History of the island of St. Domingo

Front matter

HISTORY

OF THE

ISLAND OF ST. DOMINGO,

Chap. I

FROM THE PERIOD OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE ISLAND, TO THE YEAR 1600.

Situation. — General description. — - Discovery by Columbus. — State of the inhabitants, — Anecdote of Guacanahari. — A settlement formed, — Its demolition and re-establishment. — Battle with the natives. — Subjection of the island. — Dissentions among the colonists. — Bovadillo sent as governor. — Superceded by Ovando. — Columbus refused admittance. — His second visit. — Spanish oppression of the natives. — The Lucayans seduced into slavery. — Diego Columbus obtains the government. — Opposition of the Dominicans to the treatment of the natives. — Albuquerque's administration. — Account of Las Casas. — Attack of Sir Francis Drake. — Demolition of the sea-ports and wretched state of the islanders ]

a v»

CONTENTS.

Chap. II. From The Year 1600 To The Peace Of Ryswick

The English and French go to the West Indies. — Expelled from St. Christopher's by Toledo.' — The remnant of those dispersed settle at Tortuga. — Account of the Buccaneers. — The English party expelled from Tortuga, and the French retain possession. — Anecdotes of Peter le Grand. — Michael de Basco and others. — Monibar and Morgan. — The French colony settled in 1665, under the judicious government of Bertrand D' Oyer on. — His character and conduct. — His wish to subdue the whole island for France. — His death at Paris. — Account of his successors. — First regular cession of the western part of the island to the French at the peace of Ryswick 54

Chap. III. From The Year 1697 To The Year 1789

Company of St. Louis. — M. Auger succeeds Ducasse and Deslandes. — Destruction of the cocoa trees on the island. — Commotion in 1722. — Increasing prosperity of the French colony. — A view of the ecclesiastical and political constitution of the French and Spanish divisions of the island previous to the year 1789 99

CONTENTS.

VII

Chap. IV

FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD OP THE REVOLUTION OF 1789 TO THE DECREE OF MAY 1791.

States General summoned in France — Society of Amis des Noirs. — Declaration of rights. — Confused state of the colony. — Decree of March 8th, 1790. — Colonial assembly meet at St. Marc. — Decree of 28th of May. — Proceedings of Peynier and Mauduit. — Rebellion of Og€. — Committee for the colonies in France. — Death of Mauduit. — Decree of the 15th of May, 1791 114

Chap. V

FROM THE MONTH OF MAY, 1791, TO THE CONFLA- GRATION OF THE TOWN OF CAPE FRAN9OIS IN 1793.

Resentment against the decree of the 1 5th of May. — Revolt of the Negroes in the North. — 1 Anecdote of the extraordinary fidelity of a Negro. — Insurrection of the Western division. — Concordat of the 11th of September. — Proclamation of the general assembly. — New disturbances. — Civil commissioners sent by the national assembly. — Decree of the Mh of April, 1792. — A new governor and other commissioners appointed. — Their violence. — M. Galbaud made governor. — Disputes with the commissioners, and dispossession of his office. — His brother unites with him to oppose the viii

CONTENTS.

commissioners by force. — The latter call in the aid of the revolted negroes. — Conflagration of the capital, and massacre of the while inhabitants 14]

Chap. VI

FROM MIDSUMMER, 1793, TO THE EVACUATION OF THE ISLAND BY THE BRITISH TROOPS IN 1798.

Emigrations. — Overtures to the British government. — Strength of the republican party. — Negro slavery abolished by the French commissioners.— Jeremie and the Mole at Cape St. Nicholas surrendered to the British. — Failure of attack on Cape Tiburon. — A second attempt succeeds. — Further operations of the British troops. — Reinforcements under General Whyte. • — Conquest of Port au Prince. — Further reinforcement,— Great mortality among the troops, • — General Whyte succeeded by Brigadier-general Horneck. — Leogane taken by the negroes. — Successes of Lieutenant-colonel Brisbane in Artibonite. — Insurrection of mulattoes at St. Marc, — Rigaud attacks Fort Bizotton, takes Fort Tiburon. — Conspiracy of the French against the British at St. Marc, and at Port au Prince. — Lieutenant-colonels Brisbane and Markham killed. — British reinforcements . — Ravages of disease, — Major-general Williamson, commander-in-chief, succeeded by Major-general Forbes. — The Spanish part of St, Domingo ceded

CONTENTS.

to the French republic. — Reinforcements under Brigadier-general Howe. — Leogane fortified by the mulattoes. — Major-general Simcoe succeeds to the chief command. — Toussaint appointed by the French government general in chief. — General Why to succeeds General Simcoe, and is soon succeeded by Brigadier-general Maitland. — St, Domingo wholly evacuated by the British troops 1G3

Chap. VII

FROM THE EVACUATION OF THE ISLAND BY THE BRITISH IN 1798, TO THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN JULY, 1801.

