human
Here it ends then, said he, one day at the council-table, rising as bespoke.
gpt
Here ends all possibility of compromise. For the blacks, it is slavery or self-defence. It is so, Monsieur Pascal.
human
It is. The terms of the new peace are proclaimed.
gpt
And the fact substantiated that Bonaparte has declared that he will do what he pleases with Saint Domingo.
human
Such were certainly his words.
gpt
Who is surprised? inquired Dessalines.
human
I forewarned you of this, long ago: and I said, at the same time, that, if we waited for aggression, we might find it too late for defence.
gpt
Not a word of fear, Jacques. Our victory is as sure as the justice of Heaven.
human
Perhaps so; but it would have been easier if you had not been training your people, all these years, to love and cherish those whom they are now going to resist.
gpt
I see and admit our difficulty, Jacques. But if I had governed as you would have had me, we should have been in a worse. I should then have been the chief of a race of savages, instead of soldiers and citizens. If we had been extirpating the whites all this time, we should now have been destroying each other, instead of preparing to go forth to a righteous war.
human
True. Most true, declared Henri.
gpt
We may suffer for a time, and fight with the more difficulty, from our habits of observance towards those whom we must now oppose; but God will not allow the spirit of forgiveness and love to be finally a snare.
human
Never, said Toussaint.
gpt
He has appointed fierce passions for a yoke, and mild affections for freedom. Though Bonaparte betrays and oppresses, the Gospel stands.--It is now time for proclaiming the war throughout the colony.
human
I will prepare the proclamation this night,
gpt
If you will, my friend, said Toussaint.
human
But I intend to be my own proclamation. To-morrow morning I set forth for Saint Domingo, to visit my brother in his city. I shall examine every fort, and call together the militia, as I go. The trip would be more effective if I could have my council about me.
gpt
I will go with you,
human
And I,
gpt
And I?
human
No, Raymond; stay at Port-au-Prince, to report my proceedings to the legislature. And you, Monsieur Pascal, remain here to receive the despatches which may arrive from France. My brethren-in-arms of the council will be with me. When we have satisfied ourselves, we will let you know whether or not those who would have loved and served France for ever as a guardian angel, can cast her off when she becomes an incubus.
gpt
The French are coming to make slaves of us again; but there shall never more be a slave in Saint Domingo. They are coming; but they are our countrymen till they have struck the first blow. We will demand of them an account of our brethren in Cayenne, in Guadaloupe, and in Martinique. We will ask of them concerning our brethren on the coasts of Africa. If, in return, they throw us chains and the whip, we shall know how to answer. But not a blow must be struck till they have shown whether they are brethren or foes. Our dark skin is no disgrace; but the first drop of a brother's blood dyes us all in infamy. Let the infamy be theirs who assault us. At this moment our first duty is to our white brethren of this island; in this time of our high excitement, they are full of grief; they are guiltless of this attack upon our liberty; they are as willing as we to live and die under the rule of L'Ouverture: and under the special protection of L'Ouverture, they shall, if they please, live and die. Beware of imputing to them the sins of their colour; protect them from your hearts--defend them with your lives. In the hour of danger, as you invoke the blessing of Heaven, save first the Creole whites, and next your wives and your children.