign, and of the government, just laws of and institutions of our country! Most fortunate, if we have succeeded in causing Europe to augur propitious omens of the liberty and independence of and have drawn the eye of justice, protection, and benevolence, Hayti, on a good, generous, and once most unhappy people ! Most fortunate, if we have been able to direct the views and thoughts of our countrymen to such things as contribute to their comfort ! Most fortunate, if we have been able to instruct them to cherish that love of order, union, peace and justice, which animates us for the individual happiness of each, of families, of the and remote posterity ! Fidelity to our king and isthe people, fession of faith we have made in numerous writings country, ! proWhatever be the sentence finally passed, our conscience at least will never have cause to aecuse us of having betrayed the and nation, in a subject intimately connected with the best sovereign interests of both. --- Page 12 --- POLITICAL REMARKS ON PARTICULAR FRENCH WORKS AND NEWSPAPERS, CONCERNING HAYTI. Ir there ever were a righteous cause, worthy of exciting the attention of men, it is that of the people of Hayti, inasmuch as it is connected with the interests of all mankind; and if there ever were unjust, chimerical and revolting pretensions, they are those which are unceasingly advanced by the French in respect of a brave and generous people. < Passions and resentment alone," they say, 66 have occasioned the . loss ofSt. Domingo : tore-establish, former ties ofinterest and tion betzeen France and that rich colony, all the prudence affecregular and legitimate government, will be indispensably requisite." efa We shall further develop that system of prudence, which we expect from the French. But first, we ask, who kindled the sions which lost St. Domingo? who inflamed them ? who pascalled them forth ? who proclaimed the freedom of in the Leeward Islands? who would have forcibly deprived negroes them of the noble boon ten years after it had been granted ? who murdered men and put them to the torture, merely because they resolved to be free ? Could it be expected of freemen, that they would again resume their chains at the caprice of tyrants ? what could the introduction of war, devastation, pillage, fire, plague, justify and death, amongst an inoffensive people, before warmly attached to them ? what could authorise the attempt of that and commission of SO many acts of perfidy, injustice and expedition, barbarity ? Where was the authority to oblige Toussaint and an immense number ofinnocent victims to perish bythe most horrible torments Terrible, but salutary tidings, which will ever preserve us from the yoke of those cannibals ! We reposed such confidence in France, at that time, that General Toussaint sent his childrén there. Some other generals and persons of distinction, followed his example ; and gave the same warmly attached to them ? what could authorise the attempt of that and commission of SO many acts of perfidy, injustice and expedition, barbarity ? Where was the authority to oblige Toussaint and an immense number ofinnocent victims to perish bythe most horrible torments Terrible, but salutary tidings, which will ever preserve us from the yoke of those cannibals ! We reposed such confidence in France, at that time, that General Toussaint sent his childrén there. Some other generals and persons of distinction, followed his example ; and gave the same --- Page 13 --- 13] French Works concerning Hayti. proof of attachment to the metropolis, in also, with money to defray the expenses sending their children time of General Leclerc's of education. At the employ Toussaint's children expedition, as the French endeavoured to from his BRETHREN's cause instruments to detach the father M. Coisnon, their ; In they then sent back two of them with at Ennery, between preceptor. the general, his the conference which took place love of his country had to children, with and the preceptor, the unfortunate father was driven struggle by the barbarous paternal affection; the alternative of sacrificing, either of his French, to the cruel or try, the life of his own children. thesafety brothers and counmuch irresolution, the wretched After a severe struggle and sacrifice of his children for his parent nobly accomplished the back with their preceptor, to the Frenchg country's good. He sent them his hopes by the magnanimity of the general; who, deceived in again. It was only after the violation action, of the returned them to him general, that he was arrested, loaded with treaty by the French family, officers, transported to chains, and his children, breathed his last, in the dungeons of Europe, the castle where that great man able death, the great character and firmness De-Joux. His deplorin his long and dreadful of soul he displayed amongst the heroes of ancient confinement, times. render him worthy of a place As nothing more. was to be apprehended from saint, his children became useless General Tousby the French government to live instruments, : not SO the and children were permitted chiefs. That perfidious, cruel and barbarous of existing on those innocent victims, the resistance which government, avenged opposed. They were immolated to the manes of their fathers had who fell under the arms of their brave the murderers every support, abandoned to the Orphans' progenitors. Bereft of separated for ever from their Hospital in Paris, to perish with hunger, cold, misery, unhappy and families, ! they were doomed Three months after the arrival of the poison cluded betwéen general Toussaint and French, peace was constrength of the flattering promises of the latter, general who Leclerc, on the oath, that the First Consul, his affirmed upon maintain liberty and equalily. The brother-in-law, had sent him to then a general of brigade, intrusted to kings the our august sovereign, general Boudet, who was setting out for care and friendship of Francis Ferdinand, then nine years of France, with his eldest son, education; 5 in the hope of seeing him, age, at money for his instructed in the politeness, and some future period, Delusive hope ! Fate and learning, French manners ofEurope. him otherwise. The unhappy child, when perfidy he were to dispose of VOL. XIII, Pam, NO. XXV. quitted his native land, M then a general of brigade, intrusted to kings the our august sovereign, general Boudet, who was setting out for care and friendship of Francis Ferdinand, then nine years of France, with his eldest son, education; 5 in the hope of seeing him, age, at money for his instructed in the politeness, and some future period, Delusive hope ! Fate and learning, French manners ofEurope. him otherwise. The unhappy child, when perfidy he were to dispose of VOL. XIII, Pam, NO. XXV. quitted his native land, M --- Page 14 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks 01 some [14 destined never more to enjoy the tender looks and embraces was of his parents, and of an unfortunate family. with these M. Le Borgne de Boigne affects to be unacquainted the had too circumstances, and has the confidence to say, that King back sons at M. de Coisnon's School ; who woere, he affirms, sent has roith the rest when the ezpedition took place : while no one that been suffered to return ; but all have perished, in a manner had renders infamous the government of France. Though we that witnessed many of their crimes, we could scarcely believe, the government of a civilised country would consent to the pollute initselfby a deed SO atrocious, as the murder of children by strumentality of distress and poison. than ofthose Nothing, unhappily, is morer notorious that, unhappy second creatures, not one has made his appearance in this country a who time; and we have the depositions of some eye-witnesses, Prince prove that his royal highnes-, the much.to-be-lamented the 18th VendeFerdinand, died in Paris, at the Orphans' Hospital, with the 7th maire, in the year 14, (French style,) corresponding ofOctober, 1805. death of a child of our king. Ocruel Such was the melancholy ever to be regretted ! Such is French ! O death 1 O calamity in ! Thus the reward of the confidence a father reposed you you gratify a thirst of revenge, and punish the innocent child, because ! its victim ! O Henry! O my king you could not make father your it is better for your beloved son to afflicted parent ! be comforted; continue still in the power of monsters, who be no more, than to did General Toussaint; have would have treated you as they and have put in the scales, inflicted the same agonising torture, the safety of your country on the his life on the one hand, with of soul. There would have other. Wel know the magnanimity your that been no hesitation on your part, for an instant, to make painful and noble sacrifice to your country. the to M. de Boigne pretends, (and itis easy to conjecture reason,) more know nothing of that crime. Because 'he affects, or (to speak the numintelligibly,) is unprincipled enough to affect, doubts on We berless enormities of which his countrymen have been guilty. that to be evidently ezought, says he, to reject every thing appears The calamiaggerated, and inconsistent with the dignity ef man. ties were in themselves SO severe, as readily to admit of amplification. The imagination, continues he, is prone to assign supernatural be extraorcauses to evils under which r0e are laboring, if their effects dinary. So then, according to M. de Boigne, itis in imagination only, we saw thousands of the bodies of our countrymen floating on the We berless enormities of which his countrymen have been guilty. that to be evidently ezought, says he, to reject every thing appears The calamiaggerated, and inconsistent with the dignity ef man. ties were in themselves SO severe, as readily to admit of amplification. The imagination, continues he, is prone to assign supernatural be extraorcauses to evils under which r0e are laboring, if their effects dinary. So then, according to M. de Boigne, itis in imagination only, we saw thousands of the bodies of our countrymen floating on the --- Page 15 --- 15] French Works concerning Hayli. shores, and drowned in Carrier-boats.1 It was in we were chased, persecuted, and hunted by imagination only, beasts. We were dreaming, when we blood-hounds, as wild and slaughtered supposed we were hung, burnt, had laid down by grape-shot, when on the faith of treaties we our arms. It was in imagination onlys we were transported to Europe to constitute the forlorn of to be cast into dungeons, condemned hope the armies; and to die of hunger, excruciating torture, and compelled as to poison, wells of Corsica, and fill up the marshes of Mantua galley-slaves, ! Wei dig the only, that the French behaved with such consummate imagined and treachery ; and that, after having followed them with dissimulation confidence on board their ships, accompanied by our negligent dren, and effects, we were stripped, loaded with wives, chiland children, stabbed and thrown into the depths irons, of men, the women, transported to the colonies of TERRA-FIRMA, to be sold for ocean, or Shades of my unfortunate countrymen ! Toussaint Louverture slaves ! Maurepas ! Belair ! Thomany! ! Dommage ! Lamahotière ! and ! you, Ferdinand, unhappy prince ! and is it an illusion of fancy? Were not ye victims, basely murdered! what then is the nature of you their victims ? Frenchmen ! ments your disposition; ; and what are the you employ? arguWhat else had' we to endure, for having a right to repel ignominious yoke ? Were we to suffer ourselves to be your exterminated i What is wanted to establish the rights of a utterly become, in fact, independent by the strength of her nation, in principle, by the equity of her cause. ? arms, and, forced Impressed with a conviction of the powerful reasons which us to separate from France, our enemies the expedition directed against us was unjust, and acknowledge that we were that under the necessity of proclaiming our utter ruin. independence, to avoid Having, as they themselves admit, lost the ancient had upon this country, by unjust aggression and innumerable rights they crimes; they would create new which to maintain by various pretensions privileges, and idle they endeavour Let us travel through the objections lately sophistry. urged. In the first place, then, the Bourbons are not the authors of the ills we have suffered; ; the mischief proceeds from Bonaparte alone. On point we are agreed : no person in Hayti has yet gone the that ofi imputing the crimes of Bonaparte to the Bourbons. Before length we reply tothe argument, specious as it is, let us leave to himself on the rock of St. Helena ; he is not in a situation Bonaparte to us, or any other person. We encountered and destroyed his armies, injure I So named from their inventor, Carrier. Bourbons are not the authors of the ills we have suffered; ; the mischief proceeds from Bonaparte alone. On point we are agreed : no person in Hayti has yet gone the that ofi imputing the crimes of Bonaparte to the Bourbons. Before length we reply tothe argument, specious as it is, let us leave to himself on the rock of St. Helena ; he is not in a situation Bonaparte to us, or any other person. We encountered and destroyed his armies, injure I So named from their inventor, Carrier. --- Page 16 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks On some [16 time when he gave law to Europe. He is now fallen; and at it a would be ungenerous on our part to pursue him with insult. best It little becomes the sycophants, who contributed their efforts to the success of his enterprises ; it little becomes them to of accuse him of the miseries he has entailed on the whole race mankind ! have done us no harm ; but the The Bourbons, wea acknowledge, the that is sufficient for us to know. Bourbons reign over does French; not alter the interests and political conA change of dynasty our independence, we duct of nations. When we of proclaimed but swore never to subthrew off, Rot merely the yoke Bonaparte, ! mit again either to France or to any foreign power distinct nations, The people of Hayti and France form now two to whose public spirit, interests, and politics are directly opposed each other. Little do we care: about thedynasty thargoverns) France to 5 they ought to care as little about the dynasty we have chosen govern Our us. political and commercial relations with France, as long as she refuses solemnly to acknowledge our independence, cannot be the same as those we entertain with other nations. While we have nothing to apprehend from the pretensions ofthe latter, we should guard against the insidious plots of the French, and repel their influence and aggression by all the means in our power. the French induce us, naturally, to inThe objections urged by Bourbons towards us, since the restorquire into the conduct ofthe ation of that family to the throne of France. or his miWe shall ask French politicians, whether Bonaparte, Medina and Dravermann?' nister, sent us Dauxion-Layaysse, who sent that host of ex-colonists, the Whether it was Bonaparte &cc.? Letthemtell us, thatitwould Fontanges, Esmangarts, for Laujons, to subdue us ; for we cannot have been impossible Bonaparte rho have already once broken it : rely much on the, faith of those, made the erperiment nor on the moderation of those roho, having of force, have not succeeded. is imWhat Bonaparte would have found impracticable, equally to bepracticable to the Bourbons ; and are there not good grounds lieve, that such an affectation of being moderate, proceeds only from the impossibility of subduing us by war? valid, withMaenr-nioine contend, camnotbe The law ofnations out a formal recognition. principleisa United partofthe States America, rho in Europe : it has been admitted by the of their ezerted their utmost efforts to procure the acknoreledgment oft to that independence from England, and obtained a solenn treaty effiect. Ought the civilised world to renounce the principle ? Can reand See the instructionso ofM. Malouet, Minister of the Navy Colonics, respectiug that system ofe espionage. , withMaenr-nioine contend, camnotbe The law ofnations out a formal recognition. principleisa United partofthe States America, rho in Europe : it has been admitted by the of their ezerted their utmost efforts to procure the acknoreledgment oft to that independence from England, and obtained a solenn treaty effiect. Ought the civilised world to renounce the principle ? Can reand See the instructionso ofM. Malouet, Minister of the Navy Colonics, respectiug that system ofe espionage. --- Page 17 --- 17] Prench Works concerning Hayti. volt be a sufficient tille, for the acquisition rights, ual for making them incontestible ? A single gF andforce effect- sort would give birth, in the New World,torerolutions example of this fatal to Europe, because she is not prepared to encounter SO much them. the more We have too just, too legitimate a cause, to be under the necessity of supporting it by violence. not revolutionary If an empty sound, orthe mere plaything ofa when justice be to despotism ; if solid argument, reason, and child, equity opposed prevail; we must be victorious in the present ultimately We too, in turn, appeal to the law of nations. struggle. It must be an equitable law, since it governs the world. of We admit equally the principle admitted by the United States America, and are determined to use as much perseverance to United procure from France a recognition of our independence, as the States did, in order to compel England to theirs. It cannot be doubted, that the nature of our acknowledge grievances is widely different from that of the Americans in land. How comes it that, whenever the regard of to Engis mentioned, the French writers cite as an independence example that of Hayti United States ? Is it remorse of conscience that urges them the ? solemn Ought they not to have explained to us the mode by which that Had treaty was effected ? Was it by revolution and violence? they powerful auxiliaries, who assisted them with ships, men, ammunition, the pecuniary aid, &c. &c. &c. ? Or was it merely good right of an equitable cause? by Let them point out, then, the fatal which the revolt of the United States, and inform consequences us whether followed even England were injured by it. Did it undermine Europe or the foundation of British power, as was contemplated and the destroy litical and crafty designs oft the cabinets ofMadrid and Versailles by poThe independence of the United States has been a source of ? blessings to Europe and the whole world. The our own country would, in its moral and political independence of be equally productive of happiness to mankind. consequences, Weare not quite sure, whether the force and propriety of the arguments used by the enemies of ourindependence, excite in a greater degree pity or contempt. We are told that England, in acknowledging the independence of America, gravely, merely to the impulse of high feeling and in yielded behalf of subjects who were originally of British benevolence, extraction. The ties of blood, which ought to make the separation SO painful, were, on the contrary, the stimulus which promoted while we, who are of African descent, and have in it; with thel French, areto nothing commoncomtinun.netwithstunding firm in our attach- the enemies of ourindependence, excite in a greater degree pity or contempt. We are told that England, in acknowledging the independence of America, gravely, merely to the impulse of high feeling and in yielded behalf of subjects who were originally of British benevolence, extraction. The ties of blood, which ought to make the separation SO painful, were, on the contrary, the stimulus which promoted while we, who are of African descent, and have in it; with thel French, areto nothing commoncomtinun.netwithstunding firm in our attach- --- Page 18 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks On some [18 not but European blood, of which they ment. Itis exactly English, are The speaking. Americans are white $ we on the contrary are black 3 and, as we are not descended from French blood, we have therefore the no claim to that impulse of high feeling and benevolence from French. Admirable reasoning truly! I We admit the argument, of such as it is : we want neither the high feeling nor benevolence him Of this we shall remind again, our most implacable enemy. in the course of the discussion. who should listen to the arguWould not any person imagine, ments of these refined politicians, that the Europeans alonereceived from the Creator an exclusive privilege of forming bodies politic, all the of governing themselves their own laws, and engrossing of social life ; Atie the other nations of the earth, merely advantages descended from blood, can establish because they are not privileged no claim to rights of inestimable value to man ? They ought at least to show us the clause in Adam's will, by which he disinherits us of our natural and political rights, in order ! and entirely on the children of Japhet to conferthem exclusively the Europeans, gifted with common sense, Is there a man, amongst ? who is not ashamed of such assertions of the These puerile objections lead us naturally to speak preju- and dices, which we have to endure from the ignorance, pride, passions of men. somewhere, that the difference M. de Pradt has observed ofcolor is the key to all colonial questions : in this he is perfectly right. arises; here all calculations From this source every difficulty which all such questions are inter rupted. It is the pivot, upon implanted in hearts turn: for prejudice is so strongly and deeply that it can never be eradiblinded and made callous by passion, cated or subdued. The crown on the head of a A black king at St. Domingo! and coloblack ! This the French politicians, editors of newspapers, were a cannot digest : as if a black king nising system-mongers, seen before, on the face of the earth ! phenomenon, the never which afflict and dishonor the human race, Ofall prejudices absurd, and fatal in its consequences, there is none more odious, ifar than the prejudice of color. Whois to reign over negroes, negro ofa be not fitto be a king ? Is royalty the exclusive prerogative in the white complexion ? Can there exist any motive of reprobation ? variety of color which diversifies the inhabitants of this globe Shall we determine from the difference of complexion, from the Is it te cific qualities of men, physical as well as moral? virtue and epidermis, or from the heart, that vigor, courage, If the difference vice, good or bad propensities, proceed if ? of fair comof color be a crime in your eyes 5 people , negro ofa be not fitto be a king ? Is royalty the exclusive prerogative in the white complexion ? Can there exist any motive of reprobation ? variety of color which diversifies the inhabitants of this globe Shall we determine from the difference of complexion, from the Is it te cific qualities of men, physical as well as moral? virtue and epidermis, or from the heart, that vigor, courage, If the difference vice, good or bad propensities, proceed if ? of fair comof color be a crime in your eyes 5 people --- Page 19 --- 19] French Works concerning Hayti, plexion must possess absolute and arms, rebel against the views of exclusive sway, take sure are scattered upon earth varieties your of Creator, by whose up and of other productions, the work of his men, as well as of animals, pleaMongolian, and Ethiopian, white, munificence ! Scythian, each other! Because black, and yellow, other! The you are not of the samehue, oppress, detest victorious color shall exterminate each as the difference is produced by the reign exclusively on earth! But commend the victorious color to remain difference of climates, we rebest suited to it; the European in invariably in the climate rica, the African in Africa, For if Europe, the American in Amethey spread themselves on the surface they of the quit their nativeclime, if primaeval times ; after some centuries, there earth, as was the case in black, and yellow; and men would be would again be white, minate each other. O1 O obliged, once more, to exterdo you not drive them'? blindness! Such passions of men! ! To what who preach the prejudice of colors. however is the doctrine of thoge, enlightened and civilised Such the boasted fruits of an When shall such cease at have an afien length to hate, to persecute each other? end? When shall men Would union, universal harmony, extend their When shall peace, not this be the end, the highest reign over the whole earth? gion, philosophy, and morals? point of perfection, in reliThen shali be fulfilled the words of long The as there are men, there shall be men the of holy Scriptures; ;' as idle prejudice, therefore, every color. be of any weight against the could not, in the scale of reason, recognition of the throne and legitimacy of our rights, and the depend on such frivolities, cover independence themselves of Hayti. They who tempt.: with ridicule and conAs those politicians would prove fatal to perpetually talk of a revolution which we ask them, why should Europe, the as it would be unprepared, cannot demned to inactivity? Are its inhabitants vast continent of America be conaffections, and propensities which born without the wants, not to be found, in fickle animate Europeans? Can there which agitate America ? Has Europe, there revolutions such as those never been, at any period, an 2 His majesty the King I Isaiah, chap. xiv. 6, 7, 8, 9. ofadinsinnterng justice to ofHlayti, the white, on several occasions, when in the act ofcolor, quently occurs,) but said that he was of yellow, the green and the black, (and this fretiality, justice, between and the honest and dishonest: : a strong making no distinction of It would be in vain profound to accuse contempt of the absurd and odious proof imparWe detest the French, but not us of the same injustice towards prejudice. are hated; but we love all men, their of whatever color. They who have been our the white. color or nation. scourge justice to ofHlayti, the white, on several occasions, when in the act ofcolor, quently occurs,) but said that he was of yellow, the green and the black, (and this fretiality, justice, between and the honest and dishonest: : a strong making no distinction of It would be in vain profound to accuse contempt of the absurd and odious proof imparWe detest the French, but not us of the same injustice towards prejudice. are hated; but we love all men, their of whatever color. They who have been our the white. color or nation. scourge --- Page 20 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [20 of nations, who separated themselves from their instance in Europe, Switzerland emancipated herselff from the yoke of mother-country ? severed herself from Spain : thes Seven thel house of Austria ; Portugal Low-Countries became a