Sir III. EDWARD STEVENS TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL MAITLAND." During my Residence at the Cape, last Year, I was informed by a black Chief in the Confidence of Gen: Hedouville, that the Agency of Saint Domingo had received positive Orders from the Executive Directory to invade both the Southern States of America and the Island of Jamaica. Gen: Toussaint was consulted on the best Mode of making the Attack, but having enter'd into a Convention with you to refrain from all military Expeditions against Jamaica he strenuously opposed this Invasion. Finding that Toussaint was inflexible, Hedouville turned his Attention towards Rigaud, whom he nominated to carry this Business into Execution. His sudden and unexpected Departure, however, put an immediate Stop to the Preparations which had been commenced. Toussaint was firm in his Opposition, and Rigaud was afraid of disobeying him. But the repeated Orders of the Directory have lately made Rigaud more bold. A Duplicate of the Plan for the Invasion of Jamaica was sent to this Colony in the Month of Jany, by the french Frigate La Vestale. A Triplicate was also recd: in Feby: by a small Schooner that sail'd last Year from the Cape with Barney and Gen: Vautrin. Thus it appears that the Attack of Jamaica is a favourite Measure of the Directory, and Rigaud (to acquire their Confidence) has, at length, disclaimed the Authority of Toussaint, and is, at this Instant, busily employed in levying Troops for the Purpose. He is, at present, at the Head of 10,000 Men, and has sent down a white Emissary to excite the Negroes in Jamaica to revolt, and be ready to join him at his Arrival. Toussaint is determined to prevent this Expedition, in Conformity to his Treaty with you. He has forbidden Rigaud to continue his Preparations, and is resolv'd to march against him and reduce him to Obedience. I have taken the Liberty of communicating these Facts to you, Sir, because they are important. As you are going to Jamaica I beg Leave to submit to your Consideration whether it would not be proper to lay them before Lord Balcarres" and Admiral Sir Hyde Parker. It may possibly suggest to the former the Advantage of 16 In a letter of June 1, replying to this, Pickering declared to Stevens that it would be impossible to make use of Toussaint's private assurances, and that something more formal must be obtained. 17 Brigadier-General Sir Thomas Maitland, who had commanded British forces in Santo Domingo since 1797. Earlier in this spring, in conference with the Cabinet at Philadelphia, he had arranged a joint policy for Great Britain and the United States in the island. For the terms of this agreement, see Works of John Adams, VIII. 639. 18 General Hédouville, "the pacificator of the West" of France, had lately visited Santo Domingo in an ineffectual endeavor to bring Toussaint, Rigaud, and other black and mulatto chiefs, into a real subordination to the Directory. 19 Governor of Jamaica. making such internal Regulations as the present Exigency may require, for the Safety of the Colony under his Command; and to the latter the Propriety of more closely investing the southern Part of St: Domingo. Such Measures would essentially cooperate with Toussaint in preventing the Blow which Rigaud meditates, and which might, otherwise, prove fatal to the Island of Jamaica. I have the Honor to be with great Respect and Esteem, Sir Your most obed: Hum: Servt. The Hon: Sir Brigadier General Maitland On Board his Majesty's Ship Camilla IV. STEVENS TO SECRETARY PICKERING. L'ARCAHAYE June 23rd: 1799. I had the Honor of receiving your Dispatch No: 3 from General Maitland, on the 13th: Inst. That Gentleman found it in the Hands of Mr. Wigglesworth at Jamaica, and was kind enough to bring it up in the Camilla. Anticipating his Arrival I was waiting for him at St: Marcs with Gen: Toussaint, and, as soon as it was announced to us that he had anchored at L'Arcahaye, we set out to join him. All the preliminary Arrangements being made before Gen: Maitland's Departure from Gonaives, and having had full Leisure to converse with Gen: Toussaint, respecting the Regulations for the coasting Trade, I found no Difficulty in obtaining every Thing we wished on that Subject. Nothing more was necessary than to have the projected Alterations inserted, and to have the Papers copied and signed, in order to conclude the Negociation finally. 20 I now have the Honor of transmitting you a Copy of this secret Convention, together with the Regulations for the coasting Trade. You will observe, Sir, that they do not differ materially from the temporary Agreement, which I enclosed you in my last Dispatches. The Clause which I deemed so essential to the Security of the Southern States of America is now inserted. The secret Assurance I obtained from Gen: Toussaint, "that no Privateers should in future be commissioned from this Island", has been formally avowed. Every essential Point contained in the Arreté respecting the Safety of American Commerce, is more amply detailed and confirmed. In Conformity to your Instructions I have cooperated with Gen: Maitland, as much as lay in my Power, to accomplish this important Business, and I hope that what has now been done will meet with the President's Approbation. As the Convention, however, is a secret one, it is perfectly understood, both by Gen: Toussaint and Gen: Maitland, that it is not to be made publick in America. The Publication of his former Treaty with the British," and the numerous Paragraphs inserted in the english 20 Secret convention of June 13, 1799, between Toussaint and Maitland. 