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Le 20 mai 1802, est proclamée la loi relative à la traite des Noirs et au régime des colonies.

Au nom du peuple français, Bonaparte Premier Consul proclame le décret suivant, rendu par le Corps législatif le 30 floréal An X conformément à la proposition faite par le gouvernement le 27 dudit mois, communiqué au Tribunat le même jour Décret

Article Ier - Dans les colonies restituées à la France en exécution du traité d'Amiens, du 6 germinal An X, l'esclavage sera maintenu conformément aux lois et règlements antérieurs à 1789. Il - Il en sera de même dans les autres colonies françaises au-delà du cap de Bonne-Espérance. 111 - La traite des Noirs et leur importation dans lesdites colonies, auront lieu, conformément aux lois et règlements existants avant ladite époque de 1789. IV -Nonobstant toutes lois antérieures, le régime des colonies est soumis, pendant dix ans, aux règlements qui seront faits par le gouvernements .

Decrès, ministre de la marine et des colonies

Archives départementales de la Guadeloupe Documents microfilmés

Page 188 chief. The following letters, written by him at the beginning of the campaign, may serve to illustrate and confirm these observations, and may conduce to the reader's acquaintance with the character of our hero.

"LIBERTY. "EQUALITY.

"The Governor-General to General Dessalines, Commander-in-chief of the army of the West.

HEADQUARTERS GONAÏVES, Feb. 8, 1802.

       "There is no reason for despair, Citizen-General, if you can succeed in removing from the troops that have landed the resources offered to them by Port Republican. Endeavor, by all the means of force and address, to set that place on fire; it is constructed entirely of wood; you have only to send into it some faithful emissaries. Are there none under your orders devoted enough for this service? Ah! my dear General, what a misfortune that there was a traitor in that city, and that your orders and mine were not put into execution.

       "Watch the moment when the garrison shall be weak in consequence of expeditions into the plains, and then try to surprise and carry that city, falling on it in the rear.

       "Do not forget, while waiting for the rainy season which will rid us of our foes, that we have no other resource than destruction and flames. Bear in mind that the soil bathed with our sweat must not furnish our enemies with the smallest aliment. Tear up the roads with shot; throw corpses and horses into all the fountains; burn and annihilate everything, in order that those who have come to reduce us to slavery may have before their eyes the image of that hell which they deserve.

"Salutation and Friendship,

(Signed) "TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE."

"Toussaint L'Ouverture, Governor of Saint Domingo, to Citizen Domage, Brigadier-General, commanding the district of Jérémie.

HEADQUARTERS, SAINT MARC, the 9th of Feb., 1802.

       "I send to you, my dear General, my aide-de-camp, Chancy.

Page 189 He conveys to you the present communication, and will tell you from me what I have charged him to make known to you.

       "The whites of France and of the Colony, united together, wish to take away our liberty. Many vessels and troops have arrived, which have seized the Cape, Port Republican, and Fort Liberté.

       "The Cape, after a vigorous resistance, has fallen; but the enemy found only a city and country of ashes; the forts were blown up, and everything has been burnt.

       "The town of Port Republican was surrendered to them by the traitor Agé, as well as Fort Bizoton, which yielded without striking a blow, through the cowardice and the treachery of Bardet. The General of Division, Dessalines, at this moment maintains a cordon at Croix des Bouquets; and all our other places are on the defensive.

       "As Jérémie is very strong through its natural advantages, you will maintain yourself in it, and defend it with the courage which I know you possess. Raise the laborers in a mass, and infuse into them this truth, namely, that they must distrust those who have received proclamations from the whites of France, and who secretly circulate them in order to seduce the friends of liberty.

       "I have ordered Laplume, Brigadier-General, to set on fire the City of Cayes, the other towns, and all the plains, in case he is unable to withstand the enemy's force, and then all the troops of the different garrisons, and all the laborers should go to Jérémie to augment your band. You will take measures with General Laplume, for the due execution of these things. You will employ the women engaged in agriculture in making depôts of provisions in great abundance.

       "Endeavor as much as you can to send me news of your position. I reckon entirely on you, and leave you absolutely master, to do everything in order to save us from the most frightful yoke.

"Wishing you health, "Salutation and Friendship,

(Signed) "TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE.