284 Ti E LIFE OF

of his being still alive, while it encouraged the hope of hi.
taking the lead of the soldiers of independence, served to kej
up the courage of the insurgents, and to augment the diffic4
ties of Rochambeau. His death, therefore, seemed to Bou.
pate urgently necessary. Affairs were hurrying to a crisis i
the West Indies. A blow must be struck. The trunk of ti
insurrection, the First Consul had it in his power to pluck
and destroy: at least so he thought. Therefore the order wel
forth, Cut it down: root it up." The manner was worthy c4
the deed.
 The governor of the castle was chosen for the perpetradiop
of the crime. S:ar,.elv was he a man for the work. He had
scruples of conscience. But nothing short of plenary obedien'
would be aiepted. Besides, it was not a question of the dag
ger or the bowL All that was wanted was a more decidai
system of privation. And that system he scarcelyy needed td
work actively. When a prisoner is kept in lose confinement
and must be got rid of, you have oily to reduce his means ot
subsistence until death ensues a. a matter of nurse. And
the procet is too slow, it may be accelerated by a little wA
timed nggleut. To an attenuated and ainihbed frame, t'
want of nutrition oIr a fi'w dais brings certain death.
the ordinary pittan'-c or" upply then b6 forgotten, and yo
end is gained. An. who shall dire to call an art of obliv
by the Ibul and offensive name of murder ?
 The Governor twice took a journey to Neutfchaitel, in Swi
land. The first tim, he intrusted the keys of Toussaint's
to Captain Colomier, whom he appointed to fill his place in
absence. Colomier visited the noble pri-oner, who spoke
him modestly of his own glory, but with indignation of
design imputed to him of having wished to deliver Saint
mingo up to the English. His emaciated and feeble hands
engaged in writing a paper intended to disprove that g
less charge. The officer found Toussaint in a state of
Absolute privation. A little meal was his only food, and
he had to prepare lhimsel' in a small earthen jug. But



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