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FOOTNOTES:
[1] Ever since the reign of Soulouque, professional authors have been paid by the Haytian Government to spread rose-tinted accounts of the civilisation and progress of Hayti. But twenty-four hours in any town of that republic would satisfy the most sceptical that these semi-official accounts are unworthy of belief.
[2] Mackenzie states that he noticed the thermometer marking 99° every day for considerable periods.
[3] It is a well-known fact that the noise of the approach of an earthquake is generally heard; but in Port-au-Prince there is a curious phenomenon which I have never known explained. A subterranean noise is frequently heard approaching from the plains, and appears to pass under the town without any movement of the earth being perceptible. The Haytians call it “le gouffre,” or “le bruit du gouffre,” and many fancy the whole of that portion of the island to be undermined, and predict a fearful fate for the capital.
[4] Our unsuccessful attempt to conquer Hayti does not merit to be recorded in detail, but it is humiliating to read of the stupidity of our chiefs at Port-au-Prince, who made our soldiers work at fortifications during the day and do duty at night. No wonder that we find a regiment 600 strong losing 400 in two months, and the 82d landing 950 men, to be reduced in six weeks to 350.
[5] St. Remy, speaking of Toussaint’s capture, says, “Embarquement par les blancs.” How like a mulatto not to say “par les français!”
[6] This biography, as well as the others I have seen, is full of absurdities; talks of Toussaint advancing with an imposing army, which turns out to be of 950 men. At the battle of Verretes 1500 blacks drive 3500 English troops from their intrenchments, and then 6000 English are defeated and cut to pieces by a few squadrons. As far as I can learn, Brisbane had eighty English soldiers and some untrustworthy black and coloured allies, mixed with French planters. Even a moderately sensible Haytian could not accept so absurd a biography.
[7] I am glad to be able to notice that M. Robin (mulatto), in his “Abrégé de l’Histoire d’Haïti,” remarks in relating Toussaint’s sad death:—“Ainsi fut récompensé de ses longs et éminents services cet illustre enfant d’Haïti, qui pouvait bien se dire le premier des noirs,” &c. &c. Dessalines appears to have encouraged Leclerc to arrest Toussaint, and then dishonourably betrayed Charles Belair (black), nephew to Toussaint, and his wife into the hands of the French, who shot Belair and hung his wife.
[8] One thing I wish distinctly to state, that I never heard of any mulatto, except Generals Salnave and Therlonge, who was mixed up with the cannibalism of the Vaudoux, nor of any black educated in Europe.