1767-Jan.-07: Michel, identified as belonging to the “Miserable” nation (likely a reference to the Kru ethnic group of West Africa), was reported as a fugiti…

1767-Jan.-07: Michel, identified as belonging to the “Miserable” nation (likely a reference to the Kru ethnic group of West Africa), was reported as a fugitive in Fort-Dauphin. He belonged to Mr. Jean, and his notice provided the necessary cultural and physical identifiers for his capture. The classification of captives by “nation” was a key part of the colonial strategy for managing and monitoring the labor force. His escape added to the ongoing challenge of maintaining order in the agriculturally intensive Northern Province.