powerful republic, United) Provinces oft thel themselves from the Spanish monarchy, at when they detached Why do they persist in urging at every that time in all its glory. of the United States of America, while we moment the example and more striking examples ? They ought have in Europe similar the gallant posterity of ancient to have told us, in what manner succeeded in re-asserting their Helvetia, Lusitania, and Batavia, and owing to what cause those revoluliberty and independence; and to the world. Had such nations tions proved fatal to Europe America, to break from an entire system rights different from Is it not a right common toall people, of which they were a part? effort in their power, injustice and oppresto repel, with every sion? which have taken place in Europe, the Are not all the changes, violence, &c. &c.? În what result of revolutions, secession, times, war, have states been converted, way, in ancient and modern others into monarchies ? Is there a single some into kingdoms, its condition ? Is there one state in Europe that retains primitive before it attained to independwhich did not depend upon have another, all these states been separated from ence ? In what manner Howl have some been creat-" the whole, of which they made a part? of empires ? Has it not been ed, others expunged from the map that these political changes took by revolutions, wars, treaties, effected under the sanction and sacred place ? And were they not ? Every one declaims against shield, the laws of European has policy derived advantage from it. revolution, and every one in the New World, king8, princes, There are in Europe, as &cc., who owe their political existdukes, counts, barons, knights, Old and new kingdoms have extendence to revolution only. new constitutions, new ed their limits by the revolution; which had no other rights, new titles, have been created, No one will consent to source and support than revolution. no one will consent to give renounce his rights and privileges; unanimously, concur in censurback whathe has taken; ; yet all, the past, the good old times, but ing revolution ! They regret former condition; 5 and the most remarkno one will revert to his the men who delight most in tumult able circumstance is, that very, disposed, (for it is infaand revolutions, are the most ridiculously when speaking of that accursed tuation,) to indulge in invectives revolution! no one is more anxious to uphold, Weare no lovers ofrevolutions: and of human things; but than we are, the stability of empires cur in censurback whathe has taken; ; yet all, the past, the good old times, but ing revolution ! They regret former condition; 5 and the most remarkno one will revert to his the men who delight most in tumult able circumstance is, that very, disposed, (for it is infaand revolutions, are the most ridiculously when speaking of that accursed tuation,) to indulge in invectives revolution! no one is more anxious to uphold, Weare no lovers ofrevolutions: and of human things; but than we are, the stability of empires --- Page 21 --- 21] French Works concerning Hayli. can we hate a revolution that has raised us from and restored us as men, to our natural, sacred, and imprescriptible nothing, rights? And even ifwe could participate in such unjust and ridiculous folly, can it be imagined we could consent to renounce the advantages we have reaped from a revolution of twenty-five years' continuance, purchased by the greatest sacrifices, protracted gles, and effusion of blood. ? Certainly not. strugFrom the beginning of the world, there have been and there will always be, as long as men exist on earth. revolutions; If of them have proved injurious to the others some have been of infinite service to it. The causeofhumanity, revolution in our for example, has inclined us to civilisation and the light country, while that of France has led her to barbarity and the ofknowledges darkness of ignorance. M. le Borgne de Boigne, who has been pleased to favor us a kind of a theory upon revolutions, should have told us as with well as M. M. Fiévée, Hoffimann, and Felletz, his whether all revolutions are to be considered as at an end panegyrists, since the restoration of the Bourbons; whether the inhabitants of this world will no longer have any thing to fear from revolutions and schemes. We, in particular, should have cause to be revolutionary on many important accounts. As we gained much dissatisfied the we might still perhaps acquire somethingby the second. by first, then could we eradicate the absurd prejudices that are Buthow How could the slave-trade, slavery, prejudices of color, be yet existing? How could we recal to a sense of religion, morals, and social abolished? three-fourths of the population of this globe, who are still order, wandering in the darkness of incivilisation? In what man be restored tol his original rights, were it not for the way could duced by a great and salutary revolution, which should effect proallobstacles, triumph over all difficulties, eradicateallthe idle overcome ces, which oppose the happiness and perfection of mankind ? prejuditherit be effected by prudence and enlightened ideas of government, Wheacting progressively and without violence, without our sincere wish; or whetherit be occasioned by sudden bloodshed, and turbu- as is lent commotion; who can deny, that such a revolution would a source of the greatest blessings to mankind? be We are compelled here by our opponents, contrary to our inclination, to examine the doctrine of legitimacy in governments. The discussion shall be short. Considering it in the light it is presented learned the doctrine is as absurd in principle, as the prejudice by of politicians, color. It is a reflection upon all governments, that have who are not of the legitimate cathegory, and, generally sovereigns all nations. Were we to trace the origin of all dynasties, speaking, it would upon: be , that such a revolution would a source of the greatest blessings to mankind? be We are compelled here by our opponents, contrary to our inclination, to examine the doctrine of legitimacy in governments. The discussion shall be short. Considering it in the light it is presented learned the doctrine is as absurd in principle, as the prejudice by of politicians, color. It is a reflection upon all governments, that have who are not of the legitimate cathegory, and, generally sovereigns all nations. Were we to trace the origin of all dynasties, speaking, it would upon: be --- Page 22 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks On some [22 the folly of the system. But this question is sufficient: easy to demonstrate If the house ofl Bourbon were become extinct, by what artifice would the French procure a legitimate king? Hence we conclude, that the king of Hayti is a most legitimate king- He reigns in wisdom over us, by the grace of God, and constitution of the state. This is sufficient to establish his legitimacy. The king holds the power, with which he is invested, from the people; who yielded theirrights to him, on condition that he should govern constitutionally: and his majesty is enabled to transmit those rights to his heirs, according to the order of succession established by law. In this manner was Pharamond, the first king of the Franks,. proclaimed on the shore of Sala. He had no ancestors; 5 he received from nation his rights and EE authority; and no one ever disputed his claim to legitimacy. When to instruct nations, we ought at least to goback to first we pretend principles. The throne of Hayti, therefore, is not a political fiction, an edificel built upon mere sand; as M.le Borgne de Boigne would haveit: since it is founded on the will, gratitude, and love of the pcople; and there is no throne which can have a more just, legitimate, solid foundation: ; no sovereign who can better deserve to occupy.it, than our own.' and civilisation have been universally diffused, even Knowledge slaves. How can it be prevented ? Statesmen will be obligamongst of reason, humanity, and justice. Is ed to govern misfortune: on principles ? The stone of the tyrants (and this SO great a angular is to brutify men, in order to it was that of the ex-colonists), in order to make make them slaves ; ours is to enlighten them, them free ! of disputing our) rights Thesezealous asserters oflegitimacy,instead I At the council of state in which prince Oscar took his seat for the first time, his royal highness the prince of Sweden and Norway addressed his son in a speech, of which I shall quote several passages. that while 4 Fatal must be the career of that prince, who persuades himself, he obliterates the records of his people's rights, he is augmenting the splendor and power of the thrune! Remember, my son, that the wisest prince is he, who regards with a vigilanteye, the the elements which and threaten knows destruc- how to tion to empires, and seizes them beture explosion; for the laws. The state has prevent their recurrence, by his own respect and its chief, wisely long since been compared to a family, and (superintending father, who is solicithe common weal,) to an economising It has been provident said of such a government, that tous forhis children's happiness. of those who exercised it, that they were the fathers of the it was paternal; The and idea is as simple as the notion It expresses. Men have peuple. for the administration of states, whatever be consecrated it as a priciple their Extracted form of governinent," from the Journal &c. des Debats, Monday, 4th ofAugust, 1817. a family, and (superintending father, who is solicithe common weal,) to an economising It has been provident said of such a government, that tous forhis children's happiness. of those who exercised it, that they were the fathers of the it was paternal; The and idea is as simple as the notion It expresses. Men have peuple. for the administration of states, whatever be consecrated it as a priciple their Extracted form of governinent," from the Journal &c. des Debats, Monday, 4th ofAugust, 1817. --- Page 23 --- 28] French Works concerning Hayti. by puerile declamation and more honor than proselytes in sophistry, the old which will not gain them better be silent, and cease to and new world, had much or speak in a language more provoke unprofitable to to the times, and general information agreeable reason, truth, diseussions; and nature; It is not only by frivolous and of the present zera. ries make war on our independence idle objections, that our adversasons, whicl hat the first sight have some ; they continue to urge reaunable to bear the slightest examination. appearance In of truth, but are sibilities, not more solid than the fact, they are only titute oftruth. Itis ofimportance, first, since they areequally tae assail and entirely remove them. notwithstanding, that we should Itisargued, that the independence of reflection, as was that oft the United Haytiis not the fruit of deep no Franklins or States of America; that we had reflected honor on Washingtons, the ancient none of the enlightened men, who new. Hence it is inferred, that world, as they spread light the wisdom, or prudence, in a sufficient we had not maturity of thought, upon tical career. In the want of wisdom degree to direct us in our polidreadful civil commotions have their and prudence, it is said fined already, has been split asunder origin; our territory, too conments: and (as though they had reserved into two distinct governthunderbolt to crush us), they declare the last objection as a existence incompatible with the they consider our political nies in the neighborhood ; and safety itis of the powers who have coloexistence of a focus of turbulence and their interest, not to suffer the too long. insurrection, already endured with These plausible objections, these dark SO much dificulty, will soon vanish and heavy clouds, collected In the first place, then, we do not at the light of truth. of the United States of America believe that the independence reflection. They, like was the result of long and bythe concurrence of ourselves, were conducted to deep cluded events. independence by an appeal to the sword. Theybegan by argument, and conwithout any reflection at all, as is After this they separated naughty children. generally the case with Ifwe had neither Franklins nor amongst men stooping under the Washingtons, was it reasonable, who had not even common weight of ignorance and slavery, Franklins and Washingtons, born understanding, to go in search of the struggle between the mother without a moment's delay? In combatants struck and daughter, the illustrious Franklins or important blows. Whether we we leave it to Washingtons, the it is not our province to possessed correct judgment, and vanquished. make If, however, in order determine; to form a a right estimate of men and things, it ins nor amongst men stooping under the Washingtons, was it reasonable, who had not even common weight of ignorance and slavery, Franklins and Washingtons, born understanding, to go in search of the struggle between the mother without a moment's delay? In combatants struck and daughter, the illustrious Franklins or important blows. Whether we we leave it to Washingtons, the it is not our province to possessed correct judgment, and vanquished. make If, however, in order determine; to form a a right estimate of men and things, it --- Page 24 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [24 their talentsand situation; be essential that we consider, relatively, whether a comparison between us we are not absolutely certain, would not prove favorable to our character and the United States, admit, however, and publicly in some respects. We candidly at the commencement, the acknowledge, that we did not exert, the Americans. More fortuprudence and wisdom discovered with a generous enemy; than they had to AULES nate us, have been exposed, and are yet subjectto the we, on the contrary, and determined foe, whose hatred and repersecution ofa cruel and who scruples not to employ any sentments are implacable; ensure success. measures, if he can only of not possessing men who, The Americans had the rare felicity of their country and fellowby ambition, interrupted the foundation repose of their independence, they citizens. From the first divided. Their happy country were in perpetual union; never their power, and florished under wholesome laws; population, they have acquired a resources, have been materially augmented; to which they are justly enreputation for wisdom and prudence, their We, however, it titled. How great a blessing to country! and civil dissensions, have must bea allowed, though misled byerror and a share of wisdom: since we some claim to common sense, institutions, succeeded in securing to ourselves a good government, monarch, who and laws; and chose for our chief an in enlightened the march of civilisation. obliges his people to advance rapidly with sO much asperity aButisi it decent in Frenchmen, to inveigh mistakes; while gainst our civil wars, our fatal and desire deplorable nothing sO impatiently they are the cause of our misfortunes; last inhabitant of Hayti, spilled by as the sight of the blood of the While they love to describe the hands of an inhabitant of Hayti? battles we fought by sea and land; is in their papers the sanguinary ity to inveigh with so much asperity it decent in them, when I see in an implacable us? Iam filled indignation, when LANTS against and dissimulation! enemy, SO much of villany, treachery, of a Le Borgne de Boigne, of an I hear the profigate panegytists if possible, than they, telling us, in ex-colonist, still moredegraded, 66 that the consequences efcicil xoars a whining, hypocritical tone, to desire them in aid of any are sO terrible, that it is impossible And in the identical work which they color or colors sohatever." will find, 66 that the division ofthe country praise SO violently, you xvere it not actually effected, into troo parts, is not an evil:-that, to break our union and impair our it ought to take place, in order Let them take no trouble about our strength.?" Perfidious men! about our civil wars : internal situation. Let them not of be this uneasy only let them be informed, whether we are at peace or war, of have but a single prayer to iti is enough that the people Hayti identical work which they color or colors sohatever." will find, 66 that the division ofthe country praise SO violently, you xvere it not actually effected, into troo parts, is not an evil:-that, to break our union and impair our it ought to take place, in order Let them take no trouble about our strength.?" Perfidious men! about our civil wars : internal situation. Let them not of be this uneasy only let them be informed, whether we are at peace or war, of have but a single prayer to iti is enough that the people Hayti --- Page 25 --- 25] French Works concerning Hayti. prefer: Freedom and Independence! Bid them consult that brave and generous people, from Cape Tiburon to Mole St. from Port-Prince to Cape-Henry; from the north to the Nicolas; from the east to the west of the kingdom: will hear south; 5 and the self-same Independence they but one gratitude be to cry: ar Death! Let the tribute of his wisdom and paid our august sovereign! May we be sensible of from the prudence! We have nothing more to apprehend fortunate consequences of civil war. All nations have been SO unas to taste that bitter calamity 5 few, at least, have been excepted. Yetall have succeeded in removing it. The ment is invariably terrible; anger, hatred, commenceall their fury. At length they subside, and exasperation, rage, in natural process. Experience and misfortune expire unite by a slow and back to reflection. Every one consents to the in bringing of men duty. The time has arrived, when the losses performance of the his are calculated, and. energetic attempts made to repair them. community Wisdom, prudence, mildness, generosity, benevolence, all the ter-virtues, united to the public good by one common sisheal the wounds effectually, and efface the tie, at length war. vestiges of civil Are we not aware, that a trivial circumstance or event is to re-unite a divided people? Can men, who merely sufficient other on certain points, but, in all other respects, are oppose each ties of blood and common interest, remain connected by same destiny, the same danger awaits them. At long the divided? call of their The country, menaced by danger, they will be found to resist, to the utmost, their common united, and ready In vain interested views and perfidious enemy. represent our political existence as a portentous policy endeavour to powers who possess the adjacent colonies. prodigy, to the lution, and fifteen of liberty and independence, Twenty years of revous, that such an order of things ever interrupted havenot the convinced neighboring colonies. tranquillity of We have never interfered, directly or with affairs. Our laws and constitution judged indirectly, wisely foreign and our government has always conducted itself with in forbidding the strictest it: impartiality towards allied or neutral powers. Fifteen vessels have sailed into our ports : their subjects have enjoyed years their the advantages of commerce, and the protection of our laws. To afford, if it be necessary, a that the of Haytiis not in the smallest striking proof, vicinity let the possessions of Spain, which degree dangerous to the colonies, amined. They abound in are contiguous to ours, be exand forward in slaves, who are daily going backward homes, without our markets, and then returning quietly to their exciting apprehension or jealousy in either party. During public rejoicings and festivals, they enter the boundaries, sailed into our ports : their subjects have enjoyed years their the advantages of commerce, and the protection of our laws. To afford, if it be necessary, a that the of Haytiis not in the smallest striking proof, vicinity let the possessions of Spain, which degree dangerous to the colonies, amined. They abound in are contiguous to ours, be exand forward in slaves, who are daily going backward homes, without our markets, and then returning quietly to their exciting apprehension or jealousy in either party. During public rejoicings and festivals, they enter the boundaries, --- Page 26 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks On some [26 to join in our dances and amusements; and often the contrast has been observed between a groupe of Spanish slaves, dancing gravely to the sound of their guitars, and a groupe of free Haytians, who made the air resound with the noise of their drums, dances, and loud songs. Evening approaches; ; the groupes disperse; the Spaniard returns peaceably to his home 3 and the Haytian follows, with and for ever! We always his usual cry : Liberty Independence Our lived on good terms with the Spaniards. government supplied them with arms and ammunition, to assist them in chasing the French from St. Domingo ; and received no remuneration for the service. We entered into a league with the belligerent powers in Europe, to repel the despotism of the French. While the English blocked their armies, and forced them into our sea-ports, navy up them with our forces on land. We we attacked and destroyed to the extension of their conquests ; and the put an effectual of stop desolation and insurrection to the Leeward Islands, introduction as had been done in Europe. During a war, where each party fought for liberty and independence, our ports were constantly shut against the French, (as they are at this moment,) yet regularly to the ships of the allied or neutral powers; 5 which were at open all times welcome, and favorably received when they had completed their cruise, and were come to our ports to refit, and victual with fresh provisions. To what powers could the vicinity of Hayti No colonies are near us, but those of Spain and England. prove dangerous? St. Domingo, which is on our confines, and Cuba, at a small distance, are peaceably disposed. Jamaica, and other English possessions, are equally sO. Are we an object of fear to the Spaniards ? They have suffered from the French as much as we 5 and have been assisted by us in danger. The government of has observed towards them the most exact our country We always have never taken part in the quarrels of Spain impartiality. with her colonies; why should she take part in our disputes with the French? Is it to the English we are dangerous? Let the French renounce that false idea, so flattering to them. Never will a nation SO generous and enlightened have cause to impute this to us. England is the principal power in Europe that took a lively interest in our fate. It is England, who first of all proposed the abolition of the slave-trade, and endeavoured to ameliorate the condition of slaves. It is England, who, by an order in council, considered us neutral and independent, and sent directly and legally her ships to Hayti. We should then be, of all beings, the most ungrateful and unjust, were we ever deficient in gratitude to the people and government of England. Far from being dangerous to that equitable and loyal power, it will always find us ready to espouse its interests, which are identified with our own. is England, who first of all proposed the abolition of the slave-trade, and endeavoured to ameliorate the condition of slaves. It is England, who, by an order in council, considered us neutral and independent, and sent directly and legally her ships to Hayti. We should then be, of all beings, the most ungrateful and unjust, were we ever deficient in gratitude to the people and government of England. Far from being dangerous to that equitable and loyal power, it will always find us ready to espouse its interests, which are identified with our own. --- Page 27 --- 27] French Works concerning Hayti. May we not inquire also of French politicians, in what the danger of our political existence, and why they preach consists to provoke the indignation of Europe against us ? The crusades aforded by the past (says M. de Boigne, in an awful cxample seems to require that prudence should exert herself, and make tone,). fiuture times. They loole dark and lonzering. Europe provision must unite for against the New World, ifit be not already too late. The adds the Journal des Debats, shows much more remark, than books, full of declamation on the same sulject. positive Politicians knoreledge, this cast should reflect, that we do not live in the old of of ignorance, prejudice, and barbarism : modern Europe is not the age as ancient Europe ; and we are far from the times when the same discovery was made by Columbus. Europe and America abound with intelligent men and noble tempers, aware ofthe value no longer to be ruled as any one may please, and oftheir rights; to man's caprices. Civilised and according any cannot be unjust and barbarous. Europe, To great generous as she is, of the preach before her the doctrine crusades; to provoke new murders, and earth with human blood, is an attempt to fix on deluge on again favor- the ed land of arts and sciences, the seat of Europe, anindelible the that stained the first conquerors of the Christianity, New World, the blot, of the unhappy Indians ! destroyers How detestable, and not merely so, how impracticable, is the attempt; ; how contrary to the spirit of the true interests of and mankind ! We are no more, I repeat it, living in the Europe the discovery times of by Columbus; we are no longer rude out the means of defending ourselves; we fear no Indians, more the withsence of the fiery charger, thet thunder ofartillery, nor the prebayonets, when they eross each other. Europe, to effect flashingof the subjugation of America, must depopulate the two worlds! : To satisfy the avarice, covetousness, pride, and Why? ties and passions of men. Such are the views that unruly propensito make the age, and state of general information some, who wish positive knorledge. retrograde, call. This reflection alone of our learned writers, instead of positive knowledge, amounts, in our opinion, to a full proof evincing entire ignorance of conduct, persons, and things in America. oftheir It evinces, too, the rhiteness of the soul of him who wrote the New System of Colonisation for St. Domingo. If,in the of his work, there were not evident proof of criminal design, plan and patience in the calculation of crime, the reflection alone perfidy, have made us suspect the man who could entertain such a would and compel us to reject his works with horror ! Degraded thought; of men! The blood of your countrymen is still ! You race have dyed with it all the territorial possessions of reeking Europe and America, and are not wearyof slaughter! You summonéd a world ess of the soul of him who wrote the New System of Colonisation for St. Domingo. If,in the of his work, there were not evident proof of criminal design, plan and patience in the