Les Cayes. Papalier, Bourdet and Francisque declare for the insurrection; the authorities proclaim it

At this news Papalier became convinced that Wagnac had been won over. He sprang onto his horse and went round all the posts of the town, striving to rouse feeling in favor of Dessalines. But the troops and the citizens, on learning of Wagnac’s defection, had declared themselves loudly against the Emperor. Papalier met only indifferent men or men who cried: down with Dessalines! The council of the conspirators of the town, revived by this success, sent one of its members, the citizen Glaisil, once more to Francisque. Francisque was listening to the envoy when an old man named Mathieux Périgny, who lived close by, came into his room and wished him good day, with an air of good nature on his face. Well, neighbor, Francisque said to him, what news will you tell me? Mathieux answered: what is being done at this moment is, it seems to me, a great imprudence; but since it has begun, if you chiefs do not hasten to put yourselves at the head of the insurgents, within a few days I shall see you all bound and led to death with far more atrocities than under Toussaint Louverture.” These words carry Francisque away; he goes with Glaisil to Bourdet, colonel of the 13th. That corps was the only one that had not yet declared itself loudly against Dessalines. He told Bourdet that some words he had just heard from an old comrade had touched him deeply; that there was no more room for hesitation; that he was going to Anse-à-Veau to put himself at the head of his regiment, and that he was ready to fight Dessalines. Still addressing Bourdet: as for you, you have 900 bayonets under your orders; take one side or the other. Bourdet invited him to go to Papalier’s. They made their way toward the house of Papalier, who was still wearing himself out about the town in vain efforts on behalf of Dessalines. They did not find him. Francisque went into the house of Mr. Mackintosh, a foreign merchant, made his preparations for departure there, and borrowed from him enough money to pay the cultivators of the Leplicher plantation, which he held as tenant. A moment later he caught sight of Papalier and cried to him: “My friend, it is all over with Dessalines; I draw my sword against him; Bourdet too has declared for the insurrection; so you must choose between the Emperor and your comrades in arms.” These words shook Papalier, who had seen nothing but hostile feeling even in the ranks of the 13th. He went up to Francisque and told him that his side was his own; he said that not a moment must be lost, that they both knew the astonishing activity of the Emperor, and he parted from him. Francisque set out for Anse-à-Veau. Papalier got down from his horse, went into one of the houses in the street, and wrote to General Férou at Jérémie, to Colonel Vancol at Aquin, and to many other officers of the province of the South, urging them to arm at once against the government. He sent a guide to Wagnac to tell him that he had just joined the side of the insurrection. From then on the revolt was general in the town, where disorder was at its height, and the authorities proclaimed the insurrection. Nothing was heard but cries of Down with Dessalines; Inginac’s head was still demanded with fury. Fearing for his life, he kept himself shut up in Papalier’s house, which had so far been respected because of the general esteem Papalier enjoyed.