Gérin and Jourdain refuse the oath to the whites and seize Petit Trou

Etienne-Elie Gérin, nicknamed Côtes-de-fer (Iron Ribs) by the soldiers because of his bravery in combat, was born in the Cayes on 19 December 1757. He received a certain education from his family. Living at the Baradères, where he practiced the trade of coasting trader, he was one of those who, with Jourdain, refused on 1 September 1790 to swear an oath of respect to the whites, took up arms and seized Petit Trou. Minister of war under the emperor Dessalines, he took an active part in the revolution that overthrew that chief; a senator under the republic, he withdrew in discontent to Anse-à-Veau after the nomination of Pétion to the presidency, a post he coveted. There he gave himself up to plans and acts that drew Pétion’s attention. The latter ordered General Bruny-Leblanc, commanding the arrondissement of Nippes, to watch his movements. Gérin believed he saw in the measures taken by General Leblanc a design to arrest him; he called to his aid the grenadiers who habitually formed his guard, drew them up in line of battle before his house, and put himself in a state of defense. A…

Rouzier tells this under the entry Anse-à-Veau (l’).