Placide Louverture

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Placide Louverture, the son of Suzanne Simone Baptiste Louverture, was adopted by Toussaint Louverture. Placide was Suzanne Louverture's first child and the mulatto Seraphim Le Clerc, his father. (Parkinson p. 36)

Placide and his brother Isaac, were sent to France in 1797 to be educated. "A large crowd gathered to see them off, for they were popular on the island." (Parkinson, p. 111)

Placide Louverture was separated from his family upon the August 1802 arrival in Brest on the French coast, and was sent on board of the ship La Naïade to Belle Isle en Mer. He was not informed that his father was to be removed from the Hero until the evening of the day Toussaint Louverture had been taken away. 1

Previously, he had sent the following letter to Toussaint, which was later found under Toussaint's pillow:

Letter by Placide Louverture from French Captivity to his Parents


BREST ROADS, 24 Thermidor. [1802]

MY DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,

I am on board the brig La Naïade. As yet, I am ignorant of my lot. Perhaps I shall never see you again. In that I do not accuse my destiny. No matter where I am, I entreat you to take courage, and sometimes to think of me. I will send you news of myself if I am not dead; give me news of yourselves if you have an opportunity. I am very well situated. I am with persons who are very good to me, and who promise to continue so. Isaac and Saint-Jean, do not forget your brother! I shall always love you. Many kind thoughts to you all; embrace my cousins for me. I embrace you as I love you.

Your son,
(Signed) "PLACIDE L'OUVERTURE."

(Beard p. 236f)


Note 1: Toussaint Louverture was taken from the Hero, anchored in Brest, at 5:00 am on August 13, 1802) The Hero was the ship that brought the family Louverture into their French imprisonment. (Beard p. 236)


References

  • Beard, J. R. (John Relly) (1863). Toussaint L'Ouverture: A Biography and Autobiography. Chapel Hill, NC: Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH. Online Publication
  • Parkinson, Wenda (1978). This Gilded African. London: Quartet Books. ISBN 0-7043-2187-4