An historical survey of the french colony in the island of St. Domingo comprehending a short account

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24 CHAP. II.

H I S T O R Y

OF

was founded alfo on the ftrong bafis of moral neceffity. The arguments that were urged againft it feem to imply that the be­ nefits of the French revolution were intended only for the people refiding in the realm, in exclufion of their fellow fubjects in the plantations. After that great event, to fuppofe that the inha­ bitants of thofe colonies (with the fuccefsful example too of the Englifh Americans recent in their memories) would have fubmitted to be governed and directed in their local concerns by a legiflature at the diftance of 3 , 0 0 0 miles from them, is to manifeft a very flender acquaintance with human nature. How little inclined the colonial affembly was to fuch fubmiffion, their proceedings, from the firft day of their meeting, to their final diffolution, will demonftrate.—Of thofe proceedings I fhall endeavour to furnifh a brief account in the next Chapter,

CHAP.


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