ST.
DOMINGO.
putting to death all fuch of the French planters, our allies, as unfortunately fell into their power. ON the other hand, the judicious exertions and rapid fuccerTes of Lieutenant-Colonel Brifbane on the plain of Artibonite, had been for fome time the fubject of much applaufc, and had given birth to great expectation. T h e French inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood of St. Marc, had been all along more heartily difpofed to co-operate with the Englifh, than any of their countrymen. Mr. Brifbane had not above fourfcore Britifh under his command. The reft of his little army was compofed of the remains of Dillon's regiment, the St. Marc's legion, the militia of the neighbouring parifhes, and a body of about three hundred reluctant Spaniards from Verette ; the whole not exceeding twelve hundred men in arms. With this force, properly diftributed, he had routed the republican troops and rebel negroes in every quarter; and even brought the negro chiefs to folicit permiffion to capitulate. Eight or ten thoufand of thefe deluded wretches, had actually fubmitted unconditionally, and many returned, of their own accord, to the plantations of their mafters. But thefe promifing a p 足 pearances were of fhort continuance. While Colonel Brifbane was following up his fucceffes in a distant part of Artibonite, the men of colour in the town of St. Marc, feduced by the promifes of the French commiffioners, and finding the town itfelf without troops, had violated their promifes of neutra足 lity, and on the 6th of September taken up arms on the part of the republick; putting to death every man that fell in their way, whom they confidered as an enemy to the French commiffioners.
165 C H A P . XI.