The loyal Georgian. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1866-1867, 1866-03-17
From the Frecdman's Jpurnal-
TOUSSAINT L'OUVEkTURE.

Justly called zone CT the mos extraordi>
nary men of an age when extraordinary
men we're numerous" BorI a slave in
ST. Domingo, his first employment was
tending cattle on the plantation OF his
master. AS a child he was gentle,
thoughtful, and Of strong religious ten.
denotes. He early learned to read and
write; had some knowledge of arithme"
tic, geometry, and Latin; and was dilli>
gent in gathering stores Of information
which fitted him for higher sphere.
Tou~saint's good conduct and ability |
gained the love and esteem of his master,
and ne was soon promoted to Offices OF
trust and honor. He was also INDUCED
with a garden which he called his own,
aud was allowed sufficient leisure |
to cultivate it. He was highly respected
by his fellow negroes on the plantation,
and over the island of st Domingo.
He was sedate in mapner, and exceed.
ingly patient; being possessed OF an even
ness Of temper which scarcely any thing
seemed capable of disturbing. He was |
also noted for his benevolence In per-
son he was of about the middle height,
with robust constitution. At the age
of twenty-five, he was happily married to
Young woman Of his own coor, to
whom he was always faithful and affec''
tiOnate. a"
Toussaint himself gave the following
account of his domestic happiness
sWe labored IN the fields (my wlfc ana
n hand in hand, and were scarcely con-
scious of fatigae. Heaven always blessed
our toll, giving US not only an abundance
for onr own wants, but the pleasure of
hestow,ng food on our fellow. blacks who
needed it. This I greatly enjoyed.
e On the Sabbath, and on festival days.
we went to church--my wife my parents,
and myself. Returning to our cottage,
! after pleasant meal We spent the rest
J of the day as family together, and
t, close it in prayer, in which all ttok
= part. Thus religion hlllowed pleasure,
and made their home tho aOoue u pU''
e domestis spgg s9GGlpfte i6fssd several children
l. who were well brou ht up aud fondly
" loved, and who lived to adorn the pros.
: perlty of their parents, as well as to fee
4 and suffer with them when overtaken J
adversely and sorrow. Toussa,nt was
= thu ough all these days of quiet domestic
joy, slave, and remained such until h
: was forty eight years old.
Il War having broken out in St. Domin
= 60 between the French and Spaniards, in
volving both the free people of color ant
the slaves, Toussaiut joined his brethren
II in arm>, and stepped in moment from
e slavery to freedom. Yet, while strug{
s ing for the rights of his race, he had nc
feelings of revenge to crafty, but was the
same amiable and charitable person az
8 ever When his late master and amilY
e were in danger, he risked his own life fol
. their escape; sent them to a safe retreat
10 America, with provision for their sup
u port; ana afterward RENTED to them
not Gully all he could save from the wreck
of their valuable FORTUNE, but the most
valuable additions from his own prop.
erty.
! In the army of his countrymen, Tous~
l. saint at once took leading rank. He
q had gained some medical knowledge by
,r his rea1ing and observation; and that
combined with the military skill which be
u displayed eally led to his appointment
j. as physician to the forces But bis rare
,. geuins for commanding troops soon raised
him to the rank OF colonel.
70 WIN, in 1874, the French Governs
ID ment proclaimed all the slaves in ST.
i Domingo free, and declared that island a
~ part IF France, Toussaint put several
Spanish posts into the hands of the
J. French commander there, and was made
8, brigadier general. The influence which
q he speedily obtained over the released
slaves whom he commanded was wonder
. full.
d The French commander, Laveaux, who
a had Civ, n Toussaint bis present. appoint
!. ment, was slow to appreciate the charac-
:" ter Of his negro officer; yet it is credi'
70 table to him, that, when he came to know
Toussaint thoroughly, he treated him
n with the same respect that ne would any
European at his position or ability. he
: soon appointed him bis lieutenant>gover-
81 nor, and all the military and civil affairs
y in St. Domingo were under his manage
ment.
The FIRST use which he made OF ms
4 power was to establish order and disci
pllne among the blacks. To this they
Q readily submitted; and peace aud pros
d perity in that beautiful island were th'
It result of his ibcessant and most benevo
sc r