Several Negro chiefs. — All superseded by Toussaint. — His birth. — His early character. — His kind treatment by his master. — His diligence and proficiency in learning. — Not concerned in the first insurrection. — His gratitude and, generosity to his master. — Joins the black army, and is appointed an officer. — Soon advanced to the command of a division. — His talents for war — and government. — His prudence^ benevolence, activity, and veracity. — First espoused the cause of royalty, — but afterwards acknowledged the republic— His kindness to General Laveaux . — Forgiveness of injuries. — Honourable conduct towards General Maitland. — Promotion of agriculture. — The increase of

X

CONTENTS.

population. — Slate of society. — Tour of Toussaint through the island. — Constitution formed. — Declarat ion of independence 187

Chap. VIII

FROM JULY, 1801, TO THE SEIZURE AND TRANS- PORTATION OF TOUSSAINT IN JUNE, 1802.

Peace between France and England. — The French Government resolves on the re-conquest of St. Domingo.— Sailing of the expedition. — Its arrival at the island, and formation into several divisions. — Capture of Fort Dauphin by General Rochamheau. -—he Clerc with the main body arrives off Cape Francois. — Correspondence with Christ ophe. — Proclamation of Bonaparte. — handing of the French. — Cape Francois burnt and evacuated by the blacks. — Toussaint in the interior. — His letter to Dcmage. -—Mission of Coisnon to Toussaint. — Letter to him from Bonaparte. — His interview) with his sons. — He prefers resigning them rather than betraying his country.— Le Clerc s attempts to produce defection among the blacks. — Commencement of the campaign. — Operations of the different divisions. — Battle with Toussaint.— Defection of the negroes. — Toussaint driven to the mountains. — Successful operations of the French in the south. — Le Clerc orders the restoration of slavery. — The blacks renew the war with fresh

vigour. — Great reverses sustained by the French

Le Clerc deceives them by a new proclamation. — -

CONTENTS. xi

Negotiations. — Peace with the negroes Retirement

of the chiefs. — Toussaint seized by order of Le Clerc. — Sent to France with all his fa mill/. — His separation from them,— -imprisonment, — and death 213

Chap. IX

FROM JUNE, 1802, TO THE EXPULSION OF THE FRENCH FORCES IN DECEMBER, 1803.

Colonial regulations of Le Clerc. — The blacks again take up arms. — Distressed state of the French, from disease, and defection. — Their cruel attempts to exterminate the negroes, by massacres, by drownings, and by blood-hounds employed to hunt them down. — Death of General Le Clerc. — The chief command devolves on General Rochambeau. — Further decline of French affairs. — Several skirmishes. — Battle of Acul. — Five hundred prisoners murdered by the French, — Retaliation of the blacks. — War reneivecl between Great Britain and France. — A British squadron appears on the coast. — The French in Cape Francois blockaded by sea and land. — Their extreme distress, capitulation, and final evacuation of the island 21 3

CONTENTS.

Chap. X

FROM DECEMBER, 1803, TO THE SIEGE OP THE CITY OF ST. DOMINGO AT MIDSUMMER, 1804.

Preparations for the new order of things on the departure of the French. — Proclamations. — Revival of the name o/'Hayti. — Dessalines appointed governor for life. — Measures to increase the army, and the male population. — Inflammatory Proclamations of Dessalines against the French. — General massacre of them. — Attempt to conquer the Spanish part of the island 291

Chap. XI. From Midsummer, 1804, To The Death Of Dessalines In October, 1805

Dessalines takes the title of emperor. — His coronation . — New constitution framed. — Outline of it. — Remarks. — State of the cultivators. — Productions. — Population and military force. — Plan of defence. — Religion, — Education, — Character and anecdotes of Dessalines. — His tyranny and death, 319

CONTENTS.

XIII

Chap. XII

FROM OCTOBER, 1806, TO THE ACT OP THE COUN- CIL OF STATE ESTABLISHING ROYALTY, AND CONFERRING ON CHRISTOPHE THE TITLE OF KING, IN 1811.

