292 ODBA AND PORTO RICO 



gles they continued loyal to the French government. In 

 17!4 the black slaves, who had hitherto been contented, 

 were given the full liberty, equality, and fraternity of the 

 French republic. The white planters meanwhile continued 

 i.n insurrection. Then another element was introduced 

 into the strife, which was ultimately to overpower all the 

 others. The royalists called upon the black slaves, who 

 had formerly been meekly quiescent, to help them subdue 

 the planters. Like bloodhounds released from the leash, 

 or a firebrand thrown into a heap of tinder, these savages 

 rushed into the fray, fighting after the manner of their 

 forefathers, killing, burning, ravishing, and destroying. 

 Their whole African nature was given freest play, never to 

 stop until eventually every white man was murdered or 

 driven from Haiti, and the colored class sold as slaves to 

 the Spaniards of San Domingo. In vain other nations of 

 the world tried to stop the fray. England and Spain each 

 sent their forces to subdue the island. Disease helped 

 savagery, and the light of medieval civilization went out 

 in Haiti. 



"We cannot mention half the incidents of this fearful 

 struggle, but the terrible cruelty and treachery of the 

 whites to the black and colored people of Haiti were hardly 

 less savage than the retaliation of the blacks. The infamous 

 treatment by the French of Toussaint L'Ouverture, who 

 at one time had almost reduced these disloyal elements, is 

 one of the darkest pages of human history. " And yet the 

 conduct of this black was so remarkable as almost to con- 

 found those who declare the negro an inferior creature, 

 incapable of rising to genius. History, wearied with 

 dwelling on the petty passions of the other founders of 

 Haitian independence, may well turn to the one grand 

 figure of this cruel war." Born a slave, he acquired only 

 enough education to read a little French and Latin, with- 

 out mastering the art of writing. When the insurrection 

 broke out he remained faithful to his master, and pre- 

 vented any destruction on his estate ; but ultimately find- 



