1776-December-01: During the American Revolution, the French colony of Saint-Domingue served as a vital transit point for military supplies destined for the …

1776-December-01: During the American Revolution, the French colony of Saint-Domingue served as a vital transit point for military supplies destined for the Continental Army. American privateers frequently used the island’s ports to refit their vessels and dispose of captured British prizes. These activities occurred while France was still nominally neutral, creating significant diplomatic friction with the British government. Vergennes, the French foreign minister, utilized this clandestine trade to weaken Britain without initially committing to an open war. This early commercial connection laid the foundation for the strategic importance of the island to future American interests.