21 Presumably the arrangement made at the time of General Maitland's evacuation of Mole St. Nicolas, in October, 1798. Papers relative to it, have materially injured Toussaint in this Colony. His Enemies have used it as a powerful Weapon against him, and he himself is so much displeased at this Want of Secrecy in the british Cabinet, that his Confidence in it is much diminished. And I am convinced he would never have renewed the Negociation with Gen: Maitland, had not the latter been powerfully aided and supported by the Mediation of America. 'Tis the Publicity of this Instrument that prevents him from receiving Col: Grant. I urged this Matter as far as it was prudent, but finding the State of Politics in the Colony such that Gen: Toussaint could not admit him, at present, without disgusting his leading Chiefs, I thought it prudent to discontinue my Solicitations. Of my Zeal in this Business Gen: Maitland is well convinced, and he coincides with me in Opinion that it would not be politic to push it farther, at this critical Moment. I have, however, prevailed on Toussaint not to alter the first Arrangement, respecting the Colours of the British Vessels. They will be permitted to come in, and go out, as Flags of Truce, on Condition that they wear no Colours in Port. It is of the utmost Consequence That all American Vessels trading to St: Domingo should be well acquainted with the Restrictions that have been agreed on between General Maitland and Toussaint. Any Infringement of these Regulations might render them liable to Capture. and Confiscation, not only by british Cruisers, but even in the Ports of St: Domingo. Gen: Maitland has already written to Admiral Sir Hyde Parker and Lord Balcarras, at Jamaica; to the Governor of the Bahama Islands, and also to the Governor of Bermuda. To all of these the Arrangements are made known, and it is perfectly understood that my Passeport alone shall be sufficient to protect all Vessels legally trading to this Island, until a British Agent can be admitted. Then the Passeport must be a joint one. I shall request Gen: Maitland to write also to Admiral Harvey, on the Windward Island Station. It may not be amiss to obtain a Letter to him, likewise, from Mr: Liston." By these means every Chance of interrupting the American Commerce will be prevented, and there will be no Risk in opening the Ports on the Ist: of August, as already stipulated. As Col: Grant will not be permitted to exercise his Functions as British Agent in St: Domingo, and Gen: Maitland could not fix upon a proper Person in Jamaica to supply his Place, he has warmly solicited me to superintend the English Commerce with this Colony, until some Resolution can be formed by Lord Balcarras on the Subject. Knowing the political and commercial Views of the two Governments to be similar, as far as respects the Island of St: Domingo, and thinking that I might be instrumental in continuing that Harmony which now subsists between them, I readily assented. I shall continue to do every thing in my Power to protect the British Commerce here, as far as is consistent with the Interest of and my Duty to the United States. Should there be any Impropriety in my performing this temporary Service, I beg you, Sir, to acquaint me, and I will immediately relinquish it. I hinted to you in my last that the pressing Wants of Gen: Toussaint inclined me to consent to a small temporary Supply of Provisions being sent him from Jamaica. I assented to this Request the more readily as Gen: Maitland informed me that it was understood by the American Government, that it might be done, should it be necessary. The Per22 British minister in the United States. mission appeared to me to be essential at the Time it was granted, and the Occurrences that have since taken place convince me that I conjectured right. Gen: Toussaint has, at this Moment, an Army of 12000 Men in this Neighbourhood, and not a single Pound of Flour or Salt Provisions, to give them. The Supply from Jamaica is not yet arrived. He looks out for it with the utmost Anxiety. Should it be delayed much longer, all his Plans will be deranged, and the Prospect of a lucrative Commerce wt: which America has been flatter'd, will be entirely destroyed. Viewing the Matter in this Light, I thought it advantageous to the Interests of America to consent to the Supply, especially as it is intended entirely for the Use of Toussaint's Army, is small and limited, and will be consumed before the Ports are open'd, and, of course, will have no Influence on the Market. The Negociation