252 THE LIFE OF "

 Too frequently did the Europeans speak of the
 ment captured from France Ibr the blacks not to perceive.
 need in which we stood of them."
 The news of the events which had taken place at Gua(
 loupe, the maintenance of slavery at Martinique, indiscreet
 and insinuations from Ibreigners, fomented distrust in the mi"i'
S of the black chiefs. The words which the First Consul
 addressed to the Abbd Grtgoire, at an official preientatioq .
 the Institute, were repeated in the colony : From what,
 taking pla.e in Saint Domiugo, I wi.h the friend of the blae
 throughout Europe had their beads uroered with mourniql
 crape." The words ,truck mnen'_ imaginations. The minds 4
 the blacks and of the men of color were at the height of 4j
 quietude when the frigate Cocarde entered the roads, havi
 on board blacks sent f-om Guadeloupe; many of them in tl
 night jumped into the sea, swam to short, and by their repit
 made the alarm still greater. At the same time, some men.o
 color, also from Guadeloupe, brought to Saint Domingo infti
 nation that the slaec-trade in that island comprehended tth
 caste. Here were dirk pre-ages or what might be expected ii
 Saint Domingo. The fideity of dtie chieft of the colona 
 troops was from that hour irreiotahl.y shaken. .
 General Clervaus, who had rc.lently condemned Charp
 Belair to death, first thrw off the rmak by desLrring. T
 evening be-lre, being at Madame Let.lerc'. he had said in.
 fit of passion, I was free tbrmerly ; only to new .ircumsta
 do I owe it that I have raised up my rv\ilbrd color; but.if|
 fancied that here the res.orati n of slaatry would ever 1
 thought of, that instant I would become a brigand."
 Judge, if you can, of the position ifX Captain-General I4
 clear; he knew the danger, he could not prevent it.
 crews were not utfiltient for the ser- ite ofc tbh. bhips The g1
 rison of the Cap,- did n.,t .omprie more than two hundrl
 Europeans+.lhre were iu it fille-ti hundireil colutial soldil
 On the night of the" IJth-14th of Septluimbr (18It2), Peti