1809, August 17 (Reflections on Mild Policy): General orders issued to the army on August 17, 1809, provided a narrative of recent victories and reflected on…
1809, August 17 (Reflections on Mild Policy): General orders issued to the army on August 17, 1809, provided a narrative of recent victories and reflected on the “mild policy” of the Lord President. The document stated that President Christophe had intentionally abstained from aggressive attacks to allow the revolted time for repentance and to avoid the “effusion of blood” among the innocent. However, the rebels reportedly mistook this paternal patience for a lack of means to reduce them to obedience. The government concluded that the most efficacious method of dealing with the insurgents was to leave them to their own “intense blindness” until they inevitably met the punishment due to their crimes. This narrative underscored the administration’s attempt to frame its military actions as a last resort against ungrateful subjects.