of Gen: Maitland being brought to a Close, it appears to me, that Nothing is now wanting to ensure the Safety of the American Commerce. The Arreté published before his Arrival, and the Convention he has enter'd into with Gen: Toussaint contain every essential Point which you directed me to insist upon, both in your original Instructions, and subsequent Letters. Should any Thing have escaped me or occur to you which may be deemed necessary to be obtained, you need only suggest it to me, Sir, and you may rely on my utmost Exertions to accomplish it. I have the Honor to be with great Esteem and Respect My Apprehensions of an immediate Rupture between the rival Chiefs of this Colony have been realised. Rigaud has actually commenced Hostilities and taken forcible Possession of petit and grand Goave, two Districts which formerly appertained to the Department of Toussaint. At the latter Place he is encamped with an Army of 4000 Men. Toussaint is now at Leogane with 20,000. Rigaud's Army is well fed, well clothed, and well paid. The uninterrupted Trade he has carried on from the South with St: Thomas, the Continent of America, and The Island of Jamaica, has supplied him with Plenty of Provisions, Clotheing, and Ammunition. The arbitrary and oppressive Contributions he has levied from the Inhabitants of the South, and the Application of all the publick Revenue, for several Years past, to his own private Purposes, have given him a great Command of Money. His Infantry are well disciplined, and his Cavalry the best in the Colony. The former consists of black Troops that have served under him since the Commencement of the Revolution, and a few of the Cultivators whom he has deceived and induced to espouse his Cause, by Misrepresentation and Bribery. The latter is composed entirely of Mullattoes. These are the best Horsemen in the Colony. From Indolence and Pride these People seldom travel on foot, and being accustomed to ride from their Infancy, they acquire a Facility of managing a Horse, which renders them superior to the Negroes. Add to this that they are allways much better mounted.— Toussaint's Army, on the contrary, is in want of every Thing. He has but little Ammunition, and few Military Stores. There is not, at present, a Barrel of Flour or Salt Provisions in this Port of the Island, and his Troops are but indiffirently clad. All these Circumstances have induced him, hitherto, to remain on the defensive, and have enabled Rigaud to gain ground. He is only waiting for the Supplies he momently expects from Jamaica, to put his Forces in Motion and strike a vigorous Blow. When he commences his Operations the Contest will be but short. Toussaint has on his Side most of the Blacks, and all the Whites of the Colony. His humane and mild Conduct has render'd him respectable to the latter, and they now look up to him as their only Shield against the cruel Tyranny of Rigaud. When the latter had got Possession of Petit Goave, all the whites in Port au Prince rose in a Mass, and desired Permission to march against him; but Toussaint objected to it, observing that they had already suffered Misfortunes enough by the Revolution, and that he had Men enough to finish the Contest, and protect them, without subjecting them again to the Horrors of War. Besides this decided Support of the Inhabitants in his Favor, Toussaint acts apparently under the Sanction of the french Republic, while the other is considered as a Rebel and Outlaw. All the public Acts of the Agent are in favor of Toussaint, and hostile to his Rival. In this Line of Conduct will Roume continue as long as he is invested with any public Authority. The fact is, that he dare not do otherwise. He is, at present, no better than a dignified Prisoner at the Cape, from whence he is not permitted to depart. Possessing only the Semblance of Power, he will be tolerated for a Time, as useful in signing such Edicts as Toussaint dictates, and giving an Appearance of Legality to his Proceedings. As soon as Rigaud falls, Roume will be sent off, and from that Moment the Power of the Directory will cease in this Colony. I hinted to you, some Time ago, my suspicion that Rigaud was privately supported by the french Government, from the cruel Policy of weakening both Mullattoes and Negroes, by fomenting and keeping up a Contest between them. Every Day confirms me more in this Opinion, and I have now no doubt that the Agent is the secret and diabolical Instrument employed by them for this Purpose. He certainly is privately in the Interests of Rigaud, and Toussaint seems well acquainted with this Fact. Policy, however, induces him to temporise. A few Days ago he wrote him a very severe Letter, which he read to me. He accuses him of Weakness, Indecision, and a criminal Neglect of his Duty, and imputes to him all the Misfortunes which the Colony has suffered since the Commencement of his Administration. He concludes with calling to his Recollection that he has requested him three several 23 Rigaud, it will be remembered, was the chieftain of the mulattoes, Toussaint of the blacks. 23 |