Christophe assumes the government at Cape Francois.— Character and anecdotes of him. — Proclamation on his accession. — Petion assumes the government at Port an Prince. — Some account of him. — Fierce contest between these two rivals. — Battle. — Petion defeated. — Christophe besieges Port au Prince, but soon retires, — Calls a Council at Cape Francois. — New constitution formed. — Outline of it. — The title of president given to Christophe, — His proclamation on the publication of the new constitution. — He frustrates a conspiracy for the disturbance of Jamaica. — Sanguinary war between Christophe and Petion, — The surrender of the Mole of St, Nicholas to Christophe, follozved by a cessation of hostilities. — Friendly communications between the Spanish part of the island and the part under the government of Christophe. — The French expelled from the city of St. Domingo. — The title of king given to Christophe by an act of the Council of State 332 xiv

CONTENTS.

Chap. XIII. From March, 1811, To The End Of The Year 1817

Christophe and Petion suspend hostilities, and apply themselves to the improvement of their people. — Coronation of Christophe. — Regular organization of his dominions, and those of Petion. — The French, on the accession of Louis the Eighteenth, entertain thoughts of attempting to recover the island.— -Absurdity of their expectations. — Sentiments and feelings of the Haylians on hearing of the peace in Europe, — and afterwards on being informed of the designs of France against their independence. — Manifesto of Christophe. — Commissioners from France to gain information concerning Hayti, and to sound the dispositions of the chiefs. — Correspondence with Christophe. — Resolutions of the Council.— Negociations with Petion. — Answer of the public authorities. — Presidents proclamation. — French preparations for an expedition— frustrated by the return of Bonaparte.— -Overtures from Bonaparte, — and from the cabinet of Louis after his restoration, — all rejected with disdain. ^-Patriotic labors both of Christophe and Petion. —Progress of education, and prospect of its general extension ...» 353

I

APPENDIX I.

STATISTICAL TABLES RELATIVE TO THE FRENCH PART OF ST. DOMINGO.

No. I.

General Statement of the Productions and Manufactures of the French Part of St. Domingo, in the year 1791. Drawn up by order of the Legislative Assembly of France.

Chief Places or Jurisdictions.

Quarters or Farislic

Northern Part.

The Cape

J Fort Dauphin

PortPaix . .

The Mole . .

Western Part. \ St. Marc.

Le Petit Goave

Jeremie . . .

f Les Cayes . . ) Cape Tiburon Southern J St. Louis Part. ( Jacmel . . .

!The Cape and its dependencies . . La Petite Ance and the Plain of the North - . j .

L'Acul, Limonade, and Ste. Suzanne Morin and La Grande Riviere . . . Le Dondon and Marmelade ....

Limbe and Port M argot Plaisance and Le Borgne

C Fort Dauphin

< Ouanaminthe and Valliere

( Le Terrier rouge and Le Trou . . .

( Port Paix, Petit St. Louis . . . . ) ( Jean Rabel, and Le Gros Morne j

The Mole and Bombarde

{Port au Prince and La Croix des Bouquets L'Areahaye Mirebalais

Leogane

C St. Marc, La Petite Riviere . . . ) \ Les Verettes and les Gonaives . )

C Le Petit Goave, Le Grand Goave,

< and Le Fonds des Negres . . . . (. L'Anse a Veau and Le Petit Trou .

Jeremie and Cape Dame Marie . .

Les Cayes and Torbeck

Cape Tiburon and Les Coteaux . . St. Louis, Cavaillon, and Aquin . . Jacmel, Les Cayes, and Baynel . .

51 Parishes

24' 12 39| 28

1,16213

10,004 9,987 15,476

29,540 3,183

42,848 18,553 10,902

14,896

18,829 13,229

20,774

455,000

No. II.

Statement of the Productions of St. Domingo, exported to France in tlie year 1791.

70,227,708

93,177,512

3,151,180

1,200 38,752 29,236

1,370,021 154,084

720,770 34,325 42,497

613,019

930,016

In the Hair.

Packages.

2,006 1,134 120 31

1,601 112

6,975 160

Hogsheads.

10,654 2,731 272

3,350 95 73 206

6,938 99

7,887

Note. — The sums in these tables are all stated in livres of colonial currency, which were reducible to livres Tournois, by deducting one third of the amount.

HISTORY

ST. DOMINGO.

Chap. I

FROM THE PERIOD OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE ISLAXD, TO THE YEAR 1600.

