S T .
D O M I N G 0 .
C H A P .
39
IV.
Rebellion and Defeat of Ogé, a free Man of Colour.
F
ROM the firft meeting of the general affembly of St. D o mingo, to its diffolution and difperfion, as related in the preceding chapters, the coloured people refident within the lony remained on the whole more peaceable and orderly than might have been expected. T h e temperate and lenient difpoiition manifefted by the affembly towards them, produced a be neficial and decifive effect in the Weftern and Southern pro vinces, and although 300 of them from thefe provinces, had been perfuaded by M . Mauduit to join the force under his command, they very foon became fenfible of their error, and, instead of marching towards St. Marc, as Mauduit propofed, they de manded and obtained their difmiffion, and returned quietly to their refpective habitations. Such of the mulatto people how ever as refided at that juncture in the mother-country, continued in a far more hoftile difpofition ; and they were encouraged in their animosity towards the white colonifts by parties of very different defcriptions. T h e colonial decree of the 28th of May, 1790, was no fooner made known in France, than it excited univerfal clamour. Many perfons who concurred in nothing elfe, united their voices in reprobating the conduct of the inha bitants
cC HH AAPP.. IIV. V.