1801, January 6 – March: (The Occupation of Santo Domingo): On the night of January 6, 1801, Toussaint sent a dispatch to Spanish Governor Don Joaquin Garcia…
1801, January 6 – March: (The Occupation of Santo Domingo): On the night of January 6, 1801, Toussaint sent a dispatch to Spanish Governor Don Joaquin Garcia announcing his intent to occupy Santo Domingo under the Treaty of Basel. Two columns totaling 7,500 men under Moyse and Paul Louverture invaded the Spanish territory, facing only light resistance. Don Joaquin surrendered on January 21, and on January 26, Toussaint received the keys to Ciudad Santo Domingo, where he immediately proclaimed the abolition of slavery. Toussaint divided the territory into two departments—Engaño and Samana—under the command of Clervaux and Paul Louverture. Before returning to the West in March, he opened Spanish ports to free trade and began the rehabilitation of ruined highways and plantations.