Situation. — General description. — Discovery by Columbus. — State of the inhabitants. — Anecdote of Guacanahari. — A settlement formed. — Its demolition and re-establishment. — Battle with the natives.— Subjection of the island. — Dissenlions among the colonists. — Bovadillo sent as governor. — Super* ceded by Ovando. — Columbus refused admittance. — His second visit. — Spanish oppression of the natives. — The Lucayans seduced into slavery. — Diego Columbus obtains the government. — Opposition of the Dominicans to the treatment of the natives. — Albuquerque's administration. — Account of Las Casas.— Attack of Sir Francis Drake. — Demolition of the sea-ports and wretched state oj the islanders.

Between Porto Rico on the east, and Jamaica and Cuba on the west, and at the distance of about three thousand five hundred miles from

B the Land s End in England, the island of St. Domingo, the abode of fertility, and the scene of important political changes appears upon the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. It extends one hundred and forty or fifty -miles in breadth, from north to south, and about four hundred in length from east to west, * and lies in the latitude of 18. 20. north, and in longitude 68. 40. west from Greenwich. It is surrounded by rocks and dangerous shoals, with the Bahama islands not far distant in a northerly direction, while it is bounded on the south by the Caribbean sea. .

It was originally called Hayti by the natives, and afterwards Espagnola or Hispaniola, in honor of the native country of Columbus its discoverer.

The general salubrity of the climate, the productiveness of the soil and the beauty of the scenery — comprising mountains of prodigious altitude and plains of magnificent extent, every where well watered, and in consequence spread over with the most luxuriant vegetation — render this island a most inviting spot ; and we do

* Edwards states the length of the island at three hundred and ninety, Rainsford says it is more than four hundred and fifty ; the Abbe Raynal represents it as two hundred leagues in length, and sixty, in some places eighty, in breadth ; the reader must judge between these discrepances.

THE BEAUTY OF THE ISLAND. 3

not wonder that Columbus boasted of having discovered the original seat of paradise. " In these delightful vales, all the sweets of spring are enjoyed without either winter or summer. There are but two seasons in the year, and they are equally fine ; the ground always laden with fruit and covered with flowers realizes the delights and riches of poetical descriptions. Wherever we turn our eyes, we are enchanted with a variety of objects, coloured and reflected by the clearest light. The air is temperate in the day-time, and the nights are constantly cool."' * The land is generally considered as best in the vicinity of the city from which the present name of the island is derived : the interior is now occupied by large savannahs or plains, scattered with wild swine, horses, and horned cattle, which have been introduced by the Spaniards, who having exterminated the natives allowed their domestic animals to run wild, and people the wilderness. From the situation of this island, it might be supposed to suffer from intense heat, during at least one half the year, but this is provided against by an easterly wind which blows with great regularity at certain seasons, and refreshes what would otherwise prove a sultry

* RaynaFs East and West Indies*. B 2 and oppressive climate. This wind is not much felt till about nine o'clock in the morning : it then encreases as the sun advances to his meridian, and decreases as he descends again to the horizon, and sinks with him.

St. Domingo is also extremely benefitted by frequent rain, especially during the months of severest heat : the same kind provision for the comfort of man is observable in most countries within the torrid zone, and Providence has generally proportioned the supply to the ardour of the climate. While this remark, however, applies generally to our island, it is notorious for the variety of its climates as well as of its soil. In two adjoining districts, the one is continually inundated with showers, the other almost as destitute of them. The clouds stop at a certain point as on the line of boundary, whence they disperse into vapours, seldom bestowing more than a few drops upon the thirsty region beyond this divison. This difference regularly takes place between the north and south sides, and at the end of November the south side, and even the west suffers extremely by drought, while the northeast continues to be favoured with abundant rain.* Thunder, which during the summer is often tremendous, is seldom heard between

* Charlevoix, Hist, de 1' Isle Espagnole, Tom. 1.

ACCOUNT OF THE CLIMATE, n 5

the months of November and April. The nights are very clear, and the moon is not only sufficiently bright to enable a person to read, but frequently powerful enough to exhibit the rainbow.* Whenever the rain ceases at any place, the dew descends in the greatest abundance, which is of material consequence to vegetation. Sometimes the cold is considerable, so that a fire is by no means unwelcome.

But notwithstanding what we have remarked on the different temperature of the air in different places, the inhabitants can scarcely agree upon what periods of the year ought to be designated winter and summer. Those who live to the west and south, and midland parts, consider the time between April and November as including the winter months -or season of storms; the inhabitants of the northern districts reckon just the reverse, but neither of them speak either of spring or autumn, so sudden are the transitions.

