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My Dear Friend,

I find myself compelled to share my thoughts on Toussaint Louverture's impassioned response to Vǐnot Vaublanc's speech. Louverture's words courageously confront Vaublanc's portrayal of St. Domingue as a place overrun by chaos under the supposed rule of "ignorant and gross negroes." With moving conviction, Louverture refutes this narrative, highlighting that the turmoil in St. Domingue stemmed not from black liberty but from a mulatto rebellion. Louverture's assertion that St. Domingue's military governance was not solely under the sway of black men is poignant as he explains that they were merely following the orders of General Laveaux, challenging the perception of complete black dominion. Louverture's observations also extend to the deliberate suppression of education as systematic campaign to maintain control over the black community. Finally, Louverture's comparison between the atrocities committed in St. Domingue to those in France during the struggle between oppression and liberty is thought-provoking. He challenges biases and prejudices by pointing out that the intensity of both sides' actions were equal. Please respond with your thoughts on this important matter.

Your friend,
Julie

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Dear Friend,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. I must share with you the extraordinary events that have transpired here in Paris recently. As you know, the political climate in our beloved city remains turbulent, and the echoes of the Haitian Revolution have reached even our shores. Just yesterday, I had the privilege of reading Toussaint Louverture's response to a major speech in the parliament by Count Vaublanc, and it has left me in a state of awe and admiration. I cannot help but be inspired by Louverture's response. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of ideas. Even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, he stands as a beacon of hope and a symbol of the indomitable human will. I look forward to the unfolding events and hope that reason and justice will prevail in our troubled times. Please write to me soon and share your thoughts on these remarkable developments.

Respectfully,
Mitch

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Dear Friend,

I do hope this letter finds you, and you are doing well. I am writing to you in hopes of starting a correspondence about the recent events concerning the revolution. Toussaint Louverture has responded to the speech Vienot de Vaublanc made a while ago about Saint Domingue and the tyranny that has plagued it. I cannot believe that Vaublanc thinks that blacks are to blame, while Louverture has responded, and what a response it is! Louverture said he was not surprised by Vaublanc's stance since he made a fortune in Haiti, and that the information Vaublanc gives us is falsehood. The insertion by Vaublanc that only the whites of Haiti are citizens disgusts me to the core, for he takes the ideals of the revolution and steps on them. I thank Louverture for addressing Vaublanc's statements and bringing us the truth on the matter. For what was the purpose of the revolution if we people under the French flag were still kept in chains? I hope to hear more about the matter in the coming days, and I hope I receive your opinions on the matter.

Your Friend,
Alex

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Dearest of Friend,

I hope this letter finds you in good will and health. I am sure like many you are tied to the news of our very country and the current events. I wanted to write to you about my thoughts on Toussaint Louverture's response to Vaublanc and Rochambeau's speech in parliament; I am sure you share many of the same thoughts  that I do. Louverture very eloquently and factually, unlike Vaublanc and Rochambeau's speech, responds well to the claims made. I am impressed at his response and overwhelmingly agree with the points that he makes. We need honest politicians like Louverture, for he called into question the blatant lies of Vaublanc and Rochambeau's speech. For example, Louverture writes, order "is as perfectly reestablished as one could desire, and agriculture is making important progress every day," this goes completely against the words of Vaublanc and Rochambeau's speech (Louverture 142). Moreover, Louverture calls into question equality, or equal rights when arguing how events differed. Finally, Louverture in this excerpt calls to attention the possible corruption, "Liberty itself would have only produced good, if those who had been charged with dispensing it had not used that sacred word to expand their personal power" (Louverture 142). I await your analysis and thoughts, friend.