calculation of crime, the reflection alone perfidy, have made us suspect the man who could entertain such a would and compel us to reject his works with horror ! Degraded thought; of men! The blood of your countrymen is still ! You race have dyed with it all the territorial possessions of reeking Europe and America, and are not wearyof slaughter! You summonéd a world --- Page 28 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [28 and did not shudder with to rise and massacre another world, Your blood was not frozen horror! Your hair stood not erect! in your veins ! the crimes and curses of all nations, where you Loaded with followed steps; you do not think that visited rapine and ravage would yours increase it! You wouid compel weight to be enough, in and bearing it ; and, in order to obtain your Europe to assist you us. Do you not know, that object, appeal to Europe against founded in truth and we also could ourselves make an appeal, that they who were conrighteousness? Could you imagine, the yoke and tyranny of France, federated with Europe, to repel and destroyed by Europe, conwould in their turn be France? oppressed ? What idea had you formed of federated in favor of her capable of an act of so much Europe, when you thought should she enter into the confederacy baseness ? But why desire of restoring St. Domingo to against us ? Was it from the a exclusive commerce of that country, France ; of re-establishing of commerce ? from a desire of to the absolute ruin European who wish and ask nothing but the destroying a handful of men, which they have justly enjoyment of freedom and independence, acquired? This is the highest pitch of delirium. But all that is nothing. the British cabinet, by the secret If we are to credit M. de Boigne, obliged Bonaparte to re-establish articles of the treaty, of Amiens, condition alone, he was slavery in the colonies; and, on such fleet composed of the troops of permitted to send against Hayti a fixed line, and to find there his Moreau, who was to act there on a grave. of this atrocious falsehood, M. de Boigne After the assertion the assistance of England in behalf of scrupled not to implore furnish him with the means ofundertaking a new Lewis XVIIL, to having the same object in view,. e. the and similar expedition, of Hayti to vassalage; together with extermination or reduction officers and soldiers of Bonaparte, the destruction of the half-pay fell, victims to the vengeance of who were to fall, as Moreau's army the climate and our swords. and immorality of the thing is beyond The excessive depravity, hasten on. credibility, and obliges to impatiently Europe, France, and These politicians, instead of of calumninting anxiety in us; of distheir own sovercign ; instead would creating act more wisely in consultputing our well-grounded claims, and retrieving its affairs. Instead the safety of their own state, in the light of a family solicitous to te representing the Bourbons of nations, and incapable of comobliterate all traces of the rights they would do better mitting the same enormities as Bonaparte ; The excessive depravity, hasten on. credibility, and obliges to impatiently Europe, France, and These politicians, instead of of calumninting anxiety in us; of distheir own sovercign ; instead would creating act more wisely in consultputing our well-grounded claims, and retrieving its affairs. Instead the safety of their own state, in the light of a family solicitous to te representing the Bourbons of nations, and incapable of comobliterate all traces of the rights they would do better mitting the same enormities as Bonaparte ; --- Page 29 --- 29] French Works concerning Hayti. to represent them in a more amiable point of view; as anxious to revive the generous example and virtues of their ancestors. There is no royal house in Europe that has contributed more to the independence of nations than the house of Bourbon. the Fourth, that prince who transmitted to posterity SO great Henry a name, favored the independence of the Dutch. Louis XVI. was the first crowned head in Europe, who assisted with all his the United States of America, and acknowledged their power dence before it was admitted by England. What reflected indepen- honor on Henry the IVth, and Louis the XVIth, cannot be less creditable to his majesty Louis the XVIIIth. Were he to the independence of Hayti, it would be an act of acknowledge still greater generosity and magnificence. For if it be at all times a of a great mind to assist in succoring the distressed, while we proof strike a blowat the interest of others; how much greater, more generous, and deserving of praise is it, to be the first in exercising acts of benevolence and generosity at one's own expense! shoald not the Bourbons of the present age imitate the Why and noble example of their ancestors, and acknowledge the virtues independence of Hayi? Is there a people who had ever better pretensions to dence ? We do not, certainly, presume to dispute or invalidate indepenthe claim of other nations of Europe and America to dence. Far be it from us to encourage such an idea. indepen- We are occupied only with the care of our safety and a righteous defence. We feel constrained to employ the same arguments that are made use of to oppose us : and it is only in the comparison of that we can find examples in support of our rights. things Taxes and commerce, to the exclusion of all the rest of Europe, caused America to rise against England. The cruelties exercised by Grisler, provoked the indignation of Switzerland against Austria. Portugal would only recover its political liberty from Spain. Religious opinions and dissensians made Holland revolt and separate herself from Spain. Compare their grievances with ours 5 with the loss of personal liberty, as well as civil and litical freedom, which threatened us ; with the torture, racks, and pomassacre we endured ; with the blood we shed; with the and miseries of every kind which we suffered; ; with the infamy privations and disgrace they heaped upon us 5 with theinjustice and revolting acts of oppression under which we groaned for centuries. Let the geographical, moral, and political situation of those countries be compared with ours ; with our seclusion from the continent by an immense expanse of ocean ; withour climate, population, and Leti it be considered, how energetically we strove to obtain habits. a rank amongst civilised nations $ and then talk of theright that other VOL. XIII, Pam. NO. XXV. N ations and disgrace they heaped upon us 5 with theinjustice and revolting acts of oppression under which we groaned for centuries. Let the geographical, moral, and political situation of those countries be compared with ours ; with our seclusion from the continent by an immense expanse of ocean ; withour climate, population, and Leti it be considered, how energetically we strove to obtain habits. a rank amongst civilised nations $ and then talk of theright that other VOL. XIII, Pam. NO. XXV. N --- Page 30 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [s0 preference to us, of acquiring liberty and indepennations had,in dence. in natural and political justice, that, when the It isa principle the has been SO too. Conquest is newar has been just, conquest Politicians, however, are not concessarily consequent on victory. our title to independence : they tented with calling in question to the ex-colonists their ROc tend thatitisi incumbent on ust to restore to their reasons, and in order to give plausibility mer possessions; of the United States. 66 The Amethey still urge the example all property, ricans restored, rohen peace "oas concluded, to the sequestered Americans." as did. the English that rhich conclude, belonged that we must restore to the From this precedent they which, they say, has not ex-colonists what they term their of property; the crown, and has been let on been sold, but js in possession lease. they find between the Americans Weask, first, what similarity and the people of Hayti and ex-coand English, on the one hand, the nature of things, who lonists on the other? Do not they pervert in which there is no seek for examples in objects SO dissimilar, even of common sense ? kind of analogy, and which are destitute the the possessions of the The Americans restored, after themselves peace, English, white, and proEnglish, because they were their rights, natural, civil, and prietors. The Americans enjoyed They contended only for their political; they were undisputed. the English, for sovereignty. T'here country's independence; observes, noble and bemight exist, as M. de Boigne very justly from the same annevolent feelings sin the bosom of men descended of property, were notinand the restoration cestors. Independence, are placed ina widely differentsitucompatible. The peopleofHayti the soil,negroes and slaves, ation. They were all Africans, nativesoft bereft of their rights, natural, civil without country or possessions; of Hayti were, as it is termedycivillye dead. andp political. The people like human habitations, nor their modes Their habitations were not The ex-colonists exerted over of living like human modes of living. and death. Unprotected, treated as them a barbarous power oflife and abandoned by the w hole race the most loathsome of animals, and shed torrents of blood, to obof mankind, they have fought, life and liberty; to regain the tain by force a country, an asylum, which tyranny had already torn sacred and imprescriptible rights What feelings, noble or benevofrom them, and would tear again! the ex-colonists ? We were deprived lent, can exist between us and considered nothing. We have of every thing; had nothing; of the were sword, a country, liberty, indepenachieved at the point have nothing but what is our own; 5 we dence and wealth ! We and have nothing to restore to them. therefore owe them nothing; ; to regain the tain by force a country, an asylum, which tyranny had already torn sacred and imprescriptible rights What feelings, noble or benevofrom them, and would tear again! the ex-colonists ? We were deprived lent, can exist between us and considered nothing. We have of every thing; had nothing; of the were sword, a country, liberty, indepenachieved at the point have nothing but what is our own; 5 we dence and wealth ! We and have nothing to restore to them. therefore owe them nothing; --- Page 31 --- 31] French Works concerning Hayti. They were the first to put us out of the of we, in return, could expel them without pale social relations : The situation in which difficulty and with justice. they would reduce they are placed is precisely that to which have been dead or us. Ifthey had been victorious, we should enslaved; in possession of nothing. But they were vanquished nothing, and asking thing ; ask for nothing. We had 5 they have therefore noor enslave them, on the a right to put them to death death or enslave us; and ground vice that they wished. to put us to more justice and versà. We have acted with generosity than they; and have merely to drive them from our territories. been content claim to our possessions, no pretence to They have no not imagine they will be suffered to enter them revisit them. Let them pretence soever they come, again, under what The ancient Romans, Germans, and to convert the property and persons of the Gauls, were accustomed, use after victory. It was then by of vanquished to their own won the prize. Thelaw ofnations, right in modern conquest : the strongest and humane, respects the person and times,alike of the equitable Conquest confers no privilege. Claims vanquished. made with as little and war are IrEUe mutual evil as sovereignty We to the laws adopted by all civilised possible. nations undoubtedly assent ex-colonists the questionis : but in regard to the to the rule. There is not a similar widely different. We are an exception of nations. We submit ourr example to be found in the annals countries, and entreat them reflections to the political writers of all their attention, on a subject of to condescend to favor us with worthy of engaging a more learned general than law, SO interesting and SO Thejus gentium of the moderns pen does our own. laws of God; ; of justice and equity. On not the change thei immutable first and most solid foundation. contrary, they are its How can the ex-colonists presume to interpret in their principles of morals, justiceand public law, when favor the ed all law, divine as well as human they have violatall principles of morality, of distributive 5 when they have trampled on Plunderers of the of or natural justice ? assassins, after property wretched Indians, and profligate having stripped us of our natural perfidy and violence torn us from the bosom of rights, and by they have brought us upon this spot. We have found our country, torturers, who had no pity or remorse ; who inflicted them to be ampled torments, pain and' misery, without on us unexunder the colonial system. necessity or provocation, At the call of. Liberty, we proved to our tyrants, that the Islands could be cultivated by free and Leeward not essential either to the men; that slavery was master or the slave. Order and discipline our natural perfidy and violence torn us from the bosom of rights, and by they have brought us upon this spot. We have found our country, torturers, who had no pity or remorse ; who inflicted them to be ampled torments, pain and' misery, without on us unexunder the colonial system. necessity or provocation, At the call of. Liberty, we proved to our tyrants, that the Islands could be cultivated by free and Leeward not essential either to the men; that slavery was master or the slave. Order and discipline --- Page 32 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks 0n some [32 The ex-colonists were in the full possession reigned everywhere. of what they term their estates. That condition and enjoyment but the ex-colonists were not saof things lasted ten years: the of life and death. tisfied. They retained no longer with chains power at pleasure. They They could no longer load us state of things, and importunately viewed with regret the ancient within was made in the colony demanded it. Every effort resume power the detested yoke of slavery, and metropolis, to compel us to of their anxious solicitations, to the the sole and constant object France. transitory government of the of the naval expedition sent The ex-colonists were deceived promoters Bonaparte, and betrayed him against us in 1802. They counsels; and assisting him with all their into error, furnished by, perfidious him even with pecuniary means to accomplish power, barbarous and unjust measure. They followed the expedi- the that were the authors and abetters of all tion in crowds; they exercised. crimes and cruelties that were and conducted the bloodThey procured, at their own expense, country with scafhounds against us ; they spread our unfortunate up the burningand instruments of torture 5 lighted folds, gibbets, Carrier-boats, and Tevery pile; and introduced death by drowning, They destroyed by case-shot, and kind of torture and of crime. without regard to age or sex. the bayonet, thousands of victims, could have invented or committed such European Frenchmen: never been led and excited by the ex-colonists, long horrors, had they not and hackneyed in the art of torture. grown familiar with crime, of our wars and civil dissenThey were the constant promoters to kindle the torch of discord ;insions : on both sides equally ready excite to mutual slaughter; flame the passions 5 provoker eresentment; saw the blood of Hayti and were never SO rejoiced, as when they shed byits own hands. and experience could not soften Twenty-five years of misfortune Since the restoration of the vindictive temper of the ex-colonists. an iota of their unjust and the Bourbons, they have not changed incessantly, the cabinet of Louis savage policy. They importuned, us, in imitation of Bonaparte; XVIIL, to send an expedition against They not only recommended who complied with their intreaty. had done before, pecunihim to do it, but offered again, At first as they they sent spies, and then comary means to undertake it. to insult us by offering the altermissaries, all of them ex-colonists, formed of attack, projects native of slavery or death. They them in plans and pamphof extermination; ; and displayed is to violate all publications laws of religion, justice, lets, of which the tendency to exterminate our morals and humanity. In fine, they the proposed breast of its mother. whole race, to the very infant at reaty. had done before, pecunihim to do it, but offered again, At first as they they sent spies, and then comary means to undertake it. to insult us by offering the altermissaries, all of them ex-colonists, formed of attack, projects native of slavery or death. They them in plans and pamphof extermination; ; and displayed is to violate all publications laws of religion, justice, lets, of which the tendency to exterminate our morals and humanity. In fine, they the proposed breast of its mother. whole race, to the very infant at --- Page 33 --- 33] French Works concerning Hayti. It follows then, that the ex-colonists are our natural enemies. Implacable in hatred and resentment, they were at all times our torturers and savage persecutors. For what design, however, has man been created ? For the pose, surely, ofknowing and seeking the Supreme Good, his piness and felicity, and of A protecting himself from that might tend to endanger his safety. Self-defence any is thing the first law of nature. It is the primary law, applicable to man either relatively, or as an individual. For these reasons we cannot, not, to restore to the ex-colonists what they term their estates; ought introduce them to our families ; nor yet pay to them any sums of money, under any title or pretence whatever. Safety and selfof preservation these imperiously demand it; and the very presence of one men would be sufficient to excite alarm and or even lose us for ever. distress; ; Our political and moral existence, ourinterests arei with those of the ex-colonists. After they have introduced incompatible devastation and death; after we have made exertions that pillage, have exhausted us, to repair the mischief occasioned at different by several wars; at the moment when we begin to enjoy the periods, fruits of our exertions, fatigue, and blood, we are expected to surrender all to the French! Where is the unjust law, which we are condemned to divest ourselves of our privileges by and estates, in order to enrich an odious race of despots, and afford them an opportunity of menacing again our lives and liberties, natural, political and civil? Have they a right to dispossess us of every thing, and overthrow the order of things established by the will of God, the laws of justice and morality ? and have we no right to dispose of landed property, of a spot we have bedewed for three with our tears, sweat and blood? . They centuries, were ac.. quired, and the ex-colonists have been dispossessed of them justly for by: a long series of crimes and iniquities, which rise up in judgment ever, against them! 6 The estates ofthe emigrants," says M. de 66 were and politically sold : but the Haytian ex-colonists Boigne, are in a legally andfavorable situation. > For the proof of which, he asserts, peculiar that those estates are still in our hands as a trust; ; and were never sold, by any legal or illegal act of the government of Hayti. In that, as in many other instances, M. de Boigne is under a great mistake. The estates which the ex-colonists term were in general sold by an authorised act of the theirs, of his majesty the king of Hayti. There will not, in government a short of time, remain a single insignificant house, inhabited space an ex-colonist, that will not become the legitimate formerly of by a native ofHayti. property our hands as a trust; ; and were never sold, by any legal or illegal act of the government of Hayti. In that, as in many other instances, M. de Boigne is under a great mistake. The estates which the ex-colonists term were in general sold by an authorised act of the theirs, of his majesty the king of Hayti. There will not, in government a short of time, remain a single insignificant house, inhabited space an ex-colonist, that will not become the legitimate formerly of by a native ofHayti. property --- Page 34 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks On some [34 We would not, at first, attempt to undeceive M. de and his panegyrists, M. M. Fiévée, Hoffmann, and Boigue ing them their egregious error, in bringing forward Felletz, the by sale showestates. With such political writers we chose rather to of once the question in regard to discuss at right. We now public right 5 for, the deed is not the assure them, as well as the ex-colonists and their been supporters, sold and that their estates, as they are pleased to call them, have disposed of, in a strictly legal, just, and manner, by a solemn act presented to the in the prudent of state; and that in fact, as well as in sound king great council are theirs no more. Ifthey are sorry for it, SO much principle, the worse. the estates have drawn upon themselves their own misfortunes. They accuse themselves alone. They imagined that there They have to paid to distributive justice on earth; but erroneously. was no respect not be possessed with a spirit of infatuation and Must they posethat we should keep as a trust, our own blindness, and to surren- supder it to them afterwards? property, Ifthey had not considered: the same ignorant and barbarous without any knowledge of political, ofcivil law, or. European people they would not have dared, in our presence, to appeal, SO notions, inconsiderately as they have done, to the principles of morality, justice and.jus gentium of Europe, in favor of the ex-colonists. They would not have talked to us of the eternal obligation of debt and the fixed rights of property, when they stand a false and criminal basis. They would not have upon to tell that the ex-colonists were placed in a particular presumed and us more favorably circumstanced than the emigrants whose category, had been legally and politically sold, because it is incumbent estates On twise and prudent governments, before all things, to prevent the recurrence ofdisorder, and ofreaction, still more dangerous. Though M. de Boigne is guilty towards the emigrants of cruel injustice, by putting them on a level with the he admits notwithstanding, that their estates were legally ex-colonists, and cally sold. Might we not ask, whythe estates, which the ex-colo- politinists term theirs, could not be legally and politically sold? We should be particularly desirous of being informed such a sale would be illegal and impolitic on our part ? why informed our why government is necessarily less twvise and ofbcing prudent than their own? and why we should not, above all things, prevent the recurrence ofdisorder, and ofreaction, still more P If, at the period when we proclaimed our dangerous we did not sell or dispose of such estates, it must be independence, attributed to the head oft thegovernment then existing, who did not considerl himselfin a fit situation to doi it. In that instance, he committed a capital fault, unprecedented in the annals of history, and indefensible. An act our why government is necessarily less twvise and ofbcing prudent than their own? and why we should not, above all things, prevent the recurrence ofdisorder, and ofreaction, still more P If, at the period when we proclaimed our dangerous we did not sell or dispose of such estates, it must be independence, attributed to the head oft thegovernment then existing, who did not considerl himselfin a fit situation to doi it. In that instance, he committed a capital fault, unprecedented in the annals of history, and indefensible. An act --- Page 35 --- 35] French Works concerning Hayti. the So great, salutary, and judicious, would in itself have been country from the horrors of civil war. The nation preserved happier; the country richer and more would have ment more firm. All would have stood on powerful, and govern- 'The frivolous a more substantial questions on property, basis. they attack man in his most vital interests, always and dangerous, because cipal cause of civil war, would have been avoided. have been a prinment of that time would have found in the The governquired estates, a number of persons owners of newly acnance and stability. Forty or fifty thousand deeply interested in its maintewould have supported it with all the influence of of the new proprietors racter, and credit, over the great of the their wealth, ch2That government fell, because it body people. and was grounded on no solid and stood independent of the people, de Boigne attributes the death of permanent the basis. M. le Borgne slaughter ofFrenchmen in his reign. 