J 1 6 Sketches of H&yti. [ Auc . 



While dusky tribes, with more than maniac rage, 

 Rending their brazen bonds, in war engage : 

 For France still burns to make, with dire intent, 

 ' Hell and this world one realm one continent.' "* 



In September 1 793, when the contest between the planters and negroes* 

 had arrived at the height, the English invaded the island. Thus alarmed, 

 the colonists proclaimed freedom to the negroes, many of whom united 

 with the French ; and the English were compelled, by climate and reverses, 

 to abandon their project in 1798. But the power of the colonists was now 

 crushed the greater part of their property was devastated and Touissaint 

 L'Ouverture, a free African, became civil and military chief. He appears to 

 have been a man of virtue and ability ; but his influence was of brief dura- 

 tion. The supremacy of France was disavowed; and, in 1802, an expe- 

 dition, despatched by Buonaparte, and commanded by General Le Clerc, 

 arrived off the island. It was conceived in villainy, conducted with shallow 

 duplicity, and rendered worse than nugatory by imbecility. Touissaint 

 was treacherously seized, and perished in a French dungeon ; Le Clerc 

 lost his life ; and, after almost incredible atrocities had been committed by 

 both parties, the French forces were finally expelled from the island in 

 1803. On the capture of Touissaint, Dessalines became chief; and a short 

 account of his life and character will be the best comment that can be 

 made on the state of Hayti during his supremacy. We select it from the 

 volume before us, and are satisfied, from inquiries made in the island, that 

 it is correct: 



" He was originally a slave of the lowest order, his master being himself a negro ; 

 and, while in that condition, he was remarkable chiefly for his strength and acti- 

 vity, an unconquerable obstinacy, and a low sort of cunning, not unusual among 

 negroes. He joined in the early commotions, and soon became one of the most 

 active in conducting the proceedings of the insurgents one of the most daring, in 

 proposing and carrying into effect schemes of the greatest hazard and one of the 

 most cruel and barbarous in his treatment of the planters and other whites who fell 

 into his hands. He left no means untried in order to prevail on the negroes to 

 abandon the service of their masters ; and, having collected a considerable number 

 into one body, placed himself at their head, and then caused them to lay waste the 

 plantations, to destroy the mansions which had been erected on them, and to mas- 

 sacre their unprotected proprietors without distinction. After the declaration of 

 freedom by the French, Dessalines joined their forces in endeavouring to expel the 

 English. He engaged in this contest with his accustomed activity and fierceness, 

 and his exertions were considered as an atonement for his previous misconduct. 

 The service to which he was called during this period fitted him to act the firm and 

 courageous part which he took, when the attempt was made to re-establish slavery. 

 He turned a deaf ear to all the dictates of pity and humanity; and regarding the 

 French as the relentless enemies of his race, he treated all who were so unfortunate 

 as to fall into his hands with excessive rigour and barbarity. Previously to the 

 seizure of Toui&aint, he was second in command ; and, on the removal of that 

 distinguished negro from the island, he succeeded to his authority. For, although 

 deficient in military skill, his zeal, activity, and courage supplied, in some measure, 

 what he wanted in this respect, and, with his violent hatred of the French, ren- 

 dered him? the most popular of all the negro generals. 



" On the expulsion of the French forces, a considerable number of residents 

 remained at Cape Franqois and the other towns of the colony; some from a vain 

 hope of aHeast securing a part of their property, and others from having lost the 

 opportunity of returning to Europe with the remains of the army. Shortly after 

 the entrance of Dessalines at the Cape, he invited these men to continue in the 



* Pursuits of Literature. 



