The American herald of liberty — Exeter, N.H., 1793-07-23 00:00:00, page 4

[?F/ have collected the follovting accounts of
the Jctnes of carnage lately exhibited at Cape-
Francio?— 'They were received at Philadelphia,
by Captains Jon es and W a r B RS.]
J
(^jAPTAINS Jones and WatUs, just
arrived here from Cape • Francois, in form That
on thh 17th and 18th of June, feverai dis
turbances had arisen between the whitesand
molaroes without apparent provocation, they
fay, on the part of the whites ; that oh those
days and on rhe 19th the mulattoes paraded
the streets in armed bodies and insulted the
whites, feverai of whom they wounded with
fibres and pistols. The whites endeavoured
to obtain redress bv applying to the commif
foners, SontHonax and Polverell, but
in vain. On the 19th’ an officer belonging
to the fleet in the harbour was wounded ;the
comroodoe applied to the commissioners for
redress, who appeared in every case to turn^a
deaf ear to rhe complaints of the whites, and
to (belter in every instance the mulattoes.
The admirals of the fleet, upon finding the
want of foccefs of the commodore’s applies,
tion, called on the commiffior.ers themfeives,
but without obtaining fatisfa&ion.
They then, on the 20th, drew up their
{hips so as to cover the town with their
broadfidesxo it, and springs on their cables ;
the red flag was hoisted on board the admi
ral’s (hip, and a signal gon fired, upon which
tbe captains of all the (hips of war repaired
on board the admiral’s. In cordequence of
ti-e plan laid in that council, at 3 o’clock
boats from the feverai veflels were manned,
at 4 about 200b men were landed frdm the
fleet at the Cape. These immediately pio
ceeded to the A r/ena],' the cannon cf which
they distributed through the city, and point
ed up eath of the principal streets.
They next went to the Government House,
where the mulittoe* had collided, to demand
from them fatnfadicn ; the rpulattoes fired
on them ; the fire was returned, and kept up
until dark, with great warmth and constan
cy. Before the preparations for landing,
the merchant (hipping were ordered out of
»he way cf injury. At dark, after the firing
had ceased, a drum was heard, tbe usual pre
liminary to publiffiing proclamations, and it
was reported that the commiflioners had pub.
lifhed pardon and freedom to all the revolted
negroes. Os one fad Capt. Jones (peaks
of as to be depended upon—-that during the
conflict the prisons, containing about 400 of
the revolted Brigands, were opened, and
aimed to reinforce the mulattoes.
On the 2iff, feme cannon (hot were Ex
changed between the two parts of the town
occupied by the whites and mulattoes,and
fevera! houfe?fet off fire by the latter. On
the 23d the conflagration encreafed, andon
the 23d the whole town of the Cape was on
fire.
From the place where tbe merchant (hip-'
ping lay, the road from the country to the
Cape is plainly seen ; along it negroes from
the country were continually travelling on
the 2zd and 23d, supposed to be coming in,
in consequence of the proclamation, to rein
force the commiflioners’ party.
On the 24th, all the (hipping that could'
roflibly put to sea, American as well as the
French fleet of merchantmen bound toFrante,
left the Cape under the convoy of the (hips
of war for this place. Capt. Jones, it np.
pears, was one of the fo-remaft, but under
stood clearly that this was their intention.—
Many of these veflels were in want of almost
every thing for even a (bort voyage, it was
therefore impossible for the French merchant
men to attempt to reach their ddftined ports,
and indeed from tbe scarcity of water, See.
on board of many, Captain Jones supposes
they mull fuffer greatly even by attempting
to make this port.
From Capt. Jones we furtheFlearn, that
the commiflioners, prior to these disturbanc
es, had ordered Gen. Ga lb a ud, but lately
arrived from France commander in chief of
the island back to*F rance, for having aflcd
in fomerefpe&s, as they conceived, impro.
perly, while they, the commiflioners, were at
Port.au. Prince.
Having been able to procure but a few
minutes conversation with Capt. Jones we
were unable to colled particulars 10 accur
a ely as to warrant cur giving them without
further time for’enquiry. The above may
be looked uoon however, as the accurate sub,
fiance and general outline of the intelligence
he communicates. / The naval force at the
Cape, we think, he dated at fivers besides
Come veflels of lesser force. The fleet of
merchantmen, in all. upwards of 100 fail.
