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. 

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

Respectfully,
Mitch 

 

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