1791-November-24: Thomas Jefferson informed American envoy William Short that he had held an unofficial meeting with agents representing the French enslavers …

1791-November-24: Thomas Jefferson informed American envoy William Short that he had held an unofficial meeting with agents representing the French enslavers of Saint-Domingue. Jefferson advised the agents that seeking independence from France was “neither desirable… nor attainable,” as it might lead to the colony falling under the control of a more restrictive power like Great Britain. He emphasized that the U.S. interest lay in the colony maintaining its connection with France while allowing for a “common interest” in the exchange of American provisions for West Indian sugar and coffee. Jefferson warned that if the colonists became disgusted with both France and the U.S., they might turn to “the moderation of another power,” potentially turning the “chimera” of independence into a reality.