Rigaud writes Pétion from Jérémie advising him to take a firm council, punish assassins and cleanse the administration.

“Jérémie, 4 September 1810.

“I have received, General President, your letters of 25 and 27 August.

“You write that you have convoked your council (1) to consult it on some ideas that I had the honor to submit to you, with no view to the adoption of a new plan of administration; the end was the ratification of the existing one, which is altogether vicious. I became convinced of this a short time ago, when I wished to acquaint myself with that of Jérémie. But they oppose my having knowledge of the resources and the charges; and it is known why, though you are unaware of it.

“In submitting to you my ideas on the administration and on what it was fitting to do to organize the army, my hope was only that you might have found something suitable in them; but since nothing seems to you fit to be adopted, above all for the present circumstances, there remains to me the regret of being unable to cooperate in bringing you to some change that I thought necessary and indispensable.

“It is certain that a council composed of several experienced persons must see better than a single person who has lost sight of the affairs of this country for several years.

“I confess to you frankly, my dear President, that the various systems established here through corruption, ambition and cupidity, which the government has been unable or unwilling to repress, render this country insupportable to all men who have principles and morals; yet one must live and perish in it, because there are no resources, no salvation in other climes.

“Malevolent persons prevent, or at least postpone, the pacification of that part of the colony, which alone could put us in a position to face the monster of the North, who is meditating our destruction and will achieve it, by the vigorous measures he employs, if you do not assume the attitude that befits your destinies.