It is natural to suppose, that the French
fleet would fly frem such a feene of deep and
vnexpefted distress to this port, to avail
themfelve» of the affidance and advice of the
minister here. However, it is not impossible
that they (hould be obliged firft to touch at
fame nearer port, owing to the scarcity of
neceflaries on board, a consequence of their
tudden departurei-
DESTRUCTION of CAP.E-FRjIN
COIS.
PHILADELPHIA, JULY 8.
Tbe following account of the mdancholly pre.
ceedings at Cape-Francois contains fame par.
titulars not included in the above, and which
is believed to have been drawn up by Capt.
Jones. '
On the 7th of June, as tbe armed mulat
* toes were going out to Fort Picolet, they were
met by feverai Tailors, who were io liquor,
and one of them jostled aigainft one of the
men of colour ; the immediately drew his
dagger and wounded him ; they rest of the
Tailors immediately floned them, and they
fled. On the 18th, a great number of rhe
men of colour came on the King’s wharf,
and gave them some very insolent language,
^hich was the cEufe of a quarrel —the molat
toes being all armed, the failors„had to fly ;
they seized one of the marines belonging to
one of the (hips of war, and made him beg
their pardon on his knees. After the above,
feverai of the inhabitants, that were (landing
in their doors,.were wounded by the molat
toes.—They went to enter their complaints,
and received no (atisfa&ion. On the 19th a
proclamation was ifTued out by the commis
saries ; on the 20th, two hours after the Tail
ors landed, the commifiaries opened all the,
prisons, and let the Brigands out to deflroy
the town and inhabitants.
june 19 th.
A proclamation from the two commiflaries,
MefTrs. SonthonAx and Polverel, was
read,ordering all officers and feimen on board
their refpedlive veflels at 7 o’clock, P. M.
They, thinkpg it an unwarrantable proceed
ing, would not comply with it, An officer
belonging to the French (hips, Jbeing in a
public house, was accosted in a vrry familjar
manner by a mulatto—he gave hjdi a pu(h ;
on which he drew, and gave him a blow
with his hanger on the arin. Th^ offiedr
then entered a compfAint to the\ Admiral,
and on the fame day, ihe admirals waited on
the commiitaries (who were giy^Ag a concert
to the people of colour) to demand fatisfac
tion for the insult upon one the
French fleet under their command. —The Ad
mirals were sent away without fa istaftion.
On the 20th, in the morning the -wo admur
rals waited a second time on the com.msfla
ries, and were sent away almost without a
hearing. They then repaired on board the
fllips of warand immediately ordered a 1 the
(hips that were in (bore of them, to remove
out of the way The three seventy tour gun
fliips then drew up in line in ordtJr to cover
the landing if any refiftafice Was made. At
half past 3 P. M. they landed their men to
the number of 2000, under the command of
Gen. Galaeau, who was sent as general
to the island of Hispaniola, and difpoflefled
of his government by the cdrftmiffaries (they
thinking his commiflion not fufficient, and
contrary to thW laws of France}. At four P.
M. the aflion began at the government house, :
between the cominiffaries,party and the fait
ors. Previous to this they set a guard (i
--tuated in such a manner a;, to prevent the
landing or embarking of any persons of pro-
P erty r
Captain Jones made very particular en
quiry for the fafety of the Americans, and
js happy to inform they all escaped, except
Me(Trs. Nort and Miller, of Charleflon,
' S. C. who were mifling. He fur Her adds,
that it is impossible to defcribethe distress of
the unhappy inhabitants of the Cape : Every
building of confeqoence he saw in flames and
all the paflengers by him flew to prefervlr
their lives.
Mons. Rob er joe, a paflenger with
tain Jones was confined to his house until
' the 22d, afterwards conducted down to the
। wharf by some friendly negroes; and made
his escape on board of thefchooner. inform*,
• that the mulattoes came to his house and ask.
ed his negroes if they’ were not ready ; upon
• which they burst open the doors and exclaim?
ed, Vive le commifTaire, it is he who has
given u 8 Liberty, and we will fight for
him.”
Cagf. Jones further informs, that 5 the of
ficers belonging to the British (loop of war,
i Hycena, a prize taken into Cape-Francois by
the French men of war, were preserved by
the greatest exertions.—-Being conduced to
the American wharf by some of the negroes
Who spoke Englilh, they iifimediately leap
ed off and were taken up by the American
boats, and conveyed on board the French
I snips.—Capt. Jorf ES saw a number of the
inhabitants of the Capa preferred in the fame
c manner.
