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263America in the WorldThe mass uprising of enslaved people on the French island of Saint-Domingue triggered international war, created a refugee crisis, and ended with the creation of a new republic. The American Revolution did all these things as well, yet the United States did not support either the rebellion or the republic of Haiti. Some 25,000 refugees from Saint-Domingue arrived in American ports between 1791 and 1810, about two-thirds of them Black. Though all were fleeing the insurrection, many Americans feared that the new arrivals might carry the contagion of rebellion against slavery. Yet the refugees were also objects of charitable relief, and many were welcomed in their adoptive communities.The Haitian Revolution and the Problem of RaceSAVANNAH CITY COUNCIL%u2019S RESOLUTION IN RESPONSE TO THE HAITIAN UPRISING, 1795Whereas, from the mischiefs which the people of St. Domingo, and other French islands, have experienced, from the insurrection of their Negroes and People of Colour, the precautions taken by the people of South Carolina . . . to prevent the importation or landing of any such Negroes or Mulattoes amongst them, and the information the Citizens now assembled have received, that a vessel is now lying at Cockspur, recently from Kingston, [Jamaica], with near one hundred Negroes on board, whose landing may be dangerous to the inhabitants of this state, with the daily expectation of many more; therefore, to prevent the evils that may arise from suffering people of this description, under any pretense whatever, from being introduced amongst us, the Citizens pledge themselves unanimously to support the City Council in any salutary measures they may adopt[.] . . .Resolved, That any vessel that has arrived, or may arrive, in this port, with seasoned Negroes, or People of Colour, from any of the West India, Windward, Leeward, or Bahama Islands, East or West Florida, or any other port whatever, . . . shall not be permitted to come over the Bar, nor anchor within the anchorage ground of this port.Source: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Image ID 1243998, digitalgallery.nypl.org.PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, RELIEF EFFORTS IN BALTIMORE, JULY 1793Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Baltimore to his friend in this city, containing some important details relative to the unfortunate affair at Cape-Francois. . . .%u201cOne hundred and twenty vessels have entered the Chesapeake bay, with upwards of 1,200 passengers, men, women and children, on board, many of whom have escaped by swimming from fire and sword, naked and in want of everything. Some French patriots here, and a number of Americans, have already made up a small sum of their relief; no doubt the generosity of the Philadelphians and of the inhabitants of every city on the continent will prompt them to follow the example. Among these unfortunate people are a number of French patriotic Captains who have been obliged to fly and abandon their vessels and property; numbers of old men and heads of families, once wealthy, but now reduced to misery and want. Some among them may have by their guilt drawn the misfortunes they feel on their own heads, but they are all unfortunate, and pity is the only sentiment that their heart breaking situation can inspire.%u201dSource: %u201cExtract of a Letter from a Gentleman in Baltimore to His Friend in This%u00a0City, Containing Some Important Details Relative to the Unfortunate Affair at Cape-Francois, July 9,%u201d Pennsylvania Gazette, July 17, 1793, 1.EXCERPTS FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF 1801 ESTABLISHED BY THE CENTRAL ASSEMBLY OF SAINT-DOMINGUEArticle 1. Saint-Domingue in its entire expanse, and Samana, La Tortue, La Gonave, Les Cayemites, L%u2019Ile-a-Vache, La Saone and other adjacent islands form the territory of a single colony, which is part of the French Empire, but ruled under particular laws. . . .Article 3. There cannot exist slaves on this territory, servitude is therein forever abolished. All men are born, live and die free and French.Article 4. All men, regardless of color, are eligible to all employment.Article 5. There shall exist no distinction other than those based on virtue and talent, and other superiority afforded by law in the exercise of a public function.The law is the same for all whether in punishment or in protection.Source: Haitian Constitution of 1801 (English), The Louverture Project, thelouvertureproject.org.QUESTIONS FOR ANALYSIS1. How does the first document express the fears of American slaveholders? Why do you suppose the Savannah City Council perceived Haitian refugees to be a danger? And why do you think their resolution prohibited the importation of enslaved people from other islands, including Jamaica? Describe the historical context of Savannah City as part of your reasoning.2. Why did the residents of Baltimore described in the second document respond so differently from the refugees who arrived there in 1793? Use historical reasoning to compare the historical context of Savannah City to Baltimore.3. How does the excerpt from the 1801 Constitution echo themes of the American Revolution? What differences do you see?4. Comparing the second document to the first, how would you say that the two revolutions impacted views of race in Georgia and in Haiti?%u00a9 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. For review purposes only. Do not distribute.