6 emperor '3 Dessalines to the spiracy succeeds, the implacable Atlast," says he, 6 the connated lgy kis suite, with part ofhis enemy ofthe luman race is assassicruelty." guard, and the accomplices ofhis The human emperor, race. Though though he an enemy made to the French, was not SO to the have exterminated us, he was not cruel. reprisals upon men who would his death to his having relied with too much He owes, on the contrary, French faction; and a white confidence on the emperor had promoted to the Frenchman, rank of named Verret, whom the enough to give him the first stab ! adjutant-general, was base An ardent patriot, a lover of his liberty the emperor Dessalines, with countrymen, the and his country's do good,had not the knowledge, inclination and power to necessary to sovereigns, in the sagacity andprudencei indispensably fortunately he was surrounded by management of public affairs. Unand corruption superadded the love factious men, who to debauchery and loose conduct lost him the favorable ofintrigue. Their depravity forthey were suffered to acquire an opinion of the people: though incapable of ascendency in his councils, country. The very understanding small number or of promoting the welfare of the prevailed upon to enter the honest men who could be happy prince, with the very cabinet, best were not listened to. Theu unperiod when the greatest intentions, was misled. At a travagances were persisted in. hardships No useful were felt, the most idle exed ; no measure of common establishments were creatinto the administration ; a advantageintroduced. spirit of Disorders crept ness spread itself among the insubordination and licentioushad been itself the troops. The French faction, which tunity afforded by original the situation cause of the mischief, seized the opporto conspire against the in which the empire was placed, emperor. He was basely and treacherously Theu unperiod when the greatest intentions, was misled. At a travagances were persisted in. hardships No useful were felt, the most idle exed ; no measure of common establishments were creatinto the administration ; a advantageintroduced. spirit of Disorders crept ness spread itself among the insubordination and licentioushad been itself the troops. The French faction, which tunity afforded by original the situation cause of the mischief, seized the opporto conspire against the in which the empire was placed, emperor. He was basely and treacherously --- Page 36 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [36 the 17th of October 1 806, ata place called Red-Bridge, murdered, distant from Port-au-Prince, withoutany declaa quarter of a league act of hostility. The principal founder ration of war, or previous he who had expelled the French from our terriof independence, they had sworn in a solemn assembly to defend till death, tory, whomt in the midst of his fellow-soldiers and companions, with perished only the commander of his guards and ! reluctance in tracing lines which Though we feel deepsorrow and had resolved never to speak of defile the page of our history, been constrained to do sO, contrary to our them more, yet we have as M. de Boigne has dared to inclination, that such an aspersion of ouraugust and beloved sovereign, cast on the character and person He has the effrontery to maintain, that should not pass unnoticed. the Emperor Desthe King entered into a secret conspiracy honor against and probity in the chasalines. There is too much of candor, conduct stand on too racter of his majesty ; his political admit and of private his being wounded by so infirm a foundation of virtue,to affected by the emperor's famous a slander. His majesty was deeply our country : but he would misconduct, and the ills thatawaited his life. have preferred exile, or death itself, to an attempt against had listWould to God the emperor (unhappily too his incredulous) then comened to the prudent counsels given the him minister by of majesty, finance ; the mander in chief of the army 5 by of sterling and ReRues ; ral of division, Andrew Verret, a man and men, probity who were about and a small number of true friends honest advices; reformhim ! Would to God hehad followed theirsalutary order, morals, ed the licentious conduct of his court, re-established the who justice : thathe had banished from his how presence best to flatterhim parasites ; who, surrounded him, and who knew only were SO cowardly ever promptand daring to practise or counsel evil, with and share abandon him, and had not the soul to die him, as to Would to God the Emperor had listened to the pruin his danger! of the commander in chief of the army, his dent suggestions friend! ! and he had King, yet been living. How many ills, calamities true he would have averted from his country and himself ! and Such sorrows is the untimely fate of princes who reject the admonitions chaof reason, and suffer themselves to be surrounded by depraved can be devoid ofhonor and integrity, on whom no reliance racters, placed either in misfortune or danger. libeller ! since he M. le Borgne de Boigne is then an and unprincipled endeavoured, without any deliberately formed blot his resolution, the character of our august sovereign, proof whatever, to and of PERLA imputing to him acts of treason, of his perfidy soul repel ingratitude, the most distant susthe grandeur and elevation picion. chaof reason, and suffer themselves to be surrounded by depraved can be devoid ofhonor and integrity, on whom no reliance racters, placed either in misfortune or danger. libeller ! since he M. le Borgne de Boigne is then an and unprincipled endeavoured, without any deliberately formed blot his resolution, the character of our august sovereign, proof whatever, to and of PERLA imputing to him acts of treason, of his perfidy soul repel ingratitude, the most distant susthe grandeur and elevation picion. --- Page 37 --- S7] French Works concerning Hayti. Our civil wars are to be traced to political causes, external and internal. No corporate body or government ever existed out laws, institutions, or property. A more want with- of a complete them, or greater number of lands at the disposal of the was never known, than at the period of our troubles. royal will, of no description, not even that of reading or writing, was Knowledge in order to become a judge or minister. It would be necessary to relate, without blushing, the absurd arguments that were impossible in favor of ignorance: : all this tended to us more and advanced inextricably into confusion and darkness. plunge But more observes, c the further we remove from reason, the as Franklin it." Fortunately these errors or faults in political more we feel retrieved by our august sovereign. They are not economy, the were yet the last of the kind, which that enlightened first, nor benefactor of his people, has redressed, and still monarch, will have the redress. to The national schools were in the same state as aspired to a rank amongst civilised nations, and were property. We tional schools ! We were solicitous to introduce into the without naarts and sciences; and were without the means of country the the and sciences! learning arts From the beginning of our political regeneration, our faults have given strength to the unfavorable disposition of our and hardened them in their odious prejudices. enemies, ling to ascertain the source of these faults, of which They are unwilfirst cause ; nor do they wish to know the they are the resorted to, in order to prevent their means which have been to pass sentence upon us, in the same recurrence : but they continue always with reference to our condition in partial former spirit of illiberality; Such are the mistakes into which M. de Boigne is times. moment, because he imagines himself addressing betrayed the every 1793 ; a period in which he discovered people of traits of character for an some very dishonorable assumes that title. 1 ex-legislator, at least for a man who In I This man is notorious in Hayti for his and a memoir written by M.Julien Raymond, rapacity, one of want of morals. members of the commission, is a the the most distinguished transcribe. 6 Le Borgne," says M. report, 46 with words of which we literally nax was well acquainted, for whom Raymond, he whose profligacy Santhowhom he would hiave sent on shore at expressed the utmost contempt, and orders oft the cominission, in taking on board Rochefurt, with for having disobeyed the speaking of whom he said to me : Thou" dostnot know him a girl ofthe town; in villain, asIc do. Hei is capable of raising an the character ofthat the commission, and of dividing the spoil insurrection : Le Borgne, atSt. Domingo against notorious at Paris, time, The revolutionary style of using the second person 4 thee" and e thou," were common at that ave sent on shore at expressed the utmost contempt, and orders oft the cominission, in taking on board Rochefurt, with for having disobeyed the speaking of whom he said to me : Thou" dostnot know him a girl ofthe town; in villain, asIc do. Hei is capable of raising an the character ofthat the commission, and of dividing the spoil insurrection : Le Borgne, atSt. Domingo against notorious at Paris, time, The revolutionary style of using the second person 4 thee" and e thou," were common at that --- Page 38 --- Baron de Vastey's. Remarks on some [38 The dupe of his passions, he cannot understand the nature of the changes that have taken place 3 the extent of knowledge we have acquired, nor the advances we. have made in social order. He still considers us in the light of a horde of barbarians, destitute of any notion of civilised life: little imagining that the Haytians of the present time are as different from those of 1793, as modern Frenchmen are from the Gauls of the sixth century. Deluded by an opinion, which flatters his pride, chimerical hopes, and colonial principles, he believes, in common with the greater part ofhis countrymen, that we have not the talent and information necessary to conduct with prudence, our public affairs. It is our duty then, and we are particularly called upon to undeceive them. The more on and would avail themSO, as they rely our supposed ignorance, in order selves of it, to allure us into false and dangerous measures, effectually to accomplish the execution of their criminal designs. c The government fHayli," says M. de Boigne, < may ,, be called an absolute monarchy : for the military power is supreme." If It is the custom with torturers to calumniate their victims. the military authority sometimes prevails over the civil, it cannot, ought not to be ascribed to any thing but the state of war perpetu- the ally carried O11 against the French. Why do they object to us situation in which we have been placed by themselves, which they created and made unavoidable ? The assertion is not unlike the crimes ofthe slave-trade, to the commission of which they prompted the unfortunate Indians, and then reproached them. is It is true, that our government, by the iegulation of modified. This, in the opinion the most a monarchy essentially ctrGea distinguished civilians, is the best mode of government. We do not this on the best form of pretend to enter into a discussion in place, and government, the absolute, monarchical, or republican 3 history experience afford living instances, that nations florish underany kind of government, when they who fill the throne are wise, equitable, enlightened, and benevolent. Tobago, St. Lucy, Martinique, the Cape, for his rapacity: Le Borgne, Rigaud who had quitted the Cayes, loaded with general execrations; that moment, outraged on the point by seducing a young girl, with whom byl his he was, hauteur at ; filled everyhonest breast of marriage; exasperated the people a of the prizes made by corsairs, with indignation; ; who, being judge who confessed that he paid nothing had twelve shares allowed him; and was to them : Le for them, while the receipt of a wealthy merchant opposed by the minister, Borgne, in fine, whose character Islands was perfectly the comprehended) of plundering and who sent him to the Leeward fur which sole he purpose could be had setting fire to Jamaica; ; (the only way in of the finances under employed) the title, unbeen entrusted with the superintendence a house known in France, of central agent ; with an enormous salary, which nobly furnished, and a table sumptuously served. To replied the : observations *I know it isall I had taken the liberty of making, Santhonax article of in his true; but he will soon not have an property possession?" of plundering and who sent him to the Leeward fur which sole he purpose could be had setting fire to Jamaica; ; (the only way in of the finances under employed) the title, unbeen entrusted with the superintendence a house known in France, of central agent ; with an enormous salary, which nobly furnished, and a table sumptuously served. To replied the : observations *I know it isall I had taken the liberty of making, Santhonax article of in his true; but he will soon not have an property possession?" --- Page 39 --- 39] French Works concerning Hayti. The Autocrat of all the Russias, the magnanimous and generous Alexander, renders his numerous subjects happy by the wisdom and mildness of his government. Contiguous to his vast dominions is the empire of the Crescent, already in its decline, and falling under the weight of the ignorance and despotism of the Sultan. England, immortalised under the aegis of a constitutional has reached the highest point of renown, felicity, and power, monarchy, that a nation can attain. Close to her, her eternal competitor, France, endeavours to imitate, and follow her footsteps ; but in vain. France requires that wisdom, the result of ages, which does not spontaneously from a constitutional charter, but from time,-the spring morals, manners, and experience of the English. For five and twenty years, the French made trial ofe every of government. They abandoned a monarchy for a species from a republic passed into a state ofthe grossest anarchy; republic; from to eastern despotism 5 and at last, from despotism, came back anarchy to a constitutional monarchy. That fickle nation has proved her incapacity to bear any rule but that of an iron sceptre, which might again restore to her religion, morals, and purity of life. In Spain, despotism reignsin conjunction with monarchy. At Naples, the people enjoy the benefit of a paternal government, under a prince descended from the kings ofSpain. The United States of America florish as a republic; and the and comfort of that country would give us some happiness favorable ideas of that kind of government, did we not collect from the example of the republics of France, Holland, Venice, and what a republic is. The form and name of government, is Genoa, ofl little consequence, if they only render the people happy. Sound suggests to us the propriety of requiring wisdom, justice, policy andbenevolence among governors; and religion, knowledge in the governed. virtue, good morals, Indeed, of what service would the wisest constitution be to men of vicious and depraved temper, whose vices were not previously corrected? Apply the English constitution to the Turks; you will soon perceive the good effects ofit on the minds oft the Sultan and Mahometans. We must first then secure a national character, manners and virtues, such as can support thelaw. Without their help, the legislature can never raise any other than a tottering fabric, ever ready to fall. In Hayti, as well as in other civilised states, we have a form of government, institution, and laws. The immortal and venerated code, that bears the name of our august sovereign, governs alike cities and villages. The civil, executive, and military submit to it; the king even does not consider himself above power the of which he is the founder, the defender and supporter. He law, can- national character, manners and virtues, such as can support thelaw. Without their help, the legislature can never raise any other than a tottering fabric, ever ready to fall. In Hayti, as well as in other civilised states, we have a form of government, institution, and laws. The immortal and venerated code, that bears the name of our august sovereign, governs alike cities and villages. The civil, executive, and military submit to it; the king even does not consider himself above power the of which he is the founder, the defender and supporter. He law, can- --- Page 40 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks 0n2 some [40 the work of his own hands to fall into contempt : his not suffer to be buried in darkness and obscuclaim to glory andimmortality, rity. of the assertions of M. de Boigne, the Code In contradiction The military submit to it. If sometimes, Henry is in full force. to it is, as we have alin public affairs, it is suffered prevail, only, when strong measures ready explained, at a period of danger are necessary to ensure the public and safety. almost impossible to mainIt is indeed extremely ditlicult, whole nation is menaced with tain the power of the law, when a ; when all are in extermination, by a cruel and barbarous enemy in defence of theirhomes, liberty, and independence. arms the best regulated government will incline At such a moment, arbitrary measures. The police becomes in spite ofitself, towards and severe; the common course of affairs more suspicious, active thing suffers, and is changed : persons are is interrupted. Every 5 a general shock is felt seized, and estates put in sequestration tradesmen, manufacturers, and throughout the country. Soldiers, children, foreigners even who live agriculturists ; men, women, less thev violence of the comin our cities, feel in a greater or degree then finds himself in oppomotion. The head of the government ofit; he deeply laments it; sition to the laws. He is not ignorant of the people is the supreme but in that dire necessity, the safety law. for the better, the laws again resume As soon as there is a change and estate is again visible; ; their empire ; the security of persons But no man and every one returns to his customary Instead of relying pursuits. on pacific abandons himselfto indolence. of the highest import, attrate ances, we direct our attention to an object and independence. The Haypreservation of our rights, with liberties his hand on the hilt ofhis sword ! tian never sleeps, but the country was threatened with imminent The ancients, when to infuse new strength, vigor, and radanger, appointed a dictator, No citizen could blame a measure repidity into the government. The moderns, when a nation is threatquired by public safety. proclaim martial law. Even in Engened with imminent danger, adduce as an example, in questions of land, which we must always the bulwark of the liberties of legislation, the habeas corpus, Was it not under a power, the people, is occasionally suspended. dictatorial, and absolute, that the of all others the most military, ? In France, when the alFrench plundered and laid waste Europe Alsatia, Champagne and lied armies were invading the Netherlands, castle. At the Every man's house is a 1 This is precisely. our situation. firelocks, pistols, sabres, swords, extremity of his bed are seen hanging, on fire, should the enemy approachi daggers, and torches to set every thing of legislation, the habeas corpus, Was it not under a power, the people, is occasionally suspended. dictatorial, and absolute, that the of all others the most military, ? In France, when the alFrench plundered and laid waste Europe Alsatia, Champagne and lied armies were invading the Netherlands, castle. At the Every man's house is a 1 This is precisely. our situation. firelocks, pistols, sabres, swords, extremity of his bed are seen hanging, on fire, should the enemy approachi daggers, and torches to set every thing --- Page 41 --- 41] French Works concerning Hayti. Burgundy, did the civil power govern the state ? The M. de Boigne's own country ought to have corrected situation of on ours. To be enabled to form an equitable hisjudgment to be just, and put himself in our situation. But opinion, this he ought though simple in the extreme, is never used the measure, All notions of justice are erased from the mind :. an order ex-colonists. who by their pride and prejudices are separated from the of beings race of mankind. Living only for themselves, not for common are the morals and justice ofthe ex-colonists. Address others them ; such different language, they will not be able to comprehend in a powerful is the force of habit. you 5 SO To form a correct idea ofthe political situation of our ment, it was necessary to consider, that we were governmoment free from apprehensions ofthe not a single French; to consider horrors, acts of cruelty, injustice and all the them; to consider, finally, that we were perfidy bound, we suffered from imperious necessity, to secure freedom in order to meet by pressing and and their menaces of extirpation, or renewal of and despise ourselves in works conducted with great haste slavery; and engage and most essential to our preservation. precipitancy, For these reasons, we were obliged to construct on the the most inaccessible mountains, summitof them for the purpose of keeping impregnable our of fortresses, and use well as supplies ofp provisions, for subsistence parks and heavy artillery, as necessary to enable us to keep under arms, and maintain war. They were sand regular troops. A still greater number of the militia fifty thouconstantly drawn from the agricultural and were of people, either for the of being reviewed manufacturing in classes oeuvres and management the manarms, or as EuFSEA of the line; Or in order to assist in the construction auxiliary to the troops drag through difficult roads, artillery and ammunition, offortifications, and arm supply with provisions the strong castles. Let the immense and of soldiers, (compared with our population,) be number be considered, that we were obliged to draw from considered: let it commerce and industry, as well to recruit the as agriculture, for laborious purposes; that we were able to load army with other coffee, during the year 1817, more than 150 of sugar and trade, in the port of the capital alone; which ships foreign calculation, amount to 4 or 500 for the must, on a regular From these various shipe, whoie of Hayti. considerations, it be must have been the efforts of the people may and conceived, how great Instead, therefore, of finding fault with our situation, government and of Hayti. ing why we are not more advanced, it seems to me we demandpraise; and it ought rather to be asked, how we could achieve deserve many things, and overcome SO many serious SO the elevated post we now enjoy. difficulties, as to fill calculation, amount to 4 or 500 for the must, on a regular From these various shipe, whoie of Hayti. considerations, it be must have been the efforts of the people may and conceived, how great Instead, therefore, of finding fault with our situation, government and of Hayti. ing why we are not more advanced, it seems to me we demandpraise; and it ought rather to be asked, how we could achieve deserve many things, and overcome SO many serious SO the elevated post we now enjoy. difficulties, as to fill --- Page 42 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [42 M. de Boigne affirms, that there is not in Hayti a single public institution for education, arts and sciences; ; nothing to relieve the sufferings and distress ofthe lower ordersofsociely: in short, nothing ofshat reflects credit on civilised nations and their governments. We have not yet, I confess, academies, lyceums, colleges, and universities; public schools for young ladies, hospitals for foundlings and the poor, nor hotels for invalids, built and endowed as those of Greenwich, Chelsea, Berlin and Paris: eternal monuments to the glory of humanity, and of the kings William, James, Frederick, and Louis the XIV. We do: not yet possess, Iacknowledge, all the establishments that distinguish civilised nations, but we will possess them one day. Let our judges, then, condescend to reflect, that we are yet but fourteen years old, and many of learning and civilisation were necessary before other natEms could create, construct and bring to perfection, such establishments. There Our present wants are supplied by our military hospitals. the defenders of their country are clothed, fed and supported. Lectures on physic and anatomy have been instituted in the capital. Theart of preserving health, clinical physic, and surgery, are taught there; and those sciences, SO necessary to the preservation of man, cannot fail to be cultivated with success. also shall have our There will be, no doubt, a time, when we his hospital of invalids. An intelligent sovereign, the father of soldiers; a warlike country, owing its civil and political existence to the courage and valor ofits armies, who have shed their blood to create a country for themselves; such a country never can be SO ungrateful, as to refuse help and anl asylum to the generous soldier, who has lost in its service a leg, an arm, or an eye, upon the field of battle; and who, being incapable oflabor, and destitute of the means of subsistence, would find himself, in old age, reduced to the galling and cruel necessity of begging his bread at the door of the proud citizen, who enjoys the fruit ofhis fatigues and blood ! Workhouses for the poor, hospitals for foundlings, indispensable in Europe, are also necessary to us; but not in the same debecause the mildness of our climate and fertility of our soil gree, prevent us from being scarcely ever in want of clothes and food, unless we totally neglect agriculture. to form such kinds of estaWe act then wisely, in delaying the of blishments; which would only be useful to us for purpose confining criminals and women of loose conduct. But there is a duty incumbent upon us, and which we cannot delay any longer: I mean the duty of founding public institutions, in order to diffuse public instruction, with a view to the amelioration and change of our habits. Here we must give the finishing of our climate and fertility of our soil gree, prevent us from being scarcely ever in want of clothes and food, unless we totally neglect agriculture. to form such kinds of estaWe act then wisely, in delaying the of blishments; which would only be useful to us for purpose confining criminals and women of loose conduct. But there is a duty incumbent upon us, and which we cannot delay any longer: I mean the duty of founding public institutions, in order to diffuse public instruction, with a view to the amelioration and change of our habits. Here we must give the finishing --- Page 43 --- 43] French Works concerning Hayti. blow to the hydra of slavery and ignorance, within its intrenchments. last 66 A nation," says a celebrated writer, < never can correct defects, unless it wish ardently for a change:" and it its fora change, except proficiency in knowledge enable cannot it to wish acquainted with its deficiencies, and compare its become with one more advantageous. If it be not made present situation the most important truths of civil society, its end, acquainted with a word, means, most capable of to the object, and, in that nation will stagnate in misery: contributing and, from public welfare, to form a resolution, it will become of not knowing how an Though ignorant people maybe flattered incapable correcting itself. it knows not how to derive bythe smiles offortune, midst of the tumult any advantage from them. In the good institutions, it consequent blindly on revolutions and the birth of ing it, and' in the end will be tired, yields wearied, to fortune, instead of helpideas of what is bad, good or better: the force disgusted, of without impose upon it again its former chains and misery. habit will The king of Hayti pursued, therefore, a gradual, wise prudent path of policy, when he devoted all his and education. It is by that powerful instrument he attention will to public correct our manners and reform our morals, and efface be able to all vestiges of former slavery. His majesty, the by degrees, instruction, has formed a committee, protector of; public men distinguished by their zeal, patriotism composed and of Haytians only, their province to lay down the plan and direct the knowledge. execution Itis system of national education; select the rules and of our inspect the conduct of the professors and books, closely eraily bestow particular attention on schoolmasters, and genthat essential branch of state policy. every thing connected with blished The primary in the and secondary schools, such as we see now estaform principal towns of our kingdom, are men capable of managing public affairs.. insufficient to M. le Borgne de Boigne would be greatly concerned, And, if no doubt, pause in the middle of our career, since he has the we would justice, and even benevolence, to affirm, that our