Title: An Historical Survey of the French Colony in the Island of St. Domingo: Comprehending a Short Account of Its Ancient Government, Political State, Population, Productions, and Exports

Description

In August 1791, slaves in the French colony of Saint-Domingue staged a massive revolt, setting in train the chain of events that ultimately led to the founding of Haiti in 1804. In February 1793, war broke out between Britain and France. In September 1793, British troops landed on Saint-Domingue, intent on restoring order, seizing the colony for Britain, and reinstating slavery. This work by a British author is an account of events in Haiti in 1789-94, based in part on his own first-hand observations. The author concludes his work by drawing lessons for Britain’s own Caribbean colonies, calling upon the planters of the British West Indies voluntarily “to restrain, limit, and finally abolish the further introduction of enslaved men from Africa.” Such appeals generally fell on deaf ears, however, and the slave trade continued in the British colonies until 1807, when it finally was banned by an act of Parliament.

An historical survey of the French colony in the island of St. Domingo : comprehending a short account of its ancient government, political state, population, productions, and exports