Political Science
This supplement to the Réplique, or “counter argument”, made by the Deputies representing the French merchants and manufacturers, argues that the rhetoric of the Deputies of Saint-Domingue is not only petulant, but that it also serves as an attempt to deceive the Metropole.
Sipleman pou Replik la, oubyen “Diskisyon kont sa yo di” ke Depite ki reprezante machann Franse yo ak mèt faktori yo bay di ke depite Sendomeng yo te sèvi ak yon bèl langaj ki te sèvi tou tankou yon fason pou bay Metwopòl la koutba. Dokiman sa a retire pwen santral la de kiltivatè kolonyal yo pou mete li sou machann Fransè rich yo, li mande pou yo mete yon regleman sevè konsènan komès ke Asanble Nasyonal la ap fè nan koloni an.
This response from the colonial deputies of Saint-Domingue is a reaction to a report published by French merchants that establishes the amount of grain, among other foodstuffs, necessary to nourish the entire French Empire.
“Repons kout” depite kolonyal Sendomeng yo voye a se yon reyaksyon a yon rapò machann Franse yo te pibliye ki montre kantite grenn, pami lòt pwodwi alimantè ki nesesè pou nouri tout moun nan lanpi a.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In a letter written to the French Naval Minister, César-Henri de la Luzerne, M. du Chilleau, Governor-General of St. Domingue, lays out his plans for an official ordinance that would allow Saint-Domingue to officially and legally trade with the United States.
This report nominates and appoints M. le Marquis du Chilleau as Governor of the island of Saint-Domingue. Much like the Arrêt du roi [Judgment from the State Council of the King ], this document presents one of the few moments where King Louis XVI directly intervenes in events surrounding the grain disputes of 1789.
A Colony in Crisis: The Saint-Domingue Grain Shortage of 1789 