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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Memoir of Transactions That Took Place in
-St. Domingo, in the Spring of 1799, by Marcus Rainsford
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-Title: A Memoir of Transactions That Took Place in St. Domingo, in the Spring of 1799
- Affording an Idea of the Present State of that Country,
- the Real Character of Its Black Governor, Toussaint
- L'ouverture, and the Safety of our West-India Islands,
- from Attack or Revolt
-
-Author: Marcus Rainsford
-
-Release Date: September 29, 2015 [EBook #50076]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIR TRANSACTIONS--ST. DOMINGO, 1799 ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by readbueno and the Online Distributed
-Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
-produced from images generously made available by The
-Internet Archive)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- A
- _MEMOIR_
- OF
- TRANSACTIONS
-
- THAT TOOK PLACE IN
-
- _ST. DOMINGO,_
-
- IN THE SPRING OF 1799;
-
- AFFORDING AN IDEA OF THE
-
- PRESENT STATE OF THAT COUNTRY
-
- THE REAL CHARACTER OF ITS BLACK GOVERNOR,
-
- =Toussaint L’ouverture,=
-
- AND THE
- SAFETY OF OUR WEST-INDIA ISLANDS
- FROM ATTACK OR REVOLT;
-
- INCLUDING
-
- _THE RESCUE OF A BRITISH OFFICER
- UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH_.
-
- -------
-
- Inest sua Gratia parvis.
-
- -------
-
- BY
- CAPTAIN RAINSFORD,
- TWENTY-FOUR YEARS AN OFFICER IN HIS MAJESTY’S ARMY.
-
- --------------
-
- _LONDON_:
-
- PRINTED BY R. B. SCOTT.
- At his Office In St. Clement’s Lane, Strand.
-
- SOLD BY EDWARD LAWRENCE, IN THE STRAND,
- NEARLY OPPOSITE BEAUFORT BUILDINGS.
- 1802.
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
- ADVERTISEMENT.
-
- --------------
-
-
-Very little will be expected in the following pages when coming from the
-pen of a Soldier; but that little will be found to be _his own_; and
-this on a Subject of much doubt and importance may possibly protract its
-existence in an age of compilation! He is however, better satisfied to
-consider it as a small emanation of gratitude to a singular man, who in
-the possession of extraordinary power, did not use it unworthily.
-
- London, January, 6, 1802
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
- A
-
- MEMOIR,
-
- _ETC._
-
- --------------
-
-
-The object of public attention is ever the sport of public rumour; and
-truth is not infrequently affected by the fabrications of the idle and
-the ignorant, when men and things are misrepresented by popular
-prejudice.
-
-The present armament of Bonaparte against St. Domingo, and the general
-alarm for the safety of our colonial possessions from the powerful
-situation of the Brigands in that island, have occasioned much
-conjecture, but produced no authentic information, while on a subject of
-such importance it becomes a duty in those competent in any degree, to
-relieve the anxiety of the public mind. Had Bryan Edwards lived, we
-should not so long have fluctuated in uncertainty.
-
-The present writer has by no means presumed to increase the number of
-ephemeral details, as contradictory as untrue, which have been offered
-to the public, of transactions that have now too long deformed this
-delightful country. In the dangerous duties of his profession, the
-common accidents of war afforded him a peculiar opportunity of judging
-(among other affairs) of the present state of St. Domingo, of its
-defence, and of the character of its extraordinary Governor.
-
-The events themselves, with the opinions resulting from them, form,
-then, the subject of these pages; and authenticity will supply the place
-of the decorations of style. To preclude, however, the possibility of
-doubt, I think it necessary to say thus much of myself:—
-
-Born of a respectable family in the kingdom of Ireland (where my elder
-brother, Counsellor Rainsford, now enjoys the liberal fortune of our
-ancestors)[1] I early embraced the military profession, and joined a
-regiment under the command of the Earl of Moira, in which I served
-during the American war. Our corps was considerably employed during two
-campaigns, and was in the memorable battles of Camden, &c. I afterwards
-unfortunately left that regiment to enter into a provincial one,
-commanded by the late Lord Charles Montague, and served in Jamaica four
-years. On the commencement of the present war, I went to the continent
-in the corps of Royal Fusileers commanded by Colonel Hardy, and shared
-its complicated hardships during the retreat.[2]
-
-I was removed in May, 1795, through the interest of my inestimable
-brother-in-law, General Doyle, to a black corps, to be raised in the
-West Indies, under the command of General Keppel. I went to Barbadoes,
-and from thence to Jamaica, where the corps was to be raised. I arrived
-on the 17th of August, and continued on duty till a severe attack of the
-yellow fever compelled my return in his Majesty’s ship, Sampson. After
-recovering in England, at the instance of his Royal Highness the Duke of
-York I went to Martinique in 1798, but it not being understood by
-General Keppel that his corps was to be levied there, he ordered me back
-to Jamaica, from whence, I found on my arrival, the officers had sailed
-for England.
