The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 4 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 4 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
SIR,--It is my duty to communicate to you a piece of information, although
I cannot say I have confidence in it myself. A French gentleman, one
of the refugees from St. Domingo, informs me that two Frenchmen, from
St. Domingo also, of the names of Castaing and La Chaise, are about
setting out from this place for Charleston, with a design to excite an
insurrection among the negroes. He says that this is in execution of a
general plan, formed by the Brissotine party at Paris, the first branch
of which has been carried into execution at St. Domingo. My informant
is a person with whom I am well acquainted, of good sense, discretion
and truth, and certainly believes this himself. I inquired of him the
channel of his information. He told me it was one which had given them
many pre-admonitions in St. Domingo, and which had never been found to be
mistaken. He explained it to me; but I could by no means consider it as
a channel meriting reliance; and when I questioned him what could be the
impulse of these men, what their authority, what their means of execution,
and what they could expect in result; he answered with conjectures
which were far from sufficient to strengthen the fact. However, were
anything to happen, I should deem myself inexcusable not to have made the
communication. Your judgment will decide whether injury might not be done
by making the suggestion public, or whether it ought to have any other
effect than to excite attention to these two persons, should they come
into South Carolina. Castaing is described as a small dark mulatto, and La
Chaise as a Quarteron, of a tall fine figure.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your Excellency's most
obedient, and most humble servant.
TO DR. EDWARDS.
PHILADELPHIA, December 30, 1793.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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