1802 (French Overtures of Brotherhood): General Hardy of the French army addressed Henry Christophe, urging him to abandon his resistance and recognize the a…
1802 (French Overtures of Brotherhood): General Hardy of the French army addressed Henry Christophe, urging him to abandon his resistance and recognize the authority of the French Republic. Hardy characterized Christophe’s current service to Toussaint Louverture as being a “stepping-stone to an usurper” and a “rebel” against the mother country. The French General invited Christophe to join his forces, promising that the French were ready to embrace the Haytian soldiers as “brothers” rather than enemies. To facilitate this defection, Hardy offered a personal interview at Vaudreuil, pledging his “word of honour” that Christophe would be permitted to return to his headquarters if no agreement was reached. This correspondence reflects the French strategy of attempting to dismantle the Haytian military leadership through appeals to personal status and perceived national loyalty.