_Cape Francois._
We have had some novelty here my dear friend, for general Closelle,
who commands during the absence of the general in chief, has taken a
new method to amuse the people, and courts popularity under the veil
of religion. He gives no balls, no concerts; but he has had the church
fitted up, and the fete dieu has been celebrated with great order,
magnificence and solemnity.
At break of day the fete was announced by the firing of cannon: at
eight o'clock the procession left the church, and passed through
the principal streets, which were strewn with roses; the fronts of
the houses were decorated with green branches, formed into arches,
intermingled with wreaths of flowers. The troops under arms were placed
in double ranks on each side of the street. The procession was opened
by a number of young boys dressed in white surplices, singing a hymn
in honour of the day. They were followed by young girls, crowned with
myrtle, bearing in their hands baskets of flowers, which they strewed
on the ground as they passed along. The band of music followed, and
then the priests, bearing golden censors, in which were burning the
most exquisite perfumes, preceded by four negroes, carrying on their
shoulders a golden temple, ornamented with precious stones, and golden
angels supporting a canopy of crimson velvet, beneath which the sacred
host was exposed in a brilliant sagraria. After them marched general
Closelle, and all the officers of the civil and military departments.
The procession was closed by a number of ladies, covered with white
veils. As the temple passed along, the soldiers bent one knee to
the ground; and when it returned to the church, high mass was sung,
accompanied by military music.
Clara and myself, attended by her everlasting beau, major B----, went
all over the town, and so fatigued our poor cavalier, that he actually
fell down; but he is fifty years old, and at least five hundred in
constitution; he has been very handsome, has still the finest eyes in
the world, is full of anecdote, and infinitely amusing.
General Closelle is very handsome, tall, and elegantly formed, but not
at all gallant, consequently not a favourite with the ladies; and for
the same reason, a great one with the gentlemen, particularly those who
are married. Since the departure of the general in chief he has put
every thing on a new footing: the fortifications are repairing, and
block-houses are erecting all round the town.
A few days since the negroes attacked a block-house which was nearly
finished. A detachment commanded by general Mayart, was instantly sent
out to support the guard. As he passed under my window, I told him to
hasten and gather fresh laurels. He replied, that at his return he
would lay them at my feet; but, alas! he returned no more. The negroes
were retreating when he arrived: a random shot struck him, and he fell
dead from his horse. This young man came from France about a year ago,
a simple lieutenant; he was very poor, but being powerfully protected,
advanced rapidly in the army; and, what is infinitely surprising,
thirty thousand dollars, and a great quantity of plate, were found in
his house at his death.
Madame G----, a pretty little Parisian, who was his favourite, is
inconsolable. She faints when any body enters the room, and repeats his
name in gentle murmurs. In the evening she languishingly reposes on a
sopha placed opposite the door, and seems to invite by the gracefulness
of her attitudes, and the negligence of her dress, the whole world to
console her.
The most distressing accounts arrive here daily from all parts of the
island.
The general in chief is at Port-au-Prince, but he possesses no longer
the confidence of the people. He is entirely governed by his officers,
who are boys, and who think only of amusement. He gives splendid balls,
and elegant parties; but he neglects the army, and oppresses the
inhabitants.
A black chief and his wife were made prisoners last week, and sentenced
to be shot. As they walked to the place of execution the chief seemed
deeply impressed with the horror of his approaching fate: but his wife
went cheerfully along, endeavoured to console him, and reproached his
want of courage. When they arrived on the field, in which their grave
was already dug, she refused to have her eyes bound; and turning to
the soldiers who were to execute their sentence, said "Be expeditious,
and don't make me linger." She received their fire without shrinking,
and expired without uttering a groan. Since the commencement of the
revolution she had been a very devil! Her husband commanded at St.
Marks, and being very amorously inclined, every white lady who was
unfortunate enough to attract his notice, received an order to meet
him. If she refused, she was sure of being destroyed, and if she
complied she was as sure of being killed by his wife's orders, which
were indisputable. Jealous as a tygress, she watched all the actions
of her husband; and never failed to punish the objects of his amorous
approaches, often when they were entirely innocent.
How terrible was the situation of these unfortunate women, insulted
by the brutal passion of a negro, and certain of perishing if they
resisted or if they complied.
This same fury in female form killed with her own hand a white man who
had been her husband's secretary. He offended her; she had him bound,
and stabbed him with a penknife till he expired!
How often, my dear friend, do my sighs bear my wishes to your happy
country; how ardently do I desire to revisit scenes hallowed by
recollection, and rendered doubly dear by the peaceful security I there
enjoyed, contrasted with the dangers to which we are here exposed. Yet
the Creoles still hope; for
"Hope travels through, nor quits us when we die."
They think it impossible that this island can ever be abandoned to
the negroes. They build houses, rebuild those that were burned, and
seem secure in their possession. The measures of general Closelle
inspire them with confidence; and they think that if he was commander
in chief, all would go well. But when general Rochambeau was second in
command, he was a favorite with every body; and it is only since he
has attained the summit of power that he has appeared regardless of
public opinion! He is said to have the talents of a soldier, but not
those of a general. Whatever may be the fate of this country, here I
must wait with patience, of which mulish virtue I have no great share,
till some change in its affairs restores me to my own. Yet when there,
I can hope for nothing more than tranquillity. The romantic visions of
happiness I once delighted to indulge in, are fading fast away before
the exterminating touch of cold reality.--
The glowing hand of hope grows cold,
And fancy lives not to be old.
But whilst your friendship is left me life will still have a charm.