Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-12-28
Mlisfellaneolls.
TOUsSAINT L'OVERTURE.

IL any PROOF were required 10 repel Tue cnango
that the negro is an inferior race, we might
point to the subject Of this sketch amongst many
Others, as eminently afording such proof. The
perusal Of the incidents Of his eventfu life leads
to the conclusion, that in every respect Tous-
saint L Overture is entitled to be ranked as
man amongst men-a " true image of God "
cut in ebony He WAS Of pure African descent,
and but one generation removed from the wild
and untutored state Of his ancestors The first
fifty years Of his life was passed in Slavery,
which, although of mild character, offered
but few opportunities and no incentives for men
tai improvement. But when circumstances
arose which led to a change Of position, and q
way was opened for the development of his
latent powers, achieved an amount of success
and fame in no way unworthy of the celebrities
Of any country.
Regarded as a mere military chieftain, Tous-
saint L'0verture is entitled to take high rank ;
but tho object of his appeal to arms was not to
secure worldly glory, Or to realize results which
are anticipated by those who make warike pur
suits profession, but simp to assert the rights,
and maintain the liberties Of his people, which
had been 50 long wrested from them. Great,
however, as woro his military successes, we
would rather refer to him as the Trainer and
administrator Of Just and wholesome laws, the
calmer of unruly passions, the reconciler of con-
| A. L
elements into harmonious and sympathetical Or
der. In this capacity he was worthy of double
honor. Nor was he less remarkable in his So
cial aud domestic relations-as the attached and
devoted servant, tho tender and aff,ctionate
husband and father, the faithful friend and
The strict observer Of his promises and engage
mants.
The following details of his history are gath
cred from a source to which we were indebted
for our two last negro biographies.
Guaon Guinon, King Of one Of the most
powerful tribes Of Africa, had son, who was
taken prisoner in war by hostile people, and
sold, as is customary, to some white trafickers
in human merchandise. In common with many
others, he was conveyed to the shores Of st. Do
mingo, into which island lare3 annual i'm
portation Of slaves was then taking place. The
African prince was pur chased by tho Count de
Noe, a French proprietor of an extensive plan
tation situated few miles inland from Cape
Francois. Here he was kindly treated, and
seems altogether to have led as happy y life rs
one in state of bondage could well do he
married maiden Of his own color and country
"a fellow-slave on the same plantation and
by her had eight children, of whom Toussaint,
born May l7th, 1913, vas the eldest Here
beneath the balmy sky and amid the luxuriant
yegotation of the tropics, the negro boy seoms TO
have grown up to manhood, without experience
ing any of those hardships and sutferings, to
which the slave is most commonly exposed. Al
ways thoughtful and serious beyond his years,
he had early attracted the attention Of NJ de
Lbertias, the agent or manager of Toussaint 8
master, who, as some authorities say, had him
taught to read and write but this is unlikely
for, with all their aflability ard kindness to
their slaves these French masters still looked
upon them as an inferior order of beings, on
on whom it would be useless, if not dangerous,
to bcstow mental instruction. The most proha-
: bic account is, that the young Toussaint gained
such slight elementary knowledge as he possess
{ ed from one Pierre Baptiste, shrewd and in
t telligcnt negro On his masters estate, whose
e natural good abilities had been cultivated and
y improved by some benevolent missionaries. b
this as it may, certain it is that he did, during
: the season Of bis by no means heavy bondage
r snatch few sprgs from the tree Of knowledge
= and SO riehwas the soil Of the mind in which HI
r planted them, that when he cast aside hi
n shackles, came forth from his prison-house, ant
It stood before the world az the champion and di
g rector of bis lately cnslayed but now free breth
Q ren, all were astonisled at the abundance ant
maturity oltho fruits displayed.
: Sober, honest, industrious, and religiously dis
o posed, it was soon seen that he was one in whom
I. dependence might be placed he was first ad
n yanced to the Office Of coaclman to NJ. dc Libcr
6 tas, whose entire confidence he enjoyed; from
II Which he was promoted to the responsible pos
y Of foreman Of the sugar-works. About thi
time he married. The following is his owl
description Of his mode of life " We went t
l. labor in our field hand clasped in hand we re
rs turned in the same manner scarcely did W
feel the latgues Of the day. Heaven bestowe
IS blessing on our toll, by means OF which W
" we're not only comforted ourselves, but we wer
Is enabled to assist others. On the Sunday, an
t, on holidays, my wife, my relatives, and myso
N went to church. Returning to our cottage, a
ly ter an agreeable repast, we spent the rest
the day in family intercourse, and we termln'
y. ted it by prayer, in which we al joined"
10 Toussaint l. Overture might probably haN
Ie continued in this state of existence had nC
wv circumstances arisen which promised to alt