-
-Desirous, as I always am, of being with my regiment, to facilitate that
-object I undertook the mode of returning to Martinique by beating up to
-the island of St. Thomas, an exertion of considerable difficulty and
-danger. This, however, I but little regarded; and Admiral Smith, with
-whom I had been long acquainted, kindly accommodated me in his cabin on
-board the Hannibal to the Mole St. Nicholas. Losing no opportunity of
-proceeding on my voyage, I went on board a little Danish schooner,
-commanded by Mr. Frazer.
-
-We had not been many days at sea, when a violent hurricane having
-dismasted the vessel, drove us under the walls of Cape François. Thus
-unfortunately commenced the opportunities of obtaining that information
-and forming that judgment of the Present State of St. Domingo, which I
-am about to submit to the public. Had I conceived it possible, at that
-time, that a relation of facts respecting that unhappy country would
-have become so interesting to my friends, I might from these
-opportunities have collected much respecting it, and been enabled to
-communicate what I collected in a better form.
-
-Thus situated, the Brigand boats soon came out to meet us; and it was
-recommended to me, as the only means to prevent the confiscation of the
-vessel, and avoid becoming myself a prisoner of war, to pass for an
-American.
-
-We were permitted to land at the once famous city of the Cape; and the
-first object that excited our attention amidst thousands of People of
-Colour of every description, was the respectable TOUSSAINT in familiar
-conversation with two private Brigands. He very civilly came up to
-us—enquired the news—from whence we came? and our destination. I
-accommodated my answers to the occasion, and to the character I was to
-support, and complained of severe treatment from the English! to which
-he replied, “_Je pense que les Anglois y sont bien malade à la Mole_”—he
-believed the English were very sick at the Mole—and we took our leave.
-
-I then retired to the American hotel, and was introduced to the table d’
-hote—to behold for the first time a _perfect system of equality_!
-
-Here were officers and privates, the general and the fifer, at the same
-table indiscriminately. I had the honour of sitting near a fat drummer,
-who very freely helped himself from my dish, and addressed me with
-frequent repetitions of “_A votre Santé bon Americain_.” Here also
-TOUSSAINT dined, but did not take the head of the table, from the idea
-(I was informed) that no man should be invested with superiority but in
-the field. In the evening I went to the billiard table, where TOUSSAINT
-also came. Much hilarity prevailed, and his affability highly increased
-the satisfaction of the company. I played with him, and found nothing to
-dissipate the pleasure which the novelty of the scene inspired. There
-were several tables in the same room, at which all played with the same
-familiarity with which they dined.
-
-I was here informed that a review was to take place on the following
-day, in the plain of the Cape; and desirous of being present at such a
-spectacle, I was accompanied by some Americans, and others of my own
-country who resided in the island under that appellation.
-
-In traversing this once superb town, what a scene of desolation every
-where presented itself to my contemplation! On the site where elegance
-and luxury had united all their powers to delight the voluptuary,
-remained nothing but ruins. On these were erected temporary houses for
-the American merchants and little shops of the natives, which but
-exhibited the devastation with additional horror. The great street still
-contained the walls of many superb edifices of five and six stories
-high, and most beautiful structure; highly-finished gilt balustrades, in
-some instances, yet remained. Nor was this all—in different parts of the
-general ruin the skeletons of their possessors were mingled with the
-broken walls—
-
- “There in the ruin, heedless of the dead,
- “The shelter-seeking peasant rears his shed;
- “And, wondering man could want the larger pile,
- “Exults, and owns his cottage with a smile.”
-
-Through this dreadful scene I passed to behold a review, of the real
-grandeur of which I had not the least conception. There were two
-thousand officers out, Generals and Ensigns, all carrying arms—yet with
-the utmost regularity and attention to rank—none of that disregard which
-had marked the leisure of the preceding day being the least evident.
