78 InH11 ISFE OF

too, was a sincere Catholic. Religious considerations,
powerful with him, seem to have received yperial attention, 4
had special weight in this juni ture. The ALbb de la Hale wi
his adviser. The same clergyman went between him and [
veaux. At length, a di-tinet offnr was made by thK Frenc
commander. Toussaint L'Ouverture at cepted lie ripe'irig.
 In this important 'tep, he wa-, doubtliss, influri-niol I'. a co
sideration derived from hi ac.tuil p.:ition. Ho' was -urrnun
by violent men. He was, in some sort, under th. ctuntrol
violent men. C-rtainly, he was intinlatt:ly allihld wihi meni
(olor by whom, or with whom, negro rf-an.ipation could
be wrought out. Of these facts he, about thlii tme. was m
painfully aware. His superior in tinmmand, Jcan Franq
quarrelled with Biassou. Over the latter. Tou-.aint, as
former knew, possessed great inflnRnc' C'hosing t) implied
Tousaint in the quarrel, Jean Francqrini committed him
prison. By Biassou, he was delivered. Thi. hazard had be
great. He who could incarrcerate nmi'-ht Ina. A se. c.Ind
of the kind was not to be thought of; thlrt:Obre, the great,.
final step must be taken. lHaing adopted pret:autions for
safety of his family, he made his military arrangements
skill, and carried th-m into effi' t w-ith -lucrie'i. IHe then
claimed universal lib'-rty in nil the dihtri:t under his inluena
On the .thl of May, he pulled dwn thi Spanish and hoisted t
French fla, wherever he was in po-wr. Fright and confasi
prevailed among the Spaniardi. Joy agitated the bo'oms
the negroes. Nearly all the North returner(to their allegi
to France.