National Gazette

Previous to the attack of the Negro camp, on the 27th of September last, at Gallifaut Plantation, the government of Hispaniola, at Cape-Francois, had received intimation of the good disposition of many of the rebel blacks to return to their duty, provided they could be assured of their lives.—This disposition, which was founded on the circumstance of a parley between a small party of the citizens and rebels about the 20th of that month, being made known to the executive power, induced him, as well from principles of humanity, as from the interest of the public, on the 23d to issue the following

PROCLAMATION.

Philebert Francis Rouxel De Blanchelande, Representative of the King at St. Domingo, to the revolted Negroes in the North

The Representative of the King, requires you in the name of the French nation, in the name of that King whom you love, and of humanity, to relinquish your insurrection, to retire all of you to your houses, and to resume your work.

You have acted very criminally. The massacre of your masters, the burning their lands and houses, are atrocious crimes. If you attend to your consciences, you will think that heaven and earth will be irritated against you; you will think that you merit, while living, a severe punishment before that which awaits you hereafter, if you persist in your wicked intention.

I will declare and promise to you, however, as the Representative of the King, that nothing will be done to you, if you return to your habitations with the firm resolution, to live peaceably there, and to submit to your masters.

I engage to those good Negroes, who have been misled by designing and wicked companions, to give them my protection, and to procure the pardon of their masters, who notwithstanding the injuries which they have received, will receive them as fathers and benefactors.

I swear to you most solemnly that I will faithfully keep my word to you in all which I have promised, if when you understand the orders which the King gives you through me, you immediately submit.

Tremble, however, unhappy men, if you persist in your horrible revolt—
You will meet no mercy—Every where the troops which I now command, and those which arrive at St. Domingo, from the Havannah, from Jamaica, N. England, &c, will exterminate you without pity, as well as the free Negroes and Mulattoes who are armed to march against you. Therefore choose death or pardon.

I give you from this time till to-morrow night to return an answer. You may send Negroes to treat with me to whom I promise safe conduct; and for which I give you my word, which is as sacred as that of the King.

Cape-Francois, Sept. 23, 1791.

Many copies of the above were sent to the camp of the rebels—but from the circumstances which followed, it is probable the chiefs took care that the proclamation should not be circulated in the army: for, after the time set for receiving the answer from the Negroes had expired, a deputation of twelve dragoons, among whom were two Mulattoes, were sent with a commission to obtain it; but unfortunately, having advanced within the lines of the enemy, they were set upon and fired at by a large party, which seemed to be sent for the purpose of coming to terms.

Five of the dragoons were killed on the spot, and two taken prisoners; the remaining five happily escaped. The sentiments of the rebels being thus publicly acknowledged by this piece of cruelty, dispositions were made to attack them in their camp, which was accordingly done on the morning of the 28th. The success of this assault, which lasted one hour and a half, we have before announced. On the entry of the victorious army into the camp, the two dragoons above mentioned were found with their throats cut, still bleeding fresh. It is generally thus that these more than savages have acted with those who have been so ill-fated as to fall into their hands—and in this manner the once flourishing colony of St. Domingo, continues to bleed by the hands of infuriated Africans, who have doubtless been led on by emissaries, to act this scene of murder and desolation.