Chapter 282 To Saint-Domingue
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February 18th, 1802.
Aboard the Téméraire-class ship of the line, the three corps commanders, Dumas, Leclerc, and Desaix were on the upper deck of the ship, peering through their spyglass, where they saw a cluster of islands from the horizon.
"That's it, gentlemen," Dumas announced. "We are arriving at Port-au-Prince."
"After two months of voyage, we finally have arrived," Leclerc said with a sense of relief as he lowered his spyglass.
The journey across the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean had been challenging, with unpredictable weather and rough seas. The three corps commanders, along with General Leclerc, had been tasked with a critical mission: to reassert direct control on their overseas territories, Saint-Domingue and Louisiana.
Desaix, who remained silent at the prospect of arriving at the capital city of the Saint-Domingue territory, lowered his spyglass and walked towards the portside railing of the ship.
There, he glanced at the ships trailing behind the flagship. The composition of the fleet consisted of 18 ships of the line, 15 frigates, 600 transports, 15,000 sailors, and 90,000 men.
Such a fleet was a formidable force by any measure. To put it in perspective, it's double that of the fleet Napoleon arranged during the Egyptian Campaign. The fleet alone could invade weak countries and hold them for two months without foraging or trading food from the locals.
That's how serious Napoleon Bonaparte was when reclaiming the lost land of the Kingdom of France during the age of exploration.
"So Saint-Domingue is not a colony but a dominion right?"
Desaix overheard the question from Leclerc, who was talking to Dumas.
"You're right. The reason for that is the French government recognizing Saint-Domingue as a strategic asset in the Caribbean," Dumas replied, addressing Leclerc's observation. "And that reestablishing Saint-Domingue as a colony would definitely lead to more bloodshed, as the people living there, mostly slaves, were enlightened at the idea of freedom and equality."
"That makes sense," Leclerc nodded in agreement with Dumas' assessment. "Speaking of Saint-Domingue, you were born here, right?"
"I am," Dumas confirmed. "I was born in the colony of Saint-Domingue, in the town of Jérémie, to a French nobleman and an enslaved woman of African descent."
"So what does it feel like to you? Returning to your homeland?" Leclerc asked and Dumas's expression turned serious.
"I may have been born in Saint-Domingue but my homeland is France. France is where I was educated, where I learned the art of war, and where I dedicated my life to the service of the Republic—"
"Empire," Leclerc corrected. "Soon, the Republic of France will turn into the Empire of France. Don't tell you not to support His Excellency Napoleon?"
Dumas shook his head. "You mistake my loyalty. I am a soldier, and my allegiance is to France, regardless of its political structure. I serve the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity that the Revolution brought forth, and I will continue to do so under Napoleon's leadership."
"What a loyal and patriotic man you are to a country that enslaved your origins," Desaix chimed in, locking gaze with Dumas.
Dumas met Desaix's gaze with a steady and unwavering resolve. "It is precisely because of my origins and the injustices I've witnessed that I am committed to fighting for those very ideals of liberty and equality."
"Whatever you say, let's focus on the task at hand," Desaix said, changing the topic. "Now that we are nearing our approach to Saint-Domingue, we can move on to the next phase of our plan. Obviously, this fleet of ours didn't come here just to reassert our control of our territory, it is to expand it."
Three corps commanders huddled together and Dumas spoke softly.
"His Excellency wanted to take over the territory of Cuba and Florida from the Spanish Empire. Though His Excellency explicitly told the Spanish that France was going to buy it from them, it seemed not to be the case when he was suggesting this operation."
"Invading a territory without justification would definitely make France look bad," Leclerc said. "We need reasons, and for that let's hope that Toussaint Louvert would willingly cooperate in our plan."
"We would find that out later," Desaix said.
***
Thirty minutes later, the flagship docked in the port of Port-au-Prince. Desaix, Dumas, and Leclerc walked down the gangway. It was a spectacle in the port, crowds cramming the streets and all through the city, draped in the tricolor of France, cheering and waving tiny flags over their heads as they disembarked.
"This is odd," Leclerc commented. "They are really that enthusiastic
about our arrival."
Dumas nodded, surveying the crowd with a thoughtful expression. "It's a warm reception, indeed."
"Whatever it is, we shall get going and meet Toussaint Louva—"
Desaix's words were cut off by a short black man wearing a French general uniform. There's no mistaking it, even though he hasn't met him, he is sure that it is Toussaint Louverture.
"Welcome, to the island of Saint-Domingue," Louverture greeted warmly and bowed his head. "You must be the generals that His Excellency sent to reassert control on the territories it had gained from the Treaty of London."
"And may I assume that you are the person governing this dominion?" Leclerc said as he regarded Louverture's words.
"I am indeed, Governor-General of the dominion of Saint-Domingue. Toussaint Louverture, at your service. I must say, the uniforms you are donning are not as gaudy as mine, was there a change in the uniform?"
"There is," Dumas stepped forward as he confirmed Toussaint's question. "I'm General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, a pleasure to meet you, Your Excellency."
"So this is where we have formally met huh?" Dumas said. "We have seen each other in the Palace of Versailles."
"Uhm gentlemen," Desaix cleared his throat, getting the attention of the two. The moment all eyes were on Desaix, he spoke. "It's best that we continue this joyful discussion somewhere private?"
"Of course, General?"
"Desaix, General Louis Desaix," Desaix introduced and extended his arms towards Leclerc standing on his side. "This is General Charles Leclerc."
Toussaint Louverture acknowledged the introductions with a nod of his head. "General Dumas, General Leclerc, and General Desaix welcome to Saint-Domingue once again. If you would be so kind as to follow me, there is an awaiting carriage that will take us to the National Palace."
The three commanders followed Louverture to the waiting carriage. As they journeyed through the bustling streets of Port-au-Prince, they couldn't help but notice the vibrant atmosphere of the city.
"It seems that Saint-Domingue is recovering well from years of conflict," Dumas commented.
"Indeed it was,"? Louverture chuckled softly. "The plantation, which was the source of income and food, was recovering. Though we still depend on imports, in one to two months, the soil would be sufficiently fertile to sustain our needs."
"Louverture, we are going to share with you something important later when we arrive, something that will make France better than it was before," Desaix revealed.
"It sounds serious, we are definitely going to talk about it in my office."
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