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Foreign News May 4, 1802

The New Hampshire Gazette

Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

What is this article about?

Translation from a French paper describing Toussaint Louverture's removal of gold coin from the national treasury at the Cape, its concealment with help from 15 black men, and their subsequent execution by his order for high treason.

Clipping

OCR Quality

96% Excellent

Full Text

The following is a translation, from a French paper, of the gratitude bestowed by Toussaint on his fellow men, for their assistance in conducting his booty to a remote part of the country and concealing it.

AT the moment when Toussaint Louverture was forced to leave the Cape, he took particular care to take with him, all the gold coin then in the national treasury, amounting to about one and a half millions of dollars. This treasure he had first conveyed through some of the white inhabitants nearly 15 miles from the Cape, where he generously divided the same and trusted his booty to 15 of his black brethren, whom he, himself only, conducted into the mountains; and having found a convenient place, he made them dig a hole, in which he deposited his riches. After this he discharged his carriers, under a great many obligations, ordered them to appear at the camp to be rewarded; and what reward did this black hypocrite give to his workmen?—Every human heart must shudder to hear—when these poor fellows arrived at the camp, they were ordered to form a small circle, and Toussaint commanded, in cool blood, a parcel of soldiers with loaded muskets to stand in a half moon round them—gave the word fire, and that they must die for high treason, which was executed.

What sub-type of article is it?

Rebellion Or Revolt Colonial Affairs

What keywords are associated?

Toussaint Louverture Gold Treasury Treasure Concealment Black Brethren Execution High Treason

What entities or persons were involved?

Toussaint Louverture

Where did it happen?

The Cape

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

The Cape

Key Persons

Toussaint Louverture

Outcome

15 black men executed by firing squad for high treason

Event Details

Toussaint Louverture took gold coin worth about one and a half millions of dollars from the national treasury when leaving the Cape, conveyed it 15 miles with white inhabitants, then had 15 black brethren dig a hole in the mountains to hide it, discharged them promising rewards, but ordered their execution upon arrival at camp.

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