160 Msa ura oR






 CHAPTER III.
Ldelero obtains posaie.ion of the chief ponltions In the bland, andj
 not master thereof--By arms and by treachery he establisbes
 at the Cape, at Fort Dauphin, at Saini Domingo, and at Port-au-
 -Toussain L'OIuvrture depend un his mountain strongholds.

THE main squadron, under the immediate direction of
 elere, proceeded to act against the C(ape. Sent ot
errand of dupli.ity, the commander meant war, yet was ob
to brign peace. His aim was, if possible, to obtain possess
the Cape, under the rorer of friendship. Surely, ad
into a French port'could not be denied to French forces.-
order to effect his purpose, he sent Lebrun, aide-de-camip
the admiral Villaret Jo.eusc, on shore, to announce his iU
don of landing his troops. Lebrun was conducted to Gen'
Chrimtophe. who held the place on b ialf of the insular an
ities. A_ Lebrun passed along, he. as it' by accident, let f
number of proclamation', intended to ervee the raue of Bt
parte by stirring up the. inhabitants. Having put his p
into the hands of Christophe, he received fjr answer, W
out the order of their Governor-(.en..ral, Toussaint L'Ou
ture, who at prcfsent is in the Spanish part, I cannot reo
the squadron and the troops which are on board." Lebh
whispered in the ear of Christophe, that General Leclere 41
the bearer of splendid tokens of the favor of' the Governml
toward him. -"No, sir," was the prompt and decided rep
" I annot listen to any proposition without the orders of (
Governor. The proclamations you bring breathe de,3potism
tyranny. I -hall go and aniclnitLr Itn my -oldlier an oat-l
maintain oiur libherry at their peril of their iric-." The prom
nation covertly published by Lebrun, was not wholly witI
cifect. A deputation of citizens waited on Clristophe to i