-Each general officer had a demi-brigade, which went through the manual
-exercise with a degree of expertness I had seldom before witnessed, and
-they performed excellently well several manœuvres applicable to their
-method of fighting. At _a whistle_ a whole brigade ran three or four
-hundred yards, and then, separating, threw themselves flat on the
-ground, changing to their backs and sides, and all the time keeping up a
-strong fire till recalled—after this they formed again into their wonted
-regularity; and this manœuvre is executed with such facility and
-precision, as totally to prevent cavalry from charging them in bushy and
-hilly countries. Indeed, such complete subordination prevailed, so much
-promptness and dexterity, as must astonish an European who had known any
-thing of their previous situation.
-
-After the review I returned to the city, to continue my solitary walk
-through the remaining monuments of human ferocity, and indulge in
-contemplating the vanity of all sublunary establishments.
-
-I was brooding over scenes where Fancy herself had once been satiated,
-when I arrived at a large square, in the centre of which was a
-considerable eminence, and a seat on the top;—there were two centinels
-to guard it—of whom I enquired if I might ascend the steps? They
-answered in the affirmative, but cautioned me not to touch the _Cap of
-Liberty_ which crowned it, for it was SACRED TO SANTHONAX AND POLVEREL!
-My curiosity induced me to ascend; when I perused, immediately under the
-cap, a showy inscription in French, of which I do not exactly recollect
-the idiom, not daring to take a copy, but it was to the following
-purport—
-
- My Friends,
- We came to make you free.
- The French Nation gives liberty to the World.
- YOU ARE FREE.
- Guard your Freedom.
- Vive la Liberte—Vive la Republique.
- Vive Robespierre!
-
-This inscription, I understand, formed a part of their speech in 1793,
-when the Blacks and the Mulattos carried them in triumph to the
-Government-House, and afterwards set fire to the city in eight different
-places. They used every woman with savage barbarity, and then murdered
-with the bayonet, man, woman, and child. Sixty-two thousand inhabitants
-left the city. They exterminated the Whites, and revelled in their
-cruelty eighteen days! Such is man when in the possession of power! and
-happy would it be for the human race if the Insurgents of St. Domingo,
-so little removed from savage life, were not countenanced by those who
-have partaken of the felicities of civilized society. Of the carnage
-that flew through this island enough has already been said; but it is
-yet in the recollection of many Americans, that the view of the city in
-flames, the adjacent sugar works, &c. was the most dreadful ever beheld.
-
-After a long perambulation over these scenes of former horrors, I
-returned to the hotel, but with a mind so much impressed with what I had
-seen, that for a considerable time I could not divest myself of the most
-terrible ideas:—my imagination was haunted with the shades of those who
-had fallen, and murdered worth and innocence were ever before my
-eyes.——I was also dissuaded from walking too much, lest by some
-observation I might be suspected not to be an American.
-
-For three weeks I continued among these people; and, except the
-recollection of what _had_ been, without any other sacrifice than my
-wish to be on duty, and the necessity of subscribing to every sentiment
-hostile to my country, I enjoyed the amusements and the habits of a
-capital. I remained unmolested and comfortable.
-
-On the topography of the island, I shall not retail what is told by
-those who recite its history, nor have I ever had leisure to inspect it.
-It is, I believe, considered the richest, as well as the largest of all
-the islands, except Cuba; and nature seems to have lavished on it the
-advantages which are but partial in the others. It extends about 400
-miles in length, and is more than 70 in breadth, yet completely peopled.
-Its natural defence is unequalled, being entirely fortified by vast
-rocks and extensive shoals. It contains gold (perhaps _really the least_
-valuable of its productions) and the most charming rivers meander
-through its variegated soil.
-
-From these reasons, labour is so much abridged, that no want of leisure
-is felt through the pursuits of business, of pleasure, or of arms. It
-would be no small gratification to the feeling heart, to perceive the
-peasant in other countries, enjoy a portion of the ease of the labourer
-of St. Domingo.
-
-The present productive system seems to be founded in a reference to
-first principles. Every soul employs a certain portion of their time to
-labour, which is chiefly agricultural; and all take the field from a
-sense of duty to _themselves_. A perfect consolidation appears in all
-their conduct, and I never saw a concession in them which did not come
-from the heart. I have more than once seen sixty thousand of them
-reviewed, at one time, on the plains of the Cape, in complete
-subordination _in the field_, and whose united determination against an
-invading enemy, would be victory or death! No coersion is necessary
-among them, and it is of course unattempted; the only punishment
-inflicted, is a sense of shame produced by slight confinement.
