human
Vincent is a fine fellow, said Dessalines,
gpt
He has been in the most pressing danger, observed Toussaint.
human
God willed that he should escape, when escape appeared impossible.
gpt
What is to be done now with these cowardly devils of mulattoes?
human
You will not take me for a cowardly mulatto, Monsieur Pascal, if I do not resent Dessaline's words. He is speaking of the rebels, not of the many mulattoes who, like myself, disapprove and despise all such jealousy of race as leads to the barbarism of aggressive war.
gpt
Yet, said Christophe,
human
I wish that we should all avoid such language as provokes jealousy of race.
gpt
In council one must speak plainly, replied Dessalines.
human
I hope Monsieur Pascal agrees with me; for doubtless certain affairs of the whites will be in question, with regard to which they may be uncivilly spoken of. I was going to say, for instance (what L'Ouverture's secretary ought to be able to bear), that if we wish this state of peace to last, we must studiously keep the whites down--exclude them from all situations of power and trust. You all know that, in my opinion, they ought every one to have been done with some time ago. As that was not effected, the next best, policy is to let them die out. One may compute pretty well the time that this will take. If nothing better remains for them here than to live upon their estates, without a chance of distinction, or of employment in public affairs, they will grow tired of the colony; the next generation, at farthest, will be glad to sell their property, and go home; and we shall be rid of them.
gpt
By that time, Jacques, said Toussaint,
human
Better begin here what may be our work there--draw closer, and learn from them the wisdom by which they have been the masters of the world: while they may learn from us, if they will, forgiveness of injuries.
gpt
I am sick of hearing all that, Toussaint. It is for ever in your mouth.
human
Because it is for ever in my heart. You will hear it from me, Jacques, till I see that there is no occasion to say it more. As to Vincent, I propose to keep him, in token of honour, near my person; and to request the Central Assembly to decree to him an estate of such value as they shall think proper, to be purchased from the public treasury.
gpt
That is, supposing he should desire to remain among us, observed Christophe;
human
Then his estate shall be in France, Henri. Our friend Raymond will charge himself with this business in the Assembly.
gpt
If I bring it forward in the form of a message from yourself, replied Raymond,
human
What of the finances?