Fort Picolet. Its batteries were trained on the French squadron.

In the afternoon of the same day the French had not yet set sail. Christophe served notice on Rochambeau to weigh anchor on pain of being cannonaded with red-hot shot. The batteries of Fort Picolet were at once trained upon the squadron. Rochambeau was aboard the frigate Surveillante. He had a letter written to Christophe saying he was certain that General Dessalines, frank and loyal, would respect the armistice until sunset. Dessalines, who could indeed have crushed the ships under the fire of Fort Picolet, sent orders not to molest them. Rochambeau had delayed setting sail only because he had opened negotiations with Commodore Loring for his departure from the port. He nevertheless intended to try to evade the English squadron and reach Santo Domingo.