-
-Amongst a people thus hardened into an _orderly_ ferocity—trained from
-inclination—impenetrably fortified on the finest territory on earth, and
-next to inaccessible to external attack, what hopes are entertained of
-the success of the present armament I know not; but, whatever might be
-expected from a _compromise_ with TOUSSAINT, I feel perfectly convinced
-no other means will succeed in the subjugation of St. Domingo. United as
-are the blacks and mulattos, _fifty thousand_ men would ere long be
-dissipated in such an attempt; and if the number now sent against them
-_could_ be found sufficient to effect a temporary conquest, what number
-of men would continue to keep them in subjection?
-
-And with respect to any views they may be imagined to contemplate of
-extending their possessions, none who know the respectable state of
-defence in which our Islands are kept, will ever entertain the smallest
-fear respecting them. Of a territory the extent of Cuba, I would not
-hazard so much, but in the present situation of our islands, so
-comparatively small, possessed by Planters of distinguished humanity and
-talent,[3] defended by a militia, prompt on all occasions; with an army
-well appointed on their shores, under the superintendence of ability,
-experience, and power at home; and a vigilant navy round their coasts,
-the wonder of the world—few will have sufficient temerity to suggest
-that the people I have been describing, will leave their favourite and
-favoured island for the mere purpose of a vain gasconade—and against
-those whom I am persuaded they would rather conciliate as their friends.
-
-Before I proceed to state the dreadful occurrence which nearly
-terminated my existence, on the island whose unfortunate situation I
-have been so candidly describing, I shall give a sketch of the man who
-holds so conspicuous a situation, and of whom so little is really known.
-
-TOUSSAINT L’OUVERTURE, the present Commandant of St. Domingo, is one of
-those characters, which contentions for power and the extention of
-territory, as well as the jars of individual interest have not
-infrequently introduced to astonish the World.
-
-Born a Slave, in which capacity he continued till the revolution, it is
-hostile to _received opinions_ to consider him in any other light than
-as a fortunate Brigand; but chance has directed that the present writer
-should be constrained to acknowledge—he is worthy of imitation as a
-man—he excites admiration as a governor—and as a general, he is yet
-unsubdued without the probability of subjection! His regard for the
-unfortunate appears the love of human kind; and, dreaded by different
-nations, he is the foe of none.—To the English he is by no means
-inimical, and, in possession of many of the blessings of humanity, he
-courts the acceptance of the world.
-
-He is a perfect black, at present about fifty-five years of age—of a
-venerable appearance, but possessed of uncommon discernment. Of great
-suavity of manners, he was not at all concerned in the perpetration of
-the massacres, or in the conflagration.
-
-He is stiled the _General en Chef_, and is always attended by four
-Aids-de-Camp. He wears as a uniform, a kind of blue spencer, with a
-large red cape falling over his shoulders, and red cuffs, with eight
-rows of lace on his arms, and a pair of large gold epaulettes thrown
-back on his shoulders; a scarlet waistcoat, pantaloons and half-boots; a
-round hat with a red feather and national cockade; and an extreme large
-sword is suspended from his side. He receives a voluntary respect from
-every description of his countrymen, which is more than returned by the
-affability of his behaviour, and the goodness of his heart. Of his
-civilities to myself, I have sufficient reason to be proud.
-
-I met him frequently, during my stay in his _dominions_, and had no
-occasion of complaint, even from human errors.
-
-After the vessel in which I arrived had undergone a thorough repair, at
-the Cape, we cleared out of the harbour, and I once more set sail,
-flushed with hopes of a speedy arrival at St. Thomas’s; but—
-
- —“Heav’n from all creatures hides the book of fate.”
-
-On the third day after we left the Cape, our unfortunate vessel sprung a
-leak, and we were obliged to put into Fort Dauphine, now called Fort
-Egalite, about forty miles from the Cape.
-
-In this situation, the master of the vessel, as well as myself,
-apprehended no danger or impropriety in our going on shore; and,
-hoisting Danish colours, we came to anchor under a small fort. I
-unthinkingly landed with the master, and in less than half an hour was
-arrested by four Blacks, and a Mulatto Officer of great ferocity. They
-returned with me instantly on board, and placed two centinels over me. I
-was informed that suspicions had arisen of my being a spy, and that my
-trial would be prompt and decisive. On the morrow I was to be tried _and
-condemned_.
