Positions
The Saint Domingue Side
Dutty Boukman (aka Boukman Dutty) is one of the biggest revolutionary leaders in
Saint Domingue. In August 1791, he organized a voodoo ceremony at Bois Caïman
and led a major slave revolt against white plantation owners, killing hundreds of
Europeans on the island. His large following throughout the island and his lack of
allegiance to any government makes him a major threat.
Cecile Fatiman is a Mambo or voodoo high priestess who, along with Boukman, led a
voodoo ceremony that was one of the major sparks of the Haitian Revolution. She is
married to a wealthy man with a considerable amount of power but her power mainly
lies in her magic and the respect that laypeople have for her.
André Rigaud is a mixed-race general born to a wealthy French planter and slave
woman. He has many lands in Saint Domingue and a large following in the southern
region of the island. A well-known enemy of Toussaint, he represents the interests of
the gens de couleurs (mulattos) and big planters on the island. He believes that under
his rule, the colony will be able to oust the French.
Jean-Jacques Dessalines is a black general who was nicknamed “the butcher of
blacks” by Leclerc because he successfully killed many Haitian rebels after he
betrayed Toussaint and joined the French side. However, like many other generals, he
has rejoined the Saint Domingue side because the French went back on their word
and attempted to reinstate slavery in Saint Domingue.
Marie-Claire Heureuse Félicité is an educated nurse who is currently married to Pierre
Lunic, an influential religious leader. Through her social service and caretaking, she is
respected by both prosecuted Europeans and black revolutionaries because she has
taken care of both and stood up for both.
Julien Raimond is a Haitian mulatto born to a French colonist and a mixed-race
mother. He is a notable anti-slavery activist in France who is working with the Amis
des Noirs to ban slavery in Saint Domingue and grant free people of color land rights
and voting rights.
Edward Stevens is an American diplomat sent to Saint Domingue to represent
American interests regarding the island. The American government plans to stay as
neutral as possible but trade with Saint Domingue is lucrative and an independent
Saint Domingue means less attacks on their ships and less French interference.
Jeannot Bullet is a black revolutionary leader who grew into power directly after the
Bois Caïman ceremony. He is a powerful commander who leads with violence and fear
but is widely respected among former slaves because of his anti-European and antimulatto beliefs.
Jean-François Papillon is a former slave who has become an influential black
revolutionary leader but is much less violent than Jeannot. His alliance with Spain
gives him several connections and resources on the Spanish side of the island.
Henri Christophe is a former slave who rose to power because of his connections and
his political skills. He gained considerable military experience in the American
Revolutionary War and he hopes to use that experience to oust the French from the
island. If they are successful in taking over the island, he believes that he should
become the ruler of Saint Domingue, especially over the mulattos.
The French Side
Gabriel Marie Joseph, comte d'Hédouville is a French soldier and diplomat who has
strived to keep Saint Domingue under French control. His biggest accomplishment on
the island was inciting bad relations between Louverture, Rigaud, and several other
black and mulatto leaders. His good relationship with Rigaud will make him an asset
to the French side.
Jacques Brissot is a Girondins politician and abolitionist. He is the founder of the
Société des Amis des Noirs (Society of the Friends of the Blacks) which is gaining
much traction among the populace especially after the publishing of ‘The Declaration
of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.’ He believes compromise is the best solution
because an all-out war could cause France to lose the colony altogether.
Jean Marc is what Domingos refer to as a ‘grand blancs’ because he was a rich and
powerful plantation slave owner in Saint Domingue, up until the black insurgents of
the 1791 slave revolt invaded and destroyed his plantations. In joining this council, he
plans to suppress the black insurgents, and take his land back. (fictional character;
represents any real plantation owners who were ousted during the revolt)
Pierre Maunot is a ‘petit blancs’ which translates to ‘small white.’ He worked as a
small shop owner in the Saint Domingue capital but quickly fled after the slave revolt.
Although many mixed-race islanders are plantation owners and/or wealthy, he
believes that both mulattos and blacks should not have rights or own land on the
island. Many of his contacts have remained in Saint Domingue and thus he has many
informants throughout the island. (fictional character; represents any real petits
blancs who lived on the island)
Leger-Felicite Sonthonax is a French Jacobin activist. He is the French representative
of the island and is trusted by the majority of Haitians. His alliance with black
insurgents has destroyed his alliance with mulatto leaders but he remains the official
Civil Commissioner of the island and an abolitionist.
Thomas Maitland is a British army officer who attempted to take control of Saint
Domingue, but with the lack of money and resources for a complete conquest, agreed
to remove his troops from the island if the Saint Domingue leaders agreed to stay out
of Jamaica’s affairs. However, with news of several scuffles between the slaves and
slaveowners in Jamaica, Maitland is worried that Saint Domingue’s revolts are inciting
slaves in Jamaica and the other British colonies. Therefore, it is extremely important
for Britain to help suppress the rebellion in Saint Domingue. Since the Treaty of
Amiens has been signed and peace has been restored in Europe, Maitland has agreed
to join this council.
Sir John Duckworth is a British naval officer who, like Maitland, was also sent by
Britain as a sign of peace. He has been in the navy since 1759 and is familiar with the
Caribbean seas, especially with the island of Martinique. Therefore, his access to
islands near Haiti and his familiarity with the area will be useful.
Charles Victoire Emmanuel Leclerc was once an army volunteer and quickly rose
through the ranks to become a brigadier general. His leadership skills,
accomplishments, and his close relationship with Napoleon Bonaparte has made him
the perfect candidate to squash the Haitian insurgents.
Donatien-Marie-Joseph de Vimeur is a rich, French soldier. He easily rose into power
and gained much insight about military strategy with the help of his father, JeanBaptiste Donatien de Vimeur, who was a key figure in helping the American colonies
gain their independence. Because of the ideals of the American and French revolution,
Donatien sympathizes slightly with the Haitians.
Alexandre Pétion is an influential Haitian mulatto who will work for the French.
Although many mulattos, including Rigaud and Raimond, have returned to Saint
Domingue, Pétion has decided to stay on the French side. He does not believe that the
insurgents and his fellow generals will win because of the immense amount of
infighting. He has decided to wait until they take each other out and once stability is
reestablished on the island, become the ruler of Saint Domingue, under the French
crown.