National Gazette

Extract of a letter from Cape-Francois, Dec. 4.

“I writ to you on the 29th ult. mentioning the disagreeable intelligence that had recently been received from Port-au-Prince relative to a dispute between the mulattoes and whites, wherein many lives were sacrificed. Fire was set to the town in several places, and 27 quarters out of 44, whereof it consisted, are totally consumed, The street called rue des capitaines, where the principal magazine of provisions and merchandize were situated, fell a prey to the flames. In fine, we are told, that only four merchants houses have escaped the conflagration. I have seen an extract of a letter to one of the first commercial houses in this city, which states the loss at 500 millions of livres—the mulattoes immediately retreated to their camp at Croix des-Bouquets, and we are told that the commandant of the western district, M. Coutard, is with them. The flame of civil discord seems to rage in this climate with a degree of inveteracy unknown in other countries. Nothing seems to satisfy a partizan but the sacrifice of his opponent's life and property. The work of destruction having thus recommenced, omniscience only can tell where it will terminate. Advices received last evening from Les Cayes mention, that one or two chiefs of the mulattoes at Croix des Bouquets have passed into the southern districts, have printed up their party in the vicinity of Cayes, taken possession of several batteries, and threaten the town of Les Cayes itself. The planters in that quarter it should seem, have taken refuge in the town. The victorious mulattoes proclaim, that unless they depart immediately, each to his habitation, & surrender the town, they will deliver it and its inhabitants to fire and sword—what a distressing situation!—It is difficult, I find, to determine who is right and who is wrong in the first principles of this tragical business—doubtless there is blame on all sides—I fear the result will be the ruin of the colony.”