On the it ft, a few houses were set on fire,
r and at 4 o’clock a great number of negroes
5 were seen coming into town, and on the 22d
' in the morning early, great quantities of re.
r volted negroes were seen coming into town,
r and at 12 o’clock the middle of the town was
■> in flames ; and on the 23d the whole of the
5 Cape was in flames. At night the fleet all
! unmoored and proceeded to sea as faft as
’ possible, as there was an information given,
f that the mulattoes and negroes intended burn
ing the fleet, if possible ; on the 24th, at one
1 in the morning, came out in company with
the French fleet, in number 120 fail of men
1 of war and merchantmen, bound for Phila
! delphia ion the 26th at noon, left the French
2 fleet under the weft Caycos, and proceeded
e to Philadelphia.
f The whole of the above time (except on
r tbe 23d, at which dine the sailors left the
town) there was a continualfiring of cannon
and small arms from the whites who had pof-
HOWEVER we may boast of
our code of laws within this date
there are certainly many among dur
neighbours that would do us honor
to imitate, and be of great service to
the community. Though the gen
erality of our laws are as good aS
those of any other State, yet we can
not be io vain glorious as to luppofe
there are not defeats in some of them,
dr that we could not receive inttruc
tion from the example of our neigh
bors ; it would be no hard matter to
point out some of ours, that are, in
my opinion defective, and ought to
Be made more suitable to the prinei*
pies of equality, and the republican
form of govenmtnt we have eflab
lifhed As I hate preemption 1 shall
nor here introduce it,but will endea
vor to elucidate what 1 mean by tell
ing a story.
Ptolqmy^ King of Egypt, whom
hiftory holds in great repute, had at
his court seven Ambassadors, from
fevenofthe moil flourifhing Repub
lics at th'at time ; as he entertained
them in his palace, adifpute happen
ed among them, concerning which
was governed by the best Jaws. -
Ptolomy perceiving it, and willing
to take advantage of their conten
tion, to learn something that might
be ufeful to hi£ own State, desired
they would each of them,reveal three
of the best laws of his country. —
This being readily agreed to, the
Ambassador cf tbe Romans began,
and said, “We boldtbe temples of the
Gods in the utmost reverence ; we pay
ftrift obedience to our rulers, and fu
nilh of enders with feverityf The
Carthagenian said, “In our Republic
tbe nobles never cease toftudy, the phi
fofopbers to teach, nor tbe mechanics
to work." —The Sicilian said, “With
us there is no partiality, virtue is the
only merit to make a man-rife, ana our
JtriZt observance never fails to give the
laurel where ^lis due" — Ihe Rhodian
said, “ Our commonwealth is happy in
having its old men honoured, its young
men bafhful, and its women complying
and of few words"—The Athenian
said, “ We cannot fuffer a rich man
proud, d poor man idle, nor those igno.
rant who are to govern us." I he
Lacedemonian said, “ In Sparta, we
have no envy because all are equal, no
avarice because our goods are in com
mon, nor any idleness because we are all
obliged to work ” —TheSicionian said,
“ We admit no persons to travel and
infefl our manners with an apeifh imi
tation of What thr,y have seen abroad,
^e fuffer noPhyfictan to plague us with
imaginary diseases, nor Lawyers to
di fir abl our rights, under pretence of
adjufling them"
I shall make at present nd com
ment on the above, but leave your
readers to judge whether, if the con
duct of PtoComy was in many cases
followed by rhe Legislative body or
every free republic, it would not be
very commendable.
Nd Lawyer.
Kane, 1793. .
A CLERGYMAN observed to
his Friend, that upon the last
Sabbath he was much disturbed by
a Cow which locked in at the Door,
' and haltowed in his face. Sir fays
’ the other, A Calf has no righf in the
Pulpit.
Teffion of the arsenal and a small fort above
the town.
Paflengers on board the schooner Eagle,
from Cape Francois, Lloy d Jones, master ;
Meflrs; Berhard, Lynch, Ducan,
Thompson, Simson, Rob er joe. Ger aut
and Lad y,Ca PT,fenior and jun. Mar san.
The brigs A&ive, Waters', Hoope, Poole',
schooner 'Juno, Tanner, and two schooners be
longing 10 Bahimore,\^ft the Cape with Capt.
'Jones —all the other veflels that were there
went to leeward. . .
From the Columbian Informer.
MISCELLANY,
J"JuMANITY is an emanation from tbe Dei
ty^ it is universal in its nature and cjfeflls—it
is cf no fed or party, religious or political; it em
braces in the arms of benevolence and companion
the (ons & daughters of aftiiflion ; and extends its
sympathy and relief to diftreffedofthewhoiefim
• ib) of mankind ; it is prompt to execute what its
feelings dibiate to its generosity. and never flops to
parly with prudence, when tn fiery calls for fuc
cour.
