Generals Christophe, Dessalines, and Moyse, his nephew, were
appointed to the command of the troops (in three departments), and
to the superintendence of the labors of agriculture. The mulatto
Clervaux commanded in the Spanish portion. The whites were invited to
resume their estates, allowing a proportion of the proceeds to the
laborers; and, where the owners had disappeared, the estates were
worked by the State, the same proportion, one-fourth or one-third,
being allowed the cultivators—industry was everywhere encouraged,
idleness rigorously suppressed. In so fruitful a land the results
were like enchantment. The hoe replaced the sword—prosperity
smiled upon the neglected fields—the songs of labor were heard
on every hand—contented and hopeful negroes thronged the path
of Toussaint.[47] Vessels under the flag of the United States
crowded the ports—the whites looked to him as their deliverer and
protector—whites, blacks and mulattoes were appointed to offices
of trust—the duties of morality and religion were enforced—the
decencies and refinements and arts of life were cultivated—the drama
revived—men of science and learning were encouraged.[48] There is
abundant evidence, from friends and enemies, to prove that, under a
system of justly paid labor, the island was rapidly advancing to a
degree of prosperity which it had never reached.[49] Time and a just,
firm hand, like that of Toussaint, only were necessary to steady the
new State, and to solve the problem of the capability of the blacks.
So far the white race has degenerated in the enervating and seductive
air of the tropics. The capacity of the blacks to develop there is an
interesting question, not yet settled.
Toussaint is now proud of his color. He says:—“I value myself for
being black.”[50] He has reason. His public levees are marked by
the strictest propriety, and his private parties are not stupider
than those of white men. In the midst of luxury this “old negro”
practices his simple tastes, only indulging in splendor upon state
occasions. Unlike most men, he does not, with success in his hand,
deserve to forfeit it. Luxury and sloth do not beguile him, for he
knows that stability alone is success. His activity is untiring—his
correspondence exhausts five secretaries—he trusts to the eye of the
master and his vigilance is everywhere. He works! for his soul is
steel and his body iron. Relays of fast-pacing horses are stationed
at proper points; on these he rides, outstripping all but his two
trumpeters. Fifty leagues, without stopping, it is said he rode.[51]
The whole energies of his life are devoted to the realizing of a
great idea—_the liberty and elevation of the blacks_. Neither he nor
any sagacious man doubts that he is the chief to secure these, if
they are yet to be. He says:—“I have taken my flight in the region of
eagles; when I alight it must be on a rock, and that rock must be a
constitutional government, of which I shall be the head so long as I
shall be among men.”[52]
This is clearly the next step: government must be firmly established
and order consolidated.
France had decreed the liberty of all its subjects, whites, blacks,
and mulattoes. It had authorized the election and action of the
colonial Assemblies; the island was, therefore, legally capable of
self-government: the only question was, how far it was dependent upon
France?
Toussaint calls together a council, for the consideration of the
question of a constitution. It was headed by Borgella, once mayor of
Port au Prince, and composed of eight whites and one mulatto, and no
blacks, not even Louverture himself.
In May (1800) they presented him a carefully-prepared draft, which
he approved.[53] Assuming that slavery was abolished and could never
more exist in St. Domingo, it made no distinction in the political
rights of citizens—it established the Roman Catholic religion as
that of the State—it required that agriculture should be especially
encouraged—it declared _commerce free_ (this was in 1800)—it
entrusted the executive to a governor appointed for five years.
“In consideration of the important services rendered the colony by
General Toussaint Louverture, he is appointed Governor for life,
with power to choose his successor.”
This constitution was provisionally established, and a copy forwarded
to “Citizen Buonaparte, First Consul of the French Republic,” by
General Vincent, July 16th, 1800. Toussaint wrote:—“I hasten to
lay it before you for your approbation and for the sanction of the
government I serve.” On the island it was made public and accepted
with solemn formalities and universal joy. The blacks were not only
ready but enthusiastic in their obedience to Toussaint Louverture.
The “old negro” had proved his commission to be from heaven, and
Lacroix’s phrase had become a fact.