Napoleon's Gift

by Alie Infante

  When the Revolution began in 1789, the free mulattos of Saint Domingue discussed the rights of free blacks. Vincent Ogé presented the views of his fellow mulatto property owners to a meeting of the white planters in 1789.

  Both groups sent their representatives to France to demand representation in the National Assembly. There were those in the National Assembly who believed in rights for blacks and worked for abolition of slavery. Some were members of the Society of the Friends of Blacks, a French abolition organization.

  However, there was not much support for abolition among the revolutionaries. They also argued for full rights for free blacks. Granny said there were about 28,000 free blacks and mulattos in St. Domingue, many of whom owned slaves of their own. Moreover, revolutionaries who were more radical continued to urge abolition. Olympe de Gouges, who also championed the rights of women; pamphlet Reflections of Black People, urged improvement of the situations of slaves and free blacks.

  Granny also said that one of the most successful black commanders was Toussaint L’Ouverture, a self-educated former domestic slave. Like Jean François and Biassou, he initially fought for the Spanish crown in this period. After the British invaded Saint Domingue, L’Ouverture decided to fight for the French if they would agree to free the slaves.

  Sonthonax proclaimed an end to slavery on 29 August 1793. L’Ouverture worked with a French general, Étienne Laveaux, to ensure all slaves would be freed. He brought his forces over to the French side in May 1794 and began to fight for the French Republic. Many enslaved Africans were attracted to Toussaint’s forces. He insisted on discipline and forbade wholesale slaughter.

  In 1801, L’Ouverture issued a constitution for Saint Domingue, which provided for autonomy and decreed that he would be governor-for-life, calling for black autonomy and a sovereign black state. In response, Napoleon Bonaparté dispatched a large expeditionary force of French soldiers and warships to the island, led by Bonaparté’s brother-in-law Charles Leclerc, to restore French rule. They were under secret instructions to restore slavery, at least in the formerly Spanish-held part of the island.

  The numerous French soldiers were accompanied by mulatto troops led by Alexandre Pétion and André Rigaud, mulatto leaders who had been defeated by Toussaint three years earlier. During the struggles, some of Toussaint’s closest allies, including Jean-Jacques Dessalines, defected to Leclerc. L’Ouverture was promised his freedom if he agreed to integrate his remaining troops into the French army. L’Ouverture agreed to this in May 1802. He was later deceived, seized by the French and shipped to France. He died months later in prison at Fort-de-Joux in the Jura region.

  Granny believes this is what facilitated colored people on their way to freedom in France. However, in New Orleans, we have not been treated as slaves. Although the Civil war ended, we continued to do what she called reconstruct.

  This came about in ‘65’.

  Presidents Abraham Lincoln, and Andrew Johnson, who became president on April 15, 1865 after Lincoln’s death, took a moderate position designed to bring the South back to as normal as soon as possible, while the Radical Republicans, as they call themselves, used Congress to block the moderate approach, impose harsh terms, and upgrade the rights of the Freedmen, former slaves.

  The views of Lincoln and Johnson prevailed until the election last year, which enabled the Radicals to take control of policy, remove former Confederates from power, and enfranchise the Freedmen. A Republican coalition came to power in nearly all the southern states and set out to transform the society by setting up a free labor economy, with support from the Army and the Freedman’s Bureau.

  The Radicals were upset at President Johnson’s opposition to Congressional Reconstruction, Granny said, and they tried to file impeachment charges, but the action failed by one vote in the Senate. Ulysses S. Grant supported Radical Reconstruction, and enforced the protection of Africans in the South with the Force Acts passed by Congress. Grant used both the U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. military to suppress white insurgency, and support Republican reconstructed states. Southern Democrats, who strongly opposed African equality to whites, were constantly opposed to this, and we had seen many of the damages they had done over the last year.

  Three years ago, Granny told me that Congress removed civilian governments, and put the former Confederacy under the rule of the U.S. Army. The army conducted new elections in which the freed slaves could vote, while whites who had held leading positions under the Confederacy were temporarily denied the vote, and were not permitted to run for office.

