139 E 9 ',* ..j"-





rather was a aatious approach to independence p
because tokens were not, wanting that Bonaparte, in
tious passions, had grown impatient of the ascendency
great gro Haytian. Resolved to bh master of the w
gould not endure a rival power, and watched his opportu
establish his supremacy in the island. The rather was.
sirons of establishing the exclusive rule of France th
cause Hayti, he felt, wouldd be made a bulwark for hostilo.
Sons against the Enghsh power in the West Indies.
 Yet was the colony pa'sivrly and quietly to await the
What was this but Lu inuite the blow it Whereas, to p
a constitution, while it ought to give no ofen..e, would
that the Haytians weIr sensible ajlge of their rights
their power. In the greatsue, Tou.&aint had himself a
lem to solve. II, as he had reason to fear, Bunaparte in
hisoverthrow, was he to submit without an eflurt t WIV
not, as a prudent man and a wise lIgirlator, to enter on
course as seemed most likely to ward otl the blow,
strengthen his own position? As to the nece'sity of his,
tinning to hold that position, he could not for a.moment d
The retention o' the position was indispensable to the to(
ance of the peaLce in the island. .A all mc.untaiun had be
plains before" hii energy anti determinatio-n, so would a
undone if he were removed from the head of afl'irs; a
more the smouldering tires of passinn and prejuduie would bM
into a flame, and a war arise not levs blooxly and terrific
that which he had so recently brought to a happy conclul
Yes; there, at the helm, had he been plated by the resai
stream of events, or what to him, nor without reason, seq
the hand of Providence; and there duty, in the clearest g
loudest tones, called upon him to remain. This i,, in substa
the feeling to which at this time he gave utterance in th
terms: I have taken my dight in the region of eagles; I
be prudent in alighting on the earth; I can be plated only
a rock; and that ro,:k must be a constitutional governniq
which will secure me power so long as I shall be among ay