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206 Tras UB or *

Consul," they said, "has sent us here to perish,
though we are of his achievements and sharers in his
 These, and similar complaints, which reached the
captain of the expedition, occasioned him lively disq i
rather because his army was attacked by a malady w
as it was, threatened to become more deadly; and al
expected fresh troops .iearcely would all suffice to keep
ulation in order, tI) say nothing o01 the exigencies of wa
had, it is true, many lbla,.k under his banners, but
count on their fidelity ? Did he not know that their
showed the moit zeal and devotion, were wrapped in i
trabl. d;ssimularion, and that he kept them obedient a
reiterated promi-es of' liberty.
 The people of color appeared to him morn devoted,
they nut, in preceding wars, passed now into the party
whites, and now into that of the blacks, as mul h from ja*
stancy as for the sake of liberty' The barbarous chiefv.i
ever, who were his enemies, gave himi most concern pChrista
filled with prowess and intrepidity; De.salines, that
Achille., of unequalled courage and fury; Toussaint, wbei
his prolific genius was capable of everything, who escaped q
to reappear, who everywhere caused foes to spring up under
feet of his army, as it the-y were born of the mountains. ,
 Retlecting on theie tLing.,-counting his l.sces, suryv
his di3ippointlment- mra. during his enemiic, calculating hi
ficulties, and fI-rel.itin hi; prnope,.ts, Leelerl' came t41
determination that be should a.-t wisely it he tried what q
be done in the way of negotiation. Should the attempt faW
would have gained time; should it succeed, he would hae.j
an end to a doubtful and disastrous war. ..
 Among the hiads of the hostile army. Chri-tophe had shq
the least aver-ion to aci ommodatiion. With him, Le..lere e
menced his negotiations; he intinmated to C'hriiophe that as
mother country would unqlueti:'nably gise legal (onfirma.
to the abolitiun of ,ervitude, the war was u-eltea and wits
an object, and that the sole obstacle to peace being the.