Gazette Of The United States

By the Schooner Hardy, Capt. Green, which sailed from Cape-Francois the 12th ult. and arrived here on Saturday last, we have received intelligence, that the mulattoes and free blacks have got fire-arms, &c. out of the King's store at the Cape, and done more execution against the black insurgents than the white inhabitants had been able to effect: above 3000 of the insurgents have been killed.

The embargo was taken off American vessels at the time of Capt. Green's sailing; but it was thought there would probably be another embargo laid in case the disturbances were not quieted.

The insurgents having beat off a sloop of war which was going round to seize some cannon at Port-au-Paix, several American sailors went on board the sloop, and fought bravely under the command of Captain Lillybridge.—It is said that the shot which was fired from the sloop of war, were picked up by the blacks and fired back again.

A letter from a respectable house in Cape-Francois to his correspondent in Philadelphia, expressly says, that 180 plantations have been destroyed.

Amongst all the hardships under which the whites now labour, it is a great consolation that they are not in want of provisions, and that there is sufficient for six months.

In addition to the above we learn, that great numbers of the women and children of the blacks had surrendered themselves at the Cape, where attempts had been made to set fire to the town, but were happily frustrated. Several of the blacks taken prisoners, previous to their execution declared that they were instigated to those attempts by some white men, who were concealed among the insurgents, and advised them to those measures as the best way to recover their liberty, &c. The blacks are armed with guns, pistols, swords, knives, and other instruments of destruction, and were collected in large bodies within three or four miles of Cape Francois, and were very desperate; but it was impossible to ascertain their numbers, which consisted only of such as were capable of offence, their women, children and old men not being permitted to stay near their camps.
Translation of a letter from CAPE-FRANCOIS, dated September 11.

Since our last of the 22d ult. the face of things is quite changed here by an insurrection of the slaves, which broke out on the 23d, in this quarter, from Port Margot to Limonade, being an extent of twenty leagues. They set fire to all the houses, and butchered all the white people they found in them. Having rendered themselves masters of all the open country, they separated into bodies of three or four hundred each, posting themselves in different houses which serve them as places of refuge. The small number of troops we have to occupy several advantageous posts, which defend the city, does not allow us to do more than sally out against them from time to time, when they approach too near. If we had a greater number of regular troops, we might invest them in their lurking places. These ravagers are too numerous to be attacked; as they have obliged all the house-slaves, even against their will, to join them, and massacred such as attempted to make their escape. After having ravaged all the level, populous country, they made their way through many exterior settlements, and here the unfortunate few soon fell victims to their rage. They set fire to every thing on their way.

We have sent to the United States, to request the assistance of some troops to assist us in destroying these ravagers. But are we to expect them? We have sent also to Jamaica, and to the Spaniards. We wait with impatience for the return of our messengers, and earnestly hope they may bring us satisfactory answers. Our only security is this city, which is fortified and well guarded. At the commencement of these disturbances, our chief apprehensions were from our domestic slaves, who were in great numbers, and might perhaps be in league with the insurgents, to set fire to our houses. But our vigilance, by day and by night, has preserved us from their suspected designs. Several have however, been seized, and brought to justice. The others, who were not suspected, have nevertheless been put in a place of security. By means of this prudent precaution, we now enjoy greater tranquility.

At the first breaking out of these disturbances, a general embargo was laid upon all the vessels in the harbor, without distinction. For the present, our Assemblies, in concert with the Governor, have determined to permit as many of the American vessels to sail, as there should be new arrivals.