It has been found by experience, that the island is not favourable to European constitutions, which usually decline under the combined influences of heat and humidity. Another cause, indeed, unhappily exists to prevent their attaining that longevity for which many of the natives are distinguished. Instead of that

•* Charlevoix.

disciplined temperance which is beneficial to life in all places, particularly to those who have removed from cold to warmer climates, most of the settlers in the West Indies have indulged in luxury and dissipation, in consequence of which, apart from the direct effect of the elements, they have been usually hastened to a premature grave, or have exposed themselves as a prey to weakness and disease.

Although a considerable proportion of the island is mountainous, it is every where capable of cultivation, in most places even to the very summits of the loftiest hills. None are absolutely barren, though steep, and rising to a great elevation; especially towards Cape Tiburon. Some of them serve as embankments against the ocean, and ascend from its waters in high perpendicular crags to the extreme danger of the mariner.

In some places, after digging a few feet, we meet with soft gravel or sandy stone, in others with clay, potter's earth, or a bed of sand; and frequently the best soil is of a considerable depth ; but what at first sight appears astonishing, this last soil is often found destitute of trees : but the reason is obvious — the excessive drought which prevails during three or four months in the year over the greatest part of the island ; in consequence of which the soil cannot

RIVERS AND MINES. 7

supply vegetation with sufficient nutriment. It might be imagined from this statement, that none of the larger species of trees were to be found upon the island : but it is otherwise — for the roots seldom striking deeper into the soil than two feet, diffuse themselves in a horizontal direction, according to the superincumbent weight they have to sustain. The fig-tree is the most remarkable for the extension of its roots, which sometimes reach ta seventy feet. The palm, on the contrary, pushes its roots to a much shorter distance, but they are so numerous as equally to answer the purpose of giving firmness and stability to the tree.*

The rivers are numerous, though most of them ought to be rather regarded as torrents or brooks, which flow with great rapidity. The water is usually wholesome, but so cold that it ought to be drank with care, and is dangerous for bathing. There are fifteen large streams, besides the six most important rivers : of which latter, the Ozama forms at its mouth the port of St. Domingo, the Macoris is the most navigable, and the best stocked with fish, the Yaquey is remarkable for a gold mine at its source, and for the particles of that precious metal to be found amongst its sands, the Una has a copper mine at its source, and is very rapid, the Hattibonite or Artibonite is the largest, and makes the longest circuit. In the interior are several small lakes.

The island is pre-eminently distinguished for its mines of gold: it possesses also some of silver, copper, and iron : and besides these a variety of marble quarries and mines of sulphur, talc, and various ehrystallized substances. Numerous species of stones are also found, some of a valuable kind. The most common are fire-stones, some of which are white, and formed into diamond points capable of cutting glass, very bright and clear. In many places there are natural salt-pits along the coast, and in one of the mountains that enclose the lake Xaragua, a mineral-salt, harder and more corrosive than sea-salt. The Spanish historian Oviedo states, that the whole mountain is in fact a rock of salt. The island furnishes a variety of shells. Its birds, insects, fishes, and other peculiarities, are either too well known to need enumeration, or must be left to the ornithologist and others, to whom it belongs to classify and describe them.

The sixth of December, 1492, is the me-, morable date of the discovery of this remarks able island. Columbus landed at a small bay, which he named St Nicholas, whence he sailed along the northern coast till he arrived at a harbour which seemed to offer him better ac-

DIVISIONS OF THE ISLAND, FOOD, &C. 9

commodations than St. Nicholas, and where he obtained an intercourse with the inhabitants by means of a female whom his people had conciliated with a few presents; he called it Conception.

The island was at this period divided into live considerable kingdoms, united in perfect amity. Their kings were denominated caciques, and seemed to have acquired an ascendancy over their subjects, which might be called the tyranny of love. The Spanish adventurers found the male inhabitants naked, and like » most other barbarous people, addicted to painting their bodies : the women were clothed in a kind of cotton petticoat, reaching down to the knees, but the girls wore no article of apparel. Having already, since the month of October, become acquainted with the neighbouring islands, they had an opportunity of comparing the complexion of their respective inhabitants, and found that those of St. Domingo were the fairest. Their food consisted of maize, roots, fruit, and shell-fish, in the use of which they observed great temperance : but though naturally nimble and active they were averse to all laborious employment, which may no doubt be accounted for by considering the soothing warmth and benignity of the climate, and the richness of the soil, which superseded the necessity of any great exertions. Reclining therefore in the lap of ease, and on the couch of indolence, diversion was their only business, and sleep their recreation.

