Blog post by Yawen Chen
This Image depicts a man named Marcus Rainsford being sentenced to death by Louverture then to be postponed. It is assumed that he is a spy from Britain pretending to be an American. The image dates 1805. What stood out to me in this image was that an ethnic Haitian women shown empathy to white man of military status. What was Marcus a British man doing in Saint Domingue? and what was the relationship and involvement of Britain?
A brief recap
The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was a conflict that not only involved enslaved people in Saint-Domingue (Haiti) but also attracted the interests of foreign powers such as Britain and Spain. Saint-Domingue was one of the richest colonies in the world due to its sugar and coffee plantations and probably the largest slave trade during this time period. It was heavily reliant on enslaved labor. The French Revolution’s ideals of liberty and equality challenged enslaved people to revolt against their oppressors.
Britain’s involvement
As the French Revolution unfolded, Britain sought to weaken France and gain control of its lucrative colonies. Saint-Domingue was particularly attractive due to its economic value. In 1793, amidst the chaos of the French Revolution and the execution of Louis XVI, Britain invaded Saint-Domingue. The British aimed to take over the colony and its resources while France was preoccupied with internal strife and wars in Europe.
The British sought to re-establish the plantation system and maintain slavery, which contrasted with France’s abolition of slavery in 1794. France hoped to rally enslaved people to their cause so that theres one less problem to worry about. Toussaint Louverture, the leader of the Haitian revolution switched sides of the alliances. He shifted his support from the Spanish to French. (Spanish who also attempted to win the favor of Louverture in hoping to weaken the French). Then he resisted the British’s similar attempts to control the colony. His leadership and military tactics effectively countered British forces. The British were unable to maintain control over Saint-Domingue due to resistance from Louverture’s troops. By 1798, British forces were largely expelled from the island. Then followed by Haiti’s independence in 1804, making it the first black-led republic in the world and a symbol of resistance against colonialism and slavery.
To answer the initial questions
It is that After the defeat of British army, Marcus was sent by Britain to recruit Haitians to be part of British army. As it was mostly dismissed that these colored men had the capacity to fight. Unlike other white militants, Marcus Rainsford acknowledges Louverture’s troops as intelligent and capable fighters, and he is supportive of their independence. It is natural that the Haitians are precautious of an enemy landing on their land once more as possible intent of re-establishing slavery. But the most prominent part to me is the empathy the people would have toward the country they have just fought; one militant’s respect shows to another.
Side note
A Timeline of events I Compelled as I researched on events surrounding this time.
1789- French revolution, French citizen was discontent of lavish spending of their king
1790 March 8 Decree, declared by Barnave to give colony autonomy but abandon the colonies from the French’s constitution and prosecute those who tempt to uprise against the slavery system. The free colored man had no input nor was it considered.
1791 Haitian revolution, start of rebellion led by Toussaint Louverture
1793-Execution of Louis XVI , Britain invades Haiti. Seeks to control the most lucrative wealth generator from French. At the same time French was at war with Spain.
1794 slavery were abolished in saint Domingue and all colonies under France. Toussaint Louverture turns on the Spanish who supported the free of colored cause in hoping to weaken France.
1795 Napolean returns France to restore order and later became king of France in 1804.
1802 Napolean ended 10-year war with Britain
1803- Toussaint Louverture won the Haitian revolution
1804- Haiti obtain independence
Citation
Image, “when under sentence of Death relieved by a benevolent Female of Colour.” Albion Press Printed: Published by James Cundee, Ivy-Lane, Paternoster-Row; and sold by C. Chapple, Pall Mall
Reading, Analysis of Fick, “The French Revolution in Saint Domingue,” by Carolyn E Fick (Pg53 Sugar plantation and slave trade), (Pg 65 Britain at war with Spain)
https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/4/oa_monograph/chapter/2278842 (page 5, Marcus Rainsford in St Domiangue)