moderation, still in its infancy. administration is Itis by devoting ourselves to the study of science and universities, that we learn to know the nature of in our colleges conform ourselves to the views of our Creator. Itis man, there and to learn, by the study of Nature's laws, to extend and we intellectual faculties. develop our mankind Respectable and sacred laws, which convert the whole race into one family; which establish a reciprocal of ofregards, kindness and benevolence between all men, interchange governments to affirm, that our moderation, still in its infancy. administration is Itis by devoting ourselves to the study of science and universities, that we learn to know the nature of in our colleges conform ourselves to the views of our Creator. Itis man, there and to learn, by the study of Nature's laws, to extend and we intellectual faculties. develop our mankind Respectable and sacred laws, which convert the whole race into one family; which establish a reciprocal of ofregards, kindness and benevolence between all men, interchange governments --- Page 44 --- Baron de Remarks on some [44 Vastey's whatever be the color and nation to which they belong; and people, and equity, which teach us that all laws founded upon that justice all sovereigns are brethren, and that the king men are equal, and not to conduct himself, in relation to of Hayti cannot ought thel king of France, in any other way than on a footing of equality; It is by a study ofthese laws that we shall learn also to investigate establishedthe causes and rules of public rights; and the system We shall learn to love, moderate and in every government. laws of states, such as those Matet in execution, the fundamental justice, finregard the succession to the crown, religion, police, The and ance, commerce, navigation and agriculture. happiness which of families require also the study of the civil law, peace and made between man and man. regulates contracts of engagements Hayti, the existence and stability of the The independence dynasty we have chosen to reign over us, our future happiness in the and prosperity, depend on our studies and proficiency science of legislation. with peculiar care and deep For, if we do not studybeforchand, to wise and attention, the laws of nations, how can we hope possess financiers, accomplished ambassadors; able statesmen, be prudent thoroughly conversant with the art of government men who must of courts? How can we hope to possess statesmen, and knowledge the rights of the crown and people; of procapable of defending kinds of treaties with foreign in the jecting different governments, their information usual words and forms; of being competent, by and and sagacity, to protect and preserve their government country against from the stratagems which an artful enemy might employ them, by introducing into a treaty an equivocal or insidious which clause, he or by means of a dextrous and ambiguous expression would interpret, at some future period, and at a convenient oppor- of tunity, in his own favor; thus securing to himself the power breaking the treaty, disturbing public tranquillity, and of declaring whenever he considered such a measure advisable P" war I Such was the conviction of the French that we were that the easily whole to be of im- the posed upon, in regard to the true meaning Malouet, of was words, founded on this basis. ridiculous system, adopted by, wished M. the ofs no freeman" to be That Nestor of the word colonists slave; in order appellation to take away the idea of a man in used instead of the chains, but to leave the thing itself. of the example of M. Malouet, proposed Dauxion Lavaysse, French in imitation colony in the island of Hayli, instead of the abolithe restoration efthe which was in fact the verything he wanted; because tion of word independence, restore presents to the mind the action of re-establishing the state, the to Anuther, whose name even is a reproach which he was about destroy. the instead of the to human nature, asked for the independence the of of a rights, French subject and independence of Hayti. He could enjoy rights country. M. de Foncitizen, but would not admit ofthe independence efthe ion Lavaysse, French in imitation colony in the island of Hayli, instead of the abolithe restoration efthe which was in fact the verything he wanted; because tion of word independence, restore presents to the mind the action of re-establishing the state, the to Anuther, whose name even is a reproach which he was about destroy. the instead of the to human nature, asked for the independence the of of a rights, French subject and independence of Hayti. He could enjoy rights country. M. de Foncitizen, but would not admit ofthe independence efthe --- Page 45 --- 45] French Works concerning Hayti. Without learning, it would be equally impossible for us to have lawyers, able and learned judges, capable off the sacred functions of the magistracy. The light fulfilling of nature is high and to the task of piercing the chaos of civil and political affairs. unequal know how to discern a doubtful case from one that is not To positive knowledge is necessary. Natural laws must be distin- so, guished from arbitrary ones. Researches into the origin and of laws, must ultimately direct us in the application of them. spirit We cannot attain a distinguished rank in civilisation, nor a place amongst polished nations, unless we devote ourselves to the of the laws which govern the civilised world. How can we study tise what we do not understand? How can we command the prac- respect due to our rights, if we ourselves do not know how to the rights of others? How can we respect them, if we do estimate not respect ourselves? The knowledge of the law will lead us to the knowledge of God, morals, and justice; which are the of all human societies. Let us hasten, then, to cultivate foundation the of science! Let us ascend the vast dominions of the mind ! study us rise to those elevated regions, where man approaches Let Illuminated by a spark of the sacred flame, let us hasten divinity! A splendid triumph will be the reward Oi our labors and forward! verance. O my countrymen! it is by the cultivation of persearts, and science alone, that we shall be able to excite the letters, moral world against the enemies of humanity: by it alone we shall triumph for ever over the errors and absurdities, which have been suspended for ages on our unfortunate race ! In the commencement of all societies; legislation was the first study; because it is the most useful and to But as it is also the most profound and difficult indispensable of all man. the study of it being harsh and unpleasing, its sciences, and improvement were always slower than that of other parts progress ofknow. ledge, which are less profound and more superficial. Persons addict themselves to the liberal arts, poetry, they please the senses : but he who devotes himself dancing, music, as study of the law, must have a real regard for moral entirely duty and to the the happiness of his fellow-creatures. Every nation can boast of its conquerors and We too, can boast of ours. Scarcely did we become lawgivers. a before we instituted a monarchical and paternal body politic government, actual tanges and Co. endeavoured to prove, by mathematical that independence was fietitious; but that if we deduction, our or France, it would become rcal. I should never returned to the dominion here all the nonsense which the ex-colonists and conclude, were I to relate and written, in order to deceive and cajole us by their our lrethren havespoken VOL. XIII. Pam, NO. artificcs. XXV. O ivers. a before we instituted a monarchical and paternal body politic government, actual tanges and Co. endeavoured to prove, by mathematical that independence was fietitious; but that if we deduction, our or France, it would become rcal. I should never returned to the dominion here all the nonsense which the ex-colonists and conclude, were I to relate and written, in order to deceive and cajole us by their our lrethren havespoken VOL. XIII. Pam, NO. artificcs. XXV. O --- Page 46 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [46 Following the steps of Numa and the great Alfred, Henry took upon him the care of forming institutions, and giving us wholesome laws. The form of government we have adopted, the internal regulations we have established in the different departments of the state, are sulficient proofs that we were not quite strangers to the study of legislation. of barbarism If any person reflect, for an instant, on our state 25 years ago, and compare it with our present condition, he may form anidea of the exertions we had to make, unaided, abandoned, and relying only on our own resources, in order to extricate ourselves from the dark and melancholyabyss into which we had been plunged by slavery. unfortunate and r Is there an instance of a people more degraded? Were any people ever more persevering or intrepid in the assertion of rights ofwhich they had been plundered? Were any people ever more ready to make generous sacrifices in order to secure liberty and independence ? Did any people ever discover more capacity for arts and sciences, or more zeal in the acquisition of them, than the people of Hayti?: 1 To form ajust idea of our progress in civilisation, arts, and sciences, we ought never to lose sight of what we were, and what we now are. We weres sunk, 25 years ago, in slavery, and the most profound ignorance. We had no idea of human societies, no thought of happiness, no kind of energy. Our physical and moral faculties were so completely depressed that under the weight of despotism, that I, who am writing this, imagined that the world terminated with the horizon. So contracted' in my notions, I could not conceive the most simple idea. All my countryinen were as ignorant as myself, and, ifit were offices possible, ofthe even kingdom, more so. are now sustained The civil, executive, and military of holding public by Haytians only,. since foreigners are rendered incapable ailobstacles: almost situations in the kingdom. Necessity overcame every one acquired learning by the help of bouks. I was intimately acquainted without an with many of them, who learned to read and write, ofthemselves, instructor. They walked about with their books in their hands, inquired of persons whom they mct, whether they could read: if they could, they were then desired to explain themeaning of such a particular sign and such a word. In this way many of the natives succeeded, without the help at- of education, though already advanced in years. They became notaries, torneys; barristers,judges, statesmen, and a-tonished every one by the would solidity of their judgment. One may readily conceive what such men have been, had they been trained with the care and methud of a classical education. Some became painters and sculptors, self-raught; and surprised forcigners by their productions : others architects, from mechanics, the mines, weavers;and aud manuall were successful. Others extractedbrinstone means of mills and estafactured saltpetre and excellent gunpowder, by assistance from a blishments similar to those in Europe;, having derived few books, merely; on chemistry and made mineralogy! is that of But, the science in which we have the greatest proficiency, , had they been trained with the care and methud of a classical education. Some became painters and sculptors, self-raught; and surprised forcigners by their productions : others architects, from mechanics, the mines, weavers;and aud manuall were successful. Others extractedbrinstone means of mills and estafactured saltpetre and excellent gunpowder, by assistance from a blishments similar to those in Europe;, having derived few books, merely; on chemistry and made mineralogy! is that of But, the science in which we have the greatest proficiency, --- Page 47 --- 47] French Worls concerning Hayti. If, as soon as we had established our independence, we had been wise enough to establish national schools and for the diffusion of knowledge, we should possess, at this colleges time, a much greater number of able men, and be infinitely more advanced in civilisation than we now are. We have only, then, to deplore bitterly the loss, the irretrievable loss of time. Fifteen years of independence and all thrown away! How severe a loss, and how deeply application, to be regretted ! What a number of great and learned men we now have possessed ! Had I been SO fortunate as to have received might ai regular education, I should have possessed, at an early period, the knowledge SO indispensably necessary to a statesman, and writer, who abandons himself to the storms and magistrate, tempest of war; nor can it excite surprise, when it is recollected that ever since the year 1790, we have been constantly in arms. Inthei infancy ofourindependence, the ideas wehad confined. We were unskilled in the use of fire-arms; ofwarwere and extremely fusion and disorder, with iron sticks, wooden sabres, fought and in conhogsheads, which we had turned into a kind ofsabre. rushed hoops of and in masses WPtAE upon the enemy's cannon; and thousands of violently victims to a desperate courage. Haytians feil But we made an effort also to procureartillery, We were in able to make cannou of bamboos, which, as we had no hope ofbeing on cubrouets drawn by oxen. But at every explosion, frames, the were placed into a thousand pieces, which injured us infinitely more than cannon burst I relate this fact, merely to convey an idea of the extent of our the enemy. as to military tactics. knowledge By degrees, and to our cost, we acquired a knowledge ferent engagements with the planters, Spaniards, English, ofwar. Our difthan all, our civil wars, advanced us considerablyin the French,and, science. So more all the old men had been originally soldiers, and few were be that who were not covered with honorable scars. to found From the numerous calamities entailed upon us bythe French, some advantages resulted, as a compensation fur them. The armyo an infinite number of military men endowed with ofLeclerc contained perfectly well understood manceuvres and great officers talents; men who all of them experienced and able. We did marshalling, not all derive the of artillery, tage from their instructions, while we fought either in same advanor against them. Our experience, joined to the fruits of the conjunction with others, make us incomparably more powerful, in every respeci, experience than of formerly were. The art of war is grown familiar to us. we which we were engaged, actively or passively, and the citadels The sieges, in we built, sufficiently evince our progress in the attack and and castles fortified towns. defence of We cultivate mathematics, and have now a royal foundry for bombs, and bullets, regularly established. cannon, fection. Our artillerymen, bombardiers, and gunners, are in a state of great perin the world. Thegrenadiersal In and chasseursmaybe compared with the best troops surprisingby ambuscade, and harassing the impossible to find better soldiers, than our light troups and royal enemy, itis The cavalry is well mounted, and keptin strict discipline; and Dahomets. whenever occasion requires it, can charge with as much impetuusity as vigor. and have now a royal foundry for bombs, and bullets, regularly established. cannon, fection. Our artillerymen, bombardiers, and gunners, are in a state of great perin the world. Thegrenadiersal In and chasseursmaybe compared with the best troops surprisingby ambuscade, and harassing the impossible to find better soldiers, than our light troups and royal enemy, itis The cavalry is well mounted, and keptin strict discipline; and Dahomets. whenever occasion requires it, can charge with as much impetuusity as vigor. --- Page 48 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [48 I should not have felt the cruel necessity of enterpublic affairs. in order to repel the envenomed shafts O1l an unknown career, and mankind. I should not, in fine, # the enemies of my country have been, in attempting to reply have felt myself embarrassed, as I and in encountering, more to the arguments of able politicians; and conclusive reasonings of particularly, the varied learning, M. Le Borgne* that witty, most acute, and profound philosopher, de Boigne. performed our task, if, while But we should have imperfectly of men, we were to be negligent of we undertook the education We are not to train men to virtue, and the education of women. the one to learning, and the other to ignorance. women to vice; education ought to be extended alike to both The benefits of sexes. ladies of a distinguished rank, who are one day Shall young continue in their father's house without the means to appearat court, education fitted to prepare them for the rank they of receiving an must occupy in life ? the source of public morals. Children Domestic morals oftheir are mothers : they inherit their weaknesses, imitate the example The education of women is more nearly convices, or virtues. be led to imagine, with the education of nected than one might be in vain for us to wish for good mothers of famen; and it will active andindefatigable, without the help milies, prudent economists, and morals. of education, religion, of the softersex was always greatly neglected The education in all the islands which were inhabited by at Hayti, as it was alone be attributed the licentiousslaves. To this cause might in the colonies. Under the goness and depravity, SO universal some of the women were condemned to vernment of the colonists, of slavery and coercive labor 3 while the groan under the weight the and brutal propensities of rest were doomed to satisfy impure daughMothers, without a blush, brought uptheir the ex-colonists. with themselves. From the earliest infanters to the same kind oflife examples and lessons cy, their heart and mind were without corrupted scruple by, or remorse, in a dewhich prepared them to live, grading, illicit, and criminal commerce. destined to gratify the caprice and These wretched victims, and to be their servants, libidinous pleasures of haughty tyrants, but were merely taught to received no kind of moral education, Always impractise with dexterity the vile arts of prostitution. and mured in their rooms, they knew only how to sew, embroider, in tie their handkerchiefs with grace. They were not instructed of course, the ju de mots of the Baron I The French scholar understands, one-cyed. (Trunsl.) de Fastey ; as the word Borgne signifies . destined to gratify the caprice and These wretched victims, and to be their servants, libidinous pleasures of haughty tyrants, but were merely taught to received no kind of moral education, Always impractise with dexterity the vile arts of prostitution. and mured in their rooms, they knew only how to sew, embroider, in tie their handkerchiefs with grace. They were not instructed of course, the ju de mots of the Baron I The French scholar understands, one-cyed. (Trunsl.) de Fastey ; as the word Borgne signifies --- Page 49 --- 49] French Works concerning Hayti, reading or writing 3 could not be received into any society, nor admitted to the table of the ex-colonists. They were to be dull, submissive, tractable, conformable, and ever ready to fulfil the will and caprices of their tyrants. Girls who had been educated in such principles, greatly preferred a state of concubinage with a white man, who despised them, and whom, to: a marriage with a native living in abject slavery, after example of their masters, the women had also learned to Now despise." and then, but very rarely, were some instances to be observed in Hayti, of families who, in opposition to the prejudices of the time, endeavoured to cultivate. a regard for morals and religion. But they could not long withstand the and influence of the colonists, who abandoned themselves impunity to the grossest linteny debaucheries, seduced married women and their daughters, violat- 4 ed without fear or remorse every law of morality and justice : the laws of nature herself, (I blush at the relation,) were disregarded ; and natural children were exposed to the brutal propensities of their parents 2 The dark abyss of immorality could not be closed on a sudden, the When the commissioners chosen by the French government Kerver- for department of the south, composed of Le Borgne de Boigne, lived Rey, in the town seau, and Desfourneaux, arrived at the Cayes, a girl whose name was Marie de Villeneuve. She was to GeneralRigaud ATULET by her parents, and becamne his wife after the event we are about to relate. During the residence of M. Le Borgne at this place, he saw the lady accidentally; and though he knew she was engaged to the aCE he determined, notwithstanding, to seduce her, and break offthe marriage. To accomplish his design, he procured Rigaud to be sent from the Cayes to fight the English, posted at the time, near the Irois. In his absence, Le Borgne made proposals to the young lady, which were who indignantly lived with re- a jected. He had then recourse to the young lady's assisted mother, her husband, man of white color. This abandoned woman, by empioyed violence to effect the prostitution of her own daughter! Rigaud, some after his return from the army, paid a visit to Le Borgne; who,after general conversation, said to him, 46 Rigaud, I will show you the He finest made girlin the the Cayes; bul you must promise me you will keep it sccret." de Boigue promise. Judge what his indignant feelings were, when, wife stood before having him! drawn aside the curtain, the person of his and intended would have thrown him from Rendered furious, he seised Le Borgne, his servants to the balcony, had not the wretch cried out, and summoned his assistance, who rescued him from the hands of Rigaud. with a Such was the conduct of this man in the south, when invested with this public character. The anecdotes we have already related, coupled morals. last instance of depravity, ajust idea of his character and 2 We could here give t: names of a great number of planters who But have committed incest, and were guilty of crimes against nature. horror prevents our giving to the world that disgraceful calendar. to what From all thathas been advanced before, itis sufnciently apparent height of depravity they had attained. Such have bcen the fruits of slavery. Rigaud. with a Such was the conduct of this man in the south, when invested with this public character. The anecdotes we have already related, coupled morals. last instance of depravity, ajust idea of his character and 2 We could here give t: names of a great number of planters who But have committed incest, and were guilty of crimes against nature. horror prevents our giving to the world that disgraceful calendar. to what From all thathas been advanced before, itis sufnciently apparent height of depravity they had attained. Such have bcen the fruits of slavery. --- Page 50 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks On some [50 in places where the people were corrupted by prejudices, slavery, and ignorance of many centuries' duration. for the better has been Since our political regeneration, a change and social habits. Margradually and strongly felt in manners have been by degrees riages are become more frequent the ; prejudices chains of bondage. But some effaced ; we have thrown before all away traces of it in our manners disappear. time must elapse without the aid of time, They cannot undergo an active change, the most nations laws, and education. Even amongst of enlightened and of Europe, the vestiges of feudal rights, still retain glebe-slavery, the stamp of other laws and customs, are visible, which instituted. the barbarous times in' which they were successively The various governments of Hayti have proclaimed to themselves the asserters of morals. They have endeavoured of marriage; purify them, by the encouragement and behaviour. protection But the means and by affixing a stigma on licentious in themselves, did not completely thus used, though very powerful forthey were productive, in some measures answer the endproposed; disorders in society. Instead of corrupt and profigate of greater wives, and often cruel mothers. In mothers, we saw adulterous we witnessed the appearance of our anxiety to punish enormities, not struck at the root, but only lightly fresh crimes : and as we have touched the evil, concubinage still prevails. degrees. In your The vices ofa nation can only be corrected invariably by, give birth to solicitude to stifle them prematurely, wise you and salutary laws prove ingreater abuses ; because the most and morals. He who is effectual, without the help of religion loves the performance of his duty, already virtuous, who knowsand and with the law. will not find it difficult to follow comply therefore to be given to A moral and virtuous education would ought secure a change and radithe children of both sexes, if we schools that cal reform in our manners. It is in our public and virtue, of Teng ladies will be taught the principles themselves, religion and to dignify the sacred from their infancy to respect will begin to know their duties titles of wives and mothers. They their husbands, and children : towards the authors of their existence, of children, they will make and as mothers are the first instructors the the seeds of social virtue, them imbibe with the milk of breast, the most and teach them how to discharge, at some future period, sacred and first of all duties. live in those dreadful times, Thanks be to God we no longer the only to become slaves, when our unfortunate children saw light destined to reflect and live and die in ignominy! They are now will constitute the hapcredit and glory upon their country. and adorn They them by their presence, piness and comfort of our days, children, they will make and as mothers are the first instructors the the seeds of social virtue, them imbibe with the milk of breast, the most and teach them how to discharge, at some future period, sacred and first of all duties. live in those dreadful times, Thanks be to God we no longer the only to become slaves, when our unfortunate children saw light destined to reflect and live and die in ignominy! They are now will constitute the hapcredit and glory upon their country. and adorn They them by their presence, piness and comfort of our days, --- Page 51 --- 51] French Works concerning Hayli. and the inexpressible charm of their conversation. They will become the brightest ornaments of our society. establishments for the Can we linger still, and not hasten- to form education of ladies, while benevolence and virtue occupy the throne of Nionti O Maria Louisa ! model of queens, wives, and mothers; and you, images of your august parents, patterns of beauty, amiable feeling, and filial piety ; listen to our grace, ! An immortal and never-fading crown will be the reward prayers