It can excite no astonishment, to find that the Spaniards represent them as of a feeble understanding, for what opportunities did they possess for mental cultivation and improvement ? Mere ignorance, however, in a people divested of the means of acquiring information by books, or by an extensive connection with the world, is no just criterion of their intellectual incapacity; and it has been actually seen in various remarkable instances, that the degradation of mind and character which has too hastily been imputed to nations placed at a distance from those sources of knowledge which abound in civilized and enlightened countries, has resulted from no other cause than their unfortunate circumstances. True philosophy disdains to adopt those prejudices against nations which have no better foundation than accidental diversities of colour, and refuses to determine without substantial evidence and incontestable fact, as the basis of her judgment.

Most of those amiable qualities which adorn human nature in its improved state were exhibited by the Haytians. It appears that t

CHARACTER OF THE INHABITANTS. 11

all the islanders were soon conciliated with presents and were so susceptible of the kind treatment of the strangers as to appear on shore without arms — many of them venturing on board the ships, giving fruits to their visitors, and assisting them to get on shore. In all their conduct they evinced the very reverse of the malignant passions ; in fact they were gentle even to indifference and dullness, and the worst part of their mental character was, that they manifested no desire for improvement. All their history was comprised in songs which they had learnt in childhood, and in fables which while they amused the idle hour furnished no authentic information. Some persons would pronounce them happy, and so far as the nature of their situation tended to preclude a multitude of evils which thrive in the less retired and less peaceful abodes of civilization and refinement, the term may be admitted, supposing it to be employed only in its negative sense ; but as to all positive enjoyment, arising from the enlarged exercise of the faculties and the knowledge of the great principles of morality and religion, they must be pronounced destitute and wretched. They possessed the ease of lassitude, but knew nothing of the pleasure and reward of successful activity.

Properly speaking, therefore, they were only, not miserable.

Their domestic economy does not seem to have been much adapted to promote comfort. They had a plurality of wives, although their affections were usually concentrated in one, who was beloved above the rest, yet without possessing any superior authority. This distinguished favourite would sometimes immolate herself in the same grave with her departed husband : but this was considered merely as a sacrifice to affection, and not practised as it is in some other parts of the world as a matter of honour or conscience.

Of their religion little can be ascertained : they are represented as paying adoration to a number of malevolent beings, which, if true, probably resulted from motives of fear and superstition. It is certain also that they had sorcerers among them.

An incident related by Columbus in a report to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, merits insertion. When that celebrated navigator was wrecked on the eastern coast of the island, Guacanahari, the cazique or king of that district, being informed of the disaster, immediately expressed the greatest sorrow, sent all the people of the place on board in a number of

THEIR HOSPITALITY AXD BEXEVOLEXCE. 13

large canoes, who in a short time secured everything which could be saved from the shattered vessel. " He himself," says Columbus, " with his brother and relatives, took all possible care that every thing should be properly done both aboard and on shore : and from time to time he sent some of his relations weeping, to beg of me not to be dejected for he would give me all that he had. I can assure your Highnesses that so much care would not have been taken of securing our effects in any part of Spain ; as all our property was put together in one place near his palace, until the houses which he wanted to prepare for the custody of it were emptied, he immediately placed a guard of armed men who watched during the whole night, and those on shore lamented as much as if they had been interested in our loss."

An interchange of mutual esteem and friendship was continually carried on between the islanders and their visitors; the former regarded the latter as preternatural beings, and the cazique was extremely courteous, presenting Columbus with numerous articles of curious workmanship : while the Spaniards availed themselves of the opportunity of exchanging their trifles of beads, knives, pins and other articles for pieces of gold, of which they were in eager pursuit, and which the inhabitants, without any knowledge of their value to the Europeans, procured from the beds of rivers, whither they were brought down from the mountains by the stream.

While, however, the islanders were made sensible of the friendship of the strangers, (a friendship alas! of whose interested motive they could form no adequate conception) they were overawed by the display of the effects of artillery which was given in their presence as a measure of necessary precaution. The policy of the Spaniards was to induce the natives at once to love and to fear them, and they so far succeeded as to produce the conviction that what they presented to them were sacred things; an idea which their subsequent conduct could not eradicate. But we must not too heartily condemn the Spaniards, unless we are willing to comprehend in the well merited censure the prodigious multitudes of the designing and the wicked of every age and country who are perpetually practising upon the credulity of mankind, and congratulating themselves but too justly upon the skill with which they circulate delusion and inflict pain.