1767-Feb.-14: Reports from Lisbon detailed a French inventor who developed secret “invisible or hidden fire” bombs and grenades capable of producing irresist…

1767-Feb.-14: Reports from Lisbon detailed a French inventor who developed secret “invisible or hidden fire” bombs and grenades capable of producing irresistible and instantaneous destruction. Successful trials of these incendiary devices were conducted in the presence of Portuguese artillery officers, who expressed great astonishment at the weapon’s effectiveness. The inventor intended to perform further tests to determine if the projectiles could also take fire and explode while submerged in water. News of such military innovations was highly relevant to Saint-Domingue’s colonial leadership, who remained constantly concerned with the shifting technologies of Atlantic warfare and defense.