The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-04-04
4uIsseaoa,1,eOgSs
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS OF
THE REVOLUTION OF ST. DO.
MINGO.--EXECUTION OF GEN.
M0VSE

THE REVOLUTION OF ST. DO.
MlNGO.--EXECUTION OF GEN,
MOYSE.
Among the many barbarous acts of Gen.
Taussaint Louverture, during his reign over
ST. Domingo, the execution of his nephew
kioyse, young man of excellent promise,
NAV properly bc class d as the most afro
cinus. When Tnussant was made COVER.
nor. most of the French planters had left
tho Island; bu, by proclamations, suggested
no doubt by the English abuIltionIsts, and
full of words of kindness and promises of a
strict and impartial government, it was
sought To lure them back, and the endeavor
was crowned with complete success. As
| Toussaint was surrounded and counsel ed
by officers sent from France, for the Protec-
tion of the planters, what treachcry could
they suspect! But The sequel will show ti'at
these French officers were more british and
,corse ecm,es. of the French planters, than
the uneducatcd slaves themselves.
AT the period of the tragical occurrence
which VIC are about 10 narraic, Toussalnt
Louvcrlurc was in the very zenith Of his
lame and height Of his criminal career
Age, with its s,ealthy step was crawling
over him, and without impairng his ability
or weakening his system, was gradually
confirming his mind in blood and guilt. All
those softer traits of character Of which, in
his Younger days, he had not been entirely
destitute, were now passing away, leavlfg
but the dark shades IF misantbropy and
blond.thir,incss carefully hidden under the
mask of virtue and religion, by the most de-
viIish hypocrisy. In person he was slightly
under the middle size. not very we'll shaped,
and the few wrinkles which time had placed
ON his brow, were dcepened by toll and care.
He had lost all his teeth. and cal nothing
but sponge cake. which was made tor him
in every town as soon as it was pub
Iicly announced that he was approaching.-
Such was Gen. Toussant Louvcrture, about
1898. .s
His nephew, General Moysc, was almost
the counterpart Of this. He was a dark
mulatto, of handsome face and person, and
Iescrvcdly renowned for courage AMI hu-
mainly, tile exercise Of which last excellent
quality cost him his lie, at the hands Of his
de,estable uncle. The circumstances of bis
murder, for such only it can be called, were
as follows:
The inI,uman policy Of T"ussaint Lou.
verture's government was worthy Of Nero.
In order to DESTROY the unfortunate planters
with dispatch and security. he divided his
army into two bodies. of one Of which he
took the command, while that Of the second
he gave 10 his nephew. Moysc had private
orders 10 march on and attack certain
point, which he consequently did, while
'roussaint's corps farmee remained station
ed at some distance from the scene Of action
When the news of the attack was brought
to Tonssant he would fall in,o a terrific
passion, swear vengeance on the d'sturbers
of the public peace, and set out with his
troops 10 deliver the attacked town from the
oppressnrs. These, previously ly notified oil
his approach by spies set for the purpose,
vacated the place in time 10 prevent COLI
sion with T0ussaini, who thus arrived too
late, though Of course, loaded with praises
and blessings for his efficient action in The
premises by the unfortunate inhabitants of
the distressed place. Here it was that he
would receive information Of an attack
made on another quarter, and march forth
again will, the avowed intention of chastls
ing The rebels, but. in reality, with that of
leaving this ard other places unprotected, to
the tender mcrcies Of the savage horde un
der the command of Moyse. This was
what Toussaint called in the negro dialect,
"Fdi,e la ronde nom"
The operations of Mnyse were highly un.
satisfactory TO his uncle. from the fact ot
the humanity Of the former sparing many
who were hated or feared by the latter, and
WIN were consequently marked for dcsiruc-
ton. Hence the resolution Of Toussaint.
folhw,ng the bloody instinct implanted in
the breast of every man, whether in a civil
lied or q savage state, I" destroy Mnyse by
force or fraud, as snon as fortune might
chance 10 throw the means in his power.
These, unfortunately for Moyse, were soon
forthcoming, and the power Of Toussalnt
was equal tn the task of putting all his
bloody projects into blnodier execution.
The Gonaives had been fixed upon as the
next place to be attacked after Toussainl's
favorile plan Of operations. and near it
chanced to be the place Of residence of
Monsieur De L---e, Toussanl's late
master, (whp was also his godIalher,) whom
he had resolved to destroy, and consequent
" gave the necessary orders to Mnyse, who
pIealed in vain against The barbarous de-
cree. Obey he must, and with heavy heart
ne went about the work of death. II was
executed, and the body of Monsieur De
lie was left naked on the road from
Gros Morne to Gopaves, and about two
miles from The latter place, In a few hours
Gonaives was attacked, and the tidngs duly
forwarded to Louverturc, who was even
then ON his way from Gros Morne. The
usual demonstrations "0t grief and anger