of the most useful and indispensable of all institutions that you may hereafter found, for the happiness of families, the prosperity and glory of the country ! The people of Hayti are not yet a nation of manufacturers, though industrious and commercial. In imitation of the old Romans, we from the sword to the plough, and from the plough to the sword. pass We are merely soldiers and cultivators of the soil. with We cannot hope, for a long time, to become acquainted all the branches of manufacturing and trading industry; and as the most populous nations have not men enough to exercise them, we could not make the experiment but at the risk of our agriculture. We should act with great impropriety, were we to neglect the true source of our prosperity, power, and riches, for an object which we must merely regard as secondary. On the other hand, as a commercial nation ought ever, to find within herself things primarily essential, the want of which she must feel inevitably in time of war : our governmenthas done wisely in establishing manu- of factures of gun-powder, sulphur, saltpetre, arms, a foundry guns, bombs, cannon-balls, &c. Such enbiebamenbnindapesaly and requisite for the defence of the country, can only be improved extended in such a manner as to supply our wants. Ifto them we superadd some other manufactures of articles indispensably necessary, we shall have done enough in political economy. Printing, an art which diffuses human knowledge, is now making continual and rapid advances among us. All our care and attention should be devoted thereforeto agriculture, the science of war, and means of extending information to the public. The government, for a long period, will have only to occupy itself upon one of these three important points; which can never be attained but by adopting a sound system of political economy, well arranged, well considered, but, above all, well acted upon. made her The territorial acquisitions of England have not populous, rich, and florishing. It is her wise and excellent system of political economy, that has been able to manure her sands, drain her marshes, and render them productive. It is by the employment of machinery and animals, that she has acquired commerce, industry, power and riches, a hundred-fold. Weh have emancipated ourselves by degrees from theancient, civil and pernicious habits can never be attained but by adopting a sound system of political economy, well arranged, well considered, but, above all, well acted upon. made her The territorial acquisitions of England have not populous, rich, and florishing. It is her wise and excellent system of political economy, that has been able to manure her sands, drain her marshes, and render them productive. It is by the employment of machinery and animals, that she has acquired commerce, industry, power and riches, a hundred-fold. Weh have emancipated ourselves by degrees from theancient, civil and pernicious habits --- Page 52 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks 01 some [52 ex-colonists. Experience has already proved to us, that, of the number of men, we can work harder and get more with a smaller Let us conclude by divesting ourselves entirely money than they. which it was theirinterest to perpetuate, in order of all the the prejudices views of their capital and colonial interests. to favor was then all in all. Africa was the rich mine, Personal strength them with the numerous victims, doomed to perish which supplied chains, misery, hunger, and blows ; while from excessive fatigue, tears, and blood, furnished their torturers the produce of theirlabor, new victims, destined also to be with new means of procuring sacrificed in the fields of slavery. have constantly expressed our Since our political Iregeneracy, we We have not abhorrence of that iniquitous and remain barbarous in our system. laws. Let us then suffered a single vestige of it to and from our entirely erase from our manners, customs, language, of that odious social habits and manual labors, the very remembrance destrucsystem ; of that dreadful calculation avarice on blood, breathed torture,and into our tyrants. tion; which sordid self-interest and as much We can improve and extend our agricultural introduce pursuits new methods of as other civilised nations. We can and tending to ploughing, new systems adapted to our necessities, We are produce food in greater quantities, as French well as colony, population. but a free and to recollect that we are no longer a independent kingdom. assistance the ingenuity of mechanism, if If we summon to and our the natural agents, air, fire, and water, we we employ animals, the labor of men, and augment infinitely their ehall diminish greatly use of those various means, be able to power : we shall, in making rich, and florishing country; convert our soil into a lovely, populous, become the happiest and its inhabitants, formerly so unfortunate,will of fwhich we adopted the ingenious in the world. Like the pheenix, more beautiful and device, we shall arise anew from our ashes, glorious than before. difficult, and Experiments of every kind are expensive, to laborious, derive from them great sometimes fruitless. But as it is possible them. Tobe successful, conadvantages, we must therefore attempt One does not learn in a day stancy and perseverance: are necessary. nor to become an able architect or meto guide a pencil with skill, that we acquire a knowledge of husbandry. chanic. Itis not in a day succeed : they often depend on accidental Experiments do not always either from their having been conducted causes, and fail of success, the nature of things not having beenmaturely improperly, or from seasons, soil, have a peculiar influence OnI weighed. The climate, An individual, if a lover of his indigenous or exotic plants. may employ his capital nobly country, of his fellow-creatures, and manufactures: : this would AX making experiments in arts skill, that we acquire a knowledge of husbandry. chanic. Itis not in a day succeed : they often depend on accidental Experiments do not always either from their having been conducted causes, and fail of success, the nature of things not having beenmaturely improperly, or from seasons, soil, have a peculiar influence OnI weighed. The climate, An individual, if a lover of his indigenous or exotic plants. may employ his capital nobly country, of his fellow-creatures, and manufactures: : this would AX making experiments in arts --- Page 53 --- 53] French orks concerning Hayti. to the reputation and advantage of his country. Buton government the social principally devolves the task of guiding and protecting body. It has the and means of making experiments which for an individual, how Farete soever, would attempt to do ineffectually, he could not command the means of executing large undertakings. Government has tried some experiments. Corn, barley, and oats, have been successfully cultivated; and we have now abundant evidence, that if we have not long enjoyed those substantial productions of the earth, it was owing merely to the malice and confederated interests of the ex-colonists and their metropolis. The Carthaginians, to impose more effectually their yoke on the Sicilians, prohibited them from sowing corn under pain of death. In the same manner, the colonial government prohibitedt Ithe culture of corn and wine, under the most severe penalties." all the econoIncrease the number of vegetable productions, say ! mists, and you will see the number of men increase in proportion for That reflection, eminently wise and political, could not, as it had its object ani increase of the population of our country,enter into the thoughts ofthe colonists. without food. The most barren lands Aimost every for cottage was of husbandry. The colonist never saw were reserved but purposes coffee, indigo, and cotton ; in a word, such any thing sugar, as could afford him money. Little did he concern himself produce about only the unfortunate cultivators, or care whether they had food, or whether they perished with hungerand misery. A single additional sugar cane, said he in a despotic tone, some thousands of coffee, indigo, and cotton, will be more than sufficient to purchase food and negroes 5 and I shall have, besides, the advantage of favoring the trade ofParis, and the slave trade. Such an impolitic, cruel, and barbarous system, could accord only with the disposition of beings, who regarded nothing but the dictates of insatiable avarice and infatuated policy. The absurd Sa tem, however, of cultivating exclusively colonial productions, neglecting the care of vegetable and substantial food, SO indispensa- of bly necessary to the ezistence of man, to the power and increase population, has been long prevalent. Such is the strength of habit deeply rooted; and SO diflicult is it for men to eradicate inveterate usage. We had not yet calculated how far the step we had taken would lead us; nor as yet considered, that from a colony we were become a free and independent nation. We had not yet reflected, that our succeeded in making I M, Soleil, an inhalitant of the Gonaives, time having to taste it. The wine, desired M. de Bellecombe, at that governor, threw himi into prison, governor, as ai recompense for bis zeal and industry, and amerced him in aheavy fine. to eradicate inveterate usage. We had not yet calculated how far the step we had taken would lead us; nor as yet considered, that from a colony we were become a free and independent nation. We had not yet reflected, that our succeeded in making I M, Soleil, an inhalitant of the Gonaives, time having to taste it. The wine, desired M. de Bellecombe, at that governor, threw himi into prison, governor, as ai recompense for bis zeal and industry, and amerced him in aheavy fine. --- Page 54 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks On some [54 relative position and state being altered, our state" of situation, alteration too; and that we political and rural economy required system, fittedto our wants, were bound to adopt a newa agricultural and worthy of a free people. we were to bei indebted to the king, For that invaluable blessing, the of his genius, rose above Henry I. Itis he who, by strength for himself, and undertook to his predecessors, opened a new all path the stains with which the ex-coloefface and obliterate entirely, nists, slavery, and ignorance, had marked us. to the wise and Thanks to the laws and regulations ofagriculture, is now diprudent policy of our august sovereign, agriculture Considerable vided between objects of trade and of subsistence. house. We plantations of banana-trees have' been made near every and seeds of every have greatly promoted the culture of vegetables on the tops of mounkind, in our fields, which have been the planted enemy. We now plant, tains, and in places inaccessible These,and to other exotic productions, with success,English increase potatoes. our means of subsistence. A nation will considerably with every thing she principally wants. must be able to supplyherself she has no more If she depends for subsistence on foreign markets, her independence in her own hands. is held in high esteem amongst Agriculture, the first of all arts, of virtues, and idleness the us; ; industry is considered the father in every when the mother of all vice. On the 15th of April, year, with season of sowing and planting commences, we celebrate All mag- the nificence the festivals instituted in honor of agriculture. in inhabitants of the country about Sans-Souci, are seen with assembling songs. crowds round the palace, making the air resound beautiful flowers, joyful and all Loaded with the choicest fruits, the most their they come to offerto majesties the riches of a luxuriant soil; and homage. Could our detestable their congratulations, themselves vows, their own eyes; could theybe tyrants only convince wand, to by the palace of Sans-Souci, on that transported as by a magic in the midst memorable day, they would see our august sovereigns, like parents oflaborious of both sexes, good of groups agriculturists they would see, instead of naked in the midsr of their children; and slavery, once our condition; creatures, emaciated by hunger breathing freemales and females properly and neatly dressed, to the view of an dom, health, and happiness. How maddening ex-colonist! - with the political and rural economy, No one is better acquainted and beloved sovereign. It may be seen in Hayti, than our august in his various palaces, castles, and by the order he has established the different branches of the admicountry-seats, as well which as in the king as a good, wise, prunistration of the state, governs, condition; creatures, emaciated by hunger breathing freemales and females properly and neatly dressed, to the view of an dom, health, and happiness. How maddening ex-colonist! - with the political and rural economy, No one is better acquainted and beloved sovereign. It may be seen in Hayti, than our august in his various palaces, castles, and by the order he has established the different branches of the admicountry-seats, as well which as in the king as a good, wise, prunistration of the state, governs, --- Page 55 --- French Works concerning Hayli. 55] however he may be misdent and economical father of a family, enemies. represented by the calumny of imitate our the principles and example Let the body of the nation all are proprietors of of our king ! We all haveit in our poweritinee or at least of one tract ofland. of order, some portions, establish in his own house, the spirit illustrious Let every, person of which we have SO many political and rural economy, our capitals to wise and examples presented to us. Let us employ the value of our property; in in augmenting and conlucrative purposes, houses; € erecting edifices, building healthy and commodious more easy.a and extenstructing implements for rendering with agriculture the necessary furniture, with sive : let us supply our habitations cattle indispensable to the the cabrouets, utensils of everydescription, Acting in this manner, we shall not only success of agriculure. but after two Or three years, their produce preserve our capitals, double or treble their value: at a single stroke, will amount to nearly the capitals of the state, and supply we shall double or treble in a threefold proportion. foreign trade with merchandise and imagine, that instead of Let us reverse the supposition, and profitably, we dissipate them employing our capitals judiciously in festivals and banquets, in the in vain and idle amusements, After two or KE chase of articles of luxury and superfluities. lead to ? Not only our capitals months, what will such infatuation ourselves of the means will be exhausted, but we shall have have deprived our own substance of acquiring new ones 5 we shall the collective injured wealth ofindividuals as well as that oft the state. Butas riches and wealth of a nation, such conforms the aggregate of the degrees, lead to general duct will insensibly, and by imperceptible effects of luxury and profusion : ruin and poverty. Such are the in the state, distress in famithey unavoidably occasion shipwreck of happiness, and strike a deadly lies ; dry up all the springs and morals. public blow at credit, wealth, father of a family, wise, honest, and prudent, Never coulda good could a spendthrift, polluted be a bad citizen; and never one. prodigal Can such a man know how byevery, kind of vice, be a good who knew only to enrich the state, or contribute to its children, happiness, and dependantsinto how toruinh himself, and throw his wife, not to himself only, but deep misery ? The spendthrift is a plague to the whole commonwealth. affirms, that our incomes woould be much M. Le Borgne de Boigne belteradministered. ; i the land woere better more considerable and trade if put into less grasping hands. to M. Le cultivated, of political economy may appear strange of Our principles different from the principles Borgne de Boigne, as they are widely to publish our opinion, and Butlet us be allowed : the cx-colonists. his wife, not to himself only, but deep misery ? The spendthrift is a plague to the whole commonwealth. affirms, that our incomes woould be much M. Le Borgne de Boigne belteradministered. ; i the land woere better more considerable and trade if put into less grasping hands. to M. Le cultivated, of political economy may appear strange of Our principles different from the principles Borgne de Boigne, as they are widely to publish our opinion, and Butlet us be allowed : the cx-colonists. --- Page 56 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarls on some [56 respecting that important branch of the enlighten our countrymen, 6 Contract debts," (said a man who state and domestic in confusion, regulations. and fell from a most exalted height) put the world creditors will beinterested in sustaining the guvernment." sand What your have been the results of it? Mad expenses, when immense all was pro- to fusion, enormous debts. And then came the day rebe paid: bitter sorrow, shame, and despair ensued; necessary sults of that degrading and anti-social maxim. destructive of all order, Far from embracing a system SO highly way all matters of the king of Hayti settled in the most treasure regular clear ofdebt, but he stateand finance. Not only. is his public it. Every makes loans of money, when the general good requires in arrears are contract is paid as soon as agreed upon of foreigners ; accounts and citizens in prohibited. Such is the confidence that they offer it imthe loyalty and honesty of the government, with it rather than with and prefer to deal mense equipments, individuals. this to truth, talents and virtue. We are forLet us pay respect the difficulties we had to ced to confess, when we consider great situation ; the diffiovercome before we could attain our present the was cult and delicate circumstances in which that the government well fulplaced : we are, I say, forced to confess, the kinghas of his counfilled his important duties, and deserved the midst gratitude of the fight, is the try. As the man who has been and in what to have been done ; best judge of what has been ought rightly of our conduct, imaginehimseif sO must every one, consider tojudge the various difficulties in which we found in our place, and ourselves. We have given a true and exactidea ofthe Haytian character government, and virlaws, and manners; of our sovereign's personal and combated all the tues. We have refuted all the and objections, all the calumnies which our eneobstacles thrown before us, of Haytian liberty. We mies oppose to the acknowledgment right, and confessed openly our have proclaimed our incontestable We have shown, that we were not faults and political errors. necessary to guide us in the civil quite bereft of the knowledge We have now to and political career, as our enemies conditions pretend. to which the 2I before our readers the hateful they are SO kind as to make would subject us, and the concessions and founded as follows, by the us. They have been planned of St. Domingo: author of the new colonial system lst Basis. of the and unalienable sovereignty 1st. G Thei impreseriptible right ofproperty and possession : king of France over the colony, authentic by act of submission, from 2d. 66 The previous and ft of the knowledge We have now to and political career, as our enemies conditions pretend. to which the 2I before our readers the hateful they are SO kind as to make would subject us, and the concessions and founded as follows, by the us. They have been planned of St. Domingo: author of the new colonial system lst Basis. of the and unalienable sovereignty 1st. G Thei impreseriptible right ofproperty and possession : king of France over the colony, authentic by act of submission, from 2d. 66 The previous and --- Page 57 --- 57] French Works concerning Hayti. the two chiefs of the colony to the crown of France, as owing obedience to it: 3d. <The oath of faith and homage to the king and his successors; ; which oath would be received by a commissary named expressly for the purpose 5 and confirmed in a solemn manner by deputies sent to France : 4th. C6 An annual tribute (the value of which shall be regulated hereafter), to be paid to the royal treasury : 5th. <6 A sum of 60 millions also to be paid to the government the terms ofits payment, and the motives ofits being exacted, shall 5 be fixed and explained in the following pages.' 2d Basis. - The obligation required from those aforesaid two governments, to receive exclusively, in all their sea-ports, the ships of the commercial company : Ist. c The town and fortresses ofthe Mole St. Bernard, and St. Lewis, in their present state ofa armament, as sea-ports to shelter and repair the ships of the company: : 2d. 6 The Islands Tortue and Conave, to serve as a factory and magazine for the aforesaid company's merchandise :" Sd. <e A part of the territory, which would be determined, between the Great River and the river Artibonite, to form a line of separation between the two governments. It would become a middle point, which would prevent for the future all contest between them." 3d Basis. c The obligation imposed on the chiefs of the two lst. 66 To put the commercial company, (acting in governments: the name and for the interest of the absent proprictors,) into possession of the lands and houses which belong to the aforesaid proprietors, or to their heirs and successors : 2d. <Toexert their authority, that the present occupiers of the said property, who should happen to acquire, or to it as farmers and tenants, should pay the value ofi it, or ofthe farm, keep to the conditions agreed upon; which shall be fixed by according a new regulation." 4th Basis. C Were the foregoing rights fully and entirely the government of Hayti, and ensured to the French acknowledged.by crown were the dispositions concluded in the foregoing articles ; as they would have been stipulated and executed, exactly agreed on; ; and successors : 2d. <Toexert their authority, that the present occupiers of the said property, who should happen to acquire, or to it as farmers and tenants, should pay the value ofi it, or ofthe farm, keep to the conditions agreed upon; which shall be fixed by according a new regulation." 4th Basis. C Were the foregoing rights fully and entirely the government of Hayti, and ensured to the French acknowledged.by crown were the dispositions concluded in the foregoing articles ; as they would have been stipulated and executed, exactly agreed on; ; --- Page 58 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [58 concessions would be made to the colony of 6 The following St. Domingo : and administering itself; of maklst. 66 The right of governing without either the ing laws concerning its internal administration, company having a claim to French government or the commercial take a part in those things: of the colony's division into two 2d. c6 The maintenince of each other : departments, independent of the two present chiefs, under 3d. 6 The acknowledgment Governors of the French part the title of Haytian and Columbian of St. Domingo: France to the respective boun4th. < The guarantee given by the river Artibonite : two VZLEY daries of the governments, of the existence of all the in5th. < The ratification political who inhabit the colony: dividuals, whatever be their color, as Frenchmen Gth. 6 The enjoyment of the same advantages settle in France or in the enjoy, granted to such persons as would factories of the company." M. de Boigne) that in the present circumstances, < We think (adds produce the re-establislment of such dispositions must necessarily relations betvceen France and St. the commercial and political Domingo:" the conditions we must accept of, Such are, according to him, leagued against us in favor of under the penalty of seeing Europe the famous stalus quo ante France, to re-establish tin the prejudices Hayti of color, and slavery.! bellum, the slave-trade, we know, of manifold errors. But The human mind is capable, that men who have vinit is not error, it is madness, to imagine of their swords, who have a high dicated their rights by the edge and valor, could renounce their sense of their dignity, strength, and voluntarily to meet the chains rights, honors, and country, go of their most odious tyrants. and his fellow-politicians be struck with Must not M.de Boigne mental blindness, when he could create a kind of insanity such and chimaeras ? and fondly cherish more incredible still. M. Le Borgner But there is something He took not the least care to conthinks we are blind-born his men. Machiavelian plans. He wishes not ceal his further views, and the ex-colonists of the goodonly to convince the government his but to delude us also. He ness and efficacy of the projects, thread ofhis plot. So much have dares put into our hands very blinded him, as to make him his passions and colonial prejudices means this for a jeu-de-mots: Borgne,as the 1 M. Le Baron de Vastey Transl. rcader knows, signifying in French one-cyed. we are blind-born his men. Machiavelian plans. He wishes not ceal his further views, and the ex-colonists of the goodonly to convince the government his but to delude us also. He ness and efficacy of the projects, thread ofhis plot. So much have dares put into our hands very blinded him, as to make him his passions and colonial prejudices means this for a jeu-de-mots: Borgne,as the 1 M. Le Baron de Vastey Transl. rcader knows, signifying in French one-cyed. --- Page 59 --- (59] French Worls concerning Hayti. believe that our obtuse minds and gross unable to discern any thing in his machinations, understandings and to shall be their depth. penetrate Indeed, to expose clearly before usso horrible a plan of deceit; ; a plan which, if followed and adopted us, would perfidy.and certainhurry us to our total ruin, of which it contains by XI seems the last degree of assurance in wickedness. every clement; ; pretend afterwards, and to endeavour to persuade us, that it But is not to an armed crusade, but only a crusade ofbenefits, which he against us : thisis delirium ; this is beyond all possible proposes We should liave let that motley of crimes and falsehoods expression ! in its own absurdity, and only treated it with the rest it deserves, were we not obliged to enlighten the public contempt Europe and America, as to our real situation, and the opinion of our disputes with the French. nature of Besides, as it may be thought that our towards are only those of hatred, revenge, and feelings and that France, those sentiments, united to our knowledge obstinacy; of our from the utter inability of France to subdue us, arises strength, and of every offer and proposal made to us, either our refusal of we feel obliged to continue the task we have directly or indirectly ; portant begun. Those imcomsiderationsoblige us to prove, that we are