-
-Under these apprehensions I was to pass the night, and to prepare for my
-appearance before certainly the _blackest!_ tribunal that ever sat in
-judgment. I, however, confined my reflections to the best means of
-destroying my baggage, including my military appointments; which I
-happily effected by putting trunks and all out of the cabin window in
-the dead of the night, with a weight attached sufficient to sink them.
-
-The silence of the night, interrupted only by the murmurs of the
-ocean—the clamours of the guard, and the distant sounds from the shore,
-induced a stronger degree of melancholy than I, perhaps, ever
-experienced.——A confused idea of my fate, with the _shame_ rather than
-the terrors of an ignominious death, revolving in my mind, deprived me
-of the possibility of rest, or the smallest preparation for the event so
-soon and so harshly announced.
-
-In the morning I was taken before a black general, named Muro, whose
-appearance augured well, for he bore the principal mythological
-characteristics of justice—he was _blind of an eye_. He interrogated me,
-and insisted I was not an American, but an English spy reconnoitering
-the coast. He informed me, that on the morrow I should be tried by a
-General Court Martial—and dismissed me.
-
-I was then conducted to a dark prison, with the usual concomitants of
-wretchedness, and treated as one who meditated some dire plot against
-the happiness of their country. I had no bed, nor other provision but
-some coarse dry fish which I could not eat. Next morning, at ten
-o’clock, I was regularly brought before a military court, composed of
-twelve general officers.—All I could plead in my behalf would not avail
-me, not having the proper passports, or American certificates; in fact,
-my trial _was prompt and decisive_—I was condemned to suffer DEATH on
-the next day!
-
-The master of the vessel, poor Frazer, with great dignity of character
-and the most affectionate solicitude, exerted the utmost of his little
-power by protesting against the judgment, and insisting I was an
-American—but it was without effect, and I was remanded to my cell,
-loaded with chains, and consigned to misery, till the sentence of the
-Court should be transmitted to TOUSSAINT, without whose sanction it
-could not be executed.
-
-For fourteen days I lay suspended between life and death, without any
-other consolation than the kindness of my gaoler, whose taciturnity
-extended to inform me, every night, I should be _hanged_ on the next
-day. To afford me repose, I was furnished with dried sugar-canes, and
-was ill supplied nightly with coarse flesh and water—the cheering
-delusions of hope no longer lightened my imagination, and I abandoned
-all human projects for ever.[4]
-
-At the expiration of that period, the answer of TOUSSAINT arrived; but,
-instead of confirming my sentence, that truly great man, although I have
-since been convinced _he had ascertained the fact_ of my being a British
-Officer, disdained to triumph over an individual whom misfortune had
-thrown in his way. He ordered me to be released and suffered to proceed
-on my voyage, with the greatest magnanimity adding, “You must never
-return to this island, _without the proper passports!_”
-
-To describe my feelings on such an unexpected reverse, would be
-difficult and useless. Restored to myself once more, I did not long
-remain on a part of the island where my sufferings would have tended to
-efface the agreeable impression I had received at Cape François; but
-cheerfully bidding adieu to this interesting soil, sailed for St.
-Thomas’s on the next day, and very soon reached my long desired
-destination, the island of Martinique.
-
-On my arrival, I met with a reception marked with the usual kindness and
-urbanity of the commander in chief, General Cuyler, who ordered me the
-usual remuneration for the loss of my baggage. I am also informed that I
-was honored with a congratulatory letter from his Royal Highness the
-Duke of York, which from some unaccountable accident I did not receive.
-
-Much would remain to be said, were I to obey a natural impulse; but the
-pen, though often a deadly weapon, is one I am but little accustomed to,
-I shall therefore lay it down, at least for the present, with the
-confidence that if I have contributed but little advantage, I have
-effected as little injury.
-
------
-
-Footnote 1:
-
- My eldest sister, now Princess of Monaca, was married to the late
- Lieutenant General Doyle.
-
-Footnote 2:
-
- In this arduous situation I had the happiness to effect two orders,
- which, as they exhibit the hardships of that period, I subjoin:—Being
- commanded by my ever-regretted Colonel to bring up the cloathing of
- the troops, I found it only to be effected by cutting my way with
- three boats through the ice for twenty miles. We, however, succeeded,
- happily, and saved to Government at least ten thousand pounds.
