human
I left my son in your charge,
gpt
You did: and I--
human
And you murdered him.
gpt
No, Paul! I executed justice upon him. Hear me, brother, once for all. I am heart-broken for you as a brother: but as a magistrate, I will admit no censure. As his father in your stead, I was, as the event has proved, too ambitious for him: but, as a ruler, I did but my duty.
human
Yes! You have been ambitious! You have chosen your duty!
gpt
My ambition was for him, Paul. As for my duty--remember that I have too a child whom, by that act, I doomed to worse than death.
human
You see what liberty has brought to us. Look at the family of Ouverture--consider what has befallen since your struggle for liberty began; and then, perhaps, you will give over struggling. Welcome the French--go back to Breda--send me home to my hut on the shore, that I may die in such peace as is left to a childless man. Why do you not answer me, Toussaint? Why will you not give us a last chance of peace? I must obey you at the city gate; but I will importune you here. Why will you not do as I say?
gpt
Because I know that some--and the Ouvertures among them--were not born to live at ease--to pass their days in peace. I feel that some--and the Ouvertures among them--are born to suffer--to struggle and to die for their race. If you would know why, ask their Creator. I myself would fain know why. Meantime, the will of God is so clear, that I have devoted, not myself only, but my children. My sons, you know--
human
And not your children only, but your brother and his child.
gpt
No. Moyse cast himself away. And, as for you, your hut still stands, as you say. Go to it, if you will; or make friends with the French, if you desire to be a slave again. You have suffered too much by me for me to ask you ever to serve me more. I shall never desire you to dedicate yourself anew to pain, in this crisis. Go and seek for ease. I shall incessantly pray that you may find it.
human
I shall not seek what is not to be found, Toussaint. I have never dared wretchedness as you have: but since I am and must be wretched, I will be an Ouverture. Your eye and your voice make me an Ouverture again, even yet. Give me your commands.
gpt
Read this proclamation, with the eye of an Ouverture. Well! Do you like it? How do you understand it?
human
You declare your allegiance to France, declaring, at the same time, its limits, and appealing to your soldiers, in the event of aggression. It is plain from this that you mean to defend yourself, and anticipate war.
gpt
It is well. That is what I intend to convey. You will publish this proclamation, in your city and district, under the date of this 18th of December, 1801. You will then concert with General Clerveaux the measures for the defence of this city, and report your decisions to me, on my return from Cap Samana. Shall it be so, brother?
human
Be it so.
gpt
And we are friends?
human
We are fellow-citizens--we are Ouvertures--and therefore faithful. I shall not betray you.
gpt
That is all I can ask, I know. We are old men, Paul. Fidelity for a while! Beyond the grave, perhaps more.
human
You are going already?
gpt
To Cap Samana; and alone. Farewell!