Best regards,
JJ

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Dear Friend,
As you know a response has been circulating by Toussaint Louverture and I believe in our discussions we will agree that his method of poking holes in Citizen Vienot Vaublanc is quite ingenious. First General in Chief Louverture describes how Citizen Vaublanc paints a picture of misery on the island stemming from the slaves and people of color. As both of us know now, these stories usually protray only one side, and so I am obliged to commend General in Chief Louverture on spreading the tales of slavery on the French colonies from other perspectives. Secondly, I want to draw your attention to the way that General in Chief Louverture addresses the concern of the military government run by people of color. These members of society fought for the French in conflicts against our enemies and despite not having any formal education, they still manage to enact a military government. Thus, I wanted and hope you will agree with me on commending General in Chief Louverture on a job well done in defending the people of color while addressing anti-abolitionist sentiment.

Respectfully,
Regina

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My dearest friend, I hope this letter finds you in great health and prosperity. I am writing to you today in regards to Toussaint Louverture's response to the parliment s speech. His response makes me question the credibility of Vaublanc's accusations and what events led to his discovery. It begs the question of how and where he obtained this information, especially being from so far away and giving accusation of a place he's never seen? I have found that truth is spoken in his second assertion where he says, "It was the blacks, who, when France was threatened with losing the colony, used their arms and their weapons to conserve it, to reconquer most of the areas that treason had handed to the Spanish and the English." Seeing that they defended the nation from foreign conflict, especially when their back up and help was miles and miles away. In the fifth assertion, Louverture states, "Even, they (the blacks) will defend the liberty it (the Constitution) guarantees." I found this portion very interesting and a deeper dive into what they were fighting for. They weren't exactly fighting for their own freedom, but they were also fighting for everyone else's freedom covered by the Constitution. It is important to understand the reason behind actions and to look deeper to find the true meaning.
Your Friend,
Erin

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Dear Friend,

I trust that you have seen the response from Toussaint Louverture to Vienot Vaublanc's speech. It is quite the articulate response to the vile assertions made by Vaublanc. Louverture explains how he is not surprised by Vaublanc complaining about this situation as it removes him from his fortune on Saint Domingue. He goes on to say that the part that affected him so much was that this speech was approved and sanctioned by the Corp Legislatif himself! The entirety of the response directly refutes all of the assertions made in Vaublanc's speech. Vaublanc makes assertions such as the colony was in a horrible state due to the military government made up of black men. Louverture explains that when France was at danger of losing this colony, it was the black men who fought to defend it and take back areas. He also says that yes there were some that were ignorant and crude as they were without education and thus there is nothing but ignorance and crudeness. Louverture was exceptional in his ability to pick apart the claims of Vaublanc through sound arguments and logic. If you have any time, I firmly believe that you must read this response.

Sincerely,
Noah

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Dear Friend,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing regarding the recent events of the Revolution. I have just read the response of Toussaint Louverture to the speech of a one Vienot de Vaublanc concerning the tyranny in Saint-Domingue. I am dumbfounded to hear about the accusations of the blacks being the cause for the tyranny of the island, especially after the effort that was put into emancipation. Louverture was able to make a good argument in favour of emancipation and freeing the enslaved, even saying that it "would have produced only good, if those who had been charged with dispensing it had not used that sacred word to expand their personal power." The responses from these men about the entire situation could not be more different, but it surely shows the opinions from either side of the argument. I hope you will read these assertions and responses and write me back with your thoughts.

I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours Truly,
Erika

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Dear Friend,

It's been quite a long time since I've seen you friend, and I hope this letter finds you in good health. Much has been amiss in Paris since your departure. Vincent Marie Vienot de Vaublanc made an incredible speech about what he considers to be tyranny in Saint Domingue. Toussaint Louverture's response to Vaublanc's speech was an incredible read, I trust you seek its presence as it is a most gripping response. Louverture refuted nearly everything Vaublanc stated in his speech. It's quite shocking to see how he was able to back all of his arguments using Vaublancs speech against him. I'm beginning to beleive that Louverture is right in Saint Domingue being able to suffice for themselves economically and sociatally in the Carribean. I write to you in hopes that you will read Louvertures response and write me back.

