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thefe enormities terminated the difaftrous year 1791. Juft before Chriftmas the three civil commiffioners nominated by the national affembly for St. Domingo, arrived at Cape Fran çois. Much was expected from their appointment by the friends of peace and good order; but the fequel will fhew that they effected very little towards reftoring the peace of the country. WITH
Translation of the Letter of ABBE GREGOIRE, Bishop of the Department of Loire and Cher, Deputy of the Na tional Assembly, to the Citizens of Colour in the French West Indies, concerning the Decree of the 15th of May 1791. FRIENDS ! Y o u were MEN ;—you are now CITIZENS. Rein stated in the fulnefs of your rights, you will in future participate of the fovereignty of the people. The decree which the national affembly has juft publifhed refpecting you, is not a favour, for a favour is a privilege: and a privilege to one clafs of people is an injury to all the reft.— They are words which will no longer difgrace the laws of the French. IN fecuring to you the exercife of your political rights, we have ac quitted ourfelves of a debt:—not to have paid it, would have been a crime on our part, and a difgrace to the conftitution. The legiflators of a free nation certainly could not do lefs for you. than our ancient defpots have done. IT is now above a century that Louis the XlV th folemnly acknow ledged and proclaimed your rights ; but of this facred inheritance you have been defrauded by pride and avarice, which have gradually increafed your burthens, and embittered your exiftence. THE
C H A P. VII.