Ihe cit'zens of this metropolis defervedlyrank
high as tie friends and patrons o f the unfortunate ;
and Co long as human life is a chequered feene, tbe
opportunities will f requently occur for them to
fuppert the character they at present (uftain
The late fbockingevents at Crpe F-araois will
very Jion throw a great number 0 ffiuftermg vic
tims, men, women and children, on their b unty
and compafiion —and a doubt cannot exist, that the
hand of benevolence will be extended for their li,
her al relief. This may be afforded indifferent
direAions—by positive and nega-ive affiftante.
Their immediate fufferiny will call for immedi
ate and positive relief. On this point much may
be said and many expedients devised, but tbe suc
cess of the whole depends principally, if not entire
ly ch dilating the purleftrings of those who are in
Arcumftances to impart. — And, Oh! how will
the truy generous exult in the opportunity to apply
of thefurplus of thdr wealth to (uch a noble pur
po(e. The excess appropriated on this occaf.an
will be put out of the reach of accident.
The negative provifionis, that ren s should not
be enhanced—for our fellow beings triuft be (bet
tered—that tbe prices of the neceflaries of Ide
(hould not raifed—for the hungry mt ft be fed—
that the laudable spirit of acquisition (bould, on
this occaflon, fuffer a temporary (uipeffion ; for
tho' “ one per fox's mceffttyis annth^'s opportun
ity," yet he that takes advantage of an unfortu
nate multitude makes bimfelf afoul biot in the ere.
aft on of God.
The merchants met on. Saturday evening to
devise what is proper to be done. The feelings
ofcompaffion are alive. Another meeting way
held yefhrday, and it is but reasonable to expeA
that those who are in the habit of “ devising li
beral things" will their exertions to re
lieve the diftrejftd fu^Kses from Cape Francois,
to be limited only by their ability.
Sympathetic us.
?hila. July 8.
Wanted a quantity of
Green Lamb-Skins.
Enquire at this offte, Jstlyiig\.
The SuperanuatedHors^ to his'MMT'EtL,
Who had Tentcnced him to die at the end of
AND bast than fix'd my doom, fivoeet Flafi
terfayt
And nvilt thou kill thy servant old and poor P
A little longer let me live I pray ;
A little louger bobble round thy door.
For much it glads me to behold this place,
And house me in this befpitahh Jhed-,
It glads me more to fee my mafler's f de,
And linger on thejpot viheri I was br,d ! '
For, O r to think of vihat we both tnjoy'd.
In my life's prime., ere I vjns old and poor !
Then from the jocund morn to eve 1 mploy 'd.
My gracious matter on my back 1 bore.
Thrice, told tenyears have danc d on dov:n along.
Sincefirft to thee these wayworn limbs 1 gave.
Sweet Imi ling years ! when both of us were young
The k ndefi master, hnd the happiefifave !
Ah, years sweet smiling ! now forever ftoovn !
Ten years thrice told, alas, are as a day !
Yet, as together we are aged grown,
Together Lt us wear the age away I
For fl ill the older times are dear to thought,
And rapture mark'd each minute as itfaw ;
Light were our hearts, and ev ty f eafon bro t
Pains that were foft, or pleajures that were
new.
Ah ! call to mind,how oft ne ir York's sweet stream.
My ready fleps were bent to yonder grove,
Where (he who lov'd thee was thy tender .theme,
And 1, thy more than mejjenger of love !
For when thy doubling heart felt fond alarms,
And throbb'd alternate withit: hips, and fear
Did 1 not bear thee to the fond one's arms,
Afi^re thy faith, aitd dry up evry tear s
And haft thou fix'd my doom, sweet master (av ?
And wilt thou kill thy servant old and poor ?
A little linger let me. live, 1 pray,
A little longer hobble round thy door !
Yet ah !in vain, in vain,for life 1 plead,
Jfl Nature hath dented a longer date :
Still do'not thou behold thy servant bleed,
Though weeping pity has decreed his fate.
But O, kind Nature ! take thy vifllim's life f
End thou <2 servant, feeble, old, and poor !
So (halt thou Jave me from th' uplifted knife.
And gently stretch me at my mafler's door.
From the Mail &c. Printed at Philsdclphia.
Winter.
Summer, on account of his being unsble,
from extreme old age, to live through the
Seat of the Muses.
Tbe OLD HORSE.