Toussaint Louverture's letter to Napoléon.

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From TLP

Signature of Toussaint Louverture
Toussaint Louverture wrote the following letter from captivity in the dungeon at Fort de Joux to Napoléon Bonaparte.

In the dungeon of Fort Joux, this 30 Fructidor, an XI. (17th September, 1802)GENERAL, AND FIRST CONSUL, The respect and the submission which I could wish forever graven on my heart [here words are wanting as if obliterated by tears (Beard)].

If I have sinned in doing my duty, it is contrary to my intentions; if I was wrong in forming the constitution, it was through my great desire to do good; it was through having employed too much zeal, too much self-love, thinking I was pleasing the Government under which I was; if the formalities which I ought to have observed were neglected, it was through inattention.

I have had the misfortune to incur your wrath, but as to fidelity and probity, I am strong in my conscience, and I dare affirm, that among all the servants of the state no one is more honest than myself.

I was one of your soldiers, and the first servant of the Republic in St. Domingo; but now I am wretched, ruined, dishonored, a victim of my own services; let your sensibility be moved at my position.

You are too great in feeling and too just not to pronounce a judgment as to my destiny.

I charge General Cafarelli, your aide-de-camp, to put my report into your hands.

I beg you to take it into your best consideration.

His honor, his frankness have forced me to open my heart to him. Salutation and respect, TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE

Djakut, December 4 2007, 8:44 PM

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Messages in this topic

Il y a trois epreuves par lesquelles les races veulent etre jugees: la premiere, la base de toutes les autres, c'est... read more >
Flo, 5-Dec-07 5:02 pm
That was very smart of you. I could tell that you did your homework. Later read more >
Djakut, 5-Dec-07 5:25 pm
" Apres la capture du general Toussaint Louverture, Suzanne Louverture fut prise en otage par une escorte puis... read more >
Flo, 6-Dec-07 5:54 pm
Je jure devant Dieu et devant la nation de renoncer tout jamais a la France. Vivre libre ou mourir. 1er Janvier 1804 ... read more >
Rubens F. Titus, 9-Dec-07 6:08 pm
Hi, I was not aware of this letter. Good post by Djakut. What I do know is Toussaint confided to American Ambassador... read more >
Rubens F. Titus, 9-Dec-07 6:20 pm
Mais qui a trahi Toussaint? Il n'existe pas de preuves convaicantes de cette trahison de Toussaint. Selon les memoirs... read more >
Rubens F. Titus, 9-Dec-07 6:35 pm
Hey, Rubens i guess we understand each other better now. read more >
Djakut, 9-Dec-07 8:28 pm
C'est bon l'histoire.Nous ne sommes pas a` l'heure de Toussaint Louverture,de Savannah,etc. Haiti est oblige' d'aller... read more >
Tony Saint Festin, 9-Dec-07 9:57 pm

 

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