ST.
D O M I N G O .
appearance, fhould, in its application to this cafe, be vifionary and impracticable.
17
CHAP. II.
A T this juncture, a confiderable body of the mulattoes from St. Domingo and the other French iflands, were refident in the French capital. Some of thefe were young people fent thither for education : others were men of confiderable property, and many of them, without doubt, perfons of intelligence and amiable manners. With thefe people the fociety of Amis des Noirs formed an intimate connection ; pointed out to them the wretchednefs of their condition ; filled the nation with remonftrances and ap peals on their behalf; and poured out fuch invectives againft the white planters, as bore away reafon and moderation in the torrent. Unhappily, there was too much to offer on the part of the mu lattoes. Their perfonal appearance too, excited pity, and, co operating with the temper of the times, and the credulity of the French nation, raifed fuch an indignant fpirit in all ranks of people againft the white colonifts, as threatened their total an nihilation and ruin. IN this difpofition of the people of France towards the inha bitants of their colonies in the Weft Indies, the national affembly, on the 20th day of Auguft, voted the celebrated declaration of rights ; and thus, by a revolution unparalleled in hiftory, was a mighty fabrick (apparently eftablifhed by every thing that was fecure and unaffailable) overturned in a moment. Happy had it been for the general interefts of the human race, if, when the French had gone thus far, they had proceeded no farther ! Happy for themfelves, if they had then known—what painful exD perience
1789.