  This caused for a barrel of mess.

  White men not being able to vote, Granny said this was why so many were angry. However, Mr. Jones was one of the smart ones she said. Mr Jones kept his money in a London bank, so when war broke out, his monies and such, were protected, because it was not in the United States.

  I sighed as I looked at the rows in the garden. Although the merciful lord blessed us, many of our neighbors could not say the same.

  Although free, the pickings were slim for coloreds, which was why many of them were immigrating to France. Here, they worked a life of a domestic, and even if they were free, many were still treated in the slave mentality by whites, mind you, not the French. This was also, why many of the girls I knew worked the waterfront, because men would always be men, and sometimes it was easier to sell one’s body, then a fresh batch of sweet potatoes.

  I knew I was blessed, and thanked the lord for it everyday.

  I checked the basil first, and it looked very green. I broke a sprig, brought it to my nose, then inhaled.

  I loved the smell of fresh basil.

  I knew Granny wanted some sweet potatoes for Ms. Millie, so I picked a couple of those, placed them in the second basket and turned towards the rows of chard, okra, and onions.

  I just knew a bowel of Granny’s gumbo would cheer old Millie up.

  Ms. Millie was a character as well.

  Unlike Granny, Ms. Millie was from Mississippi, so she knew the life of a slave, never having been free. She was very soft-spoken, one of the kindest people I knew, until she got what she called “riled up,” then she would spit in your eye.

  I thought laughing, as I remembered her taking Isaiah to task. Isaiah was her youngest son here. He had been born on Haven; however, I knew Ms. Millie had three other children, each living in separate parts of the United States.

  I would see the sorrow in her eyes whenever she spoke of her other children, then she would remind me what a cruelty slavery truly was, and I would once again count my blessings, that the merciful lord had seen fit to let me be born in wonderful New Orleans.

  When I had collected the carrots, onions, celery, and sassafras, I brushed off my dress, then picked up the baskets.

  As I walked from the west garden, I saw Mr. Charley’s carriage, and cringed. Now that was one foul evil man!

  Why God saw fit to place him on this earth, I would never know!

  Nevertheless, I was not one to tell the good lord how to do his job, so I just accepted it, and stayed clear of him anytime he was about. I was not that naïve; I knew exactly what he wanted from me. I was not an innocent either, due to Billy Meraux and Pinot Noir, down on the Basil-leaf plantation. Yet, that did not mean I wanted what Mr. Charles offered either.

  I saw Mary from the side door motioning me towards her, and I walked just a bit faster.

  Mary had been with Haven from as far back as I could remember. She and Granny were the best of friends too. Mary was shipped here from France as well, so she too knew the free life. It was quite amusing truly, because it was easy to recognize the free coloreds in their attitudes. They mostly cowered to no one, not even the whites. French Louisiana was just that, which was why the whites, who recently settled here, were trying so desperately to change it.

  “Geneviève C'est méchant M. Charles est ici, vous feriez mieux de partir maintenant.” That nasty Mr. Charles is here chil, you best get somewhere now, she hissed, I nodded, then hu
rried towards the stables.

  As I came around the back end of the house, he was standing in my path, and I gasped. Before I could turn to flee, he snatched me to him.

  “Et là, vous vous tenez. Je cherchais pour toi chérie, viens me tenir compagnie.” And here ye stand. I was on the hunt for ye chér, now come keep me company. He said, and my entire body went limp with fear.

  “Monsieur, J’ai du travail à faire.” Sir, I have chores to do in the stables. I said, careful not to look him in the eyes.

  “I have an idea of some chores ye and I can do in the stables.” He grinned, and a fear so strong shot up my spine, this time I did look up at him.

  “My god yer a beautiful wench.” He said, snatched me to him, ground his lips into mine, thrusting his hips forward.

  “Monsieur!” Mary called, and my body sagged with its liberation.

  “Qu’est-ce que c’est?” What is it! He snapped, then stepped away from me.

