1799-June-25: Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert issued orders to Captain Patrick Fletcher of the George Washington to sail for Cap Français to protect …

1799-June-25: Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert issued orders to Captain Patrick Fletcher of the George Washington to sail for Cap Français to protect the burgeoning American trade. Fletcher was specifically instructed to show “all the respect” to General Toussaint that Dr. Stevens might advise. This directive marked a significant shift in protocol, as American military officers were now being told to treat a revolutionary who had once been enslaved with the honors typically reserved for high-ranking foreign officials. On July 2, similar orders were given to Captain George Little of the Boston to protect the merchant vessels expected to “flock in great numbers” to the reopened ports.