-
- Another night, during the retreat, twenty-one of our waggons, with
- sick and wounded men, arrived very late at a town called Zwoll, where
- my corps was quartered, but were refused admittance by the Dutch
- guard, who kept the gate. It was a dreadful night, and many absolutely
- died from the cold of the men under the command of Colonel Drummond of
- the Guards. I was ordered to compel their admission, and effected it;
- but not till after many threats, and I had left them three minutes
- only to consider, before I should attack them, which in such a cause,
- and at such a time, must have been done with energy.
-
-Footnote 3:
-
- Notwithstanding it has been of late years the fashion to consider the
- character of a planter as derogatory to humanity, and incapable of
- being blended with any of those qualities that ameliorate the
- condition of the species, every opportunity which I have been afforded
- of judging has tended to convince me of the contrary. Nothing indeed
- can be more cruel than to single out any description of persons for
- public reprobation, as best suits the purpose of the fanatic or the
- partizan; and nothing is more fatal to the cause of truth than an
- implicit reliance on the vague reports of their enthusiasm, which must
- inevitably preclude the possibility of acquiring correct information,
- or adhering to facts if produced to their notice.—If the young and the
- thoughtless squander the accumulations of their ancestors, it is
- certainly no evidence of general voluptuousness.—If there be
- circumstances exceptionable in the conduct of the Slave Trade, does it
- follow that the planter is a merciless executioner? certainly not—it
- would be hostile to his interest, and inexpedient in his situation.—As
- merchants and as men, many are highly and extensively esteemed and
- regarded; and instances of affection and regret in the slaves they
- have been described to torture, are neither infrequent nor unrecorded.
-
-Footnote 4:
-
- I cannot omit here to pay the tribute of gratitude to a poor unknown
- Female of Colour, whose pity, more extensive than her power, would
- have alleviated the horrors of my situation. She came occasionally in
- the night to the window of my cell, which looked into a court to which
- she found access by an avenue that was unguarded. She brought me food,
- and wine or spirits, the remains of which, to prevent enquiry, she was
- anxious should be destroyed. The humane sympathy expressed by her in
- these nocturnal offerings to misery, have repeatedly brought to my
- remembrance the eulogium of Lediard on a sex ever prone to tender
- offices. In compliment to my humble benefactor I quote the passage,
- and heartily subscribe to the sentiments:—
-
- “I have,” says he, “always remarked that women, in all countries, are
- civil, obliging, tender, and humane: that they are ever inclined to be
- gay and cheerful, timorous and modest; and that they do not hesitate,
- like men, to perform a kind or generous action.—Not haughty, nor
- arrogant, not supercilious, they are full of courtesy, and fond of
- society—more liable in general to err than man, but in general, also,
- more virtuous, and performing more good actions than he. To a woman,
- whether civilized or savage, I never addressed myself in the language
- of decency and friendship—without receiving a decent and friendly
- answer—with man it has often been otherwise.
-
- “In wandering over the barren plains of inhospitable Denmark, through
- honest Sweden, and frozen Lapland, rude and churlish Finland,
- unprincipled Russia, and the wide-spread regions of the wandering
- Tartar,—if hungry, dry, cold, wet, or sick, the women have ever been
- friendly to me, and uniformly so; and to add to this virtue, (so
- worthy of the appellation of benevolence,) these actions have been
- performed in so free and so kind a manner, that if I was thirsty, I
- drank the sweetest draught, and if hungry, I ate the coarse meal with
- a double relish.”
-
-[Illustration: FINIS]
-
- Printed at the office of R. B. Scott, 27, Clements lane.
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
- TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
-
-
-Punctuation has been normalized.
-
-Variations in spelling and hyphenation, as well as some instances
-of obsolete spelling (such as “cloathing,” “centinel,” etc.) were
-maintained.
-
-The following typographical or printers’ errors have been corrected:
-
- Page 9: “Touissant” changed to “Toussaint”
- Page 9: “familiary” changed to “familiarity”
- Page 18: “mulattœs” harmonized to “mulattos”
- Page 21: “acknowlege” changed to “acknowledge”
- Page 21: “sa” changed to “as”
- Page 22: suspended from (removed duplicate “from”)
- Page 23: “Fort Egaiite” changed to “Fort Egalite”
- Page 24: danger or impropriety in (removed duplicate “in” )
- End of Book: Footnote 3: “a planters” changed to “a planter;”
- “voluptiousness” changed to
- “voluptuousness”
-
-Italicized words and phrases are presented by surrounding the text with
-_underscores_; bold text is symbolized by using =equal signs=.
-
-
-
-
-
-End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Memoir of Transactions That Took
-Place in St. Domingo, in the Sprin, by Marcus Rainsford
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