Best Wishes,
Elizabeth

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Dear Friend,
I trust you have also familiarized yourself with the response of Toussaint Louverture to Vienot Vaublanc. I found it quite interesting to discover that Vaublanc himself made money from Saint Domingue. To me it casts his account in jeopardy, as he of course is financially tied up with the island. Another distressing aspect of Vaublancs address responded to by monsieur Loverture was Vaublancs assertion that the newly freed black people on Saint Domingue were not truly French, only the whites are. To me that is a despicable and problematic assertion and goes against the very principles that we have revolted and fought for here at home in France and abroad in our colonies. Overall I believe this affair has showed what type of men both Vaublanc and Loverture are and they could not be more different.
Yours,
William

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Dear Friend,

Have you seen Toussaint Louverture’s response to Vaublanc’s speech? I am shocked by the assertions of Saint-Domingue and Louverture’s responses to them. For instance, Vaublanc attacks the agriculture prosperity of the island. Yet, Louverture responds by saying “I will not be refuted when I argue that agriculture is prospering in Saint-Domingue far beyond the hopes of the true friends of this colony, that the zeal of the cultivators is a satisfying as one might desire, and that effects of their field labor might surprise some…” Louverture’s response is powerful as he claims that the agriculture on the island was not abandoned, even during times men on the island were forced to go to war to fight for their freedom. I believe this assertion, along with many of the others, reveals Vaublanc’s lack of knowledge about the true state of the island. I highly recommend reading Louverture’s response if you have not done so already, and I look forward to reading your thoughts on the matter.

Sincerely,

Grace

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Dear Friend,

I am writing to you today regarding the refutations made today by Toussaint Louverture regarding the criticism of the leader of Saint-Domingue. He starts out by asserting early on that "To justify myself in your eyes and in the eyes of my co-citizens, whose esteem I desire, I will try to refute the assertions of Citizen Vaublanc and those who furnished him with information, and, finally, I  will try to prove that, in this case; the enemies of our liberty have been driven only by a spirit of personal vengeance, and that they have  consistently shown contempt for the public interest and scorn for the Constitution." This is significant because it shows that out of the gate, Louverture is unafraid and unapologetic to come after Vaublanc, and rightfully so. Vaublanc has no idea what this revolution is about nor does he even remotely care about what this great empire stands for. Louverture has also treated our fellow citizens with nothing but compassion, while General Rochambeau all but believes black people should be enslaved for the rest of time. While I generally mistrust political leaders, I believe Louverture is spot on about this. I am interested in knowing your thoughts as well. Please write back soon.

Take care,
Nicolas

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My beloved companion,
I am writing to you today about the reply Toussaint Louverture made to Vincent Marie Vienot de Vaublanc. I am shocked by the assertions made by Vaublanc and how they betray the values of this new republic! Vaublanc tries to paint the blacks as crude and treasonous creatures but as Louverture states, "It was the blacks who, when France was threatened with losing the colony, used their arms and their weapons to conserve it". These people fought hard for their country and deserve to be treated with respect and be given the rights that any other good French citizen is afforded. Liberty, equality, and fraternity need to be extended to people everywhere and wealthy planters can not stand in the way of that. I am more insulted by General Rochambeau, who claims we will need to wage war in order to force these people to return to cultivation. Of course, we will in his world because all he wants to do is return them back to the shackles from which they were recently freed. Louverture also points out that agriculture is returning to what it was before the revolution so clearly this man is insane! We need to respect the rights of all citizens in France and do everything to ensure that no person under this republic lives in shackles again.

Best,
Your friend.

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I trust this letter finds you in good health. The recent events in Paris have occupied my mind, and I wanted to share my reflections. Recently, I came across Toussaint Louverture's response to Vaublanc's speech in the parliament. It was a significant read, and I must admit that some of Louverture's words seemed a bit distant from my everyday reality.  Louverture's strong proclamation, "We are determined to live free or die," undoubtedly reflects unrelenting spirit of those who have struggled for liberty. However, as someone not directly affected by the issues faced by the enslaved population, his words may seem a world away from my own concerns. While I wholeheartedly support the overarching goals of the Revolution, I find myself grappling with how to connect Louverture's sentiments to my everyday experiences. That said, Louverture's perspective on the constitution did provide me with food for thought. His notion that the constitution should "speak to each citizen, and each citizen must speak for it" has a certain unity about it. It's a reminder that even as our circumstances differ, we're all striving for the basic human rights. Moreover, I'm touched by Louverture's hope that, through the Revolution, the enslaved population can rebuild their lives. Though their struggles may seem distant from my own, I support their pursuit of freedom and a better life. After all, isn't that what the Revolution aims for – a society where every citizen can thrive? In closing, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this matter.

