Summary

Many Mulattoes, both British sympathizers and French republicans, watched the intimacy between Toussaint and Laveaux with suspicion, particularly their “popularity with the black masses” (165-6). Toussaint remained aware and sharp-eyed about all possible threats to his power. “Not the man to be caught napping” (168), Toussaint subdued a Mulatto conspiracy against him in Le Cap.

On March 20, 179t6, a group of mulatto intruders into Laveaux’s home rushed in and began beating him. They arrested Laveaux in his slippers. When Toussaint got news of the coup, he helped restore order and return Laveaux to the government. To the astonishment of the Mulattoes, Laveaux instated Toussaint as the Assistant to the General. The Directory in France confirmed the promotion because it needed the support of blacks especially “against the threat of Mulatto independence” (173). Toussaint’s stock was, James concludes, rising...