1791-Sep.-17: Governor Effingham of Jamaica reported to Henry Dundas that the news of the massive insurrection of the enslaved in Saint-Domingue had finally…

1791-Sep.-17: Governor Effingham of Jamaica reported to Henry Dundas that the news of the massive insurrection of the enslaved in Saint-Domingue had finally reached the island, causing immediate panic among the plantocracy. He noted that the events next door were being widely discussed by people enslaved in Jamaica, some of whom appeared to be celebrating the rebels’ success. Effingham warned that the “phrenzy” of the French colony threatened to cross the Windward Passage and ignite a similar conflict in Jamaica. He ordered the militia to remain on high alert and restricted the movement of French-speaking people of color. This report captured the moment the Haitian Revolution became a direct threat to British slavery.