Stay safe in these times.

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My Dearest Friend,

You know how I have been following the recent events of the Revolution, particularly those unfolding in the colony of Saint-Domingue. I recently read a response from Toussaint Louverture to Viénot Vaublanc's speech in the French parliament. He deftly refutes Vaublanc's assertion that the colony is in disarray due to the newly liberated blacks being "ignorant and crude." Louverture counters that the blacks saved the colony from foreign hands and maintained order and progress in agriculture. The part I found most interesting was to judge his people fairly, stating that distinctions among men should only be between the good and the evil, irrespective of color. He even challenges the idea that only whites can be "truly French," asserting that following the French Constitution and its values should be the defining factor. Louverture's words are an undeniable rebuttal to Vaublanc's derogatory claims and make one question the European perspective on colonial matters.

Yours sincerely,
Ryan

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Dear Friend,

I am writing you in regard to the controversial reply of one Toussaint Louverture to the Corps Législatif. I am quite shocked as to the subject of some of the assertions he has made, for instance, as he claims himself, "But it would be easy for me to prove, if I had more time, that it was the Europeans themselves who first put torches in the hands of my unfortunate brothers and who played the leading roles in the murders and fires that were committed." Surely he does not imply that it was our fellow Frenchmen who instigated this violence, that it was our fellow French brothers who led these slaves in revolt? Against fellow French citizens no less? Certainly, while I myself am not contented with the language of Vaublanc and his band of planters, certainly, as it has come to my awareness, was it not Louverture who fought against us, allying himself with the enemies of the Revolution: England and Spain? While I am sympathetic to the plight of the slave, and while I am no friend of the planter or the slaver, shall we so hastily align ourselves with a man whose ambitions remain shrouded by the cloud of war? I am curious as to your impressions on this matter.

Your truest friend,
Ryan

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Dear Friend,

After reading the response of Toussaint Louverture It makes me question the validity of Vaublanc’s accusations and how he had come to these beliefs? Where did he obtain the information surrounding a land thousands of miles away in which he had never seen with his own eyes? I find that Louverture speaks true in his second assertion when he says “It was the blacks, who, when France was threatened with losing the colony, used their arms and their weapons to conserve it, to reconquer most of the areas that treason had handed to the Spanish and the English.” They were the ones who stood up and defended our nation from attacks from foreign nations. Thousands of miles away from reinforcements from the mainland. I believe that while Saint Domingue is not perfect, I feel he speaks true in his eight assertions when he says “If, because some blacks have committed cruelties, one could argue on that basis that all blacks are cruel, we would have the right to accuse the French in Europe and all the world’s nations of barbarism.” While things may not be perfect in Saint Domingue, I do believe that they are just as French as the rest of us and that they have the right to continue to govern themselves.

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Dear friend,

I am writing to you regarding Toussaint Louverture's response to the speech in parliament. In his first assertion he says, "it would be easy for me to prove [...] that it was the Europeans themselves who first put torches in the hands of my unfortunate brothers and sisters." This is in regard to the slave rebellion which took place on Saint Domingue. I would have to agree with this statement. Saint Domingue was built on violence and slavery. The rebellion that ensued only occurred due to the violence that was initiated by the white French men who had treated enslaved people as nothing more than a commodity for years. The fifth assertion, in which Louverture states that "they [the blacks] will defend the liberty it [the Constitution] guarantees" really struck a chord with me. They weren't fighting just for their own freedom, but also for the freedom of everyone who was granted it under the Constitution.

Sincerely,
Alissa