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Primary sourceDocument1797

Proclamation to the citizens of Le Cap, 1797

Toussaint Louverture · 1797

Toussaint Louverture's own proclamation addressed to the citizens, garrison, and farmers of Cap-Français in 1797.

This proclamation was issued directly by Toussaint to calm unrest and assert his authority in Saint-Domingue.

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Proclamation to the citizens of Le Cap, 1797
Toussaint Louverture, Proclamation aux citoyens de la ville du Cap, 1797.

About this source

What it is

This is a printed proclamation written by Toussaint Louverture, General-in-Chief of the Army of Saint-Domingue, addressed to the citizens of the city of Le Cap, to the soldiers of its garrison, and to the farmers of the plain, dated 1797.

Why it matters

Written by Toussaint himself, this proclamation responds to unrest connected to the departure of the French commissioner Sonthonax. It shows Toussaint acting as a public leader trying to calm tensions and explain political events to ordinary people, revealing his role as both military commander and political authority in the colony.

Look closer

  • Who is Toussaint addressing, and why might he speak to soldiers, citizens, and farmers together?
  • What does Toussaint accuse his opponents of doing, and how does he try to counter them?
  • What does this document suggest about how fragile order was in Saint-Domingue at this time?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Toussaint Louverture on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Général Toussaint Louverture

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Sepia-toned engraving of a standing man in a black top hat with a tall plume, a dark military-style coat with chevron-patterned sleeves, and a sash at the waist. He holds a folded paper in one hand and a curved sabre in the other. Behind him are a fortified hillside, a small building on top, palm trees, and a second figure in uniform with a plumed hat.Painting

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19th century engraving of L'Ouverture

J. Barlow, after a sketch by Marcus Rainsford · 19th century

Sepia engraving of a scene in a tropical landscape: a tall officer in a plumed hat and uniform stands center, receiving a letter from a man in a long coat at right, while a woman in a long dress, children, and other figures gather around, with palm fronds and trees behind.Painting

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