TOUSSAINT TAKES SPANISH SAINT DOMINGO FOR FRANCE

From: General Advertiser. Philadelphia. March 16, 1801.

COLONIES OF FRANCE

LIBERTY                          EQUALITY

St. Domingo, 13th Pluviose, 9th Year of the French Republic, one and indivisible.

Toussaint Louverture, General In Chief of the Army of St. Domingo, To His Fellow Citizens Of The French Part of St. Domingo

Citizens,

I announce to you with great satisfaction that I have taken possession of the Spanish Part of Saint Domingo in the name of the French Republic.

A column commanded by the General of Brigade, Moyse, march to the north against St. Yago; a second column commanded by the Chief of Brigade, Paul Louverture to the Southwest against Santo Domingo. Each of them were opposed by the Spaniards who seemed opposed to our taking possession. The columns, notwithstanding, pursued their rout. The measures of wisdom, of prudence and of humility which I had taken, prevented the effusion of blood; and with very little loss I gained possession of the whole island. Persuasions alone, after the first attack, was the only means I made use of. My enterprise was crowned by the most brilliant successes.

The General of Brigade Moyse, conducted himself with that courage, that moderation, that bravery, which always characterizes a French General. He executed with perfection all my orders. He has rendered me a clear and perfect account of all his operations, and the officers and soldiers under his command has given me infinite pleasure. Discipline and subordination has been observed with a scrupulous attention, and persons and property rigidly respected.

The adjutant General Hebecourt, whom I sent to the Spanish government, Joachim Garcia, with my instructions for taking possession of the island, has fulfilled his mission with honor, wisdom and prudence.

[Here follows a particular detail of the marches of the troops.]

In consequence of this detail which it gives me great pleasure to make public, because it is true, I declare that the officers and soldiers composing the army of St. Domingo, have deserved well of their country.

Salut et fraternelle amitié

Le General en Chef

TOUSSAINT LOUVERTURE

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