actuated by regard to our legitimate defence, preservation, and the only nance of our rights; and that it was the conduct of maintelong series of uninterrupted perfidies, which France, in a of constrained hostility, and traced placed us in a situation follow with her. out the political plan we had to France, Says M. de Boigne, is exhausted by contributions; France is occupied by the allied armies, forcign and unable to enter into a new expedition against St. finds herself expedition would require considerable Domingo, which then some new colonial system, by which expense. St. Let us devise come the auxiliary of France. Let a new order Domingo of be may beblished, and new relations introduced things estaSO as to help our finances, and between us and St. Domingo; the colony, without danger and give without us every. mean to seize again It is under this pretence, that M. Le violence. de us to renounce our rights of Borgne Boigne wishes annual tribute, 60 millions of sovereignty; and claims, as an commerce, the yielding contributions of ; the exclusive right of up part ourt territory, our islands, strong castles, and what the ex-colonists call their towns, We shall examine the nature of those concessions, property. and the fatal consequences which they would draw on us, if we should unwise as to accede to any one of those proposals. be sO When our enemies themselves confess, that it is only from us to renounce our rights of Borgne Boigne wishes annual tribute, 60 millions of sovereignty; and claims, as an commerce, the yielding contributions of ; the exclusive right of up part ourt territory, our islands, strong castles, and what the ex-colonists call their towns, We shall examine the nature of those concessions, property. and the fatal consequences which they would draw on us, if we should unwise as to accede to any one of those proposals. be sO When our enemies themselves confess, that it is only from --- Page 60 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks 01 some [60 violence to subdue St. Domingo; necessity that they do not employ the artful means they intend to when they themselves develop has taught us, that bad faith, cunmake use of; when experience favorite would it not be their weapons; ning, and perfidy,are into their hands the means of re-conquering madness in us to put again our unhappy country. into the St. Domingo, and plunging and civil war? furious abyss of factions law of nature, commands us to The first, the most commands imperious us to repel, by all possible means, preserve our lives : it France would impose with all our strength, the shameful yoke let me say more, for our upon us. Our regard for our safety, of relation with her, no existence, obliges us not to have any the point previous condition, sine qua communication whatever, without the full and complete non, being agreed upon, of acknowledgiuig as commerce 5 the liberty of Hayti, as well to its and government the United States of America same conditions ony which Holland The most unexperienced made their independence who acknowledged. knows the least of politics, may conunderstanding, the man this resolution in ceive the motives which constrain us motives to adopt were judiciously and regard to*France. Those declaration powerful of the king, of the 20th Nostrongly developed in the independence. But we shall vember 1816, the 13th yearof Haytian of the motives which rendered here give a more full explanation that declaration necessary. constitution, interests, every thing requires Our liberty, laws, tribute, and much less to yield any islands, towns, us not to pay any an inch of land, under whatever title, prestrong castles, not even We are convinced that the slightest breach tences, or conditions. would entail on us complete thraldom'; and of our sovereignty of common sense, as not to watch our rights we arenot sO deprived and jealous eye,s not to preserve theit with the most attentive integrity untouched and unviolated. it would be better Had we any money to spend or give of away, the sea than to give it for us to throw it into the very, it depths would not contribute to our ruin. to the French 5 there, at whether least, we can grant them the exclusive Let it be judged hence, to them a part of our territory, islands, right to our trade, and yield Isthere a lawi in the world that commands towns, and strong castles. our ruin ? The French us to lend our own hands to consummate the example of the United States, politicians, who SO often adduce the Americans to the Engought tohave mentioned the sums paid by which England resigned lish, at the time of that solemn treaty towns, by and castles of America. all right of sovereignty onthe that lands, article, SO weighty indeed in the Why were they silent on judged hence, to them a part of our territory, islands, right to our trade, and yield Isthere a lawi in the world that commands towns, and strong castles. our ruin ? The French us to lend our own hands to consummate the example of the United States, politicians, who SO often adduce the Americans to the Engought tohave mentioned the sums paid by which England resigned lish, at the time of that solemn treaty towns, by and castles of America. all right of sovereignty onthe that lands, article, SO weighty indeed in the Why were they silent on --- Page 61 --- 61] French Works concerning Hayli. consideration of this matter ? Why did not they write on the tribute exacted by the English and paid the Americans a word M. Le Borgne de Boigne, who is pleased to by exhibit a viewof ? past and future expenses of our government, asserts, in the tulation, that we have great capitals, and expend little; recapi- ; there is in Hayti no kind gf institution for the arts very and sinee or.for the religofsufering and wretched sciences, deed, of what does honor to civilised nations humanity and 3 nothing, inM. Le Borgne knows very well, then, that we cannot governments. better employ our money, than in creating and meliorating public establishments; in calling from abroad schoolmasters, artists, and sors ; in giving them liberal salaries; in furnishing the professupplies for the public service; in filling our necessary and fortresses with every requisite in case of an invasion magazines the and so does our august and beloved sovereign. Could by he French: make nobler use of the sale of the national property, than in a diffuse knowledge, comfort, and happiness, on a people striving SO to unfortunate, and bent under an iron yoke? Is it not long that the produce of that property, which the ex-colonists call very just and from which all our misfortunes originated, be now theirs, for the promotion of our welfare? I do not doubt, but expended M. Le Borgne will be one of the first to praise that judicious and useful way of using our treasures : or could it be else an crisy on his part to appear to pity our fate, and to impudent pretend that hypohave only changed our name, but gained nothing in reality we acquiring freedom, and that our chiefs, instead of alleviating our by miseries, have made them still heavier. ? So that, according to him, we must have suffered, So much, spilt sO much of our blood, for nothing; ; nay, for fought increasing our unhappiness, instead of diminishing it. What perfidious hypocrisy ! What baseness of falsehood ! This is the most impudence indeed, to endeavour to convince us that daring is better than liberty; that to crouch ignominiously under barbarous slavery tyrants, is better than to live free, independent, happy, and comfortable! To give back to us the same felicity we enjoyed in bondage; to draw again on us the happy times of Leclerc and Rochambeau:' such are the views of M. Le It that purpose he contrived his system, the principal Borgne. basis of which is for is the creation of a commercial company. The key of all his fabric is commerce: : commercial companies, says . he, are not new 5 they had been used at first by the English in India, and we imitate them in Hayti. may Commercei is the only way by which our enemies hope to introI V. Histoire de St. Dominique, 1 Vol.3vo. 1816. (Transl.) VOL. XIII, Pam. XKV. P that purpose he contrived his system, the principal Borgne. basis of which is for is the creation of a commercial company. The key of all his fabric is commerce: : commercial companies, says . he, are not new 5 they had been used at first by the English in India, and we imitate them in Hayti. may Commercei is the only way by which our enemies hope to introI V. Histoire de St. Dominique, 1 Vol.3vo. 1816. (Transl.) VOL. XIII, Pam. XKV. P --- Page 62 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [69 themselves among us, and to corrupt, disunite, unsettle, and duce us. Of this they made us acquainted long ago 3 at last oppress well remember their maxim : < Let the negociator and we do very merchant : they will begin by liking the merchanbe at first a only dise, and then the merchant." their Marseilles and BourdTheir lace, silk, galoons, and cloths, which they for us. They eaux goods; such are the baits obtuse senses. prepare Such, they think, is hope to seduce our gross and and that nothing can prevent among us the power of vanity luxury, history us from falling into their snares 5 neitherthe of their manyinstances artful views. affords, nor their own giving us warning means of enforcing a Doubtless they will which use every offers possible to them at once sO many advansystem of corruption, tages. willing to communicate with us, but not to acAt first, they, are Commerce is the only medium by knowledge our independence. intercourse with us; and to them it is a which they wish to have powerful one indeed. would enable them insensibly to meddle with our Ist. Because it and us; to know thoroughly our political, affairs, to disunite corrupt and to seek for the weak sides they moral, and internal situation, could attack. would find themselves in intercourse with 2nd. Because they excite squabbles, inspire other trading nations; stir up intrigues rivalries, make them at last renounce foreigners with disgust, andby our commerce. would elude the question of Haytian liberty 3 Srd. Because they in fact the right we have acquired : for were and would annihilate our ports, under their unjust conwe to receive the French flaginto to their ditions, we would in fact give our tacit acknowledgment pretended rights, and resign our would independence. be at leisure to temporise, to 4th. In fine, because rekindle they all thetorches of civil war, to crush undermine our state, of to another; and they would enjoy the advanone party by means till could act openly against us and rise to tages of our trade, they oppress What us. would be plague and starvation, compared to the intro- disduction of such a commerce among us ? Greeks 0 my countrymen, have nothing trust the French 1 From those modern rohen they you bring to yo4. but evil to expect. Distrust them, horse even of the Greeks, containsin gifs itself French trade, like the destruction. wooden Deaf to the counsels of Laocoon, all the elements of their town, theirf fellow-citizen,t the Trojans introlacatdarhoneistot N gociunt and négociateur, which signify a merchant and a to diplomatist. translate, form here a kind of jeu-de-mols, which it seems impossible (Transt.) trust the French 1 From those modern rohen they you bring to yo4. but evil to expect. Distrust them, horse even of the Greeks, containsin gifs itself French trade, like the destruction. wooden Deaf to the counsels of Laocoon, all the elements of their town, theirf fellow-citizen,t the Trojans introlacatdarhoneistot N gociunt and négociateur, which signify a merchant and a to diplomatist. translate, form here a kind of jeu-de-mols, which it seems impossible (Transt.) --- Page 63 --- 63] French Forks concerning Hayti. and were ruined. Haytians, you will be ruined, as the were, if you introduce French commerce among Trojans not be deaf to my advice ! And may it please you. the May you that my predictions be never fulfilled ! Almighty, Commerce, as we said before, is the key-stone of the fabric M. Le Borgne intends to build. Without it, the fabric either rise or stand : he was SO good as to tell us SO, and cannot saved himself that trouble. might have Commerce being the mean of destruction which the to employ against us, let us proscribe French trade. French are shall annihilate all their hopes; and crush, before it rise, By their this we nothing, their chimerical fabric. airy Never, therefore, had we a greater proof of our wisdom and foresight, than when, by his act of the 20th king's November deep 1816, his majesty declared, l1st. That ihe French Rag should not be admilled in angy sea-port ofthe kingdom, nor any individual ofthat nation, till thé Haytian independence should be Fully acknosledged by the French ment. govern2nd. That on proposals or communications ohich should be made by the French government to that ofHlayti, either lby or vivâ voce, should be received, unless made after the forms woriting and established in the kingdom. for diplomatic communications. etiquette 3rd. That his majesty would never consent to any trealy's in wohich should not be acknoreledged the liberly and ohatever, ofall the Haytians rho inhabit the three prooinces independence knoon under the denomination of Nortlt, West, and ofthe South kingdom, the ritory and cause ofthe Haytians being one andindivisible. ; ter4th. In fine, that his majesty's S should be on a cateeasonetraan footing of equality, as belucen and tween sovercign and sovereign : that no kind povcer 9f power, with beFrance should be entered on, but with the previous basis Fnegociation fthe tianliberly being, Fiully ackemnoseledged, as tou commerce and Hayand that no defnitive trealy should be concluded with government: have obtained befiure the guarantee of some great her, unlesshoe which should warrant thefaith %f the treatyfrom maritime porcer, the French. being violated by That declaration of the King of Hayti, is a great proof of his wisdom, prudence, and of the love he entertains for his That act is the Haytian Habeas Corpus ; it is our Palladium people, against the French. All the projects of France on Hayti are completelybafied act : the kng has foreseen and eluded all their plans. While by that ask for an act of submission from the two chiefs to the King they of France, his majesty declares that he will only treat with the King porcer, the French. being violated by That declaration of the King of Hayti, is a great proof of his wisdom, prudence, and of the love he entertains for his That act is the Haytian Habeas Corpus ; it is our Palladium people, against the French. All the projects of France on Hayti are completelybafied act : the kng has foreseen and eluded all their plans. While by that ask for an act of submission from the two chiefs to the King they of France, his majesty declares that he will only treat with the King --- Page 64 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [64 of France on a footing of equality, as it becomes a sovereign treating with a sovereign, and a power with a power. Whilet they wish to break the unity, to sever the territory, to invade the common interests of the Haytians, the king declares that he will never consent to any treaty which shall not fully recognise the freedom and independence of all the Haytians who inhabit the three provinces of the kingdom, known under the names of North, West, and South. While they continue the system of duplicity, perfidy, insult, and violence, still considering us in the light of rebels; his majesty has declared that no kind of communication will be received, except it were couched after the forms and etiquette established in the kingdom. They would decline the question of our independence, and afterwards introduce themselves by means of commerce, with a view to carry their plans more effectually into execution, of which the object is division, and the arming us against each other : but the King of Hayti has declared, that neither the French flag nor any individual of France should be admitted into the ports of the kingdom, till the independence of Hayti were definitively recognised by the French government. Greater penetration or a sounder judgment could nowhere be displayed than the King of Hayti has shown in this respect. of the Did not France herself afford us a striking example anxiety the which all governments feel for the preservation and safety of people; ; and to what an extreme point it may be carried ? the From Bayonne to Hamburgh, did she not, in order to support continental system, burn and destroy in the market-place, the produce of English manufactures ? If a single hat, a piece of cloth, or even a knife of English manufacture were found, the owner was deprived of them immediately 5 and the hat, piece of cloth, and knife were consigned to the flames. for less or dear Can it bei imagined that we fight objects important to us than the interests of France are to herself ? She invaded Europe she under pretence of maintaining the liberties of the ocean, which, affected to say, England would soon destroy. But we have to maintain against France our rights as men, our political existence, of her which she would assail and destroy through the medium trade. Who can be SO infatuated as to put in competition interests of such magnitude, with the trifling advantages of commerce ? Is there a man who would exchange life, liberty, independence, for a bauble, for lace and silk manufactured at Lyons, and merchandise from Bourdeaux and Marseilles ? Up to the present moment, we have permittedthe importation of French merchandise ; for as it passed through other hands before it reached us, we considered it refined and purified, and did not object to the sale of it. But the merchandise is French notwithstanding. We augment the would assail and destroy through the medium trade. Who can be SO infatuated as to put in competition interests of such magnitude, with the trifling advantages of commerce ? Is there a man who would exchange life, liberty, independence, for a bauble, for lace and silk manufactured at Lyons, and merchandise from Bourdeaux and Marseilles ? Up to the present moment, we have permittedthe importation of French merchandise ; for as it passed through other hands before it reached us, we considered it refined and purified, and did not object to the sale of it. But the merchandise is French notwithstanding. We augment the --- Page 65 --- 65] French orks concerning Hays. wealth of our most implacable enemies, acquire an additional taste for their manufactures, and are led into an abyss by a flowery path, which conducts us imperceptibly to slavery, and loads us with its fetters. in her of insult and If France, therefore, persist system aggression, if she obstinately refuse to acknowledge our independence fully and effectually (the only proper guarante); it willbe ourduty, after having proscribed the flag and people of that nation, to proscribe also its merchandise. Every thing compels us to act in this manner; our true interests require it. There is a proverbial expression commonly used in that part of Ethics whichtreats of man in private life, that to win a COW, we may give an In the same of existence and we when FRE manner, may say, politically, speaking when centuries welfare of nations, that the loss ofa day is nothing, are to be gained. Let us apply these maxims to ourselves, which, though extremely simple, are nevertheless fundamental. Let us say to ourselves: France obstinately refuses to acknowledge the throne and independence of Hayti; she seeks for all imaginable eans and pretences for declining that important question : but she wishes at the same time to participate in our commerce, and be able, through the medium of it, to preserve her relations with us unimpaired; insinuate herselfinto the country; temporise, corrupt, and disunite. In fine, she prepares herself for the opportunity of destroying us wheneveri it presents itself. What then remains? Wehave only to disappoint the very hope of her being able to enslave us again : we have to break, not only every link that united us with her, but drive far from us every thing that comes from her. Let us proscribe her merchandise ; and not suffer any thing to remain in the country that bears her stamp. France, completely baffled in her criminal designs, will be under the necessity of acknowledging our independence, if she wishes to enjoy, in common with other nations, the advantages of our commerce. It' is on these terms, and these terms only, that Frenchmen can beallowed to approach us with less danger; andi ifwe adopt measures to secure the public welfare, we shall gain for an egg that we lost, a cow : for a day, centuries. Would it not, indeed, argue madnessin the extreme, were we to sacrifice the future to the present ? In what way could trade, conducted on a footing SO insecure and dangerous, be of any service ? What would it avail us to accumulate wealth without the power of enjoying it ? The only real wealth and treasure of Hayti, are liberty andindependence ! This must be the end, the sole and exclusive object of all her designs. Without this there is nothing. Experience has often taught us, that errorsin politics and morals cannot be trifling. In both, the smallest fault induces a greater, it not, indeed, argue madnessin the extreme, were we to sacrifice the future to the present ? In what way could trade, conducted on a footing SO insecure and dangerous, be of any service ? What would it avail us to accumulate wealth without the power of enjoying it ? The only real wealth and treasure of Hayti, are liberty andindependence ! This must be the end, the sole and exclusive object of all her designs. Without this there is nothing. Experience has often taught us, that errorsin politics and morals cannot be trifling. In both, the smallest fault induces a greater, --- Page 66 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarls 07 some [66 which draws on another, by consequence, and SO on. Neither governments nor individuals can depart from the which must be the foundation of their conduct, without ruling principles the greatest danger. When they have once abandoned, incurring for length of timé, principles upon which their existence any are fortunate if circumstances, fate, or unexp pected events, depends, open their they eyes. brink They can then perceive how nearly they had the of a dreadful abyss. We ourselves were lately approached reduced to this wretched situation, and are happy not to have fallen victims to it. There was a time when, instead of speaking and with sincerity and truth ofthe crimes committed by the French, thinking we cavilled at words. Bonaparte was theauthor of all the mischief: merely we spoke only of Bonaparte. So far from this being true, it is the ex-colonists we have to point our invectives ; are against the authors ofall theevil. The French have seen their ruler they Bonaparte is overthrown: : but is the system of France in changed; us at all changed ? Have their intentions been in regard to altered ? No. Ifthedynasty and government of France any degree a thousand alterations more, their policy and views in underwent of Hayti would continue the same. Upon this principle we respect mustact towards them. He who thinks differently has fallen into a political error, not to be forgiven. Most fortunately for the great of Hayti, the profound sagacity of their king has kept the people from them. Had we been without suspicion, without danger that active and salutary vigilance which his majesty SO recommended to us ; we should not have been so fortunate, impressively as to make prisoner the French spy, Franco Medina : and should have remained ignorant of the celebrated instructions of M. Malouer, the minister for the department of the navy and colonies, of which Medina was the bearer; instructions which supplied an evident proof of our mistake, when we believed that a change of ment had changed the policy of France. We are convinced govern- by experience, that confidence and blind credulity on our would be rewarded by the legitimare government of the Bourbons part, with the same sort of treatment we experienced from the usurper Bonaparte. Experience has taught us, therefore, that in politics as well as in morals, there are great truths which cannot be concealed, without incurring the danger of the greatest calamities: truths which, though well known, ought always to be repeated to impress them I Franco Medina is still alive. We have kept the spy, for the last four years, as a living proof of the loyalty ofthe French cabinet. and blind credulity on our would be rewarded by the legitimare government of the Bourbons part, with the same sort of treatment we experienced from the usurper Bonaparte. Experience has taught us, therefore, that in politics as well as in morals, there are great truths which cannot be concealed, without incurring the danger of the greatest calamities: truths which, though well known, ought always to be repeated to impress them I Franco Medina is still alive. We have kept the spy, for the last four years, as a living proof of the loyalty ofthe French cabinet. --- Page 67 --- 67] French Works concerning Hayli. on our memories, in order to sion of the same faults. prevent our falling into the commisFrance then is our natural and she has taken enemy. This is sufliciently inconsiderate good care to furnish proof of it. We have evident, the evils she has enough to throw on Bonaparte alone, the blame been of sovereign has inflicted. Do we not now perceive, that her new The world will practically soon observe adopted her the very system of Bonaparte? the blame of her fruitlessand criminal throw upon the ex-colonists all warmly interested in their cause, will enterprises : she who was sO fate, and introduce on the stage of the soon abandor: them to their lions more perfidious and artful than the political drama, new. camemore, under her yoke. Let us therefore former, to reduce us, once that it is France never lose sight of our herself we have to fear, thistruth, own are diametrically because her interests and shall refuse fully and opposed to each other. As long as she without entirely to acknowledge our for if she reserve, insists we ought to place no kind of independence, on a confidence in her : it isa snare she lays before single condition, we may rest satisfied that are her ulterior views. What us; and hence may conjecture what ment that take place in France? signify It to us the changes of governwhether we are put to the sword is a matter of indifference the ex-colonists; : we are in either by Bonaparte, Louis XVIII, or not they who, in 18.2, marched case equally sufferers. Were dred thousand bayonets, against us at the point ofa hunwere the first Frenchmen ? It is true the could promoters and artificers of our ex-colonists they have effected if had misfortunes; but what French government? Would they not