  I turned and fled towards the stables.

  “The mister is callin for you.” Mary said. Mr. Charles gave her a nasty look, nodded, then walked towards the house.

  Mary sighed, then ran her trembling hand through her hair.

  She needed to tell Marié, and think of something, or he would get that chil yet.

  She thought, then headed back towards the kitchens.

  ***

  I sat down on the small bench, put my shaking hands together, then put my head in my hands.

  Good Lord!

  He would have me yet, if I did not think of something!

  I had not informed Granny, because I did not want her to worry, but if happenings akin to today continued, I would have no choice.

  I got up, then peered out one of the windows in the stable. He yelled something at Mary, then stormed off towards the big house.

  I sighed my relief, then walked out the side door towards Granny’s house.

  I was not sure what I could or would do.

  It was not as if I could refuse him, colored women did not have that luxury. I was free, but up to a point. To him I would always be property, and it did not matter I was not his.

  It was not that Mr. Charles was an ugly man, it was quite the opposite. He was very tall, well built, with blonde hair and very beautiful green eyes. From what I knew, very wealthy too, and Jimmy commented that he had a fleet of ships. I think his family settled here in 1809, and helped to place New Orleans on the map as they say. Wealth, good looks, and the fact that the women here in New Orleans fawned over him, I speculated, this was why he thought he was entitled to anything he sought after.

  However, there was tittle-tattle that Mr. Charles had been impoverish, and had been dealing in some very illicit undertakings. It was for this very reason granny desired to keep him far away from me as possible.

  Most of the whites around here thought that way, and could not care less what a colored thought. That was why I did not quite understand Mr. Charles’ attitude, because he was French. I knew Granny loved Mr. Jones, especially for all he had done for her, but she had been telling me since I was knee high, that only certain ones could be trusted.

  Moreover, it was Mr. Charles’ disposition, and the way he treated the women here, which made him a foul man. He was not above taking what he wanted, and I do not mean the sweet potatoes, which fell to the ground when he assaulted me. What is more, he was known to use force, and the fact that I was a woman, made him think he had a right to.

  As I walked towards Granny’s house, I thought on my situation.

  I was, J’étais dans une crique sans pagaie, or as my bayou friend Onrey would say, I was up a creek without a paddle.

  I sighed as I walked towards the back of the house.

  I was the Master’s daughter, but that did not give me any privilege. At least any I knew of. I knew it was only because Mr. Jones had threatened Mr. Charles, that he had not taken what he wanted, but now with Mr. Jones sick and all, I had no notions of what I would do.

  Granny looked up from the gumbo pot as she heard my footsteps.

  “Eh bien bonjour mon petit bebé.” Hello my baby, she said as she smiled and gestured to the chair at the table.

  “Bonjour Grand-mère.”

  “And what has my petit, with such a face.” She asked as she kissed my cheek, then pinched it.

  “Nothing, just contemplating.”

  “Them must be some mighty strong thoughts for you to have such

  sourciller.” Frown she stated, and I sighed.

  I just could not tell her about Mr. Charles, moreover, she might have Ms. Millie hex him.

  “Did you know Ms. Millie is under the weather Grand-mère?”

  “Yes, François mentioned it this morning, tis the reason I’m fixing this gumbo chil.”

  “Well good, she could do with some good cheer.”

  “Then come mon-enfant we’ll do just that.” Granny said smiling, as she took the pot off the iron furnace stove, and we both walked out the door.

  Haven…

  “And has the telegraph been sent Abel?” Mr. Jones asked, then gave into a fit of coughs.

  “Yes sir, Miz Clarette came by three weeks ago and collected it.”Abel responded. Because of his illness, Mr. Jones was sometimes forgetful.

  “Good, good. I need him here as soon as possible becau…” Abel handed Mr. Jones the handkerchief as he went into another round of coughs.

  Abel did not think he would last the month. Mr. Waverly had better make hast, if he was to see to Mr. Jones’ affairs.

  “I honestly do not think I shall last the month Abel.” Mr. Jones said wiping his mouth with the handkerchief, and Abel noticed the blood.

  He did not think so either.

  “Can ye please send Marié to me?” He asked, Abel nodded, then left the room.

  Tobias looked around the room, then sighed.

  He needed his affairs in order, because he would not go on before he knew Ginny would be protected, and cared for. He had always made it a point not to show too much emotion around her, because after all, to the white bigots here, she was part colored. Nevertheless, if he had ever loved anything in his life, it was his daughter and her mother. Only Marié knew of his true feelings, it was the very reason he refused to take a wife after Anaïs’ death. No other woman could compare to her, and he would find that his mind reverted to her constantly.

  He needed Benjamin here now.

  He sighed again as Zurie walked into the room with a frown.

  “Suh, Miz Marié is down at old Miz Millie’s, she wudn’t feelin well, so she went to tend to her. I’ll have James hurry down to get her if you like?” Zurie suggested, he nodded, and she left the room.

  Chapter Two…

  London England…

  Benjamin looked up as his solicitor walked into the parlor.

  “Well hello Edmund, and ye are today?”

  “Jolly well Ben, and yerself? How are ye fairing since leaving her Majesty’s courts?”

  “Well, well, please sit. What brings ye out today? I daresay I’d thought ye’d be well on holiday by now.” Benjamin grinned as he accepted the tea from Darcy.

  “I had a mind to do just that, when this telegraph arrived for ye this afternoon.” Edmund said as he handed Benjamin the telegraph.

  “America?”He asked puzzled, and Edmund nodded. “Why it is from Tobias Jones, by God I haven’t heard from or seen him since before father’s death.” Benjamin cried frowning at the letter.

  “Then it must be urgent.” Edmund frowned.

  “Seems Tobias isn’t doing well, and Clarette believes he’ll not see the month out. He wants to meet with me as soon as possible.”

  “Whatever for?” Edmund questioned.

  “I’ve not a clue. However, Clarette states a letter will follow the telegraph. My father and Tobias were well-hinged chums, but I have not seen him since I was a lad of sixteen. I cannot possibly fathom what it would be about.” Benjamin frowned as he placed the tea aside, then went to the bar. He raised the d
ecanter towards Edmund, and he shook his head.

  Benjamin’s mind immediately went to Geneviève.

  “And shall ye venture to America to find out?”

  “That I shall Ed; I must say he has my interest now.” Benjamin grinned, and Edmund smiled.

  “And ye will be off when? And what of Madison?” Edmund asked grinning wider now.

  “This my chap, is as fine a time as any to let her down gently. I am somewhat grateful for this adventure. She’s becoming rather bothersome with this marriage malarkey.” Benjamin retorted, and Edmund howled with laughter.

  “Then by all means, ye must.” Edmund grinned, and Benjamin could not help laughing now himself.

  “Then I shall make things ready, liquidate treasury, and have it all for ye at the end of the week. When shall ye book passage?”

  “As soon as possible, it will take me at the very least four weeks to arrive there. I just pray he is still alive when I do.” Benjamin frowned as he placed the empty whiskey glass on the bar.

  “Then ye had best get at it.” Edmund stated, Benjamin nodded, then walked Edmund out the parlor.

  New Orleans

  Haven

  Plantation…

  Marié frowned as she walked to the bed and felt Mr. Jones’ fever. He sent off that telegraph and his last will and testament nearly three weeks ago, and she just did not know if Mr. Waverly would make it!

  She frowned as Mr. Charles walked into the room.

  “And how is he faring today?”

  “Not very well, and not up to receiving company.” Marié nearly spat, he grinned, then sat down anyway.

  “I’m sure old Tobias has a moment for me. I would like to discuss the possibility of purchasing your plantation, and all its wares.” He stated grinning, and it took all of Marié’s strength not to strike him across his grinning face.

  “Mr. Jones isn’t up to this at the moment, as you can see Mr. Charles, if you would simply come…”