Toussaint Louverture

I was born a slave, but nature gave me the soul of a free man.

In overthrowing me, you have cut down in Saint Domingue only the trunk of the tree of liberty. It will spring up again by the roots for they are numerous and deep.

I have undertaken vengeance. I want Liberty and Equality to reign in Saint Domingue.

I was born a slave, but I have the right to be free.

The whites of the island are French, and they have the right to enjoy their liberty.

I have saved my country. I have avenged America.

I am old - I am not an ordinary man - I am a great man.

Do they think that men who have been able to enjoy the blessing of liberty will calmly see it snatched away?

The liberty that you enjoy is the work of a few good men who have sacrificed their lives for it.

I took up arms for the freedom of my color. It is our own - we will defend it or perish.

Whatever defamation of character my enemies are spreading about me, I do not feel the need to justify myself toward them. While discretion obliges me to remain silent, my duty compels me to prevent them from doing any more harm.

Is it not like cutting off a man's legs and telling him to walk? Is it not like cutting out a man's tongue and telling him to talk? Is it not burying a man alive?

I have taken vengeance for my race.

The whites are only great because we are on our knees. Let us rise!

I will be a black Napoleon.

The liberty of blacks cannot exist without the destruction of slavery.

The French Republic needs no slaves.

I am the Bonaparte of Saint-Domingue.

Brothers and friends, I am Toussaint Louverture; perhaps my name has made itself known to you. I have undertaken vengeance. I want Liberty and Equality to reign in St. Domingue. I am working to make that happen. Unite yourselves to us, brothers and fight with us for the same cause.

The liberty of blacks could be guaranteed only under an independent black government.