been supported by the persons that ever landed to God they had been the treated them as they deserved. upon our shores! we should soon have only France herself, therefore, is the dread. We cannot repeat it too enemy whom we have really to be upon our guard, if we wish to often;t is against her we must and not to expose ourselves to the preserve our political existence, from the number, I do not say of nations, certainty but of being expunged Such is the system to be pursued of the living. France herself has pointed out the by Hayti in regard to France. evident, and it will be made still path we must follow. Itis single instant without of more sO, that we cannot deviate a The desertion of these danger utter ruin. and political existence, caused principles, the the best support of our moral saint Louverture and J. J. death of the unfortunate Touscunning and Dessalines, who fell victims to French France, and perfidy ; the first, because he him was surrounded by priests and blindly confided in astray byinsidious counsels; the other, ex-colonists, because he who led allowed made still path we must follow. Itis single instant without of more sO, that we cannot deviate a The desertion of these danger utter ruin. and political existence, caused principles, the the best support of our moral saint Louverture and J. J. death of the unfortunate Touscunning and Dessalines, who fell victims to French France, and perfidy ; the first, because he him was surrounded by priests and blindly confided in astray byinsidious counsels; the other, ex-colonists, because he who led allowed --- Page 68 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks 0n some [68, men in the pay of France, who first cajolhimself to be deceived by into his bosom the stiletto of the assassin. ed, and then plunged death of these two chiefs was the source of inThe lamentabie misfortunes to our country: but their conduct may, numeruble be regarded with many allowances, by posterity. notwithstanding, neither of them the experience we have at present: : both They had the were not entirely regenerated : both lived at a time when people and hollow, advisers. We, on were exposed to artifices, perfidious the knowledge of the contrary, who join to our own experience in the eyes of posterity, their fate, sheuld be without excuse, and be made dupes of the were we to fail into the same errors, same artifices. have suffered reposing implicit confidence in After all we by if actual proof were not the French, it would appear that incredible, they should still persist in the old capable of being produced, corruption, and falschood. The very méans system of dissimulation, the Emperor Dessalines, and Governor they made use of kindle to destroy the flames of civil war, they now employ to Toussaint, and of colonisation for St. Domingo. establish their new system whom the labor devolved, having fixed the M. Le Borgne, Sutan, upon xeho, tohen he had suceeeded in plunging foundation, (like sin and death, admired the depth ofhis inferman into the abyss of's examines the depth and contrivance of nal genius,) complacently in his wild reveries of colonisation, he' already. his own work. us in his nets. He swallows in imagiimagines he has entangled our blood in the cup ofr frevenge! nation, and with luxurious pleasure, he forgets that his book was written Blinded byhis unruly passions, that we shall read, examine and to persuade us: he has forgotten it contains. He indulges without reserve deliberate on the passages careless of the impenetrable veil which ought in pride and vanity, : while he is speaking to us, he thinks to cover his dark designs in order to convince them, he lays he addresses the ex-colonists: and Machiavelian subtleties, with a open before us his secret plans and inconceivable good nature. degree of candor most made acceptable, the French, in imagination, masters of the After having the Great River and Artibonite, of the Turtle, country between and Cayes St. Lewis; after having introduced and Mole, Gonaves, company with every kind of power and invested his commercial thus, by the mere force of fancy, comprivilege 5 after having he retires within himself, to contemplate pletely overreached us, of his Sometimes he thinks he has the efforts and results understood genius. by the ex-colonists: sometimes not said enough to be said too much, and to have been understood he is afraid of having and diffuse, and at length, to extricate us. He becomes prolix seeks for remote example to supMasare from his embarrassments, Mole, Gonaves, company with every kind of power and invested his commercial thus, by the mere force of fancy, comprivilege 5 after having he retires within himself, to contemplate pletely overreached us, of his Sometimes he thinks he has the efforts and results understood genius. by the ex-colonists: sometimes not said enough to be said too much, and to have been understood he is afraid of having and diffuse, and at length, to extricate us. He becomes prolix seeks for remote example to supMasare from his embarrassments, --- Page 69 --- 69] French W'orks concerning Hayli. his conclusion. 66 We must subjoin this remark," says he; port with reference to St. Domingo, in the very C France would be, to her in the same situation with England in reference possessions under the Indies; of which she acknowledges the governments, 2 conditions that are entrusted io the care of the company. for M. Le to have put us in that situIt was not enough Borgne into such deation; he took the trouble of entering more minutely furnish useful body indeed is not actails as information. Every quainted with the situation of India, and its Nabobs. that commercial intercourse brings with it neither He tells us of troubles in our country: and in the wish nor the power exciting will cause between the two the following page says, that commerce governments a useful competition, which will advantageous He tells us that, as the North become the prinL.Artr toall parties. Turtle Island will be most important in cipal theatre of war, reason of the of itsia atthe erection of military hospitals, by purity issue from the mosphere. He informs us, that, as corruption must centre to the extremities; it is necessary the island Gonave should be converted into a magazine for provisions, and articles of commerce: and that from that source should be derived French from Bourdeaux and Marcloth and silks, Lyonese lace, provisions seilles. He states, that the sea-port towns of the Mole and Cayes St. Lewis, are necessary to receive the French fleets, that they may come loaded with materials of destruction, perfidy, and corruption, will be to be employed against us. He states, that while an attack made upon us in front, and all our coasts invaded, the French, Great- encamped in that part of the country which lies between the Riverand Artibonite, will fall upon our rear, with combined strength and forces. that the division of After having informed us more than once, and that Hayti into two governments was a favorable circumstance, it must have if the measure had not been carried into execution, and been found necessary as a means of impairing our resources he had breaking our union; he tells us again, as if he apprehended 11ot been sufficiently well understood; that the denominations, < Haytian and 46 Columbian governments, are not only expedient, but marks ofsound policy. than that which is It establishes a division more advantageous dismarked out by the territory: it classifieslbetter those gorvernments, Soutktinguished till not by the names efthe North-negroes and mulattoes. With such puerile absurdity, such insolence of language, our enemies hope to divide us. But where Can be the difference between a man of the North, West, or South ? M. Le Borgne De Boigue, after having taken no common pain 46 Columbian governments, are not only expedient, but marks ofsound policy. than that which is It establishes a division more advantageous dismarked out by the territory: it classifieslbetter those gorvernments, Soutktinguished till not by the names efthe North-negroes and mulattoes. With such puerile absurdity, such insolence of language, our enemies hope to divide us. But where Can be the difference between a man of the North, West, or South ? M. Le Borgne De Boigue, after having taken no common pain --- Page 70 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks 01 some [70 to prove the goodness and eflicacyofhis plan; after and settled every point of it; finds himself, when he having discussed der the means of putting it in execution, in a comes to consisimilar to that of the rats in the consultation situation they held nearly RONINAGROBIS, when they were to the arelonty He can devise no other method of hang bell to his neck. ration in which the King ofFrance approaching us, thanb by a declaand peace of all persons; engages tojensure the life, safety, then be removed : all incentives everyfecling to ambition of solicitude Or anziely wouid ofthe King of France, the people of Hayti, sould he vanish. Swljects ther political nor civil existence cacept by the toill observes, the have neiFrancc. gf King of Such declaration is, in the opinion of M. Le the only way of making an impression Borgne de Boigne, would think of using to upon us. Who indeed, freemen, menaces of It would impolitic and ridiculous. But the declaration of slavery? the be would be in substance only a second edition of the King First of France proclamation, in which he told us : you are all all Consul's in the eye gf God and the Reprblic: and this at free, a time when brothers the re-establishment of slavery was determined on. The Louis the XVIII. would be similar. Have declaration of us a specimen of the ability of his cabinet? we Have not already before Malouer S instructions to his three trustees? we nl0t M. nuous men, can we treat with such a government? Say, uprightand ingewhat confidence can we repose in it? What faith, Would not such a declaration on the part of the be the most perfect instance of ? Are King of France ing all our political rights? effrontery we not now enjoypoint of our swords ? We Have received we those not conquered them at the whom we ourselves elected and rights from the king, subjects of the King of appointed to reign over us. The jects of the King of France. Hayti If are the not, nor ever shail be, the suban inclination to be liberal in his French King have SO violent why does he not bestow at grants as M. Le Borgne tells us, the wretched slaves of his once a civil and political existence on of colonies, who are groaning under the rod slavery? They are in greater want of his benevolence are. We desire nothing, we have already more than he can than we What, indeed, can he give, that we have not already ? give. We have it- Independence? We are absolute masters of Liberty? our territory. But who does not perceive the motives of such a declaration? It is done in the hope of separating the shepherd from his sheep, and of slaughtering the lambs at Jeisure. wish is to separate the sheep frem their shepherd, that Their present put both equally to death. Their first object was to seduce they chiefs, win them PAK over by fallacious promises, or alarm them byinso- he can than we What, indeed, can he give, that we have not already ? give. We have it- Independence? We are absolute masters of Liberty? our territory. But who does not perceive the motives of such a declaration? It is done in the hope of separating the shepherd from his sheep, and of slaughtering the lambs at Jeisure. wish is to separate the sheep frem their shepherd, that Their present put both equally to death. Their first object was to seduce they chiefs, win them PAK over by fallacious promises, or alarm them byinso- --- Page 71 --- 71] French Works concerning Hayli. lent menaces, in order to engage them to impose chains on their of fellow-citizens: they were deceived ; they found in the King Hayti, the steclvault, an incorruptible chief, whom nothing in the world can seduce or terrify. They endeavour now to deceive the nation, and to accomplish the same V ews by her instrumentality, But the viz. her destruction, and the re-establishment of slavery. last expedient will prove as ineffectual "s the first. It shall conduct them to disgrace, infamy, and ruin, if they dare make them- any attempt upon our liberty and independence. They deceived inhabitants selves. They imagined that the gross and ignorant their chiefs. of Hayti suffered themselves to be led as blind men by by addressing themselves to Acting on this supposition, they began in that are now the chiefs, and having failed of success quarter, We making an experiment of what can be done with the people. may boldly predict they will be equally unsuccessful there. suffer themThe people of Hayti, flexible and easily governed, convinced that selves to be guided by their chiefs, when they are But if they guide them only in the path of their own interest. the there were a leader capable of entertaining a thought hostile to liberties of the nation, the moment it was discovered, how powerful soever the individual, he would be sacrificed to the public safety. Nothing could preserve him from the fury and just resentment of the people. Shall a nation that cannot be deceived nor betrayed by her lenders be treacherous to herself, and voluntarily submit to the yoke of despotism ? Such however are the intentions of the French ; such the views of the author ofthe new colonial system ! Haytians! ! nation of brothers ! never be disunited : your safety depends on your unanimity. Were there among you a single Haytian so unworthy of the name, as to recommend a separation of interests, consider him a Frenchman, in the light of a mortal implacable enemy! ! Consider him, I repeat it, in the light of a madman, hateful to himself, and who would become his own executioner. Our King and Country! This is your device. At these sacred words, stand united, be one, and but one body, in arms against the French! Despise all odious distinctions invented by your enemies, for the purpose of disuniting you. Despise the odiousappellation of North-Negroes and South- Mulattoes. Are not we all Haytians; all of the same country, of one common stock? Can there be: any distinction, any dilference between us? Have not weall been wretched,ally victims of cruelty ? Have not allthesame interests, the same privileges, the same councry to defend ? Did we not share the the same laurels? Does not a similar fate same dangers, reap all all friends ? Must await us all? Are not we all brethren, parents, in the field of not all be free and independent, or die, fighting attoes. Are not we all Haytians; all of the same country, of one common stock? Can there be: any distinction, any dilference between us? Have not weall been wretched,ally victims of cruelty ? Have not allthesame interests, the same privileges, the same councry to defend ? Did we not share the the same laurels? Does not a similar fate same dangers, reap all all friends ? Must await us all? Are not we all brethren, parents, in the field of not all be free and independent, or die, fighting --- Page 72 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [72 battle ? Let us then have but one object, one Let us be influenced only by the cry of, Our common and inclination ! What hope may we not entertain under SO King Country! King as ours? : When in the person of his royal great, SO excellent a Royal we see the true heir ofhis virtues and highness the Prince witht the most eminent qualities, and with rank, a prince gifted love of his country ; can we help inspired the most genuine expectations ? Have we. indulging the most flattering enemies ? any cause to fear thei imprecations of our We are glad to have arrived at the conclusion remarks. More than once our intellectual faculties have of these depressed by excessive indignation. More than once we have been execrable tempted to throw: away the pen, and tear in pieces the book of been that being Borgue de Boigne. But it will be abandon him, before we give our readers a idea necessary not to less impudence. It will be just of his matchsurvived all feelings proper to show how entirely he has of.humanity. Such is the language he addresses to our on the tion of their rejecting the conditions chiefs, supposi6 A secret voice,' 29 sayshe, 6 will lately offered by the French. assume, and the power whisper, bond whatever bethe title you sidered rebels by Europe. you Where enjoy, or free, you are yet conof which you usurp the dominion is ? your right to rule the country born on the shores You are, the greater of Africa: : violence and part, contributed to P ace you in the situation of masters circumstances have supportis on the point of giving : that pillar of ruin. To-day way: you may be crushed under its you are supreme: : to-morrow, stoop under the yoke of slavery. You will perhaps, either yourheadswill or reduced to your former condition. The be exterminated, Thunder strikes the daring oak; while it thought is dreadful! 66 The shown respects the humble cane. being thought indulgence sincere. to your revolt was too excessive, for Or does it not rather Besides, is that sentiment person.1 to us? still subsist? depend on other interests ? Does its cause c6 Unknown to the different nations of the two terly unconnected with them by ties of blood and hemispheres, utyou' have no kind ofaffinity to them. What political interests, their h.nds? They have mercly endured can you expect at they waited for an opportunityto chastise your usurpation, because Europe lives, and you dare defy her! Your you. The time is come. disposal : hasten to secure it! Frince will fate is at ycur own pet of alarm against you. In the midst quickly of her sound the trumconvulsions she never lost sight of long and terrible charm of couquest, she has been you. Allured by the seductive know that glory has limits, while moderation taught by her misfortunes to and justice can act mercly endured can you expect at they waited for an opportunityto chastise your usurpation, because Europe lives, and you dare defy her! Your you. The time is come. disposal : hasten to secure it! Frince will fate is at ycur own pet of alarm against you. In the midst quickly of her sound the trumconvulsions she never lost sight of long and terrible charm of couquest, she has been you. Allured by the seductive know that glory has limits, while moderation taught by her misfortunes to and justice can act --- Page 73 --- 73] French Works concerning Hayti. without reserve and without limitation. A volcano, she a dreadful eruption. Providence now shuts the crater; sustained its fire is subsiding. Imitate her example. Connect again with hers, ever brilliant and lasting. Had she not been your destinies she would have perished. France returns, once more, within immortal her boundaries : she concentrates her strength : governed with wisdom, she becomes more powerful. A king whom she greater loves superintends her welfare. All his promises have been she is free at last. He opens his arms to as to realised : the same family: he embraces you with the you same children of tude. Hesitate not to decide on the part you paternal to take. solici6 Lieceive with deference the conditions that ought are offered. them with gratitude ; and even less generous terms, if they Accept were imposed upon you. They are dictated 6 If the king consent to acknowledge bythe you ; greatest if he magnanimity. to you with a legal authority, which can be derived deign alone from invest his power, your fate is changed in an instant, as by the touch of a magician's rod. You are included in the number of vassals and tributary subjects of Louis XVIII, and are ranked among civilised governments. 66 Can you desire a nobler destiny ? To what do you Seize the opportunity of giving authority to your aspire? existence, and protecting it from the dangers and alarms political that incessantly threatened it! Will you be ungrateful in return for So noble ? If you are, France finding you undeserving her conduct will have no further inducement to treat you with kindness. regard, <The colonies naturally belong to European commerce: the company about to be formed, offers you every kind of refuse it, the forces which the company has at its guarantee. disposal will Ifyou be merely the advanced guard of the army she will raise against without any expense to government. you, 66 Numbers of persons whom you have subdued but not who find their condition the same and even worse, though conquered, the name be changed,as they now receive from the King a will quickly desert you, and pass over to the confirmedexistence, side of and kindness." justice Go, execrable monster ! Carry elsewhere and benevolence. With such thy counsels, justice, language, men like thee came, ing plunder, fire, pestilence, death, and slavery ! Dost thou bringthe remembrance of the crimes and numberless cruelties we imagine from thy countrymen, is quite erased from the suffered we have forgotten all the acts of perfidy we memory? or that snares into which they endeavoured to betray us experienced, ? Dost thou all the dently conclude, that because ouro complexion is black, and our) impu- hands Carry elsewhere and benevolence. With such thy counsels, justice, language, men like thee came, ing plunder, fire, pestilence, death, and slavery ! Dost thou bringthe remembrance of the crimes and numberless cruelties we imagine from thy countrymen, is quite erased from the suffered we have forgotten all the acts of perfidy we memory? or that snares into which they endeavoured to betray us experienced, ? Dost thou all the dently conclude, that because ouro complexion is black, and our) impu- hands --- Page 74 --- Baron de Vastey's Remarks on some [74 were fettered, we are destitute of that instinct which compels the brute to preserve its existence : or that we cannot see the drift of very a Frenchman's exhortation ? We are, to adopt thy own terms, born slaves or free, and are yet considered rebellious and revolted. We were, indeed, the slaves of despots; the idea, far from exciting a blush, is our pride. We were not slaves from inclination or misconduct, but were made SO by the cruelty of thy countrymen. Our swords have conquered again our native rights; we have wiped away in their detested blood the spots of slavery ! Spots they were indeed! It would be disgraceful, in the last degree disgraceful, were we to cease to be free, and resume once more the chains of despotism. But to remove slavery and regain liberty, at what period would not this be a glorious deed ? Go then, and derive from whatever source thou thinkest proper, thy exhortations and thy menaces ! We shall, as thou hast said, return either to our former condition, or perish. This we thought ofl long ago, and our election is made. We can cease to exist; we cannot cease to be free. Thunder, as thou tellest us, strikes the sturdy oak, and respects the humble cane. Hurl then thy thunders at the oak, or play thyself the partof the humble cane : base, servile, creeping, it is suited to thy character. We long to hasten to a conclusion : we feel ourselves freed from an enormous burthen. The soul is weary and the heart ready to break, when forced into an ocean of ills, prejudices, and oppression. When will the period arrive at which France shall cease to exercise a tyranny SO unprecedented, a persecution SO severe and disgraceful? When shall French writers cease to profane the august name of Europe by their insults and menaces? Have not we also claims to the regard of Europe? Is not our independence an object most interesting to Europe, most worthy of attracting notice, the attention of the philosopher, and the admiration of mankind ? Is not our return to life a new confirmation of the rights of nations ? Does it not supply undoubted proof, that Africa is capable of civilisation, and that happiness and knowledge may be diffused throughout the earth." 'Ifwe were not underthe necessity of curtailing ourremarks, we might introducein this place some ideason African civilisation. ofwhich Africa, we are of op'nion, can be civilised only bya conquest, the object is civilisation, and not in imitation of the conduct ot thes established Spaniards and Portuguese in the two Indies. Manners cannot be changed, means. If customs and prejudices cannot be destroyed, except by powerful deserts. you speak to men, who cannot understand you,you preach to the must be enTo influence men who are buried in profound ignorance, they ." 'Ifwe were not underthe necessity of curtailing ourremarks, we might introducein this place some ideason African civilisation. ofwhich Africa, we are of op'nion, can be civilised only bya conquest, the object is civilisation, and not in imitation of the conduct ot thes established Spaniards and Portuguese in the two Indies. Manners cannot be changed, means. If customs and prejudices cannot be destroyed, except by powerful deserts. you speak to men, who cannot understand you,you preach to the must be enTo influence men who are buried in profound ignorance, they --- Page 75 --- 75] French Worls concerning Hayti. If men feel interested in the happiness of men, and ifit be the province of philanthropy to subdue the force of passion and prejudices; ought not the world, instead of repressing our instead of interposing to prevent the increase and exertions, our of social condition; ; ought it not to lend assistance improvement P What do we ask, that cannot be granted ? Liberty, independence, and peace ! Liberty ! the natural inheritance of all men. ! So Independence dearly purchased by us, and paid for by torrents ofblood ! Peace ! which we SO well deserve after 25 years of war, trouble, and miseries ! Peace, which we ask only in order to cultivate more securely, agriculture, commerce, industry, arts and sciences. At a moment when great and powerful princes the thrones of Europe; princes who, themselves enlightened, occupy are surrounded with men whom wisdom, knowledge, and have made illustrious; itis in such a moment we venture philanthropy to raise our voice. We hope their hearts will be touched, and that will throw on the people of Hayti, a look of kindness, they and benevolence. And you, my brethren, who are lately protection, born to a new life, render thanks with me to the Creator of the who has vouchsafed to rescue us from a state of slavery, universe, and barbarism, to impart to us the blessings of civilisation ignorance and comfort. Let us show ourselves worthy of those which we blessings, never can sufficiently appreciate, by applying, to a nobler and better use, our independence and liberty every ! day, lightened. Perhaps the Germans, Gauls, and Britons would have been barbarians, ifit had not been for the conquests of the Romans. The Romans themselves owed their civilisation to the Greeks alone, and the the Egyptians. Greeksto --- Page 76 --- 69-532 E818 Werniser V34iP l-16 69