*


 i TOUSSAINT L'OUVERIURE. 175

 i l sentiment we entertain toward ou, how can
 n as to the respect, the oIrtune, and the homage
 pit you ?
 People of Saint Domingo know that the solicitude
 I e has always felt lbr their happiness has often been
 through the imperious circumstances of war; that
 From the continent to agitate the island and support
 were the products of the factions which distracted the
 ntr ; that henrelbrth peace, and the strength of the
 ent, will secure the prosptrity and the freedom of the
 .Tell th.-m, that if' to them liberty is the first of bless-
 ey cannot enjoy it esxept as Fr:nch citizens, and that
 act contrary to the int.r-st, ofl the mother country, to the
 which thr-y owe to the Goov-rnmient, and to the Cap-
 eneral, whi.h is it d lleg..t'.-, wo l. be a ..rime against the
 sovereignty, whi.-h would ie.lip-e their sorrices, and
 Saint Domingo, thb Ilheatre rf a diltru'tive war in which
 and children w,,uld -lay tachl oth:r.
 you, GCnrai, retlhi.t, that itf oyi are the tirst of your
 that has rea, h..,l -u.-h a height of powir, and that has
 distinction hlv bravir and'l military talents, iou are, also,
 God and us. the p.rinni who is rteponsiblc Ibr the conduct
 Inhabitants of the colony.
 there are (evl-disponed persons who tell the individuals
O1have played the prin,.ipal p.rts in the troubles of Saint
jlingo that we ha'e come to inve-tigate what they have done
p'&g the times '.f anarchy, assure them that we shall inquire
r a to their conduct in thi la-t cin:rumst.ance ; that we shall
into the past only to di:-over the deeds which have made
a distinguishe.l in the war against the Spaniards and the
ktib, who were our enemies.
B Reckon unreservedly on our e'teetm, and conduct yourself
be ought who is one of the print ipal citizens of the greatest
ion in the world.
 Tihe Fir-t Consul,
 S(.igined) BONAPARTE."