Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-10-05
EMIGRATION TO HAYTI.

EMIGRATION TO HAYTI.
Ma. SNowDEN--l travelled few miles
the other day with gentleman froW Phl-
ladelphia, who informed me, that very
great agitation and alarm prevailed among
the free people of color in that city and
New York. The Haytian Commissioners
having absolutely refused to France the
right to establish military post on the
island, war will certainly take place, and
France attempt by force the su5jugstion
of her colony. which che has failed 10 do
by stratagem. tha, leake' out, it seems,
that every colored male emigtant. capable
of bearing arms, will be forced into the
forts and garrison, and compelled to fight;
and such females a0A children as are ca
pa5le, will be made to labor in the place
OF the natives who may be called to arms.
Thus. then, it appears, that Citizen Gran
vilIe's pretended benevolsnce is only
q cunning attempt 10 obtain recruit, Tor
President Boyer's army. The tree peo-
pie OF color should know that Hsyti is a
military country; that civil wars have been
frequent; that the different military chiefs
fight with great desperation, and sbew no
mercy to their prisoners, that Hsyii is
moreover constantly in dread OF French
invasion and that, without exception, e.
very man ia trained to arms; in which G
ven, the emigrant must expect that he
cannot be- exempt, but must fight as we'll
as the na.ive-lndeed, il exceptions are
pade, will Trey moi be in favor of the ma
tursl born citizen, and the emigrant re
placed in The front of the battle? Ti.ens
instead of each family being comfortably
fixed on government farm, the women
snd children will be sci 10 bard work 10
earn scaDty subsistence, and the men
placed in the ranks: The most odiOus duties
will devoIve on them, and military tyrants
appointed to scourge them Tor every diso>
bedieace to military duty Servitdde
would be a name too mild for the wretch
ed state of the males, and their wives and
children would be little better than beasts
of burden desolate, indeed. would be
their condition. That an attack on the
island is determined on, there can be no
doubt. A considerable French fleet is
now 10 the West Indies; French ship OF
the line, trigate, and brig, are now in
the Chesapeake; and the French Minister
of Marine has inspected lately consdera-
bic naval armament, whose destination is
known to be the West Indies. The Brl-
fish, during the late war, enticed hundreds
OF our negroes, Offering them freedom and
West India farms to run away; but instead
of realizing the promised joys, they were
sold, and compelled TO work hard under
the lash One ofthese poor fellows wrote
to his brother 10 the lower part of Mary.
land, that they made him do the duty OF a
sailor on board. and frequently logged
him most cruelty, and sold him as slave
when they rendezvoused at jamaica pre-
yious to the attack on. New Orleans.
That the situation of the people OF CO.
lor is deplorsbIy bad, is undoubled. Ho'
nesty and industry are the sure and only
remedies; and it seems to me- that those
qualities may be brought into action as
well 10 the United States as 10 st. Do
mingo: and honesty and industry a, home
is preferable to military discipline and
disease any where. What becomes OF the
lazy and vicious is matter OF little con-
Germ to any one. But in Hayti, though
their condition will not be bettered, the
severity OF their pulishments will be in
creased. II beboves the tree people OF
color 10 consider we'll the change they ars