S T .
D O M I N G O .
73
except the fide next the fea, with a ftrong palifade and chevaux de frize ; in the erecting and completing of which, all the inha bitants laboured without diftinction or intermiffion. At the fame time, an embargo was laid on all the fhipping in the har bour ; a meafure of indifpenfible neceffity, calculated as well to obtain the affiftance of the feamen, as to fecure a retreat for the inhabitants in the laft extremity. T o fuch of the diftant parifhes as were open to communication either by land or by fea, notice of the revolt had been tranfmitted within a few hours after advice of it was received at the Cape ; and the white inhabitants of many of thofe parifhes had therefore found time to eftablifh camps, and form a chain of pofts, which for a fhort time feemed to prevent the rebellion fpreading be yond the Northern province (a). Two of thofe camps how ever, one at Grande Riviere, the other at Dondon, were attacked by the negroes (who were here openly joined by the mulattoes) and forced with great flaughter. At Dondon, the whites main tained the conteft for feven hours; but were overpowered by the infinite difparity of numbers, and compelled to give way, with the lofs of upwards of one hundred of their body. T h e furvivors took refuge in the Spanifh territory. two diftricts therefore; the whole of the rich and extenfive plain of the Cape, together with the contiguous mounTHESE
(a) I t is believed that a general infurrection was to have taken place throughout the colony on the 25th of Auguft (St. Louis's day); but that the impatience and impetuofity of fome negroes on the plain, induced them to commence their opera
tions two days before the time.
L
tains,
CHAP. VI.