The Translations
Sa se repons depite Pwodiksyon ak Komès Lafrans yo. Repons sa a bay yon revizyon klè sou lejislasyon ki antoure dispit konsènan grenn nan 1789. Li pèmèt depite Komès yo, reprezantan konpayi agrikòl ak ekspòtatè lafrans yo, defann tèt yo kont akizasyon depite koloni yo ki di ke yo pèpetye grangou.
This response from the Deputies of Manufactures and Commerce of France to MM. de Cocherel and de Reynaud offers a detailed rebuttal to the Colonial Deputies’ claims that the French government and National Commerce perpetuated famine in Saint-Domingue. This later section provides evidence as to how MM. de Cocherel and de Reynaud misled the French government with regard to the merchants’ commercial activity on the island.
This response from the Deputies of Production and Commerce of France provides a comprehensive review of the legislation surrounding the grain dispute of 1789 in order for the Commercial Deputies to defend themselves from the Colonial Deputies’ accusations that they have perpetuated famines.
This “précis,” or summary, sent to the Commissioners appointed by the National Assembly to examine the needs of the colony, outlines the efforts made by the deputies and the governor of Saint-Domingue to acquire much-needed provisions to sustain life on their plantations.
Presi sa a, oswa rezime, yo te voye bay komisyonè yo ke asanble nasyonal la te nomen pou y al egzaminen bezwen yo nan koloni an, eksplike ke efò sa yo se travay depite yo ak gouvènè oubyen majistra Sendomeng lan fè pou yo jwenn dispozisyon ki pi nesesè yo pou kenbe lavi yo nan plantasyon yo.
This motion, presented by Jean François Reynaud de Villeverd, Count of Reynaud, on August 31, 1789 before the French National Assembly in Versailles, argues in favor of importing more flour into Saint-Domingue due to the lack of food in the colony. In describing how the colony had previously been granted permission by the General Governor to import flour from abroad, it makes the case that a new ordinance be passed due to similar circumstances.
M. de Cocherel, nan rekèt ofisyel devan asanblenasyonal la nan aswè 29 mwa dawout la, deklare li pa kapab kontinye rete san li pa fè anyen pandan asanble a kontinye ap fèmen je l sou grangou ki anvayi koloni Sendomeng lan.
In his official motion to the National Assembly, M. de Cocherel proclaims that he can no longer sit idly while the Assembly ignores the famine that has besieged the colony of Saint-Domingue. The time has come for the colonial deputies of Saint-Domingue, led by Cocherel, to act on their own behalf, disregard the chain of command, and make a direct appeal to the Assembly.
Desizyon konsèy deta wa a pran an anile òdonans Marquis du Chilleau a te pase nan 27 mwa me a, ki te otorize boukantay enpòtasyon sereyal ak pwovizyon etranje nan Sendomeng pou pwodwi kolonyal, eksepte kann ak kafe. Lè l entèvni nan sitiyasyon Sendomeng lan, wa Louis XVI agrave relasyon malouk ki deja ekziste ant metwopòl la ak koloni Karayib li a.
This decision from the State Council of the King struck down le Marquis du Chilleau’s May 27th Ordinance allowing the importation of foreign grain and provisions to Saint-Domingue in exchange for colonial goods, although not sugar cane or coffee.
While the Island of Saint-Domingue was long considered part of the French Empire, the ten Colonial Deputies of Saint-Domingue felt in 1789 that they had become separated from the colonial Metropole. On June 8th 1789, this request was presented in Paris before Louis XVI’s committee of the Estates General.
Sèlman yon lane aprè Minis Naval Fransè a, César Henri de la Luzerne te nonmen Marquis Marie-Charles du Chilleau gouvènè nan Sendomeng, Du Chilleau te propoze òdonans sa a bay kabinè lejislatif fransè a pou otorize enpòtasyon legal sereyal etranje nan Sendomeng. Se deziyèm òdonans gòvènè a te pwomilge pou li te adrese karans farin nan Sendomeng, sa ki te menase plantè yo ak lafen epi malnitrisyon.
Le Marquis Marie-Charles du Chilleau, Governor of Saint-Domingue, proposed this Ordinance to the French legislature one year after his appointment to allow foreign grain to be legally imported into Saint-Domingue. This is the second ordinance issued by the governor in response to the grain shortages in Saint-Domingue, which threatened the planters with famine and malnutrition.
Dokiman sa yo se de premye lèt nan yon korepondans aleretou konsènan entwodiksyon sereyal etranje nan Sendomeng ant gòvène a, Marquis du Chilleau ak entandan de Marbois, chèf an tèt administrasyon, finans ak lajistis.
These are the first two pieces of a chain of correspondence between the governor of Saint-Domingue, M. le Marquis du Chilleau, and M. de Marbois, which were forwarded to M. le Comte de la Luzerne in support of the introduction of Foreign grain into Saint-Domingue.
A Colony in Crisis: The Saint-Domingue Grain Shortage of 1789 