of accumulated prejudice against the negro had excluded from the American mind all inclination to do justice to one of her bravest sons. When negro slavery shall be abolished in our land, then we may hope to see a monument raised to commemorate the heroism of Crispus Attucks.
DESSALINES.
Jean Jacques Dessalines was a native of Africa.
Brought to St. Domingo at the age of sixteen, he was
sold to a black man named Dessalines, from whom he
took his own. His master was a tiler or house-shingler,
and the slave learned that trade, at which he
worked until the breaking out of the revolution of
1789, when he entered the army as a common soldier,
under Toussaint. By his activity and singular fierceness
on the field of battle, Dessalines attracted the
attention of his general, who placed him among his
guides and personal attendants; and he was subsequently
rapidly advanced through several intermediate
grades to the dignity of being the third in command.
He was entirely ignorant of learning, as the utmost
extent that he ever acquired was to sign his name.
Dessalines was short in stature, but stout and muscular.
His complexion was a dingy black; his eyes were
prominent and scowling, and the lines of his features
expressed the untamed ferocity of his character. He
had a haughty and disdainful look. Hunger, thirst,
fatigue, and loss of sleep he seemed made to endure as
if by peculiarity of constitution. He bore upon his
