The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-12-29

highly mterestedin the affairs of ttis island
he following report relative to st. Domingo,
made to the Chamber of Deputies, by NJ.
LAME, will be found interesting:
From the Journal de Paris.
Among the questions submitted TO the ex-
animation of the representatives of the ma
ton, there are few that have excited more
lively interest than that respecting the esta-
bEshment Of st. Domingo. Opinions are di-
vlded on the subject. The colonists, iniuen-
ced by old recollcctions & personal interest,
necessarily turn their eyes towards those fine
plantations, whose rich produce nourished
maritime commerce. and gave us favorable
balance of trade. Obstacles disappear be-
fore their hopeS.so often deceived Nothing
appears to them more easy, than to restore
the connection between the mother country
and its colonies.
Some persons, less confident, dread, on
the part OF the blacks resistance which has
dleeaoy cos lacse capitals, ana -he loss .of a
tine army. 1t is difficult to believe, say they.
that men, &r twenty years accustomed to in
dependence, and who have fought for their
liberty, should voluntarily submit to the pain
ful tolls from which they felicitate themselves
o. being delivered. What motives could they
have for such a surrender? They have a
new country, new habits, new enioyments,
& new ambition; every thing in short, es-
tranges them from the past, which in their
minds eXcites only fear and resentment
o be able to decide between these two o.
plnions, it would be necessary to be we'll ac
quainted with the state of men. and things in
st. Doningo but on this head we have still
only vague and contradictory information.-
In this situation we consider it as fortunate
that we have it in our power to communicate
TO the public, the opinion of a man so pru-
dent and enlightened as the President of the
Chamber of Deputies
After some general observations, expressed
with his usual eloquerCe, M. Lame proceeds
asE0llows:
=" Before sending to St. Domingo sea and
land forces, it is natural that we should have
correct information as to the disposition of
the chiefs, who, in that colony, are armed
against each other. Doubtless, when they
heard of the restoration of the King of France
and the peace of Europe, their souls must
have opened to more pacific sentiments
On displaying to the population OF the island
that white flag, the omen of purer and mild
er colonial regime, those wishes so 6ften ex-
pressed, will spring up among them, Of again
finding themselves under the paternal doni-
ni'n of a king, from whom all look forward
to a better fate.
Persuaded Of the sanctity Of the royal
word, the men OF st. Domingo, fatigued with
war and calamities, have no longer to fear
lhoSS OtSuS VI NiOlenCS WHICH t%aSperate0
them convinced that the promises which
shall be made % them will be religfously OBJ
served guaranteed by the royal authority
the shelter Of France herself, every thing
presages both the reconciliation of the Chiefs
and submission Of the rest.
IF the government has reason to expect
this happy event, there is no occasion to pre-
pare any other expedition but that which
will suffice for the re-establishment of order.
the maintenance of an act Of police, and the
protection Of all classes and ali rights
"What previous attempts may have been
made; what preparatory measures A.
dopted, we are yet ignorant and this is a
point on which it would probably be impru-
dent to require information from government.
The epoch, the nature OF an expedi on.
its force, its prelminaries, are all matter hat
must be regulated by facts, by information ;
by the prudence of the executive. II is pro-
per that all this should be left to the govern
ment.
Should the King deem it expedient 70
send ont agents, either before any expedition.
or at the period when it shall appear to hun
useful, these plenipotentiaries, invested with
powers from a King of France, viii obtain the
| ascendant necessary to the success of their
MISSION. If these missionaries Of peace add 70
the influence Of q respected name, reputa-
ton tor wisdom and equity, they will happily
| pave the way for return to peace and order
" u IS the Inclination of the King, and oil
the colonists, as il must be the wish of the
inhab hts Of the island, that the situation
Of the labo0rers should be moderated; ane
that the laad-h9lders os all racks Of al c,l