1800-February-01: The American frigate General Greene, commanded by Christopher Raymond Perry, played a decisive role in the Siege of Jacmel by blockading th…

1800-February-01: The American frigate General Greene, commanded by Christopher Raymond Perry, played a decisive role in the Siege of Jacmel by blockading the port against André Rigaud’s forces. By preventing supplies from reaching the besieged city, the U.S. Navy directly facilitated Toussaint Louverture’s victory over his principal mulatto rival in the “War of the Knives.” Toussaint expressed his gratitude for this assistance, and the event solidified the military partnership between the United States and the black general. This intervention was a clear violation of traditional neutrality, as the U.S. was actively choosing sides in an internal colonial civil war. The fall of Jacmel shortly thereafter paved